Page 130 of The Gods Order

He hoots softly and glides to my shoulder.

“I can get the images from one of the others. This may be uncomfortable for you.”

“I’ll be fine. We need this done so when Derivius gives the word, we’re ready.”

“Very well. Bring his residence to the forefront of your mind.”

I do, despite the tightening in my chest. When his power touches my mind, mine tries to reject it, but I hold steady.

Not that I could shove him out, but if I asked him to stop, he would.

I’m not ashamed to admit the first image that appears is that room. The small walls. The darkness. The mattress. My torch lamp. I let it linger only a second before forcing the outline of the house forward, then every detail I remember.

I’m not sure what others feel when V does this, but for me, it’s like he’s combing through the images. A slow drag that makes my skin pull tight. He flips through memories like pages.

He releases a soft hoot and withdraws. I let out a long breath.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yes. I didn’t expect to sense your presence the whole time. It was uncomfortable, but not painful.”

“Good.”

He glides to Doren, and their embrace is much shorter.

Doren simply rolls his shoulders out as V returns to Thayla.

“Now that I know the location, I’ll be able to tell if—”

“Time.”

Derivius’s voice cuts through my mind, and my attention snaps to Thayla. A bright flash appears in her palms, leaving a single Binding sitting there.

Doren instantly understands the disruption. He lowers himself to the ground, breathing deeply. Yemi bends down, cups his cheeks, kisses him, then backs away. Her affection leaves a grin on his lips.

“I’m not sure how long this will take. Could be ten minutes, could be an hour. I ask that none of you break my concentration unless absolutely necessary.”

“Understood,” Thayla says, passing him the Binding. “Are you sure one is enough?”

He nods. “One will be fine.”

She exhales and settles between Kyzen and Riven.

Doren gives his Valtrue one more promising look, then closes his eyes. His body goes still. A minute and a half passes before green glows beneath his lashes and his power spreads across the realm.

It’s extraordinary. He explained to me that his power flows like veins, spreading and scattering if there’s no path, but if there is, his mind follows it to the destination. An image appears, and he locks onto the location.

So interesting.

Thayla tucks her hand into the crook of my elbow and pulls me back a few steps. Only then do I realize everyone else has moved away.

“So what’s the plan if ol’ Discovery realizes the Binding went to Valveilious with Daddy dearest?” Riven asks.

“There is no plan yet,” I say, frowning at his snicker. “Not because I haven’t thought of one. I need to see what this does to him and his power first.”

Surprisingly, Val makes a noise of acknowledgment.

“You plan to ask him to locate it repeatedly if it doesn’t drain him. Look for a pattern.”