Page 105 of King of Tides

“All you have asked for will be ready for your date this evening. Ardan will be busy until you are ready. I have made certain of it.

“Enjoy your evening. And Billy?

“Yes?”

“Be sure to tell him your true feelings,” he says and leaves.

I try to get excited about the date, but I can’t stop thinking about someone trying to come after the boys. I think of their happy little faces and my veins start to pulse with my powers.

“Easy, young master. We don’t want to go down that road. We will flatten all in its path and there will be no return,”Intikam warns.

Amadeus

I can feelmy mate as she pours a steaming cup of tea before me. I want to open my eyes and address her and this elephant in the room, but I already feel the cracks forming in the illusions.

I double down my efforts and remain focused on my task. I believe my grandfather has me overreaching. I had no idea I would have to hold up so many illusions at once for so long. I had been fine until my grandfather began to enter and exit the illusions at will.

I thought the original plan was for him to stay here in this realm with me and Kai as I created our images back in reality. I understand that Ardan might become suspicious of him.

I don’t know my grandfather as well as Ardan and I was bound to make a mistake. Ardan arrived suspicious of Kenji and with good reason.

“You are doing well. Relax. We are nearly done,” Kenji’s voice floats to me, telling me he has returned.

I still don’t open my eyes. My hold on things is slipping. Right now, the slightest change and I will lose it all.

“You can do this. I have faith in you. Let’s check in with each illusion so you can regain control. I’ve already reinforced the barrier around the boys, so that magic will not interfere with your tasks.”

I give him a nod of acknowledgment. It is all I can offer at the moment. Then I focus on my hands to weave the right strings to tighten each illusion as he goes.

“First, the temple. The stone must be sensed within the vault. He cannot sense that it has been moved. If he walks into the vault, it must appear to be there.”

I weave the illusion carefully, reinforcing the cracks that have begun to form. I am careful not to set off any triggers as I work. In my mind’s eye, I can see Ardan and the others keeping watch.

Ardan turns his head toward the door of the temple, and I freeze. I hold my breath until someone calls his name and he looks away.

“Slowly, he can feel higher magic. You have to move slow,” Kenji coaches.

Slowing down, I finish weaving and release a breath as I’m done. I nod to signal for my grandfather to continue. I grow frustrated when I hear him sipping tea.

Of course he is relaxed. This is second nature to him, while I’m trying not to break a sweat. However, if I lose my temper, I will lose it all.

“Good, you are calm and ready to move on to the next. The stone. It’s true presence must remain concealed as should the presence of the other with it.”

Again, I take my time to weave the thread of the illusion. In my mind, I can see the gold strings I need to pull and thread together. Time is space and space is time. I weave and thread them with my mind.

This one is harder because the power coming from the source stones is so strong. I have to increase my strength to close the final loop as the stones fight against me.

“Very well done. Let’s move to the next. Billy and Intikam have gotten stronger way faster than I thought. Lock them down, before he senses the change. Be careful with this one.

“They must fully merge naturally. They must awaken as one for Billy to attain a true transformation. They are not there yet, and your magic cannot interfere. Take your time.”

I think his words over, allowing the gold threads to dangle before me before I reach for them and begin to weave. This will need to be thin but strong. Impenetrable but nearly invisible.

Taking a calming breath, I begin. I use an intricate design and take my time to thread each loop and strand, making sure not to touch anything that’s not my own magic.

“Excellent. Done like a true master. Now, the last one. You and Kai must appear as normal.

“He cannot sense you are here and the two out there are illusions. Your grasp on Kai has been slipping. Don’t allow whatever you are feeling to get in the way of this. You can deal with your situation with your mate once this is all over.”

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