As far as experiences went, this one was rather simple and lacked any and all story. The goal was to shoot the other teams and be the last one standing. It was merely a way for my family, including my parents, to play together.
Normally, I’d have my entire mental focus on the game, but I kept staring at Vince’s narrow back and the way the light danced on his shiny black hair. He was concentrating on the game, unlike me. He was solely focused on finding and shooting our competitors, but I kept returning to his thoughts from earlier. He wasn’t planning on staying, in all likelihood. I’d assumed,much as Seth had, that his and Bartholomew’s presences would be enough to hold Vince here, even though Vince had given no indication of wanting to stay.
I wanted him to, and I didn’t know why.
Vince’s acceptance of my gift was intriguing. His humor enjoyable. I wanted to chuckle at his thoughts of throwing Kalvoxrencol off a cliff, only to have him fly up. The way he trusted me to hold his face and ease his mind so he could sleep. Last night, his fingers had touched mine as he grinned sleepily at me. I had wanted to trace that smile, but I didn’t, because he hadn’t given me permission to do so.
An orange blast went over my head, and I instinctively crouched while reaching for Vince to pull him down. The instant my hand gripped his arm, terror flashed in his mind followed by scattering memories of someone holding him down as he cried. I ripped away, but his fear didn’t quiet. He held the front of the black leathers simulated by the techplate. He’d gone even paler than usual as sweat dotted his brow.
“Vince,” I said in a low voice. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.”
He didn’t respond. His mind stuck in eddies of memories, ripping him around.
We were crouched behind a sizable rock, lending us a bit of privacy. None of the other teams had found us, but they would soon. Vince wouldn’t want anyone to see him like this. He hadn’t told Seth or Bartholomew, and I didn’t know if he intended to or not. Regardless, Vince should be allowed to reveal his past however wanted and only if he chose to do so.
Slowly, I reached toward him, and Vince scuttled back, making divots in the red sand. I paused, hand still extended. “I will not harm you,” I whispered. “Let me help.”
Vince pushed his cheek into my hand, and I fought the urge to draw away. The fear and pain were overwhelming. My jaw clenched, grinding my teeth together, as I struggled to find myinner calm. I could not give what I didn’t possess. I had to be centered and calm to provide it to others.
I breathed in his crisp floral scent, and it soothed my soul. This was Vince, and he needed me. I pushed my own calm into him while stealing his fear. The panic slid through my veins as the memories rushed over me. My muscles tightened as my soul pounded in time with the terror I was stealing. As I was taught, I released the memories.
They were still there, but I didn’t allow them to touch me. I could easily be traumatized by what I stole, but I’d been taught to let them go by another who shared the same inner fire.
Vince sagged toward me.
I gently held his arm, comforting him as best I could. Vince scooted closer until his head rested against my chest. My soul sped from the small contact. I wanted to draw him into my embrace, but I didn’t. I kept cradling his cheek while I held his arm in a loose grip.
Vince rubbed his forehead against me, breathing deeply.
“You are safe,” I said in a quiet voice. “I will allow no one to harm you.”
Vince took a shuddering breath.
The memories of the past had disappeared under the gentle waves of calm. I’d supplied him with one of my own favorite memories. Standing on the beach. The green-blue water lapping against the purple sand. The double moons of Tamkolvanloknol hung in the night sky while a warm breeze ruffled my hair. The stars winking in the distance. The trees shivering in the wind. I was alone, but content in the peace of the night sky.
“You’re down, Mindy,” Seth shouted.
Vince jolted out of my embrace, looking around. He backed away with a flush on his pale cheeks and embarrassment ringing in his mind. “Sorry.”
“It’s I who should apologize. I shouldn’t have touched you. It was instinct to protect my comrade in arms.”
“It’s fine,” Vince said.
But it wasn’t. I had frightened him; something I never wanted to do. Vince was usually much calmer when Seth and Bartholomew touched him. I wasn’t the same. The thought, while painful, made sense. He’d known Seth since they were children, and Bartholomew and he were exceedingly close because of their shared experience on Xome. I was new, however much I was helping him.
Kalvoxrencol cheered when he shot Bartholomew in the shoulder. Seth grinned and took his mate’s hand before they disappeared around an outcropping of rocks.
Vince smiled tensely before