9. Nine

Nine

Willow

Staring out over the view this morning is a beautiful, peaceful picture.

The guys all had things they needed to take care of this morning, and while they each invited me to join them, I decided on a little alone time. Which I’m pretty sure they all knew I needed because they didn’t push back. Plus, Gaster is meeting me here in a few. There’re things we need to discuss and things I can’t keep ignoring.

So in the rare blissful few moments of silence, I take in and cherish the scene in front of me.

The sun hasn’t crested the trees just yet, but it’s poking out, getting ready to warm the ground. The cool morning breeze has just enough chill to it that I need a thin blanket out here on the balcony, and the perfectly made cup of coffee Corentin handed me before he left warms my hands.

Just as I bring the mug to my lips, my communicator buzzes on my thigh and as soon as I see the name across the screen, I smile.

Damn, I’ve missed her.

“Fuck, I’ve missed your voice,” Oakly says as soon as I accept the call .

“I haven’t even said anything yet.” I chuckle, but as her own laugh joins mine, the sound fills the gaping hole of longing that was in my chest. “I’ve missed you too.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come to the healing wing with Jamie. I’ve just been…”

“Wrapped up in your men’s arms because you completed your bonds?” I snicker at her outraged gasp, and I wish she were here to see my smug face.

Thank fuck I don’t actually feel the way Oakly feels during her spicy time with her men because damn, that would be so awkward, but yeah, I felt the moment she seemed to…well, I don’t know how to explain it. Her bond felt stronger, and I knew what that meant.

“Please, for the love of Elementra, tell me you did not see that in some creepy-ass vision.”

“No, absolutely not.” I laugh at the mortification in her tone, then clear my throat. “Our bond strengthened again, just like after you bonded the first time, but more…if that makes sense.”

“Holy shit, it does. You…you’re fully bonded too. I felt it,” she whispers before squealing so loud I have to pull the communicator from my ear. “This is the coolest and weirdest thing ever.”

We fall into fits of laughter. This, by my definition, isn’t the weirdest thing that’s happened, but it’s something, that’s for sure. It makes sense now, though, why I haven’t felt a desperate need to see her like I normally would. Both of our bonds are a little distracted with the bigger bonds taking over our emotions currently.

Once our teasing and laughing tapers off, we easily jump right into catching up on everything that’s been happening for both of us. I tell her about the memories, the south wing, CC, and like the amazing sister she is, she laughs, cries, and cusses him out on my behalf. Her excitement for me having almost all my memories returned matches my own, though, and her support means the world to me.

“What is that noise coming out of you?” I ask as she lets out a long, exaggerated groan.

“My parents are blowing me up. They’ve been blowing me up since Corentin sent out the announcement of the academy shutting down. They laid off a little bit when I told them I was selected to join the mission we were going on, you know, excluding the part about kidnapping an ancient vampire, but since we’ve gotten back, they’ve been relentless. They want to know where I’m staying, who I’m staying with, blah, blah, blah. Well, last night they took it too far. I kinda snapped…”

“Snapped how? Don’t leave me hanging like that.”

She lets out a sigh and I swear I can see her eyes rolling. “They had invited me to dinner last night, which I know I should’ve just said no to, but then I would’ve had to come up with an explanation as to why I didn’t want to come, so I just ignored them. Right before bed, they started blowing me up again. So then I got scared that something had happened to one of them and I answered. Wrong freaking shit to do. My dad went ballistic on me about how much I made a fool of him and embarrassed him.”

“I don’t understand. How did you make a fool of him and embarrass him by ignoring their calls and not going to dinner?” I ask.

“They…” Her voice wells with emotions and her sudden sniffling has me sitting straight up.

What have those assholes done?

“Oakly, what did they do?” I accidentally, not really, growl.

“They’d arranged me a Nexus and I was supposed to meet them at dinner. The Razy Nexus. Fucking elite brats who are higher up in the Central and Aeradora society.”

My ears ring as the rage, sadness, and abandonment vibrate through her broken tone. I have to breathe through my dragon’s immediate need to defend her and my own fierce emotions make my skin hot at hearing her so upset.

