Page 107 of Gift from the Nexus

So far though, the plan for the most part is as straightforward as we can make it with so many unknowns involved. We’ll enter the forest, gage how close the vampire’s approach, then once we have an idea of how far within, we can travel, we locate Keeper. Corentin will be the judge of whether to tell the vampires we are there for him or not. If he decides to do that, we hope they retrieve him for us, if not we locate him on our own.

Once locating him, Corentin’s in charge of doing the talking. He’s going to give him the option to come with us willingly. If he refuses…well, we’ll basically hit him with our elements and kidnap him.

“Sir,” all seven men say at once, nodding respectfully to the group of us—thankfully, not just me this time—then they focus all their attention back on Tillman.

They’re decked out in a E.F. uniforms, weapons to the brim, and stern, no fucks given faces. Their lack of worry and thirst for this mission hurts my heart more than it reassures me they’re going to be fine.

“Gentlemen. There’s one vial for each of you. The longevity is six hours, but you’re to report back in three. Do as we briefed. Enter the forest and walk along the ward first to see how close the vampires approach before venturing any farther. Do not,I repeat, do not take any unnecessary risks. If it appears the vial isn’t working, get out immediately. They won’t hesitate to kill you if they can, and your senseless death will not achieve anything. We need you. Be smart, be careful, and watch each other’s backs,” Tillman orders as he hands them each a vial.

“Yes, sir.”

As one, all seven of them uncap their vials and throw them back. None even make the slightest face, so either it really doesn’t taste bad like Nikoli said, or they just don’t give a fuck. I don’t know which.

“Thank you,” I mumble out quickly as they go to transport out.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Their softer echo rings in my ears even after they’re gone and I convince myself to have complete faith in them, in Nikoli and Jamie’s hard work. This will work. I won’t believe anything else.

“Come on, Primary, back to the lab. They’ll be fine,” Caspian says nonchalantly and I roll my eyes. Between him and Draken, they’re always down for a fight, so of course he believes everything will be fine.

Heading back into the lab, Corentin, Tillman, and Caspian give me kisses bye and promises of seeing me soon as they head off to take care of other things we need to have in order. Leaving me, Draken, Oakly, Nikoli, and Jamie in charge of getting the many, many vials ready.

According to Nikoli, we can’t wait around to verify if it works or not because if we let it ferment too long, it’ll go bad. I don’t want that to happen at all and I’m not going to let any doubt creep its way back into my mind, so I just smile and agree to get to work.

There are two full cauldrons, so Jamie has me and Draken on one, Oakly and Nikoli on the other, and he’s going to bounce between the two. collecting our trays as we fill them. He’s alsogoing to push his magic into each of them to preserve their vitality.

Much like when we brewed the deadly cures, Nikoli said when the ingredients were first added, it looked like a bucket of bloody forest foliage with some pops of color, but now that it’s been sitting, the result is quite beautiful.

The shimmering magenta reminds me of some sort of fruity cocktail and its pinkish hues are stark against the black of the cauldron and ladle. Every few turns, I get a whiff of its sweet scent over the overwhelming Gingko berry. The sugary hint relaxes my worries about gagging or throwing it back up when we have to drink it.

Aside from a few jokes shared between Draken and Nikoli, we work fast in efficient silence. Focusing hard on the center of the cauldron where a whirlpool has started to form from our stirring, I try to empty my mind rather than let it wander off into all the thoughts that seem to constantly plague me. The longer I stare, it seems to work. Really, it becomes quite…hypnotizing…

Well, shit.

When I open my eyes, it’s obvious I’m no longer in the lab but a familiar, dark, and foggy forest. Quickly patting myself down, I release a relieved breath that I have control over my limbs, so I’m not trapped in someone else’s body, but I’ve definitely ventured my way into the past.

Again.

“Take your pick, Keeper.”

My ghostly form jumps at the sound of the voice. I hadn’t caught my bearings yet, so I hadn’t paid a lick of attention to my surroundings, but there’s no need to even look to see who’s speaking. I’ve got that voice memorized well.

The Summum-Master.

“You believe a slew of women will make me happy? I want what was promised to me.” Keeper grunts, irritated.

He looks…so different.

It’s obvious based on his current appearance, he’s been feeding well. Gone is the lifeless, pale skin and literal bloodshot eyes. His garnet hair and ruby red irises are, dare I say it, majestic. He looks more human than creature, and there’s intelligence in those orbs. He’s figured out he’s being played. I don’t know how many years it took him to understand that, but the disdain on his face screams it.

“Yes, yes, I’m aware and one day you will have what I’ve promised. Your treasure is being kept in good hands for now. Remember that. Once I finally get what I want, you shall as well,” the Summum-Master says. His demeanor completely composed, not the least bit fearful of the pissed off vampire at his side.

Steeling my nerves, I slowly walk my way up to the Summum-Master. Logically, I know this event is a time that’s already happened, but it’s still frightening to just stroll right up to the man creating such evil and destruction within the realm.

To my utter disappointment, there’s not a thing I can recognize or even make out about him. His face is hazy as if a concealment has been tattooed across his features. Despite knowing it won’t work, I try to both reach out to touch him and mutter the concealment removal spell.

“Do not threaten her.” Keeper growls, startling me enough I take a step away from the Summum-Master as if I’d been caught.

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