Page 265 of Psycho Gods

I pulled out of the connection.

The strategy room was too bright, and it was eerily quiet compared to the screams of the infected and clangs of enchanted swords.

I was slumped over the table.

Ears ringing with faraway battle sounds.

Eyes wide and unseeing.

I was paralyzed, unable to function.

I slammed my palm against the table, then pinched my hand with all my strength—the pain helped me focus.

As I looked around, my thoughts went a million miles a minute as I went through possibilities and plans.

I knew their location, which meant I could get help for them.

The problem was all the soldiers were in battle halfway across the realm.

I frantically grabbed my crutches and moved across the room, almost falling on my face a few times in my haste. Yanking open the RJE drawer, I desperately checked the remaining devices.

There were about a dozen, all with different coordinates. They were programmed for Elite Academy, the third battle location, the second battle location, and the first battle location.

I searched desperately, but those were the only locations.

Through gritted teeth, I screamed.

The one I needed was missing—there was no RJE device for the current battle, they’d taken them all. I had no way to alert any soldiers.

Not bothering with crutches, I hopped the few feet over to the shelves of binders and started tearing them off the shelves.

I couldn’t find where they’d put the coordinates.

Curse the sun god. Curse the constant incompetence in the realms. Could nothing go right today?

I threw a binder across the room with frustration, then followed its trajectory with my body back toward the open drawer.

I grabbed one of the RJE devices labeled “Elite Academy” and activated it.

Crack.

Reality shifted.

I fell forward as the shelf I was leaning against disappeared beneath me. My hands slapped against black marble. Lightning streaked down the walls, and my hair levitated from the electricity.

“Lothaire?” I screamed down the empty marble hall. Crystal chandeliers hung unlit, and maroon light streamed through stained-glass windows.

Crawling forward on my hands and knees, I screamed, “Is anyone here?”

Lighting slammed against the floor.

Marble burned hotter beneath my hands.

I rolled onto my back and bellowed with everything I had, “Lothaire?” Chest heaving, I lay still and waited.

Please, sun god. Please let him be here. Let him hear me.

Precious seconds turned into minutes.