Page 172 of Illusory

“Come here,” said Trace as he hauled me onto his lap, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist. Our soulmate bond instantly whirred to life. “Lay back against my chest and hold the thin end of the rope,” he said holding the straw-like braided material in front of us while his other hand stayed tightly around my waist.

“Like this?” I asked as I gripped the opposite end of the rope he was holding.

“Like that,” he murmured beside my ear. “Now put your head down on my shoulder and relax your body.”

Easy for him to say. His ass wasn’t pressed up against an Adonis he happened to be in love with. His arm around me tightened as I felt his length jump beneath me.

“Stop eavesdropping,” I said quietly, knowing he’d heard my thoughts, and liked what I’d said.

“Stop letting me,” he answered and then licked his lips as I turned my head to the side to look at him.

My gaze skimmed over his face, taking everything in. “I didn’t realize I had a choice?”

His dimples dug in as he flashed a secretive smile at me.

Gabriel cleared his throat loudly and I promptly facedforward again and gave him an apologetic look.

“Right. Where were we?”

“I was telling you to relax your body against me,” said Trace and I did as he said, resting my back against his chest and then my head against his shoulder. “Clear your mind of everything. Shut off the noise and push every thought out of your mind until it’s a blank canvas.”

Nodding, I got to work trying to clear the mess of thoughts from my mind. He must have been listening in because he didn’t say anything for a long while. Not until I’d finally found a quiet corner to retreat to.

“Good. Just like that,” he said softly, his voice feeling like it was inside my mind. “Now fill the space with one picture. One thought of the place you want to go.”

I breathed out and pictured Starry Beach. The bench we’d sat at last year where I first learned that Trace was a Reaper came into my mind, and I latched onto it.

“Now hold the picture,” said Trace as I continued to add layers to my memory of Starry Beach, locking it into place as though it were a polaroid inside my head. “And whatever you do, don’t let go of the Transfer Bind.”

My fingers tightened around my end of the rope as a thread of anxiety unfolded in my chest.

“Ligatum in carne, ligatus in anima,” he whispered as a blast of icy wind came down to sweep me away.

* * *

The rush of cold air slammed into my skin, chilling me right down to the marrow of my bones. There was nothing but blinding darkness peeking out at me through what felt like an endless tunnel, the wind slashing out at me like a whip. For a second, I wondered if something had gone wrong—if I’d gotten stuck somewhere in the in-between—before a picturefinally started to form in front of my eyes.

Starry Beach slowly bled into existence as I held my breath and waited for the ground to solidify beneath my feet. Feeling the light drizzle peppering down on me, I released my breath and glanced around the area. The smell of the ocean wafted into my nose as a gentle breeze ruffled my hair, making my skin shiver. I glanced down at the rope still in my hand and tightened my hold on it.

It had worked. I’d actually ported here.

The realization made me burst out laughing. Luckily, there wasn’t a single soul anywhere on the boardwalk to witness my little outburst. It was peaceful here. Quiet.

I took a step back and sat down on the bench, closing my eyes as I lifted my chin to the sky and let the rain fall down on me and baptize my face. I’d forgotten how nice it was here. How tranquil it was. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I’d been on my own and actually felt at peace.

It was…nice.

Not wanting to forget, I made a silent promise to myself to come back here someday, when things were quieter, and the dust had a chance to settle. I’d take a walk on the beach and let the tide rush up to greet me. Maybe I’d bring a picnic and a good book to read, and I’d drink in the serenity like it was the breath to my lungs.

I just needed to make it to graduation first.

The timer on my phone blared, startling me back to the present. Flicking off the alarm, I hopped off the table and then slipped my phone back in my pocket with my free hand. Shutting my eyes again, I cleared my mind and thought of home. Of Trace. Of the spot in his arms where I had been, and I wished it back into existence.

Strong arms tightened around me as the cold air blasted me through the black tunnel of time and space and then setme back in Trace’s lap as though I had been there the entire time.

“Welcome back,” said Trace beside my ear as he tightened his hold on me like he never wanted to let me go again.

My gaze lifted to Dominic, who was seated next to his brother in the lounger across from me. His face eased in relief as he scanned me, content that I was still in one piece.

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