Balthazar
Fucking finally,Alik said, engaging his telepathy to talk to Balthazar directly.Wakefield is helping us see the Seraphim. But we can’t hurt…
He trailed off.
Balthazar frowned as a static hum danced along his skin.
Power rippled around them, chilling the air with an ominous kiss of death.
Leela shuddered, her grip around his neck tightening.
Balthazar’s mind quickly touched those closest to him, searching for an explanation, an update,anythingto tell him what was happening.
Jay’s mental voice didn’t exist, causing his heart to skip a beat.
But Lizzie’s thoughts confirmed his best friend still lived.
And Luc was observing the source of the energy, his strategic gift analyzing the display before him.
Stas, Balthazar breathed.That’s what we’re feeling.
I know, Leela whispered.I… I can sense it through the fealty bond.
What’s she doing?he asked.
But in the next second, he had his answer as the minds of the Seraphim blossomed throughout the island, allowing him to not only hear their reactions but alsofeeltheir emotions.
Balthazar’s jaw dropped at the onslaught of confusion, abject terror, and sadness that hit him at once. He nearly lost his footing, but Leela’s presence grounded him, giving him a root to hold on to while he absorbed the chaos unraveling in Hydria.
The attacking Seraphim had all fallen to their knees, their minds utterly under Stas’s command.
But Leela appeared to be fine.
Had Stark or Vera been impacted? What about Sethios and Caro?
Issac’s mind—full of thoughts Balthazar could officially hear again—told him he was fine but mildly concerned about Stas because she wasn’t responding to him.
And she’d just drowned several times before taking off toward Luc’s house.
Now it appeared she was fully embracing her power, making everyone on this island aware of her strength and power.
By compelling the Seraphim to… to…
She’s forcing them to feel?Balthazar wasn’t sure how to explain the sensation he was experiencing but wanted to share the assessment with Leela.It’s like she’s making them understand the purpose of life.
She’s from Osiris’s line. He’s the original Seraphim of Life and Resurrection. She’s engaging something… a power… from his line,Leela replied, her expression matching her awestruck tone.I’ve never seen or felt anything like it.
You can sense it?
Only through you,she admitted.And the chill in the air. Otherwise, I don’t feel anything. She’s not compelling me at all.
He nodded, his mind searching for Stark. Other than mild surprise, he appeared to be mostly fine. At least from the small glimpses Balthazar picked up from his thoughts.
Clara stood beside him, the warrior Seraphim having gone straight to her upon arrival—something he picked up in Clara’s thoughts.
Because he could hear her as he did before, thanks to his bond to Leela.
And Clara had definitely bonded with Stark.
