Page 65 of Gift from the Stone

“Can you tell me how to block Tillman from my mind, or is there a way I can block him from catching my thoughts on my visions?”

“Oh, Willow,” he says gloomily. “Come, sit. There is a spell that will allow you to block your whole mind and one that you can just block out the visions. It’ll be best for you to have both, and they’re incredibly simple.”

“I asked Tillman to teach me last night, and he said no. I could tell he was freaking out about not being able to hear my thoughts, but this is important,” I say regretfully. I feel so guilty asking Gaster to help me when Tillman told me no, but I don’t have a choice.

My visions are constantly on my mind. Not only that, but last night when I finally fell asleep in Corentin’s arms, I had a dream about the first vision I ever saw of Lyker. It was more than a dream. I know it. So currently, my mind, conscious and unconscious, is consumed with the future, and I have to keep it blocked from everyone.

“I know it is, child. Tillman will just have to get over it. If you want to block him out, he’ll be blocked, and if you don’t, the other spell will block out your visions and keep your mind open to him. I’ll also begin loading more spells into your journal, so if you feel comfortable, you can cast them on your own,” he says seriously.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now which would you like to put in place first?”

“The visions. That’s the most important block to have in place,” I immediately answer.

“Okay, for this spell, you’ll need to separate the two, the visions and your own thoughts. The visions are not creations of your own mind. They may create new thoughts for you, but they’re still different from your own because you never would’ve thought them to begin with if not for the vision. So close your eyes and imagine yourself splitting your mind in two,” he instructs.

Closing my eyes, I picture my mind in two separate categories, focusing hard on one side being completely dedicated to my visions and any thoughts that come from them. Although my thoughts themselves are still a jumbled mess, I can clearly see the two sections I’ve created, so I nod, letting Gaster know I’m ready.

“Good. Now call forth your magic and repeat after me. With the sights I see and thoughts I foster. Bring forth my wall, permanently empower my blocker.”

I repeat the words out loud, and as soon as my magic activates the spell, I feel the blocker slam in place, forcing the visions into their assigned section before the thick, heavy wall fades out. I feel the division in my mind if I focus hard enough, and a weight of worry lifts off my shoulders, knowing they’re now blocked off from anyone, not just Tillman, from hearing.

“It’s in place. Thank you so much, Gaster.”

“No worries, Willow. Now this one is even easier. Think about a wall being built around your entire mind. Build it up brick by brick, make it impenetrable.”

Following his instructions, I do just that. I build a wall out of thick brick and massive cinderblocks, then reinforce it with titanium plates. Five carbon steel locks are drilled into the stone, ready to be slid in place on my command. My need for it to be so strong isn’t to keep Tillman out. I’m perfectly fine with him being in my mind now that I know my visions are blocked off. I want my block to shove any out on their ass who think they can take from me whatever they want.

“Same process. Call your magic and repeat after me. Fortify my wall, a veil refined, block my mind from those inclined,” Gaster instructs.

A grunt falls from my lips as my fortress locks around my mind. The sound of metal gliding across metal vibrates through my head, ending with a deafening click as the five locks secure themselves tightly.

Unlike the block on my visions, this block, I can feel is up. It’s like a thin piece of fabric has been laid across my mind, not too heavy or distracting but enough that I can tell it’s active. Opening my eyes, I give Gaster a reassuring smile.

“It’s in place as well. How do I lower it and place it back when I need to?” I ask.

“Good, very good. Call your magic forth and direct it to your mind. Your commands will be lower and block. It will only lower the full block on your mind. Your block on your visions is permanent.”

“Perfect.” I call out my magic and command the block to lower.

I’m sure it’s a feeling I’ll get used to with time, but the difference between the wall being down and up is extremely noticeable, and personally, my head is less fuzzy with it down.

“Good morning. Sorry I’m late, but I came with the next best thing besides great sex.” Oakly comes bounding into the office, Jamie in tow with his hands full of what smells like delicious coffee.

“Babe, really.” He blushes.

“What, it’s true. What did I miss?” she asks, turning to me and handing me a cup of the sugary good stuff.

“You’re the best. Thank you. And Gaster helped me place a block on my mind,” I tell her, taking a huge sip, humming in happiness as the flavor bursts across my taste buds.

“Oh shit, your mind-reading giant is going to flip,” she says with wide eyes.

“Probably, but I’ll take care of him. Jamie, I need a favor, and it’s a big one.” I give Oakly a reassuring look before turning my gaze on him.

“What’s up, Willow?” he asks nervously.

“I need you to draw a couple vials of my blood, and you can’t tell anyone. I hate to ask this of both of you, I know that it’s super shitty on my part, but you can’t even tell Ry,” I tell them quietly. I can’t even go into detail with them, or Gaster, or even my own Nexus about why I need this, and I hate it.

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