Refuge(137)

“What did you see?” I asked him.

“We unlocked the door, but before Nikolas and I could get to you, you sent out enough energy to throw us across the room. You and Nate were inside some kind of energy sphere that glowed so brightly it was impossible to look at directly. We couldn’t get within five feet of it without it pushing us back. I’ve seen many things in my life, but nothing like that.”

“You didn’t actually see what I did to Nate?”

“No. You were like that for a minute, and then the sphere disappeared and you both fell to the floor. Whatever it was, it melted the irons on Nate’s arms and legs without leaving a mark on him.”

“A minute?” I leaned back against the pillows, stunned. “It felt like it was a lot longer than that.”

“Yes, it did,” Nikolas said in a tight voice, and I saw Nate give him an appraising look. Nate and I had so much to talk about, and I could only imagine what he would say when he heard about me and Nikolas. Nate liked Nikolas, but I had a feeling he wasn’t going to be too pleased about the whole bond thing.

Roland tugged on my hair playfully. “You learned some new tricks since the last time we saw you.”

“This makes what she did to you look like nothing,” Peter said with a grin, and Roland nodded vigorously.

“No kidding.”

I let out a small laugh, and Roland said, “It’s good to hear that again.”

“It feels good.” How could I not be happy? Nate was back and I was surrounded by people I cared about. The Master knew I was alive, but I was too happy to worry about that now. Nate was safe here, and the Master could not hurt him or use him against me again.

I tugged on Nate’s hand. “You’re staying here until they get the Master, right?” He had argued so strongly against coming to live here when Nikolas offered it to him back in New Hastings that I was afraid he would refuse now.

He smiled. “I guess I can write as well here as I can anywhere else. Of course, I’ll need to get my computer and things from home.”

“And don’t forget Daisy and – ” I broke off when it hit me that I still had no idea if our pets were even alive. “Nate, where are Daisy and Oscar? You didn’t . . . ?”

He wore a horrified expression. “No! They ran away as soon as I went home after I was attacked.”

“They’re fine,” Peter said. “Dad and Uncle Brendan went to check out your place and they saw Oscar outside. He wouldn’t come near them so Aunt Judith put out some food for him.”

“And Mom took Daisy to our place,” Roland added.

“Thanks,” I told them hoarsely.

Tristan stood. “Why don’t we let Sara and Nate have some time alone together? I’m sure they have a lot to talk about.”

“Wait. What about Ben? Is he okay?” I asked, remembering the warrior I’d knocked out.

“Ben is fine, although he is a bit put out about being taken down so easily. He understands you were very distraught and not thinking straight.” Tristan smiled, but there was disapproval in his words. I had a feeling that once I was better, I was going to get a lecture about using my power on another Mohiri.

I nodded, chastened. “I’ll apologize to him as soon as I see him.”

“I think Ben would rather you not bring it up again,” Nikolas said with a wry smile. “Maybe I should be the one to apologize to him for helping you hone that particular skill in the first place.”

Tristan’s gaze flicked between me and Nikolas. “Perhaps I should learn exactly what goes on in your training sessions. But right now, Sara needs to rest and talk to Nate. We’ll discuss her training in a few days.”

“Can I go back to my room? We’d be a lot more comfortable there.”

“You should stay here, close to the healers, for a few more hours,” Nikolas said before Tristan could respond. I recognized his determined tone, and for once I didn’t want to argue with him.

“Okay, but only for a few hours,” I conceded. “Then I need to get out of this ward. I’ve spent way too much time here the last month.”

“I’ve given Nate the apartment next to mine,” Tristan told me. “It has two large bedrooms, so you can move in with him if you want to.”

While I wanted to be close to Nate, the thought of sharing the same floor with him, Tristan, and Nikolas was too much for me. Under their constant watch, I’d never have any freedom. Besides, I liked having my own space and being near Jordan and the others. And what would I do with the imps if I moved?

I looked at Nate. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay with the other trainees. We’ll see each other all the time anyway.”