Page 155 of Gift from the Nexus

“Nope, not that bad at all,” I squeak out.

Damn, I’m a shit liar.

He chuckles, shaking his head at me, then links his fingers with mine. “Well, it was one and done, so it’s over.”

Guilt splices me open as his warm eyes search mine, making sure I’m truly fine before his serious, ready for battle persona takes over and I avert my gaze so he doesn’t see through me.

I meant what I told Tillman this morning. I’m confident about how this mission is going to go, but that’s because of Tanith’s instructions. I know what has to happen, what’s hopefully going to happen, and as always, I feel like shit for not telling them what to expect.

There’s so much I’ve learned and pieced together for this mission, though, and if I were to tell them, it’d influence every decision they’d make once we enter the forest.

“Team two, move out,” Tillman orders and my heart rate picks up.

My guys and Oakly’s Nexus surround the two of us in preparation for transport. Team two is going first, and if there’s no sign of anyone outside the ward of the forest, they’ll stay. If there is, they’ll report right back, so they have a one-minute window before we follow right behind them.

The rhythmic thud in my ears becomes therapeutic and I use it to force my mind to zero in on the sound. Block out my thoughts, my emotions, the what-ifs. I put on a serious expression that matches those of my men and all the highly trained members who are bouncing on their toes in anticipation.

Twenty-five…twenty-four…twenty-three…

The guys’ grips, while they’re both loving and protective, tighten as the seconds dwindle down. They’re holding on to me as if they think I’m going to be snatched out from underneath them the moment we get there. It’s not a crazy fear, nor a highly unlikely one, given my track record.

“Stay between us at all times, princess,” Corentin orders.

I don’t say anything but rather send out tendrils of shadows that wrap around each of their wrists and tether us together. Caspian sends a matching one that intertwines with my braceletthat makes me feel grounded to them all. Wherever I am, they are.

Closing my eyes, I release a deep breath.

Three…two…one…

When my lids peel back open, an intimidating tree line stands about twenty feet in front of me. Although the sun’s rising, cresting the forest, practically no light cuts through the canopies or thick fog hovering above the ground.

Casting my eyes beyond the barrier, it’s like looking into a whole other world. A very unwelcoming one.

Instead of the stunning, numerous shades of green I’ve grown used to seeing spread across Elementra, the vegetation here is dark, lifeless. Some trees stand straight and tall, but most of the ones deeper behind this front line have a brittle, crumbling bark, and the thick trunks are gnarled and twisted from root to tip. The leaves that should be blooming gorgeous flowers that come in a spectrum of colors are soot black.

The distance between us and the ward, plus my uniform’s long sleeves don’t block the cold air blowing toward me. That depth of chill causes me to shiver, not just from its rigid temperature, but I know it also comes for the creatures who inhabit that forest that have no care or compassion for anyone.

“On me,” Tillman murmurs in our minds, while signaling to the rest of the E.F. members.

Following the plan, we step through the ward and pause. My eyes take a moment to adjust, but my other senses are already stretching out, getting an idea of what’s coming toward us.

The only sound to be heard in this haunting silence is our collective breathing and each exhale adds to the already hazy atmosphere. At this time of the year, there should be nowhere in Elementra where it’s cold enough to see my own breath. That alone tells me I’m no longer in a blessed place, but one of desertion.

“Midday,” Caspian murmurs and we turn our heads to the right.

Twenty-five feet, give or take, away from us stands the first creature to make himself known. This is probably the first vampire any of the people here with us have seen in person, aside from those who were there to witness Bryce, but they all keep themselves composed. There’re no gasps or shouts, nothing. Everyone does as they should.

We don’t make any sudden moves or noises. We don’t engage in any way just as we’ve been training for. The first objective is to stand still to see how close he’ll approach, then evaluate his reaction to us. It’s obvious the moment he catches our scents because his curious, hungry eyes narrow and he shakes his head out, snarling at us like he’s pissed we tricked him.

It doesn’t deter him completely, though, because he takes a few steps toward us and inhales deeply. When his eyes start scanning the crowd, I move slightly to the right until I’m tucked fully behind Tillman, out of sight.

Well, shit.

“Let’s move. He’s not going to approach. Ry, eyes on him at all times until more begin to approach,” Tillman orders.

It doesn’t take but maybe a hundred or so feet in for more and more to begin surrounding us. They don’t get any closer, just like the first who’s still trailing us did, but they don’t all act the same.

Some are animalistic, possibly a hair shy from being completely mindless. They’re growling, snarling, and jumping at us like it’s taking everything in them to hold back their attacks. Like they know the Bane swimming in our blood will make them sick, but it’s a chance they could be willing to take. Others are stoic, observant, watching us walk deeper and deeper into their territory. I have a sickening feeling those are the ones who are feeding normally and still have plenty of wits about them.

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