Page 49 of Between Imminent Fates

“It is not.”

Isaiah’s made an impatient gesture with his hand, spurring him on.

“For me, becoming the earth is natural. It’s a way to connect more deeply with my element and to make it respond instantly to my requests. Instead of asking, pulling for it to do my bidding, I simplybecome.”

“How, Gideon?Howdo you lose your form?”

Gideon turned his focus inward. He mentally picked apart the process, identifying the basis for the transformation and putting it to lyrics.

“What I am is a host to the power of the element. When that power loosens, when it breaks free from the well where it’s housed within me, I can shrug off my physical being and become the truth of what I am.”

The Raeth was pensive. “And how do you keep your consciousness?”

He shrugged. “Even when I’m my element, I still retain a sense of self. But it’s a conscious decision to remain aware. I’ve no doubt that when others seek to end their lives by merging with their element, they dissolve their individuality.”

Isaiah didn’t immediately respond.

“It isn’t without a price, Isaiah,” Gideon continued. “Every time I become my element, I’m dormant afterward—sometimes for weeks.”

“Yes, I understand.” The other man waved a dismissive hand. “I appreciate the transparency.”

Gideon nodded, unable to do anything other than simply let the conversation go as Isaiah intended it. Internally, his mind raced with questions. The other man bowed his head in gratitude, but the almost-oppressive intensity was back in his eyes by the time he straightened.

“You’re not to tell Rukia of our conversation.”

Gideon held his gaze, weighing the directive. No one could’ve missed the undertone of warning. Realization hit him. “Is Key behind this ask?”

“Yes.”

“Then you have my word.”

Stepping forward, Isaiah offered the Elemental monarch his arm in a warrior’s vow, their hands clasping on each other’s forearms.

“I’m glad she has you.”

By the time the shock registered on Gideon’s face, Isaiah was already gone.

Chapter Eighteen

Key

Torrin Scayde was aproblem. Ever since she’d first glimpsed him in her visions a millennia ago, Key had found that anticipating his reactions was nearly impossible. Predicting his path, even with her visions, had never been an exact science.

The conversation she would have in a few short minutes would shed light on that travesty—and arrange the pieces precisely the way she needed them.

Yesterday, Nina had informed her that Zeke and Kaien had been discussing ways to eliminate Torrin from the equation. If the female sovereign hadn’t stepped in, her mate and brother may have compromised their chances of victory.

Bile rose in Key’s throat. The thought of what had almost happened made her nauseated. Out of all the nightmare scenarios she’d been subjected to, it was the repercussions of Torrin’s premature death that led to the most disastrous future. There was nowhere she could hide from the visions of that world. Though failing to eliminate theCitizenstypically resulted in the genocide of immortalkind, one of those futures showed a fate far worse than death.

Sometimes, living was harder than dying.

Closing her eyes couldn’t keep away the visions. Curling into herself, Key braced her palms against her temples and exhaled a long, low breath. Meditation rarely helped her, but occasionally, it offered partial relief from the continual drum of foresight. The continuous bubbling of a small water feature and the low lighting in her bedroom helped her recenter.

Minutes—or hours—later, she was once more in balance, and she sent a telepathic ping to Kaien’s mind. Though they’d never engaged socially, they knew each other well enough that it wouldn’t be seen as an intrusion.

His response was swift.Key. What can I help with?

I need you and your mate to meet me at Lucius and Circe’s home as soon as you’re able,she replied.

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