Wilding Springs felt like a foreign land when we returned. I only went back because Mom wanted me to, longing to linger with Mabel and Gabriel, to talk further with the Stronghold, though it was Henry's discomfort that finally convinced me to retreat.
We can talk whenever you need me, Mabel sent when I passed through the veil on Mom's heels, my brother remaining behind, his power embracing me a moment before letting me go. He had no idea how hard it was not to sample the energy that was the Gateway and I'm afraid I pulled free in a quick jerk of reaction to my dark power's need to feast.
Did he know I didn't retreat for another reason? I had no idea, but there wasn't time to correct the act with words because he softly shut off contact and was gone.
Oh well. There would be time to explain later. Gabriel would forgive me. For now, I had another voice in my head.