Page 108 of Awry
“It’s all gone, then,” Presh says quietly.“When we die?The energy that makes us who we are … our souls … does it … does it just dissipate?”
I open my mouth to answer, then realize that the question is rather complicated, so I backtrack a bit.“Some of it depends on your belief system.”
Presh nods, toying with some of the leafy oregano and flowering lavender tucked under the shifter’s arms as she watches me steadily.“Like … that our souls travel into the After, and that we cycle back into the Now.Is that what you believe?”
I nod.“I can’t say I … I can’t confirm reincarnation as a fact.But energy, essence, continually flows through the universe, changing shape and tenor but never truly being destroyed.”Energy flows from the universe to the world through me, more specifically.But I leave that potentially belief-shaking bit of info for later.Or for never.
Presh nods again, thoughtfully.“These are … were your aunt’s mates.And they died when she did?”
A wash of cold shivers down my spine when I nod my own acknowledgment.I know my aunt is dead.But apparently, I’m still caught up in the how and why and nowhere near acceptance.
“So does that mean they were soul bound?Shifters believe in that sort of thing.In fated or destined mates.”
Hyperaware of the silent male at my side and all the warmth, all the presence, radiating from him, I attempt to skirt the question without completely destroying or attacking Presh’s belief system.“I believe, as does Harlee, that my aunt and her companions must have been essence bound.”
“Your aunt shared essence … they shared essence.”
“Yes.”
“Through sex?”
I inhale deeply.I’m not a prude.At least I don’t think I am.But I haven’t … I’ve never been with more than one person at a time.“It’s not necessarily a single action, or a switch, or a lock that can just be triggered.The essence bond, that level of connection, can take years to fully develop.”
Presh smirks at me, a little too knowingly.“Shifters bite their chosen mates.”
Rought chooses this moment to enter the conversation— just as he tucks his right hand in the front pocket of his jeans.“And their soul-bonded.”
I valiantly try to keep the essence-sensing lesson on track.“Not all bonds are sexual in nature, but sex, and biting, can be a way to anchor and reinforce a chosen bond.”
“So you don’t believe they were soul bound to your aunt,” Presh says.
“I don’t know.”
“What about you?Do you have soul bonds?”
“No.”
Rought stiffens beside me, but I keep my attention on Presh as her interrogation continues.
“Do you have essence bonds?”
“No.”
“Chosen bonds?”
I shake my head, smiling at her as gently as possible.“That isn’t my path.”
“But it was Aunt Disa’s?”Rought’s question is a harsh rumble that seems to emanate from the depths of his chest.
I get another of those pained pings, through my chest.“I can’t speak for my aunt.I’m … I apparently didn’t know her as well as I thought.”
“But you spent your childhood here?”Presh asks.
I know she’s talking to me, but her gaze strays to Rought.“Portions of it,” I say.
“And?”
“And?”I smile, not quite certain I’m following how her train of thought has stretched from soul-bound mates to my childhood.
