“Can’t you use the golden bond threads connected to my nestmates?”
“Those are yours only to follow. I can’t use a connection that is rooted in your mental shields, especially ones so faint. I fear if I attempt to travel along them, I might somehow damage them. Spiritual bonds are nothing to tamper with, especially as an outsider.”
“Just do what you need to reach my mates—or anyone I know, for that matter.”
“Will do,”Celyze confirmed.“This will get personal.”
“That never stopped Xenak,”I countered.“Though you are the better male by far. I appreciate that you’re being cautious and asking for permission.”
“I hope you don’t think less of me when this is over.”
The white void around me morphed into a million floating images as if a seamless sphere of screened recordings surrounded us. Unease filled me at the familiarity of the displayed clips. Things I didn’t want to see or experience ever again flashed before me, out of my control. The torture. The loneliness I’d had to endure, with nothing but my tablet and dreamscape to provide me an escape. Focusing on each image in turn, I noticed they all showed me at different stages of my life.
Waking up for the first time on a medical bed, strapped down and gasping for air.
Being poked and prodded with injections and nanobots.
Meeting Zirene for the first time in our dreamscape world.
Escaping the Yaarkins’ experimental ship.
Meeting the Circuli.
Defending myself at the Assembly.
Witnessing Zirene’s sire attacking Xylo and Odelm.
The scenes rapidly changed as if Celyze was searching for something or trying to solve a mystery revolving around me. I suspected he was trying to piece together who I was—or perhapswhatI was—using all the evidence laid out before us, and the answer stood out, clear as day.
I wasn’t human like Tori. I was something more.
A product of the Yaarkins’ experiments. The prototype of their ultimate breeder, capable of bearing an army engineered with traits of the species they wished to conquer.
A collector of abilities to evolve the Yaarkins with each new generation.
Faces of my mates filled the screens, flying by one by one as if Celyze was searching for someone.
Zirene. Xylo. Odelm.
Z’fir. V’dim.
Mwe. Oeta.
Kaede.
Suddenly, something changed. The screens fell away as the white sphere surrounding us disintegrated into darkness. Instantly, I felt myself spiraling into oblivion beyond my control.
