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“Is that why I’m here?”

She nods.

“Why hasn’t he taken me there yet?”

“It’s not as simple as getting in a transport and flying there. The temple is deep into the dark side of the planet. It’s too cold above ground, so you’ll have to travel through a network of tunnels. We’ll need guides who know them and can be discreet.”

A feeling of foreboding settles over me as the true danger of what I’m helping them with settles over my shoulders. I believe in the changes they want to make, though. And I trust them.

* * *

After dinner I’m walking Vynia to the door when heat suddenly flashes through my body. Searing pain cuts through my head, and I fall to my knees on the stone floor. I’m vaguely aware of her dropping to my side and calling out for help from Uzold.

My stomach roils with nausea, and I lose the battle to keep my dinner down. Uzold lifts me into his arms with zero hesitation and carries me to my room with Vynia on his heels. I don’t want to succumb to unconsciousness because I know what waits for me.

The whispers.

The nothingness.

The terror.

Unfortunately, for me I can’t fight it back.

* * *

Just like in real life, I fall to my knees, my hands covering my ears as the whispering voices, millions of them, seem to intensify with each breath I take. As far as my eyes can see there is nothing near me, just an endless, white space filled with so much nonsensical noise I can’t even think to fight it back.

I drop my head to my knees and cover my head with my arms, rocking back and forth to soothe myself.

It feels like an eternity passes and then I feel a hand on my back and the whispers stop. I look up hoping to find Raiz like the last time, but instead it’s a man I’ve never seen before. I shuffle away from him quickly.

He crouches down, hands outstretched as if he means no harm. For the longest time we just look at each other. He’s wearing normal human clothing, dark pants and a sweater that hugs his frame, hinting at the muscles beneath. His hair is dark, but his eyes are violet like mine.

“It’s incredible,” he says quietly. “You look just like her.”

I move a step back as he moves forward.

“I won’t hurt you. I’m here to help. I know this is overwhelming, hearing everyone.”

“Who are you?” I ask.

“My name is Eryx. What’s yours?”

“Neev,” I answer quietly, so relieved that the whispering has ceased.

“Nice to meet you.” He looks around, as if he can see more than I can. “Neev, I want to help you, but you need to tell me where you are. I can’t help if I can’t get to you.”

“This is my subconscious.”

“Yes, it is but it’s also so much more. I can teach you how to use it, you just have to tell me where you are.” Something flashes in his eyes, and he looks over his shoulder. “We don’t have time. Tell me now.”

My instincts scream not to say a word about where I am. He hasn’t answered any of my questions. Something about this is wrong. Is it even real? Did I fall all the way asleep? Am I dead?

My eyes drift shut at a phantom touch on the side of my face. Warmth and comfort spread through me, and when I open my eyes, the strange man is gone, and Raiz is kneeling beside me. The phantom touch turns corporeal as fingers drift along my check, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Are you okay?”

“There was a strange man here. Did you see him leave?”