This is the shit I just can’t understand about some families in this society. She’s a true Primary to a wonderful group of men. Hell, if we want to get technical, Ry’s standing elevates the entire Nexus to the point you’d think her social ladder parents would be thrilled. What should matter is her happiness, the fact she’s cherished, cared for, and not just that, those men build her up and encourage her to be more than a pretty face.

She’s a badass .

“So you snapped and told them you had a Nexus, a true Nexus,” I conclude.

“Yeah, and they didn’t take it well. Demanded I come home and introduce them,” she mumbles.

“Are you going to? I mean, fuck them. I’ll fly over there right now and tell them to fuck off. We’ll show them how high up in society you are when you roll up on a dragon’s back.” She thinks I’m kidding by the way a small laugh breaks through her tear-drenched voice, but I’m not.

“Yeah, we’re going to go the day after tomorrow. The last damn thing I want is to spend the remainder of break with my parents. It’s not going to go how they believe it’s going to, though. Ry’s already declared they’re taking full Nexus responsibility over me, and I won’t be leaving that house as a Folder but a Mercie. He’s supposed to be talking to Corentin and Tillman today about it. You know since we technically broke quite a few rules.”

“You lost me completely. What the hell does that mean? And why would he need Corentin’s and Tillman’s permission for that?” I ask, completely confused in the conversation now. The only thing I understood was the part of changing her last name to theirs.

“I forget sometimes you didn’t grow up here,” she snorts before saying, “I’m not sure how to put this without it being a long explanation or pissing you off.”

Oh, welp I already know it’s going to piss me off now.

“Might as well just spit it out.”

“There’re rules written within the academy handbook. Rules specifically for unbonded females, Primaries,” she says vaguely, not explaining shit.

“Get on with it, Oakly. I don’t have time to go hunt down this so-called handbook I’ve never heard of until this second.”

Shitty on my part, yeah, but Corentin never brought it up, so it’s not that important for me to know, I guess.

She sighs deeply, and I already know from that alone, whatever it is, is some shit that’s going to irk my nerves .

“You wouldn’t have heard of this because it doesn’t too much apply to you. Because you’re a…charge, so to speak, and you’re already your Nexus’s responsibility. For those of us females who aren’t, who have parents, they have to sign off on our Nexuses while we’re still at the academy. True or chosen. They decide when to give up their responsibility over us until we finish the academy. I wasn’t supposed to fully bond the guys without my parents’ knowledge of them.”

She delivers the news softly as if me being called a charge would hurt my feelings, but I couldn’t give a fuck about that part. That’s not the part that has my blood boiling.

“Oakly, what the hell do you mean they’re supposed to sign over responsibility of you and they needed knowledge of them before your bonding?”

“See, I knew you were going to get pissed.” She tsks as if I shouldn’t be mad.

“Hell yeah, I am. That all just sounded as though Primaries need our parents’ permission on who we decide to spend our lives with. And why the hell does anyone have to take responsibility for us? We aren’t children.”

“Technically, we’re supposed to get their permission for, well, everything. It all started when true Primary bonds became more and more rare. People were bonding however they saw fit, and society decided that there needed to be more power balance involved. So their solution to that was parents would be responsible for their daughters’ well-being until they completed the highest level of the academies. That includes everything, even who they bond with. If the parents didn’t feel like it was a good fit, they wouldn’t allow it. It’s barbaric, old-fashioned, and a way outdated practice, but neither the five, nor the elite society will agree to change it.

“Corentin’s bent the rules plenty for many people. Me included. He was technically supposed to inform my parents the moment Ry’s and my awakening happened, but he didn’t.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and breathe while I process this bullshit. This is a level of control I’d expect from the Mastery, but everyone else in Elementra? No. This is ridiculous .

“This is bullshit, Oak, but that’s beside the current point. This is something that’ll get fixed. If Corentin’s already bending the rules and not informing parents, that means he’s already working on a way to get rid of it completely. And I’ll make sure to see it through, but for now, explain to me what this means for you. What happens when you get to your parents’?”

“Well, I’m hoping it’s going to be a civil discussion. The deed’s already done. But the plan is we’re all going to go have breakfast with them and be as sweet and fake as possible. The guys will hopefully charm my parents, they sign over responsibility of me, and we leave. And I never speak to them again.”

