Page 31 of Gift from the Nexus

Nothing.

My steps falter with the realization the concealment didn’t flicker, budge, nothing. I felt my magic leave my body, press against it, then nothing.

It dissolved into the wind.

“On a rough scale, how much power is this spell going to take?” I ask CC nervously, yearning for a promising answer.

“Rough scale, around a pocket dimension. Maybe less, maybe more.”

The small whimper I tried to refuse slips out anyway with that soul-crushing news. I was expecting something, but something attainable, achievable, not…not a damn pocket dimension. Creating mine exhausted me, put me on my ass, and I’m currently barely standing on my own.

“It’s okay,” Trex whispers next to me, completely misunderstanding my distress.

No, you confusing man, it’s not okay. Me not being able to bring this concealment down is far from okay!

“Don’t think like that, Willow. You can’t have any doubt in your intentions when you cast this spell. You have to have complete faith in it and yourself.”

The distance between me and the others is swallowed up in seconds, far faster than I’d hoped and needed. Standing face to face with Donald, I see it. The sickly, satisfied look he always has right before he delivers a devastating blow.

“You look stunning like this, Willow. Red is truly your color.” His smirk fades from condescending to sinister in a flash. Snatching me by my arm, he spins me to face the crowd that, at some point, had closed the opening behind me.

“Brothers! I’m so grateful you all could join us here today. What a special day it is for our society. Today we will remember and receive our retribution for our fallen brother, Master Mihail,” Donald shouts, garnering cheers and howls from the men.

As the noise carries on, he leans down low to my ear and whispers, “You remember Master Mihail, yes? Oh, I mean Michael. You know how the nonmagical realm can be about people with strange names.”

My chest falls up and down in an erratic rhythm as the night of Donald’s initiation flashes across my mind. It seems like an eon ago my air broke free, killing the man they’re all mourning before he could rape me, but that bit of information doesn’t seem to matter to them as they all look like they’re ready to tear me limb from limb.

“Do you remember what I told you that you should be grateful for that night, dear wife?”

My vision blurs from the tears gathering in my eyes. I remember every word spoken that night. I remember what he really wanted to happen. I’ll never forget it.

“Your silence says no, so I’ll refresh your memory. There were only sixteen members of our society there that night, and I told you to be grateful the whole society wasn’t present. Well, fortunately for you, I still couldn’t gather the entire brotherhood, but I rounded up a good bit, wouldn’t you say?”

A piercing whistle in my ears drowns out Donald’s laugh along with everything that’s being said around me, and the sudden hot flash causes sweat to break out across my skin. This can’t be happening. Not again.

I have to blink my eyes and shake my head to shove out the darkness trying to take over my mind. So many times I’ve fallen into that trap that holds me hostage, a prisoner in my own body. And I refuse to allow that to happen now. Not now. Not ever again.

I have far too much to lose. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing group of men, family, friends, who’ve helped me heal, grow, and show me a love I never knew was possible.

And they’re waiting for my signal to come and find me.

Closing my eyes, I block everything out. The ringing in my ears, the pounding of my heart, the disgusting hands on my body holding me in place. I block it all.

“Ground yourself. Tie yourself to Elementra.”

Sinking my toes into the grass beneath my feet, I command my magic to spread to every surface of my body, fill me to the brim with the power I’ve been blessed with. Dig beneath the surface and mix with the fabric of our creator.

“Time to go bond to your new Nexus, my little whore.”

I’m the true Primary to the strongest Nexus in Elementra, and it’s time for you to meet them.

With every ounce of strength I have, I seize my power from the ground and shove it full force at the concealed structure.

“Clarity is shown through my knowing eyes,

spread the knowledge to those who are blind.

Crumble the deception of the disguise,

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