Page 11 of Exordium

“Calm the Hell down!” Zeke shouted. “Just fucking calm down.” He walked over to me and put my hand on his chest.“Just feel me breathing, inhale in, exhale out. As my breathing evened out, he said, “There you go, Booger.”

“I will junk punch you right now if you call me that hideous nickname again. Then I’ll tell Mom.” I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes on the asshole. Zeke visibly shuddered.

“No need to make serious threats like that. I’m just trying to help.” Then we realized we hadn’t heard from Zane for a few minutes. When I looked over, I saw he’d plopped back down on the couch and was staring into space.

“Hey, are you alright?” I asked him a little worried because of the look on his face.

“Yep, but I just realized something,” he looked at Zeke.

Then they both turned to me in perfect sync, and said, “Reverie has a Faction.”

I really hated it when they did that.

Reverie-

I slowly exited my jeep and looked around to ensure nobody saw anything. Lucky for me, it was dark. Also, only incoming first-year classes started tomorrow so the campus was mostly deserted. Passives were inside, preparing for the first full day at Emberhold, thank God.

I tried to remember if Nathan had told me his dorm assignment. The Psycho must have left out that important information. Cell phones were useless here, so mine was still in my backpack. Going back in alone was always an option. I felt like I could trust the Moons, but let’s face it, I had only just met them today. Nathan was a psycho, but I never mistookhis craziness for stupidity. He was wicked smart, and I needed his input to handle this situation. Since lying to myself was ridiculous, I could admit I wanted to feel his arms around me. I needed his strength and confidence because getting abilities before my Faction was fully formed was insane. Maybe I could reach him through our connection. My parents had been able to do it, but it wasn’t reliable anymore since losing two of their Faction members. I shouldn’t have been able to do it, but tonight, it seemed like anything was possible. I didn’t have anything to lose in trying.

Nathan always seemed to know where I was. Maybe it was because of our connection? Or, maybe, it was because he was a stalker. I may never know the truth. Here goes nothing.

At first, I didn’t feel anything. Then, slowly, a warmth built in my chest. I could see in my mind’s eye the well of power that lived there. It was a bright amber ball of light. I was familiar with what it looked like even as a Passive. Mom had taught me to access it through meditation even then. Now, there was a pale green light surrounding it completely. Wow, it was beautiful. I could feel Nathan’s essence imbued in it and when I concentrated on the green ring, I could feel him surrounding me.

Suddenly, I could smell his unique scent and feel his obsession and deep love for me; it brought tears to my eyes. Despite everything we had put each other through, I never had any doubt about his love and devotion.

“Nathan, can you hear me?”I concentrated harder on the ring that surrounded my power.“Nathan, hear me!”I pleaded. “Hear me!”

Suddenly, I felt him in my head.

“What is this? Oh, my sweet Nexi! Your mind is such a beautiful, fascinating place to be. I can feel you all over me. Cookies and honeysuckle.”He sighed dreamily.

“Nathan! I need your help!”I knew how wonderful it felt but I wanted him here physically.

“Need me, you say?”he asked suddenly alert.

“Yes, I need you!”I repeated slowly.

“I just needed to hear it one more time. How may I be of service?”The shithead asked.

“Even in my head, you’re an asshole!”I huffed out.“I’m in the parking lot in my jeep. I seem to have developed your teleportation power.”

“What? That’s awesome! Wait, did anyone see you? Do I need to kill a witness? I’ve already decided on a plan to dispose of bodies while we’re here.”Nathan spits out in quick succession.

“No witnesses! No need to dispose of anyone! My roommate and her brothers are the only ones I’ll have to answer to. I’m unsure how much we should share with them, but I can already tell they’re decent people who’ll keep my secret.”I hoped so anyway. Strangely, I already felt invested in my friendship with Chloe, and I had a feeling the twins were going to have a vested interest in my safety. Nathan made a grunting noise and spoke.

“I’ll be the judge of that when I meet them.”

“What’s your dorm assignment? We need to decide how we’re going to play this.”

“It’s Dorm A, room 402. But I’m just going to head your way,”Nathan said.

“That’s OK. I’ll just-”I jumped back.

“Too late, I’m here. No way I’m letting you walk in the dark by yourself.” Nathan growled, glancing around the parking lot.

“I hate when you do that!” I snapped even though I was happy he was here.

“That may be so, but I’m not wasting precious time when you might be in danger,” Nathan pulled me into his arms, one of my favorite places to be.

---