Page 154 of Gift from the Nexus

“Everything’s gonna be fine. I was just a little worked up, but she’s confident that this mission is going to go fine so, so am I,” I say confidently.

Each of them visibly relaxes because it was my emotions that were causing theirs. Steadfast and calm, that’s how I always am, but that wasn’t the case this morning and it bled out to all of them. Obviously, now that we’ve each bonded, our own bonds are growing closer as well if we’re feeding off each other so strongly already.

“I have a vest for you at the gym, so just dress in what I lay out for you on the bed. It’s new uniform pants and a shirt,” I tell Willow as I make my way to my room to shower and change myself.

Time seems to fly by from that point on because before I know it, we’re popping into the gym. My brothers and I dressed to the brim in our uniforms and weapons and Will in what I made for her. The sun is just dusting the trees and everyone’s running around, making preparations for us to leave in just a few minutes.

We make our way over to Ry and his Nexus, who’s gently pulling the Bane of Essence vials out of the protective containers Jamie had them in and is setting them out on the table.

“They still good to go?” I ask.

“Yep. They’re perfect,” Nikoli says.

“Good. Duros, Rems, and Hedges report,” I shout out.

The three Nexuses approach and show respect to Willow first, then me, and I keep my face stoic, although on the inside I’m laughing my ass off. She knows it too by her muttered asshole in my mind.

“No activity at the Forest or Rebel Castle, sir. The academy is clear as well. Prior compound has movement but unidentifiable. Wards are down, so I’d assume they’re expecting company.”

“Good. Stick with the plan of you staking out the compound when we leave and alert me to any sign of threatening movement. Pull out if you’re noticed,” I order.

“Yes, sir,” they all echo, and with one more bow of their heads, they turn off to gather what they need to go.

That was a last-minute decision, but Will’s assumptions of them having a death wish, I believe are right. So slowly, I’m going to have to pull them out of dangerous situations for their own well-being, then force them to get some help. It’s my job as their leader to ensure their minds are just as strong as their bodies, and at first, sure, I understood that it was grief driving them and they needed a way to express it. But I can’t continue to allow them to purposely put themselves in a life-or-death situation, hoping for death.

“Be careful, child. None of your usual shenanigans.” I hear Gaster say behind me, and I turn to see him bear-hugging Will.

“They’re Elementra’s shenanigans, not my own, but I’ll try.” She giggles into his chest. I don’t like the fact she didn’t promise him like she normally would, but she’s still just as levelheaded as she was back in the tree house, so all I can do is believe her.

“Will, Oakly, come here,” I order.

Opening the box on the table that I had Gaster bring with him, I pull out the two new uniform vests that I’ve been working on. We don’t truly have a way of testing them for this particular mission since we don’t just have vampires sitting around, but they damn near chipped Draken’s claw, so I think they’ll work.

“Aww, new clothes.” Oakly cheers.

“Whatcha got for us?” Will asks curiously.

“Something I’ve been working on. Here, slide it over your head,” I tell her although I basically do it for her as Ry takes Oakly’s and does the same. Both girls rub the fabric around their necks and arms once they have them in place and look each other over.

“You’ve made bite proof vests for us,” Willow says with glossy eyes when she realizes what they are.

“Hopefully. These are only prototypes, but I tested them with Draken’s claws and the results proved promising. I’d feel better with the two of you wearing them today. I sent one with Lyker yesterday for Aria as well.”

They both smile warmly at me and I give Willow a quick kiss to her forehead as my timekeeper goes off. Ry quickly finishes getting Oakly situated in her new uniform while Jamie passes us all a vial, then we turn toward the massive crowd of E.F. members.

“Everyone, listen up,” Ry bellows out beside me.

“We’re leaving in ten minutes. Jamie, San, and Nikoli are walking around, giving you your Bane of Essence vial. They have the potency to last for six hours, but we have no intentions of being gone that long. If for whatever reason you get separated from your assigned team, get out of the forest. You’ve all memorized the map, but make no mistake, it’s a ten-mile stretch of nothing but confusing, foggy trees. You will get lost and if you fuck around long enough, you’ll run out of time. If your team encounters Keeper, the one and only vampire we’re after today, do not try to apprehend or approach. Inform him of where we are, who we are, and our intentions to speak to him. We’ve been preparing for this. We all know what to do. Any questions?”

When no questions come, I raise my vial into the air, and my little warrior, my Nexus, my men, my friends, all mimic me in solidarity. With a stern but prideful nod, we pour our main source of protection down our throats.

Here goes nothing.

Twenty-Four

Willow

“See, little wanderer, it wasn’t that bad, was it?” Draken asks as soon as he finishes tilting his head back.

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