"I swear it," I say, the words feeling right on my tongue. They feel like more than words as something deep, deep within me resonates and snaps into place. That resonation extends toward Typhon, and I can… feel it. A tether forming, like a bundle of magical strings connecting us. Binding us.

"I swear it as well," Typhon responds. "I am yours as you are mine, until the stars fade and the waters still."

A current of power flows from Typhon to me. It enters through my palm, racing up my arm to the silver mark on the back of my hand. The mark burns suddenly, painfully, and I gasp as it transforms—the silver spiral now threaded with deep, glowing blue like water caught in moonlight.

The tether settles into place, and suddenly I can feel Typhon's presence in my mind—not invasive, but there, like the awareness of another person in a room.

But there's no time to revel and bask in the awe I feel. Raith is running out of time.

"Now what?" I ask.

His voice comes more clear now, gentle and directly into my thoughts. Before, it was the sound of a beast shouting from several rooms away. Now it’s as if we’re in the same room. "Place your hand on the wound."

I put my hand on the worst wound—the gash across his stomach. His eyes snap open and he sucks in a sharp breath, clutching my wrist.

"Raith," I say carefully. "It's okay. I'm going to try to help you."

I see the reluctance in his face. Trust isn't easy for him, even now. Even here. But finally, slowly, he nods his head and relaxes ever so slightly.

The panther of flames resting on his thigh growls low and fierce at me.

"I'm just trying to help," I say to the panther.

"Trust her, young one," Typhon's voice extends to Raith's elemental.

It lays its head down again, eyes still watching me with distrust.

"What do I do?" I ask Typhon.

"I can channel through you, but it will greatly diminish me for a time. Now that we're tethered, you are the vessel through which my magic flows. But you are a narrow straw through which I am trying to pass oceans through."

I glare. "Okay, I get it. I'm weak, you're strong. Just do it."

I can feel Typhon's annoyance in my mind as he shifts closer. And then there's a rushing sensation passing through the tether. Blue light flashes around my hand, lighting Raith's bloodied skin from within.

Slowly, the wound inches together. Raith's face draws tight, teeth bared as he grimaces.

"Sorry," I whisper.

"Don't apologize to him. You are saving his life," Typhon growls.

"Doesn't mean I can't be sorry it hurts."

I sense a feeling almost like Typhon rolling his eyes. Ancient, probably immortal, immensely powerful... but I think he has a lot of learning to do about humans.