Zeke leaned against the counter, eyes slitted, radiating cold that had ice forming on the walls near him. Zane stood near the couch, a deep, guttural growl rolling through his chest. Oren’s shadows slid across the floor like a living thing, coiling around his boots.
“She—” Nathan’s voice broke before turning jagged. “You sentChloe?" He punched through the drywall with a sickening thud, dragging his hand downward and leaving a smear of blood and scorch marks. Fire seemed to consume him completely.
Zeke muttered softly, with a hint of Draxon, “This is new. He’s going to torch the place.”
“Let him,” I said, feeling the need to join my Faction brother in his destruction. “Better the walls than one of us.”
Nathan turned on us, flames flickering across his skin. His gaze locked on Zeke. Zeke’s Draxon flared, pupils narrowing, cold rippling off him.
Zane’s growl grew deeper as he saw Nathan’s focus on his brother. The room seemed on the verge of an explosion.
And then the shadows shifted.
Mira had stood once again, at her full size. Her sleek gold fur glimmered in the light, only outshone by her golden eyes burning with something older than time. From each shoulder, a tentacle flexed slowly, alive and tasting the air.
The temperature dropped. Even Nathan’s fire hesitated.
Her fierce roar slammed into my head like a physical blow.
“Enough.”
Nathan froze—not because he wanted to, but because none of us were capable of ignoring that voice.
“She was needed. You all need to stay. You’re not finished with the tasks that are vital to saving this world.”
Nathan’s fire sputtered around the edges, caught between fury and confusion. His chest heaved, heat bleeding off him in waves.
Zeke’s Draxon energy rippled beneath his skin, but he didn’t challenge her. Zane’s growl faded to an uneasy hum. Oren’s shadows withdrew like loyal hounds, giving her space.
Mira prowled closer to Nathan. One tentacle brushed his cheek, with what looked like affection.“You will get to your Nexus when the time is right. This I vow to you.”
Nathan didn’t raise his voice or escalate further. He simply remained there, trembling amidst the wreckage, with his rage no longer raging intensely but instead smoldering quietly, no less dangerous.
Mira scanned the rest of us—a look that held each of us in place. Then, she slipped back into a portal and disappeared.
The silence left behind in her wake was deafening.
The quiet lingered for a few seconds more, then Zane blew out a breath, shoulders rolling like he was shaking off the Draxon’s control. “Well,” he muttered, “that wasn’t even a little fucked up.”
Zeke let out a sharp exhale through his nose. “She knows more than she’s prepared to say. What are we going to do?” His voice was low and careful, as if he were trying to wrestle back control from his beast.
Oren stayed by the wall, shadows still coiled tight. His eyes were locked on Nathan.
Nathan hadn’t moved. He stood in the wreckage, hands bloodied, shoulders heaving. The flames were gone, but the heat lingered, clinging to him like a second skin.
I stepped closer, slowly, like approaching a cornered animal. “I want to be with our Nexus as badly as you do, brother.”
He looked up at me, eyes still burning faintly, something raw behind them. “I can’t go on without her for much longer.”
I didn’t have an answer to that. I didn’t think any of us did. I hoped we could face whatever challenge awaited us and reach Reverie before we all imploded.
Iwoke up the next morning and had an urge to check in with Josh. He’d been invaluable in helping me stay up to date with all of the military operations. We’d even been involved in planning several counterattacks when we received information about DF encampments. Unfortunately, after most attacks, the opposing forces returned to Aurathia through a portal, preventing us from returning the favor.
I got dressed quickly and found Oren already at his desk, working. Zane was in the kitchen rummaging through the cabinets. “Can I use your phone? I need to contact Josh.”
“Is something going on I need to know about?” Oren retrieved his phone and handed it to me.
“No, I just felt the need to talk to him.” I took the phone and dialed Josh.
