Witches in Training (#2 in the Witches Trilogy) [rewrites ongoing]

Chapter Forty-Seven: Missing

VERA

The second I see Kieran crumpled on the ground, motionless, I feel two things. One, like my heart is being wrenched out of my chest, and two, the thought that I need to save him. I know, the way I know my name, completely certain, that he is still alive. He fell fifty metres onto hard ground, but he's still alive.

I'm still concentrating on that desire to save him when I touch him, and then I find myself in a completely foreign place.

Well, it's not completely unknown. It's like an alternate reality, a replica of the real world except solid forms are different coloured auras. Only Kieran and I are tangible. I can see his aura much more clearly here though, and it's fading. But it's also stable. It doesn't make sense.

He's got no more energy. I jump as Fea seemingly appears next to me from out of nowhere. His body can't heal itself properly. She glares at me like it's my fault. Do something.

"How?"

Figure it- and she disappears. Kieran must have used the last of his energy to summon her; for what purpose I don't know.

"You're either smart or incredibly lucky." A sharp voice breaks into my thoughts. Raelynn, as solid as I am, strides towards me. Immediately, I try to put up shields, but it doesn't work. Panic siezes me. Is she doing this? "I'm not blocking your magic." Raelynn says like she read my thoughts. "It's this place."

"Which is?"

Raelynn shrugs. "I call it the Spirit World, although there's many names for it. The Shadow World, Delta, the Underworld, the Under-realm, Acheron, to some. It's how teleporters teleport. The Spirit World connects everywhere and everything. Teleporters slip into it for a fraction of a second. People like Jessica can see into it, or at least part of it, but can't enter it herself. Very few people can consciously enter, appear sentient and converse as we can without being driven insane."

"Because we're witches." I guess. "Between you and Kieran I'm learning an interesting lot."

Raelynn smiles darkly. "Like brother, like sister. Time is suspended here. Even those a second away from death will live." Her eyes turn sad.

"Then save Kieran."

Raelynn shakes her head. "If there's one thing I've never been able to do properly, it's healing. And even if I could too much of my consciousness is on fighting your sister."

"You're in two places at once?"

"I've learnt to split my consciousness. I came down here when I sensed you did. You can learn to do it too, with time."

"How come you're so nice to me?"

"I like you, Vera. And Kieran... you're special to him. I don't want to hurt him any more than I already have." She stares at Kieran, then looks away, and I realise with shock her eyes are glistening. "Only you can help him now. I suspect..." She trails off and shakes her head. "You're partners. You were always meant to be." She flinches and her form wavers. "I can't keep this up. Vinni is taxing my limit." She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath. "If you can't save him fast enough... tell him goodbye for me. And tell him I'm sorry." With that she disappears completely.

"You are not dying on me, Kieran." I say firmly, now feeling a need to prove Raelynn wrong. I can save him fast enough. He's not leaving any time soon. I voice out my sentiments as I look over at him and impulsively take hold of his limp right hand, kneeling beside him. "Trust me. I will not let you die on me."

He's got no more energy. And I'm one massive store of energy. I'm not a magic channeller, but I feel my energy pulsing through my fingers, coursing through my arms. Our linked hands heat up and the small flashes of pain I've been feeling in my wrist intensifies.