Page 32 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)

Aly

I shoot u p from where I’m lying. “Carion!” Panic grips me, then pain. “Vivianne, you shouldn’t have knocked me out.” I spin around and freeze.

“Well, I’d say Vivianne did you and your squad a solid!” A voice chirps—bright, bubbly, and slightly unhinged.

“What—where am I?” I croak, squinting at my surroundings.

Instead of a dingy basement, I’m in a cozy loft that looks like a TikTok influencer’s dream. A neon sign reading “Love Sucks ? ? ” glows above a velvet couch, a lava lamp bubbles on a side table, and the air smells like vanilla body spray and… burnt toast? A beanbag shaped like a giant heart sits in the corner.

“Ta-da! Welcome to the Love zone!”

A girl materializes in front of me, neon-pink hair in pigtails and wearing a cropped hoodie that say’s “Chaotic Cupid.” She tosses a handful of glitter into the air, which hangs suspended like tiny disco balls. “I’m Zara! Goddess of love, Also, your mom’s here. Surprise!”

My mom steps out from behind the couch, her paint-splattered overalls and frizzy curls exactly as I remember.

“Mom…?” My voice cracks.

She smiles, tears in her eyes. “Hi, Lyssa.”

Zara fake-sniffles, wiping nonexistent tears. “Dead mom reunion! So wholesome. I’m obsessed.” She plops onto the heart beanbag and pulls out a bag of Doritos. “Snack? They’re enchanted. Zero calories. Wink.”

I ignore her, staring at my mom. “How are you… here?”

“Not here-here,” Mom says gently. “But close enough. I’ve been watching you. You’ve got your dad’s knack for burning pancakes.”

Zara snort-laughs, Dorito crumbs spraying. “And your habit of nearly blowing up schools! Girl, your panic attacks are next level.”

I bristle. “I wasn’t trying to—”

“Leak enough magic to power a small city? Oh, I know!” Zara waves a hand, and a hologram of Carion appears—shirtless, bruised, but alive, his burns fading as golden light swirls around him. “Hot Broody Boyfriend’s fine, by the way. Your bond is healing him. So romantic. I ship it.”

“He’s not my—”

“Yet.” She waggles her eyebrows.

My mom clears her throat. “Zara brought us here to help you, Lyssa. Your magic… it’s tied to your bonds. To love . But when you’re scared, it… leaks.”

Zara nods, tossing a Dorito at the hologram. ‘Panic + magic = boom. Vivianne yeeted you into a magical nap so we could chat. Also, I wanted to meet you! You’re, like, way funnier in your head.”

Now, I’ve been traveling to realms and doing some weird shit for the past few weeks, but this? Having a goddess talk to me in my brain? Yeah, I can’t say I was prepared for it. But, then again, I have telepathy. Maybe it’s like.... cosmic Wi-Fi?

I sink onto the couch. “Is Carion safe? His dad—”

“Got arrested! Slay!” what the fuck is happening. She looks down at her hologram looking thing “I used that correct, right? I don't really get to talk to anyone by my mom, so I learn all my slang from TikTok.” she chirps

My mom pinches the bridge of her nose. “Zara, please.”

My mom sits beside me, her hand warm on mine. “You are doing so good. Although I think you need to complete those bonds. Your mates are gorgeous...”

“I’m working on it! But also… Ew. I want them all.” I groan.

Zara gasps, clutching her chest. “All of them? Spicy! But valid.” She leans forward, suddenly serious. “Look, bonding isn’t just about smooching—though highly recommended. It’s about balance. Your magic’s a nuclear reactor, and your mates? They’re the control rods. Metaphorically.”

I groan. “I didn't mean it like that you perv. Where I’m from, people don’t just… accept bonds like this. What about jealousy?”

“Pfft. Jealousy’s a mortal problem,” Zara says, rolling her eyes. “When your souls are literally tied? You’ll know how they feel. No secrets. No drama. Just… love.” again with the jazz hand sparkles. This girl is nuts.

My mom squeezes my hand. “It felt like home with your dad. Your mates… they’ll feel like that too. All of them.”

Zara fake-gags. “So cheesy. But true! Love’s messy, but worth it. Now—” She flips her hair, the room shuddering. “Nap time’s over! Go bond your harem, and maybe name your first kid after me?”

“Wait—can I see Dad?” I blurt.

Mom shakes her head. “Next time. We can only see you one at a time and we figured I could help the most.” She rolls her eyes fondly.

“Go!” Zara claps, glitter exploding around us. “And tell Vivianne to enjoy the DJ!”

“I love You Always.” my mom soothes. And it's the last thing I hear before I feel my soul jolt back to my body.