Page 98 of Between Imminent Fates

As he explained, she took detailed notes and quickly put two and two together.

“It makes sense,” she said.

“Why would it be any different now?” Derikles asked. “Surely in ages past, a healer would’ve attempted it.”

“Think about it. We have feeding tubes now, machinery to help keep them alive for longer periods of time. Before, how long would they have lasted without that? A couple of weeks at most? Modern technology gave them the ability to hold on until we could figure out how to help them.”

Ten minutes later, it was all she could do to keep her composure as she stole through the door of Zeke and Nina’s home. Tzuriel and Kaien were already there, speaking in critical tones while Zeke observed but didn’t interfere.

He didn’t seem fully present, which had become the way of things recently. The moment Nina had fallen unconscious, her mate had lost a part of himself, too.

“I have news about Isaiah,” she said. “Derikles Amped him through their clan bonds—directly into the well of his power. Kaien—Isaiah has completely stabilized. His eye color is normal again, and his psychic energy is finally refilling.He could wake up.”

No more prompting was needed. The healer spun on his heel and marched straight for the bedroom where his sister lay sleeping, quickly followed by everyone else.

Seeing Nina asleep on the bed always rocked Celeste. For a woman who’d been so vibrant, her still and weak form was disconcerting. But she didn’t dwell on that fact, nor on Zeke becoming uneasy behind her. If there was even a chance Nina would improve, they owed it to her to try.

“Zeke,” Kaien said, “can you separate your clan bond to Nina from your mating bond and start Amping her?”

Their sovereign looked stricken. “Kaien …”

The moment he paused, Celeste knew something was wrong. Zeke would do everything possible for his mate, and the hesitation she saw on his features didn’t bode well.

“Perhaps you could start today, Kaien?” Tzuriel prompted.

“Yes,” Zeke’s voice hitched, “if you could do it today, I’d really appreciate it.”

Celeste’s stomach dropped. She knew the sovereign had been running on fumes, the same way they all had been. But for Zeke to be unable to Amp Nina meant the situation was far more dire than she believed.

The healer took it in stride. “I’ll funnel energy to her through clan bonds today. If you’re up for it tomorrow, Zeke, then you can give it a go.”

“Of course.”

Celeste knew at once the confirmation was false. Much sooner than anyone had anticipated, they’d have to discuss what Zeke’s energy drain would amount to for the clan.

“Did Derikles say anything else, Celeste?”

“He explained the process but couldn’t account for the difference.” She shrugged. “But it makes sense. The Amp gift is generally used to bolster abilities, and your healing gifts are used for the body and mind. None of them directly impact psychic energy. By funneling the Amp through clan bonds, the charge goes directly into their well of power. It’s a different kind of effect.”

She turned to Zeke. “Derikles is already reaching out to Luna so she can try it on Key. Let’s hope that this works for all three of them.”

***

For Nina, the turnaround time was quicker. By the end of the first day, she’d already stabilized. Celeste had come to check on her multiple times throughout the day. They had been offered hope, and she’d snatched it. Knowing Isaiah, Key, and Nina were improving made the entire clan collectively hold their breath.

On the morning of the third day, Zeke entered and placed a reverent kiss on Nina’s forehead. The twins, seeing the door was open, scooted in after him, a ball of riotous energy and dueling voices.

The sovereign’s transformation was immediate.

Grinning broadly, his features lost the look of hopelessness and despair. He continued to reassure his twins that nothing was wrong, and their mommy was just sleeping.

“We’ll see mommy later, okay?” He tickled Zak as he edged closer to Nina, the young boy peering up over the side of the bed and babbling nonsensically to his mom. “Let’s go get breakfast.”

“’Cakes?”

“Yeah, we can do pancakes.”

The toddlers scrambled out of the room, leaving Zeke behind. His features returned to the blank look of despair as he followed them out. Blinking back tears, Celeste closed her novel. She had to get away, before she fell prey to the same grief.

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