Page 78 of Malice

“Thousands. That’s sobering. It’s common?”

“No. I’ve just been alive for a long time.”

“Are there downsides?”

“To choosing a soulmate? I can’t think of any.”

“It always goes well?”

“As long as both souls are clear and consenting to the bond.”

“I’m sensing that’s not always the case.”

“No. There are impulsive choices. Poor ones too. Toxic partnerships. It’s really no different from falling in love normally. You just have to be clear before you do the bond because it’s forever. You can’t undo it, you can’t choose differently, and you can’t leave them alone.”

“What do you mean?”

“Breaking up isn’t possible. You will feel their every emotion, pain, and pleasure. Your heart will ache until you’re driven mad. I’ve seen a handful of Chasers driven to self-destruction to rid themselves of that pain. Let’s just say the place Chasers go when they cause their own death and that of an innocent soul is less than pleasant.”

I shudder at the thought. “I understand. Do you have a love bond?”

He literally flinches before his passive expression returns. Interesting.

“No. I’m not suitable for anything like that.” His gaze drifts past me for just a moment before it snaps back to me. “I don’t worry about you though, Aster. I can sense your devotion to your human. I feel the sincerity of your heart. You won’t make any decision lightly.”

“I won’t. It’s not that I’m even considering the bond. I just wanted to know more.”

Wilder raises an eyebrow. “You can’t fool an old Chaser like me. If you weren’t considering it, you wouldn’t have asked. It wouldn’t even be on your mind. It’s okay to deny it though. It will only make you think harder about it, and that’s a good thing. A consideration though?”

“Yes?”

“Were you told about how Fate likes to tinker with things if properly motivated?”

“Yes. Crash told me.”

“Then you won’t be surprised.”

“By what?”

“You already have the answers to the questions you ask. Follow your instinct, Aster. It won’t lead you astray.”

Damn, this man is evasive. I nod. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Ready to return?”

“Yeah. How do we do that?”

“It’s a little bumpy, but don’t worry about that.”

“Okay.”

“Consciously desire a return to your physical body. Focus on nothing but that return. You’ll know it’s working when your mind goes hazy and your body feels numb. I’ll see you over there.”

I close my eyes, focusing my thoughts on returning to my body. I imagine my legs and arms and hands, and before I know it, I sway as the air around me grows thick. My toes tingle and just as I feel faint, I’m jolted forward, plummeting like I fell from a cliff. I flail wildly but do everything I can to push back the panic and focus on my body. I expect to hit the ground with a thud, but instead, my eyes snap open and Hudson is gazing at me, concern and affection reflected in his eyes.

Otto yips and launches himself onto my lap, licking my face while I try to get my bearings.

“Welcome back,” Hudson says softly. “How do you feel?”

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