Chapter 4 #2
I dashed down the hallway, my thoughts racing faster than my feet.
I portaled to my dorm, desperate to escape the chaos in my mind.
By the time I stumbled into my room, I was full-on hyperventilating, and my breaths came in ragged gasps.
I didn’t even make it to the bed before I collapsed, my knees buckling beneath me.
I simply dropped to the floor, overwhelmed by the onslaught of sobs racking my body.
It was dark outside by the time I started to come back to my senses. I’d been trapped in a panic attack for hours, and no one had come to check on me. Not like I wanted anyone around while I was so vulnerable, but it did trigger a new form of loneliness.
A sudden surge of love cut through my spiraling wave of self-pity. The drops on my Nexus flared to life, and waves of intense relief flooded my system. James.
His piercing green orbs appeared a moment later, but his face was heavily wounded. I gasped, taking in the bruises and bloody cuts marring his beautiful features.
“James,” I breathed, the word carrying a mix of relief and deep worry. “What happened? You look…”
“It’s a mess,” he interrupted, strained yet resolute. “No one expected Crown to be attacked in the first place, and when they did, the Radicals turned on the Amplifier, transforming the whole battle into a scene of brutal chaos. We lost our ability to translate, and everything fell apart.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, while my concern deepened.
He nodded, though his expression was grave. “I almost wasn’t. I got so caught up searching for the damn Amplifier I didn’t see an ambush coming.”
My heart raced at his words. “What happened?”
“Caden Colt,” he said, his face reflecting a mix of gratitude and relief.
“The ‘mean piece of work, ruthless and rotten to the core’ Caden?”
James nodded again. “He saved my life. I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for him. He’s one hell of a First Offensive.”
James was complimenting another person. Damn, this Caden guy had to be something else. A wave of gratitude washed over me, along with a strong urge to hug the First Offensive who had saved the man I loved.
“Tell him thanks,” I said, offering James a wink in hopes of lightening the heavy moment.
James chuckled softly. “I will.”
“What about Stephen? Did you find him?” I pressed, as my anxiety flared up again.
James nodded, relief mingling with exhaustion in his eyes. “Yes, I did. I got to him right in time. I had him portal back with the United Chiefs for safety.”
“Thank the gods. And you? How did you…”
“I stayed behind with Crown’s Offensives,” he said quickly. “We managed to push the Radicals back outside their borders and into human territory. It was touch and go, but we succeeded.”
“That’s a relief,” I said, while I tried to process it all. “But what about now? How’s the situation?”
James’s expression grew grim. “The latest intel isn’t great. The Radicals have set up camps, so it’s likely they’ll regroup for another strike.”
“What’s the plan?”
“I’m staying here for now. We’re gathering at Caerleon Manor,” James explained as he rotated his arm. “The Offensives are consolidating there, and we’re strategizing our next moves.”
I swallowed over the sudden dryness in my throat. “How long do you think you’ll be needed?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Don’t think I don’t miss you terribly already.”
A wave of longing reached me through the Nexus, engulfing me like a lifeline. I held onto it, desperate for the connection between us.
The lump in my throat made it almost impossible to speak. “I miss you too. So much,” I whispered. Then an idea struck me. “I could come over there and help?”
James’s eyes flared with anger. “What?”
“I could help. There’s an Amplifier, yes, but I survived one before! I could do it again. Please, James, let me help.”
He let out a humorless laugh. “You think I’m going to let you into hostile territory where there’s a full-on war raging? With the enemy holding a nuclear weapon? Yeah, I don’t think so.”
I set my jaw, and I could sense my frustration building. “Please don’t dismiss me so easily. You’re there and I’m probably the only one who can survive it.”
“You barely survived it before. Just because you managed once doesn’t mean you’ll make it through again.”
“I’m pretty sure I will.”
“No, you won’t. And I’m not betting your life on it.”
“Why are you so certain I won’t survive?”
He sighed deeply, his whole demeanor heavy with concern.
“Emma, whatever happened last time, it clearly loosened up your translation. Something changed, and I’m not willing to test it by putting you in front of an Amplifier.
If it’s used on you now, with your translation turned to normal, you will die. ”
I searched his face for any hint of hesitation. “Are you sure you don’t know why my translation is loosened? Because you voice a lot of opinions for someone who’s supposedly as clueless as I am.”
