“So, how would you like to do this?” he asked.
She glanced at the bed. “Right here, lying on the bed, with you beside me.”
He smiled. “Then let’s do it.”
To set a course and stay the path
Sets the angels of heaven to rejoicing.
—Collected Proverbs, Beatrice of Fourth
Chapter 7
Grace stretched out on the bed and folded her hands over her stomach. Leto joined her.
Ready? he sent.
She smiled. “Absolutely.”
Leto was a powerful vampire, and within seconds he had pushed inside her mind. She could feel him at the outer boundaries of her thoughts, seeking, finding his way.
She took deep breaths and made sure that all her mental shields lay flat.
What am I looking for? he sent.
Wow, your voice is so clear because you’re inside my head. It always surprises me that there’s a difference.
I know. And you sound like you’re shouting.
Sorry, Grace sent. I’ll tone it down.
Leto chuckled, but she wasn’t sure if it was audible or within her mind. His presence was like warm water, very soothing. That surprised her as well. He was so physically strong that she had been certain once inside her mind he would feel like a bear pushing around and foraging for things. Instead, his presence reflected the gentleness and kindness of his character.
You seem to be thinking very hard, he sent.
Oh, sorry. Have I made it impossible for you to find my obsidian power?
Yes. I’m blocked at every turn.
She forced herself to relax and once more lowered her shields. He moved through her mind back and forth, searching her thoughts and memories, hunting. Grace, I can’t seem to locate the seat of your power.
Marguerite said that her power was deep within her mind, down a long tunnel.
I’ve been through your mind. There’s nothing there that I would call a tunnel, just your memories and a sense of who you are, your thoughts. But I don’t see a tunnel or an opening of any kind.
You don’t see anything? No glow of light?
Nothing.
Both Marguerite and Fiona had spoken to her of long tunnels at the end of which were the vessels that contained their power. Fiona’s had been filled with gold light and Marguerite’s with red. Marguerite had also told her that for whatever reason, these aspects of power were very sexual in nature and that they had strong sheaths that had to be broken to release the power.
Yet apparently Grace didn’t share such a structure. Where do you think it could be, Leto, if not within my mind?
What about your soul? You have to admit that you’re unique in our world, Grace. Among all these powerful ascenders, you have always charted your own path, followed your own passion, served your communities in different ways. Essentially, you lead with your soul and you’re able to see into the souls of others.
I think you’re right, and I can sense what you would need to do to reach my soul. But the truth of it frightened her.
What’s wrong? I can feel that you’re afraid.
She would have to open herself up as she had never opened herself up to anyone in the entire course of her life. In essence, Leto would know all of her secrets—and there was at least one that still haunted her.
Not surprisingly, Leto withdrew from her mind. The sensation felt a little rubbery, and as she opened her eyes, she had to blink several times before she could see him clearly.
He leaned up on one elbow and rubbed her shoulder. “I know you didn’t want me to go there with you. I could feel how much it troubled you. We don’t have to do this.”
There it was again, his light hands with her, his kindness, his patience. If he had been strident, she might have recoiled, even made other decisions. She might have worked to protect herself instead of moving forward.
Instead, she gripped his arm and nodded once. “It’s okay. I still want to do this. I must do this. I’m not going back to the life I knew. I know this changes things, but so be it. This is my path.”
He leaned over and kissed her full on the mouth. “I’m so grateful that you’re here with me and that you’re so accepting of my beast-state. I confess I don’t understand all that’s going on with the breh-hedden right now or with you and your obsidian soul-based power, but I want to be here for you as much as I can.”
She rolled toward him slightly and kissed him back. “This is new ground for both of us.”
He looked so worried, his brow heavily furrowed. “I just don’t want you to have expectations of me. We’re being pushed toward this profound degree of connection, but I’m not sure how much of a heart I have to give.”
She sensed how troubled he was because of all he’d been through. The guilt he carried with him was a constant companion.
She smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. “How about we take everything one step at time, no matter how messy or strange it gets.”
He nodded, stroking her cheek with his thumb. “Okay.”
“But I do have one suggestion.”
“Sure. Anything.”
“Why don’t we lose the clothes.”
His eyes went wide and he grinned. His expression was so male right now that she laughed. Not a bad thing to lighten the mood. “I’m in no way opposed to the idea, but why?”
She shrugged but felt her cheeks growing warm. “For the closeness, I think, and maybe even the vulnerability. If I can be open physically right now, I think it will help the rest of the process. Besides, I’ve heard the whole thing becomes pretty exciting.”
He leaned over and kissed her, drew back, then waved a hand the length of his body. Clothes gone.
She let her gaze drift over him. He was so beautiful, his arms heavily muscled, his pecs thick, his abs sculpted.
She returned the favor, also waving her hand to encompass her clothes. When they disappeared, he let out a solid groan. He reached over and put his hand on her stomach, touching the sapphire-studded ring at her navel. But she caught his hand then rolled onto her back. She chuckled. “Try to focus, if you can.”
“What? I didn’t quite hear what you said.”
She met his gaze. His beautiful blue eyes were suddenly alive with laughter. She once more put her hand on his cheek. “Okay, beast-man, come bust open my obsidian power, then I’ll let you do whatever you want to me.”
His body did a full shudder. “Okay, so what do we do now?” he asked.
“Try diving into my mind again, and this time I want you to go soul hunting and not tunnel searching. I think I’m built a little differently than either Marguerite or Fiona.”