Page 11 of Gift from the Nexus

A sense of dread spreads through every inch of me. I already know what he’s going to say. I feel it in the depths of my soul.

“I’m sure you’ve learned of Nexuses while being in this realm, so we’ll use the proper terminology. Your Nexus is on their way to get you. Donald has found his brothers and they’ve solidified their bond. All they’re waiting for is to bind you to them, then they’ll be at full power.”

Bind me…

Full power…

Donald has power. There’s no way.

“Donald doesn’t have power. He can’t have a Nexus,” I argue, not willing to accept anything that just came out of his mouth.

My mind turns the pages of information over and over about any and everything I’ve read and know about Nexuses. Elementra herself decides the members and their bonds snap into place instantly. There’s no way to force or fake that.

“Donald didn’t have power, but that’s not the case anymore. He’s coming into his gift exceptionally well, and two of his brothers are Elementra born, so they’ve been guiding and teaching him at a spectacular rate,” he says proudly, using the same tone he always has when it comes to Donald.

“It’s not possible. You don’t just get a gift or a Nexus. You’re born with those blessings from Elementra.”

“Elementra chooses the wrong people to bless,” he shouts as his chest heaves up and down. His blown pupils stare at me with such malice, I gulp, readying my body for whatever’s coming, but then he just stops and rights himself. The mood swing is so fierce, so unpredictable, it gives me whiplash. “Regardless, our leader does bless the right people, those who are truly deserving, and Donald is one of those.”

“Your leader has the power to give people gifts and create Nexuses?” I ask incredulously, arching my brow.

I knew stealing gifts was a possibility. I couldn’t ignore that inkling I had. So maybe this was my purpose for being sent to tolerate this torture.

Get answers we wouldn’t have been able to get any other way.

His palm lands across my cheek so hard my head ricochets off the table, and the sound echoes throughout the room. I didn’t see him strike out, it happened so fast. I blink repeatedly,clearing my blurry vision, and when I do, my sight collides with his crazed, furious gaze.

“He is everyone’s leader, this realm’s rightful leader, and you will speak of him with the utmost respect. He’s eagerly been waiting to meet you, and I will not tolerate you speaking of him as if you have some right to think less of him. You are property of his, of mine, of your Nexus’s, of anyone in the brotherhood who decides it, and you will learn your place.”

I spit the wad of blood that was pooling in my mouth off the side of the table and avert my deadly glare. There’s no way I can hide my unrestrained hatred in this moment. I’m no one’s property.

My true Nexus would never dare call me property.

Taking a calming breath while trying to soothe the fiery temper coursing through my veins, a knock sounds at the door and the heavy pounding resonates throughout the space like bombs going off.

I don’t have to see who’s behind it to know. My soul itself shivers. My gifts, magic, elements, dragon, and my bond wither inside of me, huddling together closely for extra protection.

The sound of Franklin unclicking the lock reverberates through the room like a gunshot, and the bullet flies straight through my chest. I desperately try to swallow down the panic, but it’s like choking on my own blood. My airways are constricted by the fear pulsing through every part of me.

As the door is shoved open wide, I watch with bated breath as the embodiment of my nightmares comes into view. My demons use this opportunity to pounce. Seeing their leader, the devil reincarnated, gives them the power to dredge up every fear I’ve ever felt.

Time seems to slow as he approaches me with a dark, crooked smile, running his hand down my face gently.

“Hello, wife.”

Three

Willow

The soft glide of Donald’s fingers running down my face is akin to what I imagine the touch of death would feel like.

Cold, soulless, misleading.

His gentle gesture may seem like a promise of a peaceful demise, but the moment I show any sort of disobedience, it’d instantly harden, become torturous. The twinkle in his blown pupils speaks volumes, letting me know he’s expecting it and can’t wait.

Despite the many times he shouted at me, hit me, hurt me, for my mouth or any reaction I had to him, I always caught a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. I didn’t understand it then, just like I never realized my father was feeding off my pain, and I guess it’s because my mind couldn’t wrap around the fact someone would get pleasure from hurting someone weaker than them. But I can see it very clearly now. They both get a lot out of hurting me.

My father tortures me for a boost that fuels his Elementra-blessed powers. Keeping him fully sustained and able to lord over everyone else.

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