His eyes narrowed into slits. “It’s simple logic, Emma. Your emotions didn’t translate last time, so the Amplifier didn’t affect you in the same way. Since your translation now works like everyone else’s, the Amplifier will have the same effect on you.”
He sounded too sure of himself, and doubt crept in like an unwelcome guest. “I thought you said mine was so different from everyone else’s I couldn’t translate outside the Universitas? So which one is it?”
James stilled for a beat, before whispering, “Emma, please. I’m only saying I love you too much to risk your safety. That’s all.”
I sighed, then said more softly, “I love you too James, you know that. But I need to know, and please be honest: do you have any idea how my magic was triggered?
“No, I don’t,” he said, his voice firm again, sounding very convinced of his own statement. But then his focus shifted, darting away from mine.
Damn it. I didn’t believe him.
But before I could press further, he said, “Emma, I’m so sorry, but Maurice and Maria are trying to nex me. I have to update them on the situation. I’ll nex you back later.” He paused for a moment, then added, “I love you.”
The call ended abruptly, leaving me with his words and the echo of his voice still lingering in my ears.
JAMES
As I ended the call with the Maumars, frustration slammed into me like a punch to the ribs. I tossed the Nexus down onto the table, harder than I meant to, and it skidded across the surface with a clatter.
Maurice’s insistence on coming to Crown to help me recruit them to our cause was adding to an already unbearable situation. I needed to clear my head, and I decided to find Sean and Caden.
Pushing open the door to Caden’s study, I found them both settled comfortably in the cozy room.
It was the kind of place where comfort and sophistication blended together, filled with books lining the walls and a selection of Scotch prominently displayed.
Sean and Caden were seated in plush armchairs, each nursing a glass of the good stuff.
Sean was still clad in his bloody Offensive attire, his ever-present smile plastered on his face, even though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Today’s losses had struck him hard. I’d seen firsthand how deeply connected all these Offensives were to one another.
Unlike the ones at Cyclos—who merely worked together as a team—these Offensives functioned like a family.
Caden, on the other hand, looked more like a billionaire mafia prince than a warrior—a sharp, tailored suit replacing his battle-worn gear.
His immaculate appearance was almost a stark contrast to the bloodshed he’d just returned from.
If it weren’t for the quiet fury simmering behind his composed demeanor, I might have thought he’d stepped out of a high-end magazine instead of a battlefield.
The moment I stepped into the room, they both looked up, and without a word, a glass of Scotch materialized in front of me. They didn’t need to ask—it was automatic, a silent acknowledgment of the crap we’d gone through together, and our mutual coping mechanisms.
“You okay there, Walker?” Sean’s voice was soft, his eyes scanning me as he took in the tension radiating from me.
The question made me pause, and I realized for the first time they could offer more than a sympathetic ear—they could help. I steadied myself as I stepped further into the room.
“I might need your help,” I said, my tone firmer now. “It’s about Emma.”
Sean’s brows drew together, curiosity flickering in his gaze. “Who’s Emma?”
I took a deep breath, knowing this conversation was about to change everything. “The woman I love.”
The words had an instant impact. Both men straightened in their seats, their casual conduct instantly replaced by a piercing focus. Sean’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Caden’s previously relaxed posture became taut with attention.
“Tell us everything,” Caden said, then set his glass down before leaning forward.
So, I did. I spoke about Emma with the kind of openness which only came from sharing deeply with people you trusted—even if I’d known these men for less than a day.
Battling alongside someone had a way of forging trust. You either connected, or you didn’t survive.
And with these incredible warriors, I had no trouble finding mutual grounds.
Colt saving my life certainly helped.
When I finished my story, Sean grinned, shaking his head in disbelief. “So. James Walker has a girlfriend, eh?” He gave me a playful punch on the arm, and despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Yeah. Turns out I’m not all that terrifying,” I quipped, a hint of sarcasm slipping through.
Sean laughed. “Don’t worry, mate. Ye still scare the shit out of me.”
I snorted.
Sean’s grin widened. “So what’s the problem? Can’t get it up? Don’t know if we’ll be able to help; we’ve never had such issues.”