Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Forty-Eight

I slept until morning and woke alone. I checked the bedside table for a note from Calin to say he'd at least stopped by, but it was empty. Either they were still practicing spells, Calin was asleep in any one of the many rooms to keep Zach appeared, or... I didn't know. Had he stopped and thought it was best to leave me alone? Or couldn't he find a pen and paper?

Wherever Calin was, I hoped he was getting sleep and Onyx was with him. It would give me more time than if he was just busy. Either way, I was alone, and I didn't know where anyone was. Briefly, I debated finding them to check in, but I nixed the idea. Calin and Zach could find me if they had a reason to seek me out.

I dressed quickly in running clothes, wanting to use my energy before something—sleep, magic, or whatever—stole it.

The halls were empty as I got a bottled water from the kitchen and made my way outside to stretch. I jogged in place once my limbs were limber, then took down the path to the gazebo and back again. It wasn't a long distance, but going back and forth made it better. I ran until my breath was gasps and the muscles in my legs burned.

It was exactly what I needed.

Whatever my body released in exertion made me feel so great, I could continue forever. After the low frequency between runs, though, the euphoria didn't last. I left the path with the statues feeling the rush of pushing my body and freeing my mind, and reached the open lawn in front of the gazebo barely able to keep from collapsing.

My steps slowed, and I walked in a circle to cool down. It would be too easy to give in to the desire to sprawl on the cool, still wet from dew grass, but I would do anything to avoid muscle spasms. They occurred even when I wasn't running and I wasn't going to the trigger them on purpose. Who did something to welcome pain, even if avoiding it pushed you to exhaustion?

Finally, I stopped, hunching over with my hands on my knees. My breathing regulated. I looked up to find the gazebo and straightened, pulling my phone from my back pocket. I walked over and sat on the bench, watching as notifications filled the screen. Zach had said Trevor was the same, but I really wanted to check in on Nancy. First, I needed coffee, then a shower.

Pocketing my phone, I moved to the edge of the gazebo.

I could go to Wickenton to shower and get coffee, then use the portal to go to Briarville. In person was better and I still hadn't seen Zach or Calin. I sent Calin a text and decided in the moment to just go. If I was lucky, he wouldn't even notice—better to ask forgiveness than permission.

*****

I parked at the back of Celestial Java an hour later, feeling fresh from a quick shower and some toast. All I needed to make it a great morning was a solid dose of caffeine. The only reason I didn't make it myself was I wanted a shot of espresso. In fact, I needed it, and I didn't want to speak with anyone until my body had absorbed enough of it.

When I left the Kingdom, the connection to the current grew stronger. As I left the Fallamhain home, it was even more pronounced, becoming a weight settled in my stomach. I didn't want to shield myself—Aaron's magic was still bouncing, but the space between kept getting smaller, closer. But the weight kept getting heavier dragging me down.

Celestial Java wasn't just about caffeine.

I craved the solitude of Luna's back room as I could figure out what I was sensing when I searched for Aaron's magic. Obviously, Wickenton was where it was strongest. This was the safest place I could think of outside the Kingdom and Fallamhain home to figure it out. Then I could return before Zach and Calin noticed my absence—Calin wouldn't get my message unless he went to the gazebo, so I could still stop in Briarville—and act on what I found in the Kingdom where Zach said I was strongest.