I snort at the sarcasm and nonchalance of her plan. From the shit I’ve heard her talk about her parents, I don’t see it going according to that plan. At all. I see screaming, yelling, Ry losing his shit. Jamie may charm and calm everyone down until her parents say something sideways about her, then he’s going to flip as well.

“Okay, well, what’s the backup plan? What if they refuse to sign over responsibility of you?” Those words taste like ash on my tongue.

That’s something that’s going to change, one way or another. Hopefully, as soon as we get rid of the two of the five betraying us. Aurora can fill the seats with people who aren’t corrupted by the Mastery and their disgusting beliefs.

“The next step is more complicated. The proper channel would be to go to the ruling council of our territory, but each of my dads are from a territory, Mom’s from the Central. None of the five of them would agree to claim one of the other territories as home, so they’ve been pandering all five territories their whole lives.”

Of course.

“Couldn’t I just get Aurora involved? Get her to sign this shit and be done?” I ask, growing frustrated with this whole stupid-ass situation she is in.

“Fuck, the way you speak of the Matriarch as though she’s just a friend is crazy to me.” She squeals, causing me to laugh.

“Sorry, I kinda forget she’s the Queen. But she’s also my mother-in-law and yeah, a really good friend. I’ll call in a favor. ”

She blows out a breath so harsh I hear her lips flapping together and I laugh at her dramatics. “I mean, yeah, she could sign off and it would be done and over with, but I’d prefer to talk with my parents first. The last thing I want is for them to realize how close I truly am to the ruling family now because of you. That’s another reason why I haven’t told them about our bond. They’ll smell an opportunity and be completely fake. I’m just ready to cut ties with them, Willy.”

The sadness in her tone eats at my heart and I wish like hell she had a better relationship with her parents. It’s so unfair. All she’s ever wanted was their love, but all they wanted was a top spot in society and they’ve treated her like shit her whole life because she doesn’t feel the same.

“I know. Go with your plan and hopefully they’ll agree. But we have this plan as backup. One way or another, we’ll get you from under them, so you’ll be free to do and love your men however you see fit. Okay?” I ask softly.

“Yeah, sounds good. We’ll let Jamie do all the talking.” She sniffles.

“That sounds perfect. It’s all going to be fine and afterward, you all will come stay here at the palace with us for the few remaining days of the academy closure.”

“At the palace? You aren’t going back to the mansion during the break?” she asks, surprised. It surprises me too.

“Probably not for break. We’ll have to work out the logistics after the academy opens back up, but I…I love the south wing and there’s much I need to learn here. I know CC well, so I know there’re more secrets hidden within these walls that I have to figure out. I love the mansion too, though. I don’t want to only live in one, but for right now, I’m meant to be here,” I admit.

The south wing is where my heart’s calling me to be, for now.

I haven’t said it out loud to the guys yet, but they know, they feel it too. They’ve also put off exploring their rooms to the full extent, just like I’ve put off exploring the rooms I know were made for my benefit.

“Shit. Never in my life did I think I’d ever visit the palace. Now I’m about to be hanging out there like I’m somebody special.” Oakly snorts .

“First off, you are special. Secondly, get used to it. I don’t think you’ve thought it all the way through, Oaks. You’ll be living here one day with me. Tillman will be commander of the entire E.F. army when he takes over from Roye, which will pull Ry, Nikoli, and San in higher positions. Jamie will become the palace’s healer and Master Inventor. You’re my sister. You’ll automatically become my most trusted advisor. You’ll be working alongside Gaster as Master Archivist. Hell, knowing him, in two hundred years when I pop out a kid, he’s going to want to step down and you’ll be taking over completely.”

My laugh fades out as everything I just said in a teasing manner slaps me back into reality. The silence coming from the other side of the communicator screams the deafening truth of it all. I’ve been listening, learning the structure of the ruling family, and I guess subconsciously, I’ve already started accepting it and working it out in my mind.

“Holy shit, Oakly,” I whisper.

“Yeah, talk about a fucking wake-up call.”

“That’s going to be our lives one day. Two hundred years sounds so far away, but it’s not, is it?” I ask as my own emotions race to the surface.

“No, it’s not. We’ve got other things to worry about first, though, right? You know, like finishing at the academy, traveling, sightseeing, our bonding ceremonies. No need to fret over the other stuff right now. Right?” she asks as her own panic bleeds through her words.

“And saving the realm,” I mumble.

