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“No,” the word came out as a long sigh. “She loves you, too.”
He shook his head. “You can’t sense that. She’s too far away.”
“I sense it in you. She’s inside you now. You can never get rid of that. You should never want to. I’m so proud of you, my boy. You’ve found your Blocker, your true love. It’s made you whole. It will save you.”
Talyn swallowed against the tightness in his throat. “I thought it might but not now. It’s too late.”
“It’s never too late.” Her back arched off the bed, and her head tipped back.
Talyn’s brain felt too hot as he yanked his hand from her grip and staggered back, slamming into the wall. Her mind was gone again, scattering into dozens of fragments as rogue feelings and emotions filtered around and bashed back into her.
He felt warm wetness on his upper lip as he staggered to the door and threw himself into the corridor. He collapsed on the ground, his breath heaving out of him.
His mom was fading, losing herself to the madness. Apart from those few moments of lucidness, there was nothing left of the woman who’d raised him and adored him. She’d been beaten and blasted apart by her ability. She felt too intensely, and it was her undoing.
Talyn stood on shaking legs, knowing that this was his future if he didn’t do something about it. His ability was too much, and he was close to the edge. One more nudge and he’d be gone just like her. He’d spend the rest of his days in a place like this, not knowing what emotion would slam into him next. He couldn’t live a life full of sedation and terrifying dreams, not knowing how he’d feel from one second to the next.
He wiped his face clean of the blood that trickled from his nose as he staggered along the corridor.
He knew what he had to do to end this torment. His decision was final, and he was not turning back.
Talyn waved away the concerned looking nurse as he escaped through the main door and toward the transport ship.
He thought of Sinead. If he went through with an expunge, he wouldn’t remember her. Their brief moments of bliss would be gone, and he’d never get them back.
As Talyn sank into a seat on the transport ship and waited for it to fill with the rest of the visitors, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to revel in those memories of Sinead. The first time they touched in the dining room, the first kiss they shared when he opened his eyes and felt her soothing, blissful presence next to him.
His happiness faded as his mom’s emotions swept over him. This was the right thing to do for everybody.
Chapter 17
“One more coat of mascara, and I’ll be ready to go.” Sinead sat at her dressing table, her face almost done for a fun night out. She mustered a smile and sighed. It looked false, even to her.
“Get a grip of yourself,” she muttered as she finished her mascara and waited a few seconds for it to dry. This was what she wanted. She was free to have a night out. Free to go dancing and drinking and have fun.
The ball of happiness that usually sat in her gut at the anticipation of a great night out was absent. It had been replaced by a cold, hard ball of misery. Every time she let her guard down, thoughts of Talyn drifted through her mind.
“Not tonight.” She gave her hair one last brush and smoothed her hands down her outfit. He was gone. They were over. Good riddance.
She grabbed her purse and left her room, heading to her favorite place, the Enchanted Captain.
The bar was full of people who’d just finished work and were enjoying a wind-down drink.
Sinead had her favorite place at the end of the bar where she could see everyone coming and going. She slid onto a stool and gestured the bar tender over. She ordered a Coconut Dream cocktail and flashed a huge smile as he handed it to her.
“I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight,” he said. “After yesterday, I thought you’d like a quiet night in.”
“If you’re having a quiet night, you’re having a boring night, and I’m not boring.” Sinead fluttered her lashes at him before taking a long sip of her drink through a pink straw. It tasted too sweet, and the alcohol hit the back of her throat.
She swallowed anyway. After a couple of these, she’d forget her worries and those annoying, miserable thoughts about Talyn.
“Hey, beautiful. Don’t tell me you’re on your own.” A tall Forka approached, his pale green skin shining under the bar lights.
She flashed him a smile. “Not anymore.”
He grinned. “If you’re single and looking for fun, I’m happy to oblige.”
Sinead bit her bottom lip. She should jump at the offer. Forkas were playful, adventurous, and generous. If they spent the evening together, they would enjoy themselves. But she didn’t want him. She didn’t want to spend the evening flirting with a guy whose name she wouldn’t remember the next day. What was wrong with her? Since when had she forgotten how to have fun?
