The Tribrid and Her Reflection {Book Two - - Complete}

EverythiNg Comes With A Price

Some things in life cannot be reversed.

The overwhelming stench of burning flesh infiltrated Hope's senses, making her eyes water and stomach churn. Thick smoke billowed upward, staining the black sky an ashy hue.

It was a grotesque sight of charred skin and anguished cries in the clearing that night.

Hope stared at the scene before her with amber, unforgiving eyes. Not a trace of regret or guilt present in her mind or soul.

Yes, there are some things in life a person cannot reverse.

Those are the things you keep to yourself.

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A high-pitched yelp and a pain-filled screech filled the space inside Newt's suitcase. Icy dread pierced Hope as she looked around, attention away from the Mooncalfs she was feeding, seeing the Niffler running with a limp away from one of the enclosures.

Newt was already skidding to a stop, one hand scooping the Niffler up while the other held a bucket of half-eaten fish heads he'd been feeding the Kelpie.

"Now, now. I did warn you. He doesn't want you snooping about." Newt frowned as he sat on the damp ground while Hope set her own bucket of food aside to assist Newt and the injured Niffler.

Hope frowned as she sat across from him, watching the Niffler bury his snout into Newt's shirt while whining and squealing.

"What happened?" Hope frowned, seeing a bit of blood drip down Newt's fingers where he held the poor beast.

Newt pursed his lips. "Got nipped, I think," he sighed softly, petting his little head gently, "not everyone will tolerate you taking what isn't yours." He frowned.

The Niffler's cries broke something inside Hope, filling her eyes with heated tears. "Let me see," she said, just as Newt reached into his satchel for something to dress the wound, "I can help, I think."

Newt glanced up, meeting her eyes, and with a sad smile, offered her the Niffler. Hope embraced him and wrapped her fingers around his hind leg. This wouldn't be the first time she'd healed something, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

Hope closed her eyes, and at that moment, a rush of warm wind, tousling their hair, blew around them. As the Niffler's cries soon quieted, Hope opened her eyes and set him between herself and Newt. He shook out his little leg and then quickly scampered away.

Smiling, Hope let out a happy sigh. It felt good when she used her powers for good, like when she'd made the meadow flourish with sweet-smelling flowers. It left her with a swarm of warm, bubbling power rather than the electric adrenaline when she used her power for destruction.

Newt smiled, taking her hand, making her look up at his wonderstruck eyes.

"You have healing abilities?"

Nodding, she smiled. "Hm, I can. It's one of those spells that doesn't need an incantation. Just...power and concentration. And practice, of course," she smiled crookedly and traced her thumb along the back of his hand, "It's a good power, though, but it takes a lot. Not many can master it; when they do, it's for smaller things. He was small enough, much bigger, and I'd definitely feel the after-effects."

Hope paused, being pulled back to another time, though she supposed it was technically forward as that time hadn't occurred yet.

"When I was very little, maybe at age five, I started healing little things." She nodded, recalling when she first met her father and healed a butterfly's broken wing." Hope smiled fondly at the memory. "Where I grew up as a child, it would rain, and all the worms would crawl onto the sidewalks and roads. Then the sun would be out as if it hadn't even poured rain, and the worms would get stuck on the pavement, so I'd walk around and heal the ones I could find. I'd return them to the dirt and..." Hope shrugged her shoulders with a small smile. "It was one of my favorite things to do. Even if it made me tired at the end." A slight frown turned down the corners of her mouth.