“Fuck, yeah. That too. See, plenty for us to do before we become sensible, responsible adults who rule the realm. We’ve got plenty of time.”

“Yeah…yeah. Plenty of time.”

We manage to end our conversation on a much happier, funnier note, making plans for the tour I’ll give her when she gets here, how she, Aurora, and I will enjoy some coffee and girl time. All in all, we’re our happy, normal selves by the end of it.

Deep inside, though, I can’t shake the feeling…

The clock for the realm is ticking.

“Eager to learn about the Valorian Veil?” Gaster asks as he plops down beside me on the couch in the lounge with a single journal. Far less than I thought there’d be when CC told me to ask for his notes.

“I don’t know if I’d say eager to learn about it, but I am eager to go inside the amplifier room.”

“Ah, yes, of course. The Eye of the Veil,” he says dreamily.

“I’m sorry?”

“It’ll explain more in here. That’s a story I haven’t told in some time,” he says as he passes over a journal that’s seen better days.

I’m careful as I untwine the thin leather string that’s holding the cover closed and I’m surprised when I find that the parchment inside looks fresh, new even.

“When the portals closed, I enchanted my journals from the other realms to preserve them better. Quite a few of my journals on Elementra are preserved as such as well. Some are not. Depends on my mood and the information inside,” he says with a smirk when I give him a questioning look.

“I’ll admit, Gaster, I expected books and books on this realm when CC told me to ask about your notes. I didn’t expect only a single journal,” I say as I flip through the pages.

I come across a particular spot where it’s actually missing a page, and my finger runs down the jagged, ripped edges. Of course my curiosity burns to know what’s missing, but as I read the page before it, it’s mostly information on Elementra.

“I spent a good number of years in the Valorian Veil, but times were getting rough there before I left. It happened quickly, fiercely, so I only grabbed this one journal. It had the most valuable information in there and then I fled. The portal to the Veil closed first, and that’s no surprise to me. Whether it was your ancestors or Elementra who closed that portal, I don’t know, but they knew that realm was on its own verge of war, and we needed no part of it.”

War. It seems to be a trend.

There was always a war in the nonmagical realm. There’s a war in Elementra and apparently, the gods can’t get along either. I wonder if the vampires, the giants, and the casters have figured out better ways to exist.

“May I borrow this?” I ask.

“I’ve already sent it to your journal. I just wanted to show you the original as well.” He pats my hand and takes the journal from me.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that, Gaster…” I trail off at his knowing smile. He’s been waiting for me to bring it up on my own.

“Your infinity journal. Yes, apparently, I’ve presented it to you twice now.”

“You made it for my birthday and CC gave it to me as a present. I remember the day he asked for it back. I’d run to my tree crying because Franklin had destroyed my room. I’d stolen a book from his study with the intention of reading it then returning it. I’d done it many times and not gotten caught, but that time, I guess I stole a book I had no business reading. When I told CC, he said it was too dangerous for my journal to stay in my room anymore and that he’d bring it with him every day for me to write in. He’d never explain to me why, though. I even made the argument that Franklin couldn’t read the words because he didn’t have magic, but we know the truth now. How did you get possession of it again?”

“I’m not entirely sure, child. I found it in my cottage, and I could sense my magic intertwined with it. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away. Once you arrived, I thought to myself, how perfect. It’s even her favorite color. Then I added my notes and research to it. When I first made it, it was under CC’s directions,” he says softly, with apologetic eyes.

“I hid it in his office while he was molding your necklace. I knew it’d be safe there.”

My body shivers as CC’s voice filters through my mind. This is the first time he’s spoken since before I walked into my bedroom, despite my multiple attempts at asking questions and getting nothing in return .

“So this is how our communication will go? You randomly popping into my head.” I try to keep my tone light, although I’m already getting emotional. I’m torn between being thrilled I hear him and upset that it’s not consistent. I wish he could talk to me always.

“Yes and no. There needs to be a purpose, remember?”

“And there’s a purpose now?”

“Yes. It’s time for you to go into the amplifier room. No more dillydallying, missy.”

My sudden chuckle causes a lone tear to fall down my cheek and I wipe it away quickly before looking up at Gaster. He can already tell there’s something going on in my mind and he’s patiently waiting for an answer. He smiles warmly at me as I tell him where CC hid the journal and he full-on laughs when I grumble about the dillydallying.

