Louis brought our attention back to him and Mischa. “Prepare for the final release,” he said, his voice just a little strained. The glow from his hands increased as he neared what must be the last key to unlocking her power. All of my nerves rushed back to the forefront.

Then, in the same series of steps I remembered from my dragon bursting free in Vanguard, the light and power ricocheted outwards. I stayed on my feet only because I’d braced myself for it. Mischa dropped to all fours, her screams brutal. I wanted to rush forward and gather her into my arms, but Louis seemed to have thrown up some sort of barrier around them. Jonathon and Lienda were surging forward also.

“If she shifts, she will kill you,” Louis warned us.

I banged my hands on the barrier. “She won’t kill me, and trust me, the pain is a horrible bitch, so let me get to my sister.”

The barrier disappeared. Either I burst through the shield, or Louis allowed me to enter. I was the only one though. I hurled myself down, wrapping my arms around Mischa, whispering nonsense words, rocking her back and forth in the only way I knew how to comfort. She continued to scream. My dragon energy rose up from inside, and for the first time her power responded, as if the two energies had been separated and were now coming together.

With a crack, like lightning striking, our energies collided.

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Ouch. That fuc … freaking hurt.

The thought was not mine. It took me a few moments longer to realize it was Mischa’s. Right, so sure, whatever … we were just like chilling in each other’s heads. Because that is normal. Okay, it kind of was normal for me nowadays.

Surprisingly, I could not only hear her thoughts, but sense her energy connected to mine. It took no effort – almost like instinct – to communicate with her.

So you even censor your curses in your mind.

She froze, as if she was having trouble comprehending what had just happened.

Jess? You’re in my head! How the hell are you in my head?

I laughed out loud, which had all the Compasses staring. I have no idea, our power connected and now we seem to be able to mentally talk.

She was quiet again, then I sensed a sigh coming from her. The other twins have a mental connection. It sounds like we’re the same.

I snorted. We’re nothing like them.

I untangled myself from Mischa, standing and breaking the physical contact. As our hands parted, the mind link disappeared. I could still feel her energy, but in the normal shifter way.

“You can’t hear my thoughts, right?” I asked.

She shook her head, standing slowly, as if stretching new muscles. “No, you’re gone.”