Page 178 of Gift from the Nexus

“But when we were trapped in our bubble together, he most certainly has more gifts. I sensed them,” she says.

“I did as well. I could see the essence of them waning and growing around him, but the condition of his soul was throwing me through a loop,” Aria tacks on.

“He’s stealing gifts not only to give to nonmagical beings but himself,” I conclude, glancing at Keeper for his confirmation.

“Exactly. It’s a ritual that he concocted on his own from multiple sources. Gifts that are useful but not strong enough to transfer into the nonmagical men, he absorbs himself because he can strengthen them.”

Fuck.

“Why don’t we finish up breakfast then go outside for some fresh air and check on Tanith? How’s that sound, child?” Gaster asks Willow tenderly. He’s obviously seeing something we aren’t feeling.

Tapping into our bond when I glance at her, the shutdown and blocking me out takes me by surprise. She hasn’t blocked us out since she was taken. Not once.

“Something’s up with our Primary.”

“Yeah, she’s blocking me out mentally too,” Tillman says.

“There’s a lot going on right now and she’s overwhelmed,” Draken says.

“No, it’s more than that. She hasn’t been acting like herself since her water element came out and the encounter with the Summum-Master yesterday has made it worse. I know having all this company is supposed to distract her, help her by surrounding her with her family, but I think it’s making her worse. She isn’t going to open up to us with all of them here. We need some alone time,” I argue.

Her shutting me out has me on edge. I used to think Tillman and Draken were fucking nuts with how they acted. My brother’s been obsessed from the get-go, he was just reserved about it. Now not so much. He likes the world to see that she’s his, but me? I thought they all were fools. Not now.

Now, I’m ready to smother everyone in this breakfast room with us just so I can have her in my arms alone. She needs to let me back in before I string her ass up with my shadows and get the answers out via orgasms.

Yep, time for the guests to go on home.

“Come on, princess. I’ll bring your coffee,” Corentin declares, reaching over and grabbing her mug as he stands.

He outstretches his other hand for her to take, and she blinks out of her momentary zone out. With a sweet smile, she lets him walk her out of the room like nothing happened. Me, Tillman, and Draken all exchange looks. Aside from Gaster, with Oakly being blocked out too, none of them are the wiser my Primary is upset.

By the time the rest of us make our way behind them, Corentin has her cuddled up on his lap at the patio table as they watch Tanith stretch her wings and jump around.

“She’s doing her exercises.” Willow giggles as we take our spots around them, subtly laying our hands somewhere on her. Her sigh is loud, but I don’t even think she noticed she did it.

“Didn’t realize dragons exercise. Ours sure as shit doesn’t,” Tillman playfully remarks, elbowing Draken.

“Hey, I most certainly do. My exercise just involves more of little wanderer and less weights.”

“Draken,” the entire group says harshly as my Primary chuckles, shooting him a playful wink.

As more of this makeshift family she’s created surrounds the table, she burrows herself deeper into Corentin as if she’s trying to merge into one with him and get away from everyone else.The small grin on her face wouldn’t tell anyone that, but I know. Because I know her.

“Either you tell everyone to leave nicely, or I do it my way,” I tell the guys.

She may be blocking me, which is making my shadows twitchy and my bond ballistic, but she can’t hide her discomfort from me. I can’t take it anymore and I’m a millisecond away from snapping.

Tillman obviously heeds my warning because within minutes, everyone is giving the Primary a hug bye and promises to see her later. The old man asks Keeper if he’d like to join him at his cottage to go over some of his Elementra history from the time he’s been gone and the vampire jumps all over the chance after Draken encourages him.

“Primary,” I say dangerously low the second they’re out of earshot.

“Yes, sir,” she says with those innocent eyes. Her foolery won’t work on me, though.

“You better have a good reason for blocking me out.”

“I…”

“Enough, Caspian,” Corentin barks, shooting daggers at me with his eyes.

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