Page 16 of Gift from the Nexus

“Yes. In order for them to track you, the concealment must come down, but that cannot be done from inside the structure. You’re going to have to bring it down from the outside.”

“I’m what?” I ask, shocked.

I heard what they said, and I know what they mean, but I’m not processing it. When the memory unlocked, showing me how to see through concealments, that was that. I’ve never attempted to un-conceal something for someone else, let alone an entire structure.

“Remember these words.

‘Clarity is shown through my knowing eyes,

spread the knowledge to those who are blind.

Crumble the deception of the disguise,

reveal the truth for those to find.’”

Despite the uncertainty coursing through me, I rehearse the spell repeatedly in my mind until I feel like it’s permanently tattooed on my brain. I feel confident in casting this spell, but I’m not so sure I’ll be able to bring down a concealment of this size on my first try, and there’s another nuisance in my way that’s going to hinder me.

“How am I supposed to even cast a spell with these cuffs on?”

“When the time comes, you will have to break free of them.”

“How?”

“I’ve already told you how.”

“What? No, you haven’t, or I would’ve broken free of them already.”

I try to recount all the conversations we’ve had since I’ve been here, but it’s all beginning to merge together. So much has happened, my body is still throbbing in pain, and I can’t dissect it all this quickly.

“You’ll know when you need to.”

“I can’t take the riddles, the half answers anymore. Please tell me what to do, and I’ll do it,” I beg.

“If I could tell you step by step what to do, I would. In a heartbeat. You have to plan it out yourself. Going forward, you’re going to have to pave the path laid for you.”

A fresh wave of tears attempts to break through my lids as I lie here sulking in confusion, frustration, agony, and desperation. I’ve tried concocting a plan since I gave myself over willingly, but my mind continues to run in circles. Warring with itself to sit back and endure, figure out all I can, or fight to be free and end this unjust misery I’ve found myself in.

I want to go home.

I want to be sitting in Gaster’s cottage or office, listening to him tell Oakly and me stories as we sip our coffee and eat our pastries. I can hear him playfully scolding us for whatever crude thing just came out one of our mouths.

I crave Corentin’s control right now. He’d have a plan in place and would know exactly what to do. It may not make sense, but by giving him my control, I’ve never felt more in control in my life. I need Tillman’s protectiveness and eavesdropping so he can pull me from my drowning thoughts. He’d be my strength to pull the rest of the way through this.

Caspian’s shadows would wrap around me tightly, and his darkness would kill my demons. Both mental and physical. He’d make sure everyone fears us, not the other way around. Draken and his dragon would soothe away my worries with a comforting purr as he held me close. I’d melt into his warmth, and he’d set me free.

“Tell me about Tillman.”

“Huh?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“I’d like to hear about him. What are his abilities? Mind transference, right?”

“Yeah. How did you—”

“Talk about him. Tell me about his abilities.”

Blowing out a subtle mental breath, I let go of the burning desire to ask why or what for. I give my mind over to the thought of my man. My gentle, formidable giant.

“Well, like you just said, his gift is mind transference. He can hear and see your thoughts, memories. After we power shared, he learned to send little snippets to our Nexus, when he touches us. Once we…” I trail off, instantly getting weirded out by bringing up our bonding to them.

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