Page 94 of Two Who Live On

Right. Manifestations, my go-to for exploring minds while maintaining a healthy separation so thoughts didn’t become overwhelming. Since the evolution of my branch, I’d lost the ability to summon them.

“Dorian, let me in,” Milo called out, his forehead pressed against mine, reeling me from my mind and into the physical world. “What you’re doing will shatter you. You’re not thinking this through. Talk to me. Listen to me. Believe me.”

I blinked away the outside world, remaining with Finn. It took everything I had to absorb Milo’s beautiful voice, his alluring words. I didn’t want to shield Finn from them, yet Milo held a captivating charisma. Something about his wrong belief sounded right—but it wasn’t. He’d see that. Finn would understand. We needed time to process this change.

Almost every trace of the devil had vanished. Every wisp containing demonic energy disappeared. Every piece of tar slithering within Jamie was gone. Every witch fragment trapped within, released into the ether. Milo clutched my neck, holding me closely while enchanters collected Jamie’s broken, beaten body. My eyes flitted, struggling to maintain a proper foothold in my mind’s inner core.

I smiled at Finn, wanting to ease any fright he might have because nothing would happen to him so long as I remained vigilant.

“Dorian.” Milo’s thoughts bellowed, echoing louder and faster than I could quell entirely.

I didn’t need to hear what he had to say, what he wanted to say, or what he believed was the right choice for some unforeseen possible future. It radiated off the heat of his body against mine.

Milo’s mind swam in infinite potential possibilities, raging from the battle, the struggle of standing upright, the pain of enduring so much fallout due to channeling a hundred witches. His thoughts remained frantic, lost, and I knew he didn’t see things clearly. I did, though. Everything would be okay. All I needed was time. He needed to reflect, really absorb the opportunity here.

“Go away,” I snapped. “I’ve got this under control.”

“Are you okay?” Finn quaked, skittish in a way I’d never seen before.

“Yes.” I caressed his face because Finn was fine here; he’d remain fine here. Better than that. He’d recover, heal, and find joy again. Milo would see that. “It’s a misunderstanding.”

“About?”

“Devils, demons, chimeras, it’s caused so much turmoil.” I smiled achingly but forced it to soothe Finn. “We see a different resolution is all.”

Finn’s lip curled. Humor and confusion flowed equally in his thoughts.

“Resolution. I might’ve considered an English position but went with History.” I laughed, drowning the voice outside away. “Not that I’m any good at it.”

Finn rubbed my shoulders, calming my anxiety and shaking away the outside world. “I bet you’re amazing at explaining the wonders of the past.”

“You can see it,” I said. “The semester’s almost over, but next year will be great.”

“Dorian, I think I know what you’re worried about, what Milo’s worried about, and I—”

“Need time,” I interjected, refusing to surrender this second chance. No, this third chance after sacrificing a piece of Finn tucked within me to work on myself. He deserved happiness. A chance to live. It wouldn’t be the life he’d planned, but we’d be together.

The double doors at the other end of the ballroom shook. Milo continued trying to force his way inside my head. I cracked my knuckles one by one, silencing his attempt. Milo was a powerful psychic, likely the most powerful psychic I’d ever met, yet telepathy and clairvoyance had very different strengths. No way would he get in here unless I willed it, allowed it. Even then, his foothold in my mind would be nothing. As the telepath, I’d have the strength to control everything in here.

“Milo.” Finn left my side, approaching the double doors.

“Stop,” I said.

Finn opened the double doors, sending a cacophony of noises from the physical world barreling inside. It was too much for me toshield him from. Finn covered his ears, knees ready to buckle any second.

Milo swooped in, steadying Finn and syncing with each of us, helping quell everyone and everything else.

“Finn. I’ve missed you so much.” Milo held Finn’s shoulders, smiling and teary-eyed. He’d come with different intentions, yet seeing Finn had opened a world of possibility. Perhaps now he’d understand why I did this. “I wish things were different.”

“Me too.” Finn had a somber smile.

“Dorian, you have to release Finn.”

“W-what? No.” I stormed toward Milo, ready to push him out of my mind until he took time to properly examine the chance we’d been given.

“Dorian.” Milo released his grip on Finn, approaching me like he’d somehow prevent me from hurling him from my mind the second I reached him. “The devil is almost gone. I’ve exorcised every part possessing the child; I’ve banished every wisp attached to a witches’ branch, but there’s one more left.”

“It’s Finn. He’s fine. He’ll be fine. Everything will be fine.”

---