“There’s obviously something you need to see. The Eye of the Veil is the actual name. CC renamed it to his own needs. Made it plain and simple,” he scoffs and rolls his eyes before carrying on. “It’s a tool used to amplify the gift of the sight.”

“There are people in the Valorian Veil with the sight as well?”

“From my understanding, there’s a person. They’re spoken of as if they’re a myth or a legend. Some refer to them as the Oracle, the Fates chosen, a god. Some even believe they are a Fate themselves. Their title varies depending on who you ask, but regardless, they’re revered, and it’s said they use the Eye of the Veil to magnify the messages they receive from the Fates.”

“The Fates? I thought the realm was made mostly of gods?”

“That is true, but gods had to come from somewhere, child. The Fates is what I refer to their creator as because it’s simpler. The history of the Valorian Veil is a long and detailed one.”

“A long and detailed story we don’t have time for,” I grumble when he gives me a small smile.

“Another time. As for the Eye of the Veil, the individual who developed it used a glass dome that magnified the stars, brought them closer to the sight, if you will. They believe the stars conceal the gateway to those above even the gods. Those that blessed this individual with knowledge of the future. Much like I’ve seen in both CC and you, their ability was a struggle at first and did not come as easily to them as they would’ve hoped. So they created a tool to help them. When CC emerged with the sight, I created the amplifier room in hopes it would help him.

“Instead of the glass dome, obviously, I used gems from the realm known for their amplifying properties as well as ones that help you balance yourself, stay calm, and bring forth your intuitive nature. You noticed the reflective walls, yes?”

“Yes, but they have images on them or paintings, I guess. I’m not sure what’s on their surfaces,” I say, thinking back to when I looked in there. My mind was all over the place, but I know whatever I saw surely wasn’t any place I’ve seen before.

“Ah, so something was trying to come through then.” He nods, running his hand down his beard.

“What? No, a vision wasn’t coming through. I just saw whatever the paintings on the walls were.”

“There are no paintings, child. The room is enchanted to broadcast what’s in your mind.”

No way.

“Way, Willow. I got to the point in my life where my visions came daily and sometimes it was difficult to replay the paths. So Gaster and I came up with the broadcasting enchantment. It’s a permanent fixture. When you’re sitting in the center dais, the vision you have in your mind will play around you and you’ll be able to watch it. Like a movie.”

“Like a movie. Haven’t heard that in a while,” I whisper because I don’t know what to say. That’s advanced level innovation mixed in with some magic.

“So I go in there and what, a vision is just going to hit me?”

“Possibly. If there’s something you need to see. It has great strength, so there’s no telling the pull it will have. It’s very possible the reason something happened when you looked in there on your tour was because your mind and mental shield was weak from the memories unlocking. Who knows what may happen now,” Gaster says, but he has that same excited gleam in his eye that he always has when something is about to happen.

“I guess there’s only one way to find out,” I say with a huff as I push myself off the couch.

“That’s the spirit, Willow.” He cheers, giving himself away.

Making our way out of the lounge and down the hall to the stairs, there’s an excited bounce to Gaster’s steps as there’s a nervous falter in mine. My visions are already intense when they come on their own. Purposefully amplifying them is frightening. I’m hopeful that I’ll see something that helps us, but realistically, I’m mentally preparing for the worst.

“So will I have no choice once I’m in here? A vision’s going to come no matter what, like they do already but more…?”

“It may, but that is not the only purpose of the amplifier room. Yes, what Gaster said is true, it does enhance the visions, but more so, it was most beneficial to me in learning to control the sight. By coming here more frequently, I eventually mastered calling on the gift on my own.”

My feet trip over air as my lungs take a huge gulp. His words made my brain short-circuit and it takes effort to fully process what he just said. Thank goodness for Gaster’s closeness because if not for his arm, I would’ve face-planted the floor.

“My goodness, child.”

“I can stop the random-ass visions that just pop up on me and control when they come?” I ask CC rather than answer Gaster, but I do pat his hand to say I’m okay.

“Visions that have great importance, whether they’re past, present, or future, will always come with no say so from you. But by learning to control the gift itself, you can learn to see more than what is being shown to you. You can learn to call upon the gift in times of indecision and guidance. Having more knowledge and the possible paths will always be better than being in a situation blind.”

Of course I’d like to have full control over when I’m suddenly sucked into a vision, but I understand that in times like this, things are forever changing, and I’m being shown what needs to be shown at just the right time. So I take not being able to control that with a grain of salt and I fuel my motivation with the fact that I can learn to control the gift enough to give me the advantage of seeing more, on my time, and how I see fit.

“I can work with that. Being able to control it even a smidge is better than what it’s doing for me now by only showing up randomly,” I say.

He doesn’t respond to me, but his agreement grips my mind like a hug. As we hit my hall, I hope the silence is him just biding his time until we got in here and I’m not about to receive the silent treatment again.

“Listen closely, child, because as you know, I can’t go in there with you,” Gaster says and I immediately halt our walking.

“I most certainly did not know that.”

“Then you simply didn’t think about it. Of course I can’t join you to possibly see the future,” he says with a smart-ass smirk and an arched brow that cause me to huff in frustration.

“That very reasonable thought didn’t even occur to me,” I say, running my hands down my face.

“I know, child, you have much on your mind, but it’s going to be all right. I will be right out here if you need me, so listen to my instructions,” he says, patting my arm encouragingly, and when I give him a clipped nod, he continues. “When you first get in there, I want you to make sure your mental shield is locked up tight. Don’t allow the magic in the room to pull on your own until you’ve had time to familiarize yourself with the space. It’s going to be dark once the door shuts but call forth your dragon to help with that.

“Only once you’re comfortable with the space do I want you to sit or lie on the platform and completely clear your mind. Empty all your thoughts. Only then should you lower your block. It may be difficult this first time around, so don’t feel obligated to watch the walls if a vision does come through. Just focus on the vision.”

I blow out my breath, repeating his instructions out loud to make sure I understand them clearly. My way of stalling. They’re straightforward and easy to follow, but now that we’re standing outside the door to the amplifier room, I already feel its call. My magic is fidgeting in my chest, begging to be released, but my mind is at war with what I may see.

“Wish me luck,” I mumble as I place my shaking hand on the knob.

“You don’t need luck, Willow. Everything you’re meant to see will come one way or another. Use this as an opportunity to take some control and see it first on your terms. You’ve got it,” Gaster says encouragingly.

With the light shining through the door, the room looks just as it did the first time I saw it, with the exception of the images playing across the walls. The center platform has a light glow to it where it’s surrounded by the large crystals and the floor is shimmering with the crystals that are embedded in its foundations.

I shut the door slowly, sending myself straight into darkness that only lasts a second, then it’s as though I’ve stepped into a whole new world.

The light coming from the crystals intensifies and their glow reflects off every other one in the room. It’s as if I’m standing in the middle of the night sky, walking amongst the stars. I’m careful with my steps even though I know the small shimmering dots are embedded in the floor. My mind tries its hardest to convince me I’ll feel their sharp but smooth textures across my toes.

Now that there’s no light shining in, the massive hip high crystals show off their distinct colors and I find myself mesmerized by their appearance. As much as I want to head straight for them, I force myself to follow Gaster’s instructions and become familiarized with the rest of the room.

My hand glides gently across the reflective walls and I’m not surprised to find their surface as smooth as glass. I can only hope it’s as strong as it seems.

The enchantment that fills the space between the platform and the walls pulses beneath my palms, and I grit my teeth to ignore the call because I’m finding that I badly want it to flow through me.

The room isn’t that big, so after a quick exploration, I finally sate my need to observe the crystals that surround the platform. All five of them are incredibly impressive and of all the caves I’ve visited in my time on Elementra, I’ve never come across crystals like this.

My hand finds the crystal closest to me and its cool surface seeps into my bones, relaxing me as I allow its power to touch me slightly. Its blueish color is gorgeous and just the sight of it calms all my nerves. Makes my senses sharper .

“That’s the Blue Calgate. Its purpose is to calm and alleviate stress and anxiety. It encourages unwavering focus,” CC says softly as if speaking too loud will disrupt the atmosphere.

“That’s exactly what it’s doing now.”

I move to the next and repeat my process. The difference between this one and the Blue Calgate is obviously its coloring but also the emotions I feel coming from it. I feel balanced and strong.

“The Mountain Malachite. It enhances one’s natural strength. The outside of this crystal is practically indestructible, but if you were to break through the surface, you’d find the inside to be soft.”

Hard on the outside, soft on the inside.

I hum softly, running my hands over the beautiful shades of green. The colors are stacked and layered as if it’s built up its own defenses over time.

“This one?” I ask quietly as my hands cup the fiery red crystal. Its jagged edges are sharp, but there’s something about it that calls to me regardless of its fearful appearance.

“The Revitalian. It revitalizes your energy, your creativity as well as promotes bold action and clearer thinking.”

Yeah, I sense that. I’m fighting off the massive smile and the want to perch my ass on the platform and start seeing our future.

“The Shadow Light stone,” he says as my hand grazes the next.

Something about this stone brings forth a multitude of emotions and I find myself fighting back tears and a laugh. It’s a confusing concoction that eventually tapers off until I’m smiling at it softly with water welled in my eyes.

“The purpose of this stone is to bring forth both negative and positive reactions before showing clarity to the situation.”

“Last but not least,” I mumble.

The stunning purple crystal is larger than the rest and it sits at the head of the platform. Four spires breech from its connected foundation and its striking, formidable appearance makes my breathing quicken and my heart races. My trembling fingers reach out slowly, and the second my skin touches it, nothing else seems to matter. I’m wrapped in a cocoon .

“This looks like a cluster of amethyst from the nonmagical realm,” I murmur.

“An amethyst, yes, but not from the nonmagical. This is an Angel Aura Amethyst. It’s from the Valorian Veil and is the ultimate form of divine connection and protection. Elementra herself blessed it when it was brought to this realm.”

I allow his words to seep into my very being as I take in all the crystals surrounding me. They each have incredible properties and purposes, yes, but I notice something far more distinct.

“CC, they each represent my Nexus. Each of these crystals matches the color of the bonds between me and the guys as well as their personalities. Why?”

“Because you all were made with the strongest of intentions. Each of you represents the strongest of the strong. Of mind, heart, body, and soul. I know it’s a lot, the responsibility put on all of you, but you are worthy, and you are capable. It may not seem that way and I recognize the unfairness of it all, believe me. I felt it, your mother felt it, any before us who were chosen for this felt it. It took me centuries, until my eyes laid upon you the first time, to understand it, but you are a blessing. This is a blessing despite how it may seem. Elementra has given you, your Nexus, the power to make the realm what it should be. If you can achieve it, there will finally be harmony.”

Tears flow down my face in silent streams as I continue to look around the crystals surrounding me. As hard as it is to admit, this journey has been a blessing to me. Yes, there have been some incredibly difficult obstacles and far too many near-death encounters, but without what I’ve been through, if I hadn’t been chosen for this, I’d be living a miserable existence in the nonmagical realm. Or hell, I may have never been born.

I’d be nothing.

Here, I’m something.

That realization brings forth another that hits me like a ton of bricks.

Elementra may have orchestrated my entire existence, and CC dictated much of how the trajectory of my adolescence would go, but now, they’ve both left the decisions up to me. That’s why everything’s happened the way it has lately .

“You both are no longer going to be making the decisions for me. It’s all on me from here on out. You’re both leaving me. That’s why it was time for my memories to unlock. Time for me to come here.” Panic grips the tone of my voice even mentally.

Oh my God, that’s why my visions were the way they were before we saved Keeper, why my gut instinct seemed to intensify, why the need to bond the guys became so strong. They’re leaving me to finish this on my own.

“We will never leave you, filia mea. Do not think that way. But we can no longer help influence your decisions. There are still plenty of clues and information I’ve laid for you, but we’ve guided you in the preferred way as much as we can. We will still be here for you, don’t believe otherwise. But we can no longer tell you the paths to take.”

It’s on my tongue to argue that they haven’t told me anything straight out. That I’ve already had to figure it out on my own, but clarity sweeps through me. I peer down at where my hand is resting on the Shadow Light stone and blow out a harsh breath, then close my eyes.

They have been telling me, just not as clear as I would’ve liked, but I see it now. The phantom pushes, the pulls, the calm that overcomes me in times of indecision. They have been telling me.

“This is where your new journey begins, filia mea. It’s time.”

His words fade through my mind like smoke on the wind, and the loneliness that overwhelms me tells me he’s gone for now. That was the guidance and purpose for his presence for the time being.

Now it’s on me.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I turn in place on the center of the platform, letting my hands glide across the crystals as I go. Their powers soak beneath my skin and I breathe deeply, absorbing everything they’re willing to give me.

Slowly, I lower myself down and roll the material of the soft plush purple blanket between my fingers. A genuine smile crosses my face because even this small gesture shows the care and attention he put into making me as comfortable as possible when he dropped this news on me.

Let’s see what’s in store for us.

Focusing on the wall in front of me, I clear my mind. I empty out everything I just learned, all my thoughts on what’s to come, and I just focus completely on the reflection of myself on the surface of the wall. I’d like to attempt to see the vision, if one comes, play out across the room. If I can’t manage it this first time, I’ll work on it.

As my body relaxes to the point I feel weightless and my mind quiets, I call forth my magic, commanding it free.

For a brief, blissful second, there’s nothing.

Then…

There’s everything.

Time is meaningless as passages of moments speed across my mind faster than my eyes can follow. There’s no beginning. No end. Just blurs of things that’ve already seen the light of day, things that are happening as I sit here, and things to come.

The movement slows, stopping on a point in time that just recently occurred. A moment in time that means more to me than anything.

Our bonding.

I’m suspended in the air with gifts and elements shooting out of my very being, slamming into the chest of my men, connecting us as one. From this angle, seeing myself, I look like a beacon of pure power. When it happened, I felt its intensity, but this is something else.

It’s the dawn of a new era we didn’t even know we were entering.

Time moves again faster than I can grip onto the vision.

Then again. Then again.

Over and over, different paths shoot across my mind, and I can’t make sense of any of it. I’m not seeing anything, yet I’m seeing everything. These are visions that will come through when I most need them.

For now, they’re just a blip, a blur in time.

The blur finally forms a being like a pixelated picture coming into focus and I suck in a startled breath.

The Summum-Master dances around, shooting power out of his body with the ferocity of a volcanic eruption. Blood. Bodies. Destruction.

It’s everywhere. Everything .

Just before the moment begins to move again, I swear he’s staring into my soul, and I catch the briefest glimpse of eyes black as night. Before the image fades once more, I hear the quietest whisper.

Choice.

Wait, what choice?

I don’t get that answer, and no more whispers are to be heard as an agonizing scream tears from my throat.

It feels as though my whole body is on fire. It’s not my flame that flows through my veins, but I swear lava. My skin feels like it’s melting from its unforgiving heat, and I continue to bellow as I throw myself on all fours.

Stop. Please fucking stop.

There’s no stopping the burn. Everything around me is a blazing inferno.

With all the strength I possess, I throw myself off the platform, hitting the floor with a bone-jarring thud, but still, I’m on fire. Not just my body but my soul. It’s submerged, burning to ash.

Forcing my limbs to obey me, I start to crawl to the door.

Break the connection. I have to break it.

Tears and snot fall down my face as I sob my way to where I remember the knob being. Every move I make is painful and the reflective walls are a river of orange coated in soot.

“Gaster…” I try to call out, but my broken whimper is barely audible even to my ears.

“Gaster, please…” I cry out mentally.

Just a few feet in front of me, the door slams open and light pours in, snapping my mind out of the chokehold it was in. I collapse on the ground, curling in on myself as my sobs tear through me.

“Willow.”

No sooner my name leaves his lips than I’m lifted off the ground with strength I didn’t even know he still possessed and moved into the brightly lit hallway.

“Calm down, child, everything’s okay. You’re okay,” he murmurs and shushes over and over, but I can’t stop the tremors and tears. “What happened? ”

“I…I don’t know. I’ve never physically felt anything from my visions. Until now,” I stutter, trying to make sense of what just happened to me.

“Felt? You felt what you saw?” His body startles as he asks the question and it solidifies it even more for me that that wasn’t normal.

“Yeah. Burning,” I pant out.

“Burning, as in you were burning?”

“I don’t know, Gaster…I don’t know.”

Although in my heart I feel the possibilities. Either that was my soul burning or the realm. The two would go hand in hand.

If a piece of my soul were to burn, I’d burn this realm to the ground.