Page 97 of Third Offense

But my mind was finally my own.

At least for now.

And Auric was shouting my name.

I could feel that pull to dream, to sleep, and torelax.But I fought it, clinging to Auric’s urgency and the realization that my father had portaled here towarnme.

“I’m coming!” I shouted, knowing that Auric couldn’t hear me, but he needed me.

And damn it, that commander had tried to warn us. He’d come to us on the beach yesterday spouting gibberish.

Gibberish that suddenly madesense. He’d told us this wasn’t real, that we needed to wake up.

And we’d ignored him.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

That pull to go back to bed and close my eyes hit me hard as I entered the hallway. I groaned as I fell to my knees and grabbed my head.

No. Fuck off. This isn’t real. Fuck. Off!

I shoved against the invisible barrier, sensing it shatter again, the jagged ends threatening to slice my very soul. My healing ability ignited on instinct, instantly calming my mind and allowing me tosee.Just like I’d done beneath the waves.

I’d been drowning.

Truly drowning.

And healing myself to stay alive.

That was what had allowed to me to see,I realized, my eyes widening.

Then I shoved it all away and ran, my healing strength keeping my head steady as I pushed myself to follow Auric’s echo.

Some part of me knew it wasn’t truly him, but a force of energy ensuring the sound reached my ears.

Ketos, I breathed.Ketos ensuring Auric’s call reaches me.

I wasn’t sure what was happening, just that I was needed.

My mates shouted behind me, scrambling to push through the mirage and pursue their mate.

I shoved some of my power backward, hoped my healing essence reached them, giving them the energy to follow.

Their heavy steps told me it’d worked.

As did their voices as they demanded to know what I was doing and where I was going.

“I don’t know!” I admitted. “But we have to hurry!”

It’s taking too much energy,I lamented as the fog closed in around me once more. But I shoved it back with another punch of healing.

“What’s going on?” Sorin demanded, his hand reaching my arm. He didn’t try to stop me, just attempted to keep up with me.

It took so much concentration to keep myself moving that I merely hissed, “Trust me.”

They stopped asking questions and followed, their presence a warm and welcome protection at my back, even as we navigated through the insanity of this mirage.

I had no idea what kind of power kept this whole thing going, but it was immense.And terrifying.