Page 8 of Lost in the Dark
My heart swells with pride at her response. That and the way she instinctively shares her emotions with me lets me know that the root of our soul bond is already twining together. At least that’s a minor comfort. It will make it easier for her to trust me to carry her through the void and into the physical realm once more.
A shimmering line gains my attention. I shift Mahal lower, grasping her with my lower arms, leaving my primary set free. The air ripples back to reveal one of my operators at her work station back at the Citadel.
The female has ridges along her forehead and tribal marks on her cheeks and chin. Her hair is styled in the traditional braids of my people, which are gathered and piled along the crest of her head. The operator barely looks at me, focusing instead on the screens in front of her. “Sir,” she says by way of greeting. “There has been a breach.”
I detect a faint tinge of disapproval in her tone. As her superior officer and leader of the Citadel, that is likely the only bit of censure I will receive, though I deserve a full dressing down for my presence in the ark. “Where and how much time?”
“Wraiths breached this sector, and having a field with the power grid. So far we are distracting their attention with the computer simulated population, and the artificially generated storms we’re creating. That won’t hold them for long.”
“Exits?” Any of the Somni pods should have been able to activate the awakening sequence and upload the soul into their newly formed physical bodies. But the surge effectively ruined that option. There are other emergency exits just in case, but if wraiths tapped the power grid, it might have knocked out all available exits in this sector.
“I have diverted power to any remaining portals. Even with that, this sector is too unstable to exit by normal routes.” As if to prove her point, the operator’s image wavers as another energy blast ripples through the walls. This program will not hold. “Taking a portal will risk fracturing your mind if it is unstable. We will be able to have an extract team to you within an hour.”
“I don’t think we have an hour, operator.” Even now, I feel the tremors of another surge build beneath my feet. The wraiths are coming.
The operator scoffs and levels her gaze on mine. Her silver eyes ringed in blue are striking against her tan skin. “What other choice do you suggest, sir? I do not want to risk losing a soul.”
I hold my tongue. The censure is fully clear now. I accept it as I deserve it, and I would have given nothing less had the roles been reversed.
This is exactly why we do not reveal ourselves, much less imprint on our souls while they’re in this state. Not only is there a risk to their mental health fracturing if they reject us in this form, there is an even bigger risk for attracting wraiths here.
I have no one to blame but my own selfish thoughts. And Ruairc. I can blame him a little. “Understood. Neither do I. Any chance of a nearby exit point? Even if it can take us to a nearby sector?”
The operator’s brow furrows, her lips press into a grim line. “Not with the current power levels. Those damn wraiths are getting harder to herd.”
There are only a few places where the wraiths actively avoid—and for good reason. One path is exceptionally dangerous, but it would be the most direct path out. “Give me an exit into the back hallways and I will take care of the rest.” I say.
The operator’s eyes widen in alarm. “The hallways? But the creatures—”
“Just do it.” Wraiths are relentless when they sense a pocket of energy as presented by awakening souls, and Mahal glows with it. She will be hard for them to ignore. The one shot I have is to go through the one place they actively avoid for being an energy null. The Back Hallways.
A realm within a realm, it is a wormhole that twists reality. The Back Hallways are a nightmarish hellscape, but if we keep moving forward, we’ll be able to find our way out. The creatures that make that place their home…
“The sequencing is ready to go. I will do the best I can to herd the wraiths away from you to buy you time. Good luck, and we’ll see you on the other side.” The operator nods once and disappears for good. I have to trust that she’s doing her part and opening the way.
“I need to prep you on a few things about where we are going—where did you find those clothes?”
Mahal stands before me in a light shirt and pants, which is a departure from the cotton nightgown that she wore not a few minutes ago.
My question made her scrunch up her face in the most adorable expression. Part confusion, part seriousness, all Mahal. Studying all her facial expressions will be a joy to look forward to. “I keep repeating the line that Artemisia told me before I went under. I had control over my dreams. So I wanted to see if I could clothe myself.”
She made use of her time while I spoke to the operator. Resourceful, intelligent, and beautiful beyond reason. Even in these dire times, I’m distracted by thoughts of burying myself inside of her.
I put those thoughts aside. I need to protect my mate—as I should have earlier by not breaking the rules and visiting her before she entered the awakening stage of the process. “Here, let me help,” I say, and then I touch her on the forehead and dress her in a suit that could give her protection. “There. This is lightweight armor plating woven into the fabric of this uniform. This will help keep your energy hidden.”
Even though this ark program is nothing more than a sophisticated technology of simulated worlds, her mind thinks this place is real, even if she also believes she is dreaming. We have learned long ago that protecting the mind is more important than the physical. We can always revive the physical form. The mental form, however, is infinitely more fragile.
“There are a lot of rules, but no time to tell you of them. For that, I am sorry. The last thing I want to do is endanger you.” I cup Mahal’s precious face. “Void wraiths will do all they can to take you and feed off your energy. They are parasites that seek a host. Stay with me and do not stray from the path. One shift can lead you down the wrong path. There are creatures that live in the Back Hallways that will lure you into a never-ending maze. Don’t listen to any other voice but mine. Do you understand?”
Mahal nods. “Let nothing touch me. Stick with you. Stay on the path. Don’t listen to anything else but you. I think that’s all of it.”
“That’s perfect,” I say. “Let’s go.”
Mahal
I’ve decided that I only really have two options right now. Option one: I am having an elaborate dream for which I hope to wake rested. Option two: I accept that all of this is happening, and it’s in my best interest to go along with the plan that will help me survive.
All else being equal, it makes the most sense to go along with someone who wants to keep me safe.