Inked

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Pian and Teyan were both holding steaming tubs of water when they returned. Brand had a stack of white towels underneath his arms, even his eyes held concern. Data carried a silver tray that he set down beside Zane. On the tray was a paintbrush, knife, gauze and blood red ink. Cabe had a small basin filled with cold water and a small hand towel that was floating in the water. It smelled of jasmine. Mikal, the last one to get back, brought a tray of food and drinks.

I snorted through my pain. Were they going to force me into a hot bath, paint something, cool me off then feed me? Weird.

Zane grabbed the moist hand towel from Cabe. He put it to my forehead and wiped away sweat that I didn't even know was there. Then he ran the towel along my arms, leaving a cold trail. Zane motioned to Mikal who handed over a glass of ice water.

Zane put it to my lips and whispered, "Drink."

I swallowed the liquid convulsively, which lessened the burn of pain. I shivered, suddenly cold. Zane lifted me off the floor, being careful of my wings and set me in one of the tubs of steaming water. Instantly, warmth seeped into my skin. Data held the tray he brought into the room and Zane picked up the knife.

He sliced his palm and let the blood blend with the red ink. The ink flashed a brilliant blue before becoming a dark black. Zane put the knife back onto the tray and took the paintbrush in hand. He lifted my arm, which was now covered in its usual ink when I lost control.

Cabe muttered something in a different language. Zane answered him. The others wore shocked expressions but watched as Zane dipped the paintbrush into the blood ink. He methodically traced the black tattoos on both of my arms, whispering to me in Greek the entire time. With each stroke of the paintbrush, the pain lessened and my wings seemed to retreat. I sighed at the now blissful feeling settling in my skin. I closed my eyes.

Zane picked me up again and set me in the other tub, letting my arms sink in the warm water. I looked down to see if the blood ink was washing off but was surprised to see the ink seeping into my skin. Brand brought forward a towel and Zane held it open for me. I realized that I felt about a thousand times better and gingerly got out, realizing my wings were no longer there.

Zane wrapped the towel around me then took another towel from Brand to dry himself off. Without being asked, the others cleaned up the mess from whatever had just happened. Zane handed his towel off to Brand and reached for me taking my hand in his and leading me to the couch where he laid me down. Muttering a word, I dried myself, clothes and all.

I huddled in the corner of the couch. "What just happened?" I asked. Zane sighed and leaned back.

"Magic backlash. Your body is unused to magic and instead of letting it flow through the land and back to you, your body trapped it inside."

"And my wings?"

"Your wings, it seemed, thought you were still using magic and didn't go back when they should have."

"So what did you do?" Zane sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

"With the help of my blood, I released the barrier on your powers so they could flow free instead of damming up inside."

"Why has this," I waved my hand around trying to remember the term he had used, "magic backlash never occurred before now?" Zane set his cheek in his palm and watched me with mercury eyes.

"I suspect it is because of Tartarus. You have never visited before and compared to Earth Side, Tartarus has more magic in the air. More magic that could and did interfere with your uncontrolled power." That made sense but why did I get the feeling Zane wasn't telling me everything? I ran my hand over the ink still seeping into my skin.