Page 78 of Ex Somnis

We both turn and find that Nevan is sitting on one of his swings, one foot dragging through nothing, staring out at the clouds with that distant look he has when he’s not lucid. He hasn’t noticed us yet.

Goddammit, baby boy. Are you even trying?

Lennon lets go of my hand and steps closer. “Nev.”

He looks up, and his whole face transforms to the open, unguarded version of that whole-chest warmth he can’t hide when he sees her. “Hey, Lemon.”

Her face flickers with something pained for half a second before she covers it.

“Yeah, I wanted us all present for this conversation, and while we’re not all conscious, at least the present part I managed.” I turn to Paul again. “We have a problem.”

“That would be?” He’s still panting a little.

“She can’t wake up.”

Paul’s gaze snaps to her. “What?”

“You heard me. She’s stuck and can’t wake up.”

“Tessa is back in the in-between since I left 5D, which means her body…” Lennon stops and bites her lip. “We need to figure this out before she starts having difficulty breathing again. I can’t go back. If I do, he’ll make her complete the soul contract. Then we’re both trapped there permanently.”

“A soul contract?” Paul repeats.

I echo him, sharper, “A fucking what?”

Lennon looks between us, then at Nevan, still swinging softly beside her.

“I think,” she says quietly. “You guys should talk to Seraphine.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Nevan

With two fingers, I press over my nose and try to breathe through it anyway.

Nothing.

Because that’s how noses work, which means I’m awake. I needed to confirm it right now, because Ridge Wells and Paul Bennett are in my fucking garden, and that warrants a reality check.

Ridge glances up at me from where he’s stopped his wheelchair at the edge of the stone path, one hand loose on the wheel, the other holding a lollipop.

“There are less humiliating reality checks.”

“What?”

“The breathing thing.”

“Yeah, well.” I drop my hand. “The book said this one’s reliable. That wrong?”

“No.” Ridge scoffs. “It just looks fucking stupid.”

Thanks, I guess.

“Ridge,” Paul warns.

“What?” Ridge lifts his brows innocently. “I’m bonding with him.”

“You’re antagonizing him.”