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“Fine,” Talyn said through gritted teeth. The pain was simply his ability ramping into action after so long of not being used.

“Your heart rate is elevated, as is your blood pressure,” Booby said.

“Give me a minute. I’ve got this.” It felt like a shard of fire rammed through his forehead, pushing through the bone and into his brain.

“I recommend an immediate abort,” Booby said. “Heart rate is at one hundred and eighty beats.”

“Talyn, what’s wrong?” Sinead’s hands covered his, and she pulled away from him. “You’re shaking.”

He pulled his hands out of her grip and stood from his seat. Black dots filled his vision, and he took several deep breaths. “It’s nothing. I wasn’t ready. I should have prepared.”

“It’s not me, is it?” Sinead stood in front of him. “I didn’t do something wrong, did I?”

“I pushed too hard.” Talyn swallowed bile. “Let’s forget about this for now.”

“I’d love to, but we can’t.” Sinead rested her hands on his shoulders. “We’re still joined. We need to figure out how to un-join ourselves.”

Talyn’s thoughts wouldn’t solidify. He had no clue what just happened, and fire still burned in his mind. He needed to be alone. He needed silence and darkness before he fell apart. His mind felt like liquid. How had he damaged himself so badly by trying to look into one human mind?

“We’ll figure this out. I need to rest now.” Talyn staggered and grabbed the table to stop from pitching over.

“I can stay,” Sinead said. “You don’t look so good.”

He forced himself upright and tried to smile. “No. I’m sure you have to get to work. I’ve kept you too long as it is.”

Sinead nodded. “I do. But I don’t want to leave you like this.”

“It’s okay.” Talyn nudged her back toward the ramp. He had to get Sinead out of here. He had to be on his own and force his mind to remain intact.

Sinead glanced over her shoulder as she stepped onto the ramp. “Call me if you need any help.”

“If I need anything, I’ve got Booby.”

“I’ll see you later.” Sinead walked down the ramp, looking back at him as she did so.

As soon as she reached the bottom of the ramp, Talyn closed it and collapsed on the floor, his breath shaking out of him and his vision blurry.

“Booby, kill the lights,” he whispered. “Total blackness.”

Booby didn’t speak and simply carried out his order.

He sucked in deep breaths, the air not reaching his lungs no matter how hard he tried. Why had his ability gone so badly wrong? “Booby, increase oxygen supply.”

“Settings are at a premium,” Booby said.

Talyn forced himself along the corridor on his hands and knees. If he could get to his bed and lie down, cut himself off from the outside world, he should survive this. It was a temporary blip. He’d pushed too hard and was paying the price.

He got to his room and crawled in on his stomach. He reached his bed but couldn’t find the energy to drag himself on to it.

He had to get his barriers in place. He’d lowered them too quickly.

Talyn focused his last wisps of energy on trying to seal his mind, but it wasn’t working. No matter how hard he tried, he heard and felt everything. Sensations poured in on him, drowning him with their urgent cries and confusion.

“Shall I summon medical assistance?” Booby asked.

“No, I need to rest. I just need...” Talyn’s words trailed off as he slumped into unconsciousness.

Chapter 9