Page 48 of Heir of Broken Souls

Knox stands and gapes at my mind. He hasn’t taken a single step in, and for the first time, I can’t decipher his emotions.

Knox?I ask tentatively.

This is impossible, he breathes.

Clearly not, I want to say, but something tells me this isn’t the time for quips.

Knox slowly turns to me, bewildered.How are you still alive?

As if I know what happened to me. As if I know how I shifted and changed to something else, something I’m slightly terrified to admit that I know deep within my bones is irreversible.

Beyond Knox’s shoulder is my mind, completely covered in gold. But something tells me that isn’t what has Knox staring, perplexed.

It’s the sheer power thrumming within me.

Just a short walk down a small corridor reveals two doors at the end. One is painted red, which beats and hums as if another’s heart beats within, and the other is gilded.

Standing before the two, Knox clutches my hand in a death grip.Have you ventured into the red door?

It won’t let me.

Knox’s eyes widen.You can’t open a door in your own mind?

Something tells me it doesn’t belong to me, I say softly.

He reaches out tentatively, giving the handle an experimental pull. It doesn’t budge but the beats rise, pounding faster. An odd sensation flushes through me, one full of buzzing nerves as if I have a secret to keep.

I should be terrified for you and yet…

It doesn’t feel bad, I say to him and at his shallow nod, I know he can feel it too.

Without a doubt, the red door contains the consciousness of my power. And by the look on Knox’s face, I suspect this has never happened before.

You always said it had a mind of its own, that it protected you. I assumed that it was beginning to overpower you, but that was never its intention. It’s as if it’s bonded with you.

Bonded.

The word rings through my body like a chant, screaming,Yes, yes, yes! Nothing has ever felt so right and yet so confusing at the same time.

Wouldn’t I be able to communicate with it if we were bonded?

You do, you just don’t know it.

My head cocks to the side as I wait for him to explain.

There are so many times over the passing months when you have called out for help and your power has answered. It never acted out of control. In fact, it always assisted you within the limitations of your wishes. Whether those wishes were subconscious or not.

I don’t doubt that it’s a partnership, I’ve felt it all along. What has me worried, though, is that it’s keeping secrets from me, and I tell Knox just that.

He rubs the back of his nape, his eyes never leaving the red door.Perhaps it’s waiting for something. I can’t read its mind, because I don’t think it has one, but I can feel its intentions and they’re pure.

Before I can respond, Knox squeezes my hand and reaches for the gilded door.Wait!I scream, jumping in front of him.

My chest heaves, flaring with panic.

There’s no turning back from this. Once Knox walks through this door, he will never be able to unsee it.

Are you sure you want to know?