Page 45 of Exordium

“I wish I could have known them. Is it weird to miss someone you’ve never met?” I sighed wistfully.

“No, it’s not. They’d have loved you so much. Rue was brilliant. He would’ve loved teaching you about any and everything. My Sly was fierce. Nathan wouldn’t have lived past junior high if he’d been here.” Mom laughed.

“He’s lucky because it was touch and go a few times with Grumpy and Pop.” I laughed in remembrance.

“It was," Mom agreed, laughing with me. “We’ll get this all figured out. You concentrate on getting through initiation." Walking up to Pantar, Mom put her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Keep our girl safe and make sure the Passives wanting admittance to her Faction are worthy.”

Pantar gave a regal nod, then leaned down and licked her face from chin to forehead.

“Nexus, tell your mother it will be my privilege,”Pantar growled out in my head.

“He said it would be his privilege,” I told Mom, laughing as she used her shirt to wipe the drool from her face.

Just then, the portal appeared. Pantar extended his tentacle to me. I kissed Mom’s cheek, the one with no drool, and Pantar and I stepped through.

Chapter 17

Reverie

The weeks flew by as I attended classes and tried to keep a low profile. It was harder said than done when I was followed everywhere by a giant Fellat. Pantar wasn’t fond of anyone that wasn’t me or Nathan. He allowed Chloe to pet him but that was it. Zeke and Zane tried to get close to him, but Pantar told me he was waiting on them to prove themselves to him. Whatever that meant.

Since bonding with Pantar, the Passives all knew about my Nexus status. So far, none had approached me, primarily due to the shadow of initiation looming over them and the guys running interference. I’m sure Pantar flashing his teeth at everyone as we walked down the hallway was also a factor.

Instructor Storm liked to torture me daily, and his dickish behavior didn’t go unnoticed by Nathan and the twins. Nathan took every opportunity to fuck with him. He even went so far as giving Oren a t-shirt that had Reverie’s Bitch on it. Apparently, Storm lost a bet. He tore it up on the spot and told Nathan to go fuck himself. Fun times.

Zane had found a clearing deep in the forest behind Emberhold for me to practice teleporting. I had improved enough that I wasn’t afraid of any accidents happening in front of anyone. Nathan wanted us to try teleporting home, but I didn’t want to take the chance of alerting the Dean of our absence, and my ability.

Several Passives had been taken for initiation. One guy disappeared while eating lunch, and another girl was taken just as she came out of the bathroom stall. Unfortunately, Cassandra never came back; another found Passive among several who lost their life. The level of stress everyone was under was tremendous.

Kristine apparently had no other purpose but to try and torture me. She was pissed about Pantar and constantly made comments to whoever would listen that me and my family didn’t deserve such an honor. Acting like I was the one who chose Pantar when it was the other way around. She was a bitter, want-to-be Nexus, bitch. That’s how Chloe called it, anyway. Her Bitch Brigade backed her up and tried to approach Nathan and the twins at every opportunity. I’m not sure they had a single brain cell between them.

I hadn’t heard from my family, but I felt sure they would have found a way to contact me if they’d found any answers. Hopefully, they’ll have more information soon. I was keeping my tattoo hidden from everyone but Nathan. Nathan was pissed that he hadn’t gotten one and made me inspect him all over to make sure. I was annoyed at first, but Nathan made it worth my while.

I was bothered that I hadn’t confided in the Moons about all my abilities, but the time hadn’t felt right. I needed to ask Pantar if he was okay with me sharing our ability to communicate. His decision would be the deciding factor.

Getting out of bed, I pulled on my black cargo pants with a lightweight, white cotton shirt and threw my hair up in a messy bun. Sitting down, I put on my brand-new combat boots; they were hot pink, a gift from Zeke after he had noticed my love for all things pink. Fitting my boot knife in its sheath, I turned and grabbed my backpack. I had learned my lesson that first day when Cassandra was taken to initiation. I opened it and ensured it was stocked with water and granola bars that would last a few days. I hoped that I could catch enough to eat if I was gone longer than that.

I threw my pack over my shoulder and looked at Pantar, lying on my bed, “Hey, lazybones, are you coming with me or hanging out here?” I scratched him under his chin.

“I’m coming with you, Nexus. If you are pulled away to initiation, I won’t be left behind.”Pantar yawned, looking like a giant housecat.

“Do you think the Academy is going to allow that?” I asked.

“There is no allowing. We are a package deal since the bonding. Where you go, I go. There is no alternative.”He leaped off the bed and stretched.

It was crazy to think I’d only had him for a short while and loved him as much as I did. I couldn’t imagine my life withouthim. I always knew my mom was strong but, after bonding with Nathan and Pantar, I knew how much strength it must have taken for her not to give up.

“You are correct, Nexus, and I love you too.”Pantar grinned, showing all those deadly teeth.

Opening my door, I smelled the aroma of coffee. Walking into the small living area, I saw Zane sitting on the couch with a giant to-go cup in his hand.

“Is that for me?” I asked, grabbing the cup and taking a big sip before he could answer me.

“Well, I hope so, piglet. Now, it has your Nexus cooties all over it.” He smiled in amusement.

“Nexus cooties?” Chloe asked in puzzlement, walking into the room. “Is that a thing?”

“If it is, I’m going to roll around in her sheets,” Zane looked at me with heat in his eyes.

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