Page 42 of Exordium

Holy shit, that’s right I can communicate with animals now! Not wanting to wait another second I scrunched my eyes up and concentrated hard, but nothing happened.

“Just let it come. There should be no effort involved. Let the words flow and direct it their way.”Pantar encouraged.

Taking his advice, I took a deep breath and tried again,“He means you no harm. If you’re good, I’ll have Grumpy bring you a treat later tonight.”I heard a series of growls and grunts in my head but knew that they were agreeing. Jumping up and down I hugged Pantar.“I can speak to animals!”

“I know this my, Nexus. Now let us go and speak to your parents.”He turned and walked in the direction of the house. I had a massive grin on my face and was almost skipping as I followed behind him.

When I entered, I could smell cream cheese chicken enchiladas, and my mouth immediately began to water.

“Mom, I’m home.” I yelled, entering the dining room.

My parents looked at me in surprise, which quickly turned to shock when they spotted Pantar behind me.

“Holy shit!” Mom shouted.

In shock, Grumpy said absently, “Watch your mouth, Adelaide.”

Pop got up from the table and pulled me into a hug. Looking at Pantar in awe.

“It’s an honor to meet you,”Grumpy told Pantar. I was in complete shock. I could hear what Grumpy had just said.

“Holy shit!” I blurted out.

Grumpy glared at me and then pointed to Mom. “Like mother, like daughter.”

“The honor is all mine.”Pantar replied to Grumpy.“My Nexus is shocked that she can hear you communicating with me.”

“Holy shit!” Grumpy exclaimed. Everyone looked at him in astonishment, and I started laughing. I wasn’t the only one that picked up Mom’s bad habits.

Chapter 16

Reverie

Once their shock faded, Pop made Pantar a bowl of water, and Mom pulled a roast from the refrigerator she was going to cook the next night. Putting it in a pan, she brought it out for Pantar to eat. When everyone was settled and I had served myself a massive plate of enchiladas, the questions began.

“How did you get here?” Grumpy wanted to know, petting Rubbish who had somehow ended up on his lap.

“The Dean used his ability to create a portal. I think he was accommodating because I’m Nexus. He mentioned introducing his nephew to me after initiation.” I replied with a mouthful of my mom’s delicious enchiladas.

“He always was a self-serving prick,” Mom rolled her eyes.

“Three days, just three days you’ve been gone, and you return with Pantar, an animal most Aurathions believed extinct because of the war. We always knew you would make a splash, but this is a tidal wave.” Pop laughed.

“How did you acquire Pantar?” Mom asked, staring at the Fellat in adoration. Her eyes had barely left him since I walked in the door.

“I was being shown my deepest fear and not dealing very well with it; suddenly, Pantar showed up and snapped me out of it. I have no idea how he got there, and he hasn’t said.” I looked at Pantar as I spoke, but he never stopped eating.

“Other than your wonderful fathers, having my Mira was the greatest part of being Nexus." My Mom said with tears in her eyes. "Our connection was so strong she gave her life defending my loves.” Mom looked at me with tear filled eyes.

Grumpy got up from his chair, pulled her into his arms, and sat back down with her in his lap. The way my fathers loved my mother was something special to behold. They showed it every day in their every action.

“Mira is the reason I’m still here today. The reason all three of us are.” Grumpy’s expression was full of remembered pain.

“I don’t care how he came to be at the Academy, I’m just glad you have him,” Mom sniffled. “Nothing reassures me more than knowing you have his protection."

“Anything else happen that we should know about?” Pop asked.

Mouth full, I winced and mumbled, “I seem to have already developed Nathan’s ability.”

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