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Aknock came at the door, and I quickly wiped at the sweat on my forehead. I wasn't sure how long I'd been trying to connect to Rumir.
"Come in!" I called, and the door opened to reveal Brian.
He closed the door behind him, then crossed the room to sit beside me. When he sat down, he suddenly frowned. He didn't say anything right away, and I looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
"I can smell it," he said suddenly. "I can tell you're sick. I couldn't smell it before, but I can now."
That meant Lucian would be able to tell as well.
“Yeah,” I answered, cloaking my power and scent. “Better?”
“No,” he grumbled. “What’s happening to you?”
"I went a little overboard last night and bit off more than I could chew. I have to release the power I consumed, but I can't do that here." I rested my head back against the sofa. "I've been trying to mind-link with Rumir, but I’m not having any luck."
"Are you using all of your power like you did last night?" he asked, and I shook my head.
"No," I answered. "The chaos I consumed last night is tainted. It's a lab-bred thing in a sense, and that's why it's poisoning me. I have it under control, but I'm worried about what'll happen if I try to use it. It's not exactly stable."
Still, I’d been able to hear Rumir—that was something. Ever since the Goddess left, I'd been pushing myself, bit by bit, until I felt myself on the verge of throwing up and had to stop.
I turned to Brian. Something was up with him. I could feel it.
“What?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
"Nothing. I sense a longing in you. Are you worried? Your parents and pack—they all went with Hekate. I’m sure they're okay."
He nodded. "I’m sure they are, too." He rubbed at his chin, and when his ears turned a little pink, I smiled.
“Rehema is safe,” I told him. “She’s in the Kruard territory.”
He nodded without saying anything, but his blush worsened.
"I can mind-link with her, if you like. In fact, I should. I left the Kruard territory to investigate in Esavale, and of course, that was where we found Ash. She doesn't know the truth yet."
Still, he didn't say anything, which was funny to me. Brian wasn't chatty, but he always had something witty to say. Now he was silent, and it was adorable. I could feel the worry he’d had for Rehema…and his love for her.
“You two have a lot to talk about,” I said.
"Do we?" he asked, and I smiled.
"I feel everyone’s emotions, Brian, whether I want to or not." I laid a hand on his shoulder. "Talk to her when you get the chance."
He seemed to understand what I was saying—that I knew how she felt, too, and that he had nothing to fear. At least, I hoped he understood.
My face dropped when a thought occurred to me, and I looked away, my hand still on his shoulder.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I've been going about this all wrong," I said, walking away and shaking my head at how foolish I'd been. "All this time, I've been trying to mind-link with Rumir, when I should have been trying to do it with Cedric.”
“Wouldn’t his mind be just as shielded as Rumir’s?” Brian asked. “He’s cloaked his power and presence the same way you do.”
"Yes, but Cedric and I are connected through chaos," I replied. When Brian still looked confused, I added, "I'm sired to him, the same way a vampire is sired to the one that turned them. Sure, maybe this won't work, but maybe I should try reaching out to our shared bond instead of mind-linking." I shook my head. "I’ll play his game and pretend I’ve given up. He’ll either tell me where he is or I’ll be able to see it in his mind. Either way, I may discover something that can help us. "
"Anything is worth a try, at this point. But what if it does work? Do you really want to speak with Cedric?"
I nodded. “Yes. I have to. Cedric wants me on his side…or dead, whichever comes first. So, if he sees that I'm trying to reach out to him, I’m sure his interest will be piqued."
