He deftly inserted the metal bar before screwing the second stone in to cap it. Once that was done, the nebulous magic surrounding us snapped into place, igniting the symbols on Lou’s skin until they glowed a bright purple. For a second, I could see the magic tracing her skin, following unknown pathways until every inch of her glowed. The light coalesced, burning bright for an instant before it disappeared with a flash, the Sharpie markings vanishing with it, like they’d never been.

A drop of blood welled at the site of the second piercing and Will gently pressed a piece of gauze against it. “Bit of a bleeder.”

I felt a flare of guilt at the sight of that blood. Because of me, Lou’s life had been upended, her schedule completely fucked, and now she had to go through this. The piercings were temporary, and the pain wasn’t bad, but she had bled for me and I didn’t like it.

“Stop it,” Lou said. “I’m fine.”

I grumbled an apology.

Lou glared at me. “You didn’t ask Eva to come after you. This is not your fault.” She pointed at her neck with her free hand. “I didn’t tell Will ‘no’ because he’s right, this will help. I chose to take that help, just like I chose to stay bonded to you until this is over.” When I didn’t seem convinced, she sighed. “Check the bond. I’m not trying to make you feel better.” She made a face. “I mean, I am, but by telling the truth.”

When I checked, everything was as Lou said—her resolve to be there for me, her exhaustion from battling Eva earlier, and relief that we were okay. The only anger she had was aimed firmly at Eva. Nothing at me. I leaned in and kissed her on the temple. “Thank you.”

She flushed. “Of course.”

Will went through the ritual once more, until Lou had two sets of stones resting on the back of her neck, the bars hidden under the skin. Will checked them, a look of satisfaction on his face. “That should slow her down.” He took off his gloves and tossed them in the garbage, waving Lou off the chair. “Okay, Dec, your turn.”

I jumped up and took Lou’s spot on the chair. Will toweled off any of the excess sweat left on my chest, and then went through the whole piercing process again. I held Lou’s hand, letting her calm me the way I’d done for her. My skin heated as the magic gathered, flaring as the light grew brighter, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Will capped the jewelry, and I sucked in a breath as the magic snapped into place.

Lou beamed at me. “See? No big deal, Dec. I’m fine. We’re fine.”

I nodded, but it was a big deal. What Lou had already done for me was huge. She’d put her future in jeopardy, let me barge into her life, and now this. No, Lou wasn’t fine. She was amazing. I kept my eyes on her as Will put in the second piercing, and I felt my heart lurch.