The Need (15 page)

I knew the moment Jon’s spirit left his body. I ensured the power stripped Max of his physical form and their bodies collapsed to the ground. I still held Jon’s hand in mine as his body fell. I looked into Jon’s eyes as his spirit grew stronger.

“
Save me!” His voice roared through my mind and I let my natural instinct take over. I knew what the power was going to do even before it began. Power poured out through me as if I was an open door, engulfing Jon and Max’s spirit and then they were gone. All I had left was Jon’s hand in mine and his cold dead body.

Tears blurred my vision as I lay down on the ground beside him. I didn’t care anymore, without him I was nothing. I closed my eyes and waited for the rest of the Hunters to finish me off.

Their blows never came and after a few minutes I opened my eyes and realised I was alone. The sound of my name being called made me want to curl up and become invisible.

“
Save me.” The words were barely a whisper but still I heard them. I turned to Jon’s body but he was cold and still. The words had not come from his physical body.

“
Aisling, save me.” The words whispered through the trees as a light breeze ruffled my hair. He was still here. He wasn’t gone. I opened my mind and allowed my senses to take over. It was then I felt it. It was a perfect box of power, it pulsed as I ran my hands over the surface. I knew Jon’s spirit was inside. He hadn’t moved on he was trapped within the box. Forever held in the moment of his death. I had done this to him. If I could do this much, then perhaps I could bring him back.

I closed my eyes as the voices drew nearer. I just needed a few minutes. I poured my power out against the box but nothing happened. I pushed against the box until the colour of my power changed to red. I wouldn’t let him go.

The feel of someone’s hand on my shoulder broke my concentration and the power left me in a surge. Collapsing to my knees, Natasha broke my fall and held me.

“
Aisling, what have you done.” She brushed her hand across my face. I watched weakly as she showed the blood smeared across her palm. “You’re bleeding from everywhere.” Fear strained her voice.

“
Jon...” My voice sounded bubbly as though I was underwater I knew it wasn’t water because I could taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.

“
Hang on, Aisling.” She faded from my sight as I closed my eyes and gave into the red haze. I didn’t feel any pain as I floated on the haze and it made me happy.

Epilogue

“
Don’t give up, Ais, you have to save me. You’re the only one.”

“
Jon, don’t leave me!” I screamed at him as he grew fainter and fainter until there was nothing left.

I sat up abruptly and looked around. I was sitting back in my bed in the house of the Croí. There was a soft knock at the door and Natasha poked her head around the door frame.

“
You’re awake.” She sounded genuinely happy to see me up.

“
How did I get here? Where is Jon?” I couldn’t stop my barrage of questions, the last thing I remembered was collapsing in the forest. Natasha lifted her hands as though to ward off my questioning.

“
You must be hungry?” She asked hopefully and I knew she was simply trying to change the subject.

“
How did I get here? And where is Jon?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“
Aisling, you know Jon is dead, right?”

I swallowed back tears and nodded. “I know he is not in his body anymore. He’s not gone though.”

Natasha smiled sympathetically. “I thought that way at first when Jason...” she swallowed hard, “died.”

“
It’s not the same thing. Jon really isn’t dead. I did something to him. I sealed him in the moment of his death. I think I can bring him back...”

“
But how?”

“
Right now, I don’t know. I don’t understand enough about my power to do it. I need to know more.”

Natasha nodded and folded her arms. “We can teach you all you need to know.”

I grinned and moved to climb out of the bed. “Let’s go.”

“
Not so fast. You need to rest, and eat, and regain your strength. You gave too much of your power. We almost couldn’t bring you back. Until you get back into shape, power wise you won’t be fit for anything.”

I began to protest but Natasha lifted her hand and silenced me. “Not another word. If you want to learn and stand a chance at saving Jon, then I’m afraid it’s my way or nothing.”

I sat back in the bed and sighed. I didn’t like it but if it meant getting Jon back then I would do anything. Natasha offered her hand, “do we have a deal?” I nodded and took her hand in mine. I had a feeling that Natasha would be a hard teacher.

Don’t worry, Jon, I’m coming.
I thought to myself as I shook Natasha’s hand and she left me alone to find some food.
I will save you.

#

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