Soul(s) Read Free Page B

use
your powers on others unless we’re training. I’m sure Ajani won’t
take it personally, but he’s right, we should get back. Iris will
want to talk to you.”
    “ Let’s go then,” Keegan
said stepping assertively forward towards Ajani.
    Ajani stared directly at him silently. He
and Keegan were like two lions sizing each other up. Apparently
male aggression transcends planes of existence.
    Ajani broke his gaze first and began leading
us away to the platform. As we traveled, Keegan was never more than
a few paces behind me. His energy felt guarded and defensive. So
different from how we were both feeling just minutes ago in the
cave.
    Even with my hesitation,
being against him like that had felt more than just right. It had
felt like we both needed it. Just touching him like that had done
something to me physically my felt less tired, stronger,
fiercer—and hungry. I was still so unsure of the energy between us.
At least now I knew it was because we were partners but exactly how
deep did that partnership go? I hope the city holds answers for
us.
    Some part of me knew that allowing whatever
naturally happened between Keegan would satiate us both. It was a
powerful arousing and frightening idea. I wasn’t comfortable
needing someone that much. I felt like whoever I was before this
life I’d been an independent loner. Then again, that independence
had resulted in no one being there to save me the night I died. The
images started to flash again but I pushed them out of my mind. I
needed to remain in the present.
    It took a few hours to reach the platform
and I took the time to ask a lot of questions. Ajani seemed less
hostile, but I didn’t try to dig into his mind again. Bem was the
opposite of her partner, she was open and didn’t mind answering all
my questions.
    “ Things haven’t been
normal for a while?”
    “ No, the atlas is a device
we have in Paramount that maps out all of Second-Plane. We’re able
to see the location of every newly awakened soul, but now the atlas
isn’t telling us right away. It’s information is delayed. And to
top it off, large groups of Banguri have been hunting down and
killing off newlies before we can get to them, or they can get to a
temple.”
    “ How much should you be
telling her?” Ajani said, his voice snapping like a whip in the
air.
    “ Is this information
supposed to be kept secret?” I asked.
    “ No,” Bem told me, “but
things use to be so simple around here and now everything is
changing. We’re not sure how or why. Usually newlies have a choice,
but we can’t afford for any natural Venku not to fight.”
    “ What’s a Venku?” I
asked.
    “ It’s what you and Keegan
are. Technically we all start off in pairs but if your Venku dies
you absorb their power. You can fight singly or with a new partner
like Ajani and I do.”
    “ You’re telling us that we
don’t have a choice?” Keegan asked skipping over the whole
definition of a Venku and focusing on the fact that we were
expected to fight.
    “ When you see the way
things are shaping between the two races, you’ll want to help.
There has to be a balance kept and the Banguri are tipping the
scale. We’re here. Step on the platform with us and we’ll contact
Paramount.”
    It was like a large raised plate in the
middle of the forest. We stepped on to it. Keegan linked his
fingers with mine. He trailed his thumb in circles on my palm. The
sensation resonated against my skin and sent ripples of heat
through my body.
    I don’t mind feeling this
way when I’m with you at all , Keegan
thought to me.
    Oh I know you
don’t. I teased back.
    You don’t mind either.
    I looked over at him unable to hold back a
small twitch of a smile.
    You’ll have no problem fucking yourselves
healthy.
    I knew that voice. It was Ajani. He was
standing in front of Keegan and I, next to Bem who was doing
something with a device in her hand.
    What’s wrong? Keegan questioned.
    Ajani talked to me again but I