Page 205 of Gift from the Source
“A person?”
“No. Not completely like our bodies.”
“If not solid, at least realistic to what theirs have looked like?”
“I can do that. Can’t really concentrate on what they’ll be doing at the moment, though.”
“I don’t need you to concentrate on them. I’m going to multiply myself and you’re going to cast an illusion of those same replicas. Of me. As many as you can. Just make them run straight ahead at their forces.”
My head turns both ways and above me.
Tillman, Oakly, Ry, Nikoli, San, Jamie, Draken, Mom, Roye, Theo, and Neil.
I have no eyes on any of Lyker’s Nexus although I’ve heard the howl of his wolf a few times. None of which was devastating like Draken’s roar but commanding. That’s enough to convince me he, his brothers, and Aria are fine.
I can’t fathom the possibility that something happened to Keeper or Tanith.
No fucking clue where Willow, Caspian, or Dyce are.
“Cas?”
His anger bleeds through his bond and into me. That’s the only response I get.
It makes me clench my fists.
My skin pulls tight from my gift. It’s been freer today than I’ve ever allowed it to be, and it knows I need it to do more.
I look around at the destruction and death. So many lives gone. So many futures ruined. So many paths changed forever.
The bodies are piling up for both sides, but more so ours.
We’re losing so much.
Soon it’ll be the realm.
Deep breath.
Five…four…three…two…one.
I silence my mind.
I slam a block up around everything within me but my gift.
Today I’m not fearful of the destruction it can and has caused in my time of grief.
Right now, I need it.
The more I think about the mourning so many out here are going to go through, the more heartbroken I feel. There’re countless right now, who, when this is said and done, are going to ask themselves a thousand times what they could’ve done differently. What they could have done to save the one they love.
The answer to that…nothing.
There’s nothing moreany of them could do.
There was nothing I could’ve done to change any of it.
There’s something I can do now, though.
Deep breath.
