Galena

Jace walked out onto the porch early the next morning. He wanted to see if Marie would be able to call Heath back to Vorik. He never got the chance to speak to him after Heath and Maggie had their exchange of words. Jace had an idea on how they were going to approach Garos, but he needed to convince Heath that their mother’s idea needed to be a backup plan. He headed across the yard and when he entered Marie’s, he found Heath at the kitchen table.

“I didn’t think you’d be back today,” Jace said, sitting with him, “I thought I’d have to have Marie port you in.”

“We have work to do,” Heath answered then threw his hand through his hair. “Especially with Vanessa throwing out threats.”

“That cat and mouse game is finally getting to her?” Jace chuckled.

“She’s also threatening to rewash the Garzil and throw the new Knights into the mix.”

Jace stared at Heath. Rewashing the Garzil would mean turning Heath back into the ruthless Captain he was known to be.

Heath told Jace he would delay them as much as he could, but he couldn’t promise he’d be safe from the rewash. “I’ve already used a protection spell on myself, but if she succeeds in rewashing me, I need to have your permission on the only option I have.”

“Anything.”

“Even if it involves mine and your sister’s blood?” Heath added, raising an eyebrow at him.

“A blood binding?”

“If the inevitable happens and seeing her glow doesn’t break their spell, it’ll be the only way for me to recognize who I am.”

Jace studied Heath’s face. He couldn’t deny this from his best friend. Maggie was the one who broke the curse in the first place. And Heath coming to Jace first with this idea told Jace exactly how his friend felt for his sister. “Do what you need to do, but you’re going to have to clear the air with her first,” Jace answered after a moment, “And take what she wants to do into consideration.”

“Not you too,” Heath rolled his eyes.

“Hear me out.” Jace began to explain that Kard could pierce through anything, including a pure energy being. Which meant that if he could get close enough to Garos to strike him, he could save Galena and his uncle while not putting Maggie in harm’s way. “There’s always a chance I can’t complete the task and I’ll need her help,” Jace said, knowing he had Heath’s attention. “You need to show her how to draw magic.”

Heath locked eyes with Jace, then caved in. “Fine, I’ll talk to her when she gets up.”

“We also need to figure out how we’re getting into Valo. Vanessa still has mom’s painting.”

“Which she still hasn’t figured out,” Heath grinned, putting his cup in the sink.

They left the kitchen and headed outside where Emma and Maggie sat with Marie. Jace noticed right away that Maggie was keeping her back to them. When he looked up at Emma, she gave him a tight smile, noticing the same thing. He went to her and asked if she wanted to go for a walk. She accepted the offer and told him to lead the way. She wanted Maggie and Heath to talk just as much as he did.

Heath met his aunt’s gaze and she smiled at him. She slapped her knees, standing up and telling them she wanted a cup of tea, then asked if Maggie wanted a cup. Maggie nodded and thanked her, watching Marie go inside. She looked at Heath, who took a seat on the steps. He stared down at the ground, rubbing his hands together.

“You came back…” she let out after a moment.

“For Jace,” Heath answered, keeping his back to her. He knew she looked away from him with his words. “We talked about you. Came up with a plan.”

Maggie chewed her lip. “I’m glad you came back… Even if it was for my brother,” she said after a few moments.

Heath let out a laugh and turned to look at her. She looked back at him and met his eyes. “Drawing magic out of a being is the darker side of magic. It’s not light magic like what you’re meant to work with. It’s necro magic. Your mother knew it and so did the High Advisors before her.” Heath stood and held his hand out, “Come on. You have a lot to learn in such little time.”

Maggie looked at his hand. She looked up to meet his eyes and placed her hand in his. He pulled her up and into his arms. Maggie let out a stubborn laugh and playfully hit his chest. “I’m still upset with you,” she said, shyly looking up at him.

“Then we’re even,” he said, gently kissing her.

***

Jace sat on one of the rocks across from Emma at the pond. The mist where the waterfall hit the pond created a rainbow. Just listening to the waterfall made Jace feel relaxed. It was no wonder Emma came here to calm down.

“So, he agreed to teaching her?” Emma asked, admiring the view.

“He really had no choice…” Jace answered, looking over at her. “We all hate the idea, but Mags needs to know just in case.”

“What’s the rest of the plan?”

“We use a portal to enter Valo.”

Emma’s eyebrow rose, “Vanessa’s an Archmage - a pissed off one at that. Wouldn’t she sense the portal opening?”

“Not if it’s a necro-portal,” Jace answered. “They’re untraceable and made for things like this.”

“I hope Heath has one on him.”

Jace shook his head, “We’ll be going into the Undercity.”

“There’s no place for white lighters in the Undercity, Jace,” Emma said, becoming nervous.

“We’re better in numbers going into that world,” Jace reached out for her hand, “It’ll be okay. Just stick close and we’ll be in and out.” He squeezed her hand and gave her a smile.

“When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow night. From what Benzi told Heath, Vanessa is getting fed up quickly. She’s even thinking about rewashing the Garzil.”

Emma gave Jace a look at the term ′rewashing′ and he explained the meaning. The worry in her face came back and he squeezed her hand again, telling her they had a plan for that too.

They left the waterfall soon after going over everything and found Maggie standing in the yard with Heath. He had created a hologram of an energy being. Heath stood to the side of Maggie with his arms crossed and legs spread. He was waiting for her to concentrate and begin to pull the holographic magic out of the dummy.

Frustration took over Maggie quickly and she threw her hands to her side. She turned to look at Heath who approached her saying, “It’s fine, Maggie. At least you understand the gist of it. I didn’t expect you to get it your first try.”

“I’ve tried multiple times today and each time it’s the same,” she said, upset with herself.

“We still have time,” he said, taking her by the arms and looking down at her. “I have to leave for a bit. Work with Emma on controlling your magic.”

“Will you come back tonight?”

Heath smirked and lifted her hand to his mouth. He gently placed a kiss on her knuckles after telling her, “For you, I will.” He turned around and saw Jace and Emma walking towards them.

Emma took Heath’s place and began to work with Maggie.

Heath walked with Jace back to the house, telling him Maggie seemed enthusiastic about the necro-portal idea. Jace expressed Emma’s concern and was met with what he expected from his friend - a laugh. “She has nothing to worry about,” Heath added then clapped Jace on his shoulder. “I’m heading to my shift. I’ll see you tomorrow.”