Page 12 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

Ell-rom didn't want to tell Jasmine about killing the temple guard with a mere thought, but keeping it inside wasn't doing either of them any favors. Especially him. Perhaps if he shared his fears, they would loosen their grip on him.

"The dream I told you about, the one where the head priestess admonished Morelle and me, I left out something very troubling."

Jasmine didn't look surprised. "You didn't tell me the reason for the summons. What did you two do?"

"What I did, not Morelle. In the dream, I supposedly killed a guard with just a thought. I hope it was just a nightmare and not a memory, because if that's true, I'm a worse monster than everyone feared based on my parentage and the Eternal King's pursuit of me and my sister."

Jasmine shook her head. "Dreams are rarely literal, and even if this power is real, having the ability to do something doesn't mean you will. You are one of the kindest, gentlest souls I've ever met. I don't believe for a second that you would ever intentionally harm anyone."

Her words washed over him like a balm, easing some of the fear that had been gnawing at him. "But I did kill in the dream, so even if it wasn't real, it was something I was thinking about but felt guilty for feeling. That's why, in the dream, I didn't know I had that power. The priestess told the guard to taunt me and Morelle in order to provoke us to do something bad so she could find out what we were capable of. She sacrificed his life for the experiment."

"What did he do?" Jasmine asked.

"He threatened Morelle that he would yank off her veil to see what deformities she was hiding under there. I was scared that our secret would be revealed, so at night, when I was in my bed, I wished him dead, and then he was. I didn't know I could actually kill him with the thought."

"So, you didn't mean it, and you never did that again, right?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "I might have killed more people on Anumati and not remember it." He looked into her soft goldeneyes. "What if my memory loss is not just the result of prolonged stasis but trauma?

"What if I did so many horrible things my mind decided to just erase them?

"What if I lose control? What if I get angry and accidentally take someone's life?"

Jasmine squeezed his hands. "I know you won't unless it is to defend the lives of people you care about. But so you won’t be terrified of accidentally unleashing your power, we will continue working on your control through meditation. You will learn to manage your emotions better."

Having even the shadow of a solution, something he could do to gain control of his ability, was better than nothing, and he let out a breath. "Thank you. It's such a relief to get it off my chest."

She smiled and lifted on her toes to kiss him smack on the lips. "That's what mates do for each other, right? If I ever have a problem I can't deal with alone, you will also help me."

"Always." The wordsI love youwere on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't want to say them in passing. He wanted to plan the where and when.

"Now, let's get you to that rehabilitation session." Jasmine tugged on his hand and headed for the door. "Afterward, if you have any energy left, we can practice your shrouding some more. I have a feeling you'll get very good at it very quickly."

9

ANNANI

The house was filled with the delicious aromas of the lunch Okidu had prepared, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers that adorned the centerpiece of the long dining table.

It was a perfect day for a family lunch, and Annani felt a swell of contentment as she looked around at her children and grandchildren, especially her newest grandson who was cradled in her arms.

She marveled at the perfection of his tiny features. The baby's warmth and weight stirred a mix of joy and longing that she had become accustomed to over the millennia. There was no other feeling like this, except perhaps for holding her own babies.

Annani glanced at Amanda, her youngest, and smiled. Her baby girl had always been such a joy and spirited, loving, and funny. But then, a disaster had stolen her joy, and for a while, it had seemed like her bright and cheerful daughter had allowed darkness to consume her. But somehow, she had pulled herself out of that abyss and had learned to love again.

Annani shifted her gaze back to the infant in her arms, the chatter and laughter of her family fading into a pleasant background hum. "Such a big name for such a sweet little boy," she murmured. "Evander Tellesious sounds like a general or a king."

"He might be someday," Dalhu said. "But I hope for his parents' sake that he chooses creative endeavors instead." He wrapped his arm around Amanda's shoulders. "After all, his Aunt Amanda is an artist."

"I'm not an artist." Amanda cast him an amused look. "I'm a scientist."

"You are, but you are also very visual, and you have an amazing eye for fashion. If you hadn't gone into neuroscience to search for Dormants, you would have probably pursued a career in fashion."

She laughed. "I don't think so. Being a compulsive shopper does not make me a designer. I just have a good eye for what's trending and looks good on me."

"What about the parties?" Syssi asked. "You are great at that too, especially the decorations."

Amanda waved a dismissive hand. "I'm good at everything I do. Let's leave it at that." She leaned over her nephew and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "And you, my sweet little nephew, can be good at anything you choose to do. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do."