Page 106 of Interion

Shivers wracked his body and a thin line of saliva dripped from his withered lips. I stood up slowly and took a few steps back—was this the beginning of dementia, or something worse? His bloodshot gaze followed me as he rose, leaving his cup on the table. His movements were quick and fluid, as if he simply floated wherever he wished.

“When the time comes, you must be able to take control. Don't let it diminish you, and don't bow to her, for you are equals—opposite sides of the same coin.” His voice rose and echoed through my mind, freezing me in terror. He approached, closing the distance between us. One hand gripped my shoulder while the other pressed his cold thumb to the center of my forehead.

“Don't touch me!” I screamed in panic, swatting away the hand on my forehead. My body was ready for fight or flight. But the rational part of my brain insisted this was the sonar—what would they think of me if I attacked him during the test?

He still held me in place and leaned in, whispering in my ear—a voice from another world, something ancient and dormant, that smelled of mold and decay.

“Fight. If not for us, then for the son of night. The one who will save our people.”

I shoved his bony chest and threw myself toward the door while he staggered backward, smiling even wider. I was trembling down to my bones, and my bladder threatened to empty right there.

“What are you?” I shouted at the being crawling beneath the man's skin.

“Wrong question, little scarlet. Who are you?” he whispered wickedly, pointing at my chest.

I felt a chill, as if some presence had appeared beside me, and the air grew colder. My instincts roared at me to run.

“I'll find you when you're ready,” the voice said, its breath washing over my face. I felt that presence envelop me completely, its aura touching every inch of my skin, drinking in my breath.

“Fight.” The word echoed through my brain. “Fight... Fight... Fight...” The sound gradually diminished until it finally faded away.

Then the sonar's body trembled and he curled in on himself. My hand was on the doorknob, ready to bolt, but suddenly the man composed himself, stretching his lanky frame. He turned to me, staring at me with closed eyes.

“Hello! I'm the sonar.” He turned, walked to the armchair, and sat down, offering me a friendly smile.

I shuddered with terror. What the hell was happening here?

“Are you crazy? Are you messing with me?” I shouted at the man, who still had his eyes closed, an innocent smile on his face.

“I don't understand why you're so upset.” He extended a teapot. “Would you like some tea to calm yourself?”

I ran my hand through my hair and clicked my tongue at him.

“You already offered me tea—are you insane?” I backed away even more. The man sipped from his cup and looked at me with interest.

“So he manifested.” He didn't seem pleased saying this.

“What happened here?” I asked, keeping a safe distance.

“It's part of the gift. My consciousness sometimes splits in two—it had been a long time since it happened,” he continued calmly. “When the other part emerges, I don't control my body. It's a second personality, much less elegant.”

“And what does all that mean—everything he told me?”

“I don't know, and I don't want to know. These walls were built to prevent magic from entering or leaving. No one will ever know what you heard—unless you tell them. I can't know either, because the second personality is mystical. It sees things a normal person would never see or should know. The information he gave you is stored in your mind, in a place others cannot see. Don't tell anyone. There are claws everywhere.”

I stared at the man before me, astonished. I had to be delirious. He stood up and approached me, and I instinctively took a step back.

“Your time is running out. Give me your hand so we can read the level.”

I didn't want to be touched by him. I could still feel the power hidden beneath his skin.

“Come on, do you want to leave here without knowing? The other won't come back.”

Then he grabbed my hand, and I didn't even have time to think. His skin was warm this time.

“Interesting, a tertiary, something rare among our people since secondaries have trouble reproducing.” His expression was full of surprise and curiosity. “You have two powers, girl.”

Fear gripped me again as he started saying things that made no sense. Had the other personality returned?