Page 154 of Interion

“There’s nothing down there,” he said, brow furrowed.

“That's what I said,” Adele sang out.

The general shot her such a severe look that the young woman's amusement vanished and she lowered her head.

“I swear there was something! I swear, Zion.” My words came out more like a pleading cry, and his gaze softened a little.

“There are no traces of power or signs anyone passed through. There's only one patient in that hallway, and he's in a coma.”

My shoulders slumped in defeat, and Adele mouthed the word “demented” behind Zion. That pushed my fear aside, replaced by anger.

“Can you take me home, Zion?” I asked, embarrassed. I didn't want to stay at the hospital anymore—I could still feel the powerful aura in my subconscious.

“Of course I can.” He stepped closer and took my hands. But before we left, my partner turned to Adele. “I don't need to tell you to be discreet, do I, Adele?” His voice was more threat than question.

“Y-yes,” she stammered.

His eyes still on the Yonserian, the shadows swallowed us.

Chapter 40

“They went out, all of them went out and I was left in the darkness,” I repeated once more, watching Zion try to understand. “I know it doesn’t make sense, I know it sounds like a hallucination, but it happened. I felt everything, saw everything—I’m not lying.”

We were sitting at the kitchen table. We’d ordered delivery—grilled chicken with potatoes—and while I ate and tried to explain what happened in the corridor, the shadows danced in my hair.

“I don’t think you’re lying, but maybe there’s another explanation. The globes could have experienced interference—it’s rare, but it happens when they’re exposed to a stronger energy source. Maybe there was a power release nearby.”

I sighed for the thousandth time that night. How could I explain the devastating sensation of what I’d seen without sounding even crazier? How could I explain that it had touched my skin possessively? How could I explain that I’d felt its desire to touch me?

My shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Maybe that’s what it was, Zion. I must have gotten scared and my brain started seeing things that weren’t there,” I murmured, shoving more food into my mouth. He studied me for a few seconds, and his expression softened slightly.

“You don’t have to say things you don’t even believe yourself. I know you’re telling me what you think is the truth, I just...” He scratched his forehead, then ran his hand through his still-wet hair. “I’m trying to find some logic in all this. I believe you, but I need time to process it.”

I finished eating while Zion watched me thoughtfully.

“How did you know I was in danger?” I asked, before he fried all his neurons. Zion looked uncomfortable for a moment.

“Same as the day of the party. I knew through the bond and the shadows.”

He watched my every move. I swallowed hard as the shadows kissed my neck, and I shivered.

“Have you been spying through the bond?” I asked, more curious than bothered. He stiffened.

“I would never do that without a good reason or your permission, but when desperation takes over, it’s almost impossible for me not to hear. Your mind is loud, and when you’re anxious, afraid, or nervous, it practically screams everything at me.”

My cheeks flushed as I realized Zion could hear my most indecent thoughts.

“Why don’t I feel anything coming from you?”

“Because my barrier keeps my thoughts from passing to your side. Imagine the bond as a bridge between our minds, with a portal on each side. Mine is sealed, keeping everything from getting out, but yours is open, and every sound it produces echoes against my barrier.”

“So if you wanted to, you could hear all my thoughts?”

“I could, but that doesn’t mean I do—because I don’t. Only on the day of the party, but that was a special case.”

Zion set his utensils on his plate, ending the meal.