Page 28 of Shifted Existence

“What’s it like?” Bailey asked.

“They say each person’s transition is different from everyone else’s. Mine was really scary at first. I was terrified, but little by little I could hear Blitz’s voice. It kind of served as an anchor and a sort of protective cloak. I drew the cloak around me and felt safe. I kind of drifted and saw glimpses of other lifetimes. I have to tell you, I am now a big believer in fated mates. And if Talon says he’s yours, I’d believe him. I can tell you, you will never be alone. Talon, Melea, or I will be with you at all times, and you are in the safest place either of us has ever known.”

“Do you really believe we are better off here and can find happiness?”

“I do. Even you believed the first part. If you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have come through the portal. You had to believe that anything was better than where we were… and you were right. There is so much more here.”

Bailey felt another wave of dizziness and nausea, and Dani’s steadying hand. “I really don’t feel well.”

“Everything will be fine, Bailey. I’m just going to get someone to tell Talon. Council or not, he’s going to want to be here, and I’ll be here, too.”

She watched as Dani moved in a kind of slow motion towards the tent flap and called out. Within moments or hours or days—Bailey wasn’t sure—Melea joined them.

“I’ve sent one of my sons to fetch the alpha. Let’s try and make her comfortable. They say you two knew each other on the other side,” Melea said to Dani, as she fluffed Bailey’s pillows and straightened the bedding.

“We did. We were what passes for friends in the Conquered Realm. It wasn’t that we didn’t care about each other but finding and sustaining close friendships was difficult and painful. Watching a friend being dragged by some brute to a world we knew so little about was too hard to do.”

“Your Blitz is no brute…”

Dani laid her hand on Melea. “No. And the warriors of the Storm Rift pack are good and honorable. But we were told so many lies meant to do nothing more than terrify us. I sometimes wonder if they hoped we’d just all cast ourselves into a volcano to escape a fate worse than death,” Dani said dramatically.

Bailey laughed. “As outrageous as you make that sound, I’m not sure you aren’t on to something.”

“You’re not to worry, Mistress,” said Melea. “The alpha should be here…”

“He is here now,” growled Talon as he pushed past Dani.

“Be nice,” scolded Melea. “You do not have an exclusive on worrying about your mate. This pack has not lost anyone in transition for centuries. Bailey is strong and courageous. She’ll be fine.”

Surprisingly, Talon seemed to take the rebuke with both good grace and good humor. Kissing Bailey on the forehead as he encouraged her to lay back, he said, “Melea is right. You are safe and are surrounded by people who care deeply for you.”

“Again with the mushy stuff…” Bailey mumbled, fighting hard to stay awake.

Talon chuckled. “Yes, again with the romantic drivel. I seem prone to spouting that when I’m around you. I wonder if there might be a connection.” He laid his hand on her forehead. Even she knew it was warm to the touch. “Rest easy, beloved.”

“You really are going to make me puke,” she said weakly, taking a measure of comfort in his steadying presence and the low rumble that seemed to envelop her.

Bailey could feel the darkness descending and her panic begin to rise. She might have been terrified if not for the soothing timbre of Talon’s voice repeating that she was safe and that she was not alone. Along with the sound of Talon’s voice, she could feel his presence, as well as that of Dani and Melea.

Even the Void had not been as black as this. It wasn’t just dark; it was a complete absence of light. There was a light movement of air all around her; not a breeze per se, but more as if there was nothing stationary. Nothing at all.

Bailey felt herself moved along through time and space like a leaf driven by the wind with no purpose other than the journey itself.

CHAPTER17

Talon looked on helplessly as Bailey lapsed into the transition. He sat holding her hand and rumbling soothingly to her. He wished he could be with her in the dreamworld; knowing that wasn’t possible, didn’t make it any easier.

Melea laid her hand on his shoulder. “She will be fine, Alpha. Every human turned must go through the same thing. For most it is a peaceful and easy thing, but for those who are angry or do not wish to give up their humanity, it can be difficult and frightening.”

“I don’t want her to be afraid.”

“Bailey is tough and she’s a fighter,” offered Dani. “I don’t remember much of my time in transition, but I do remember feeling Blitz’s presence.”

“Bardulf and his minions on the Council be damned. I need to be with her.”

“Unlike my experience, Bailey has Melea and me. Deal with the Council and be here when you can. We will ensure she is never alone.”

Talon smiled and stroked Dani’s hair. “You are to rest and do as Blitz tells you…”

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