Sacrifice in Blood

Chapter 44: Ghosts of the Past

"What's wrong, Leina? You look like you've seen a ghost," Talon said, coming to my side and placing his hand on my shoulder, concerned.

"I think I have," I said, meeting his eyes. "The woman I thought I saw yesterday at the stream, this is her." I said pointing at the miniature portrait.
"It was Aliénor." I didn't feel scared, just stunned.

"How is that possible?" Zara asked, her eyes wide.

"I have an affinity with the element of Spirit. I've actually summoned a ghost to this plane before, without realising it, but this time I think it was Aliénor who sought me out from the other side." I said, my thoughts tumbling out as I spoke.

"This is great. If Aliénor's spirit is hanging around and now I have a material possession of hers, I should be able to do a spell that will give us some answers. I saw a spell in her Grimoire that would be perfect," I said, excitement running through my veins.

"Be careful, it can be dangerous working with magics you don't fully understand." Zara warned, her eyes giving me the distinct impression she had seen Aliénor do much the same. Zara's words echoed Bridget's warning to me about not messing around with my Elemental magic. I pushed the thought aside. Sorry Bridget, but desperate times...

"I must take my leave now, but I wish to speak further on this tonight when I return." Zara said, nodding at Talon and I, her lips pursed. We agreed, knowing we had no choice in the matter.

We respectfully said our goodbyes, Zara departed and we mounted our horses. I could feel a little bubble of hope for the first time since I'd first met Elias and Zara. Finally I could do something proactive that might actually help us.

*

Talon and I headed back out to the stream. We rode mostly in silence, enjoying the scenery and the fresh air. It was a beautiful day, though there was a cool breeze.

"You don't get cold, do you?" I asked Talon, wrapping my denim jacket around me a little tighter and eyeing him in just his t-shirt. Talon chuckled as he dismounted his horse.

"No." he said, his piercing blue eyes twinkling as he helped me off my horse. Talon had drunk a goblet of blood this morning while I ate breakfast which was why his eyes were so bright. I was becoming very familiar with reading his eye colour. Which had been quite all over the place lately, I mentally noted.

He's drinking extra because he doesn't want to take any chances of something happening. A voice in the back of my head said.

"If you're cold, I know something we could do to warm up," Talon said, his eyes mischievous.

"I am not having sex with you out here in the middle of the forest, you heathen," I said laughing, rolling my eyes and whacking him. He pretended to be wounded both by my fist and words.

"My lady, I would never dream of suggesting such an indiscreet act," Talon said, his British accent in full swing as he pulled me closer to his chest and brushed some hair out of my face.

My heart still skipped a beat when we were this close.

"If you naturally have a British accent why do you talk in an Australian one?" I asked, curious but distracted by his lips which were ever so close.

"To blend in. I get sick of answering questions about where I'm from." he said in his British accent brushing his finger over my lips gently.
"Here I can be whoever I want to be." he said in an Australian accent which made me smile.

His lips met mine and the kiss deepened. My whole being sighed at his touch, wanting him to have all of me.

I had to physically pry myself out of his arms.