Chapter 20A floor above, Nicolaj sat cross-legged in the middle of the pentagram, hands resting loosely on his knees, his eyes closed. The flames of multiple candles flickered and danced around him. A warm breeze billowed the curtains and brought with it the hint of rain in the distance. Surely if he listened hard enough he’d hear the thunder. But he maintained a tight grip on his focus, watching as the threads of energy zoomed around him. Ribbons of color in a crafter’s drawer, they were twisted and tangled, footnotes of life and the memories they left behind.
Nicolaj once again sought refuge in his sanctuary, unable to sleep, tagged by the idea that trouble was lurking. As he’d done previously, he lit the candle meant to show him their safety, the strength of the wards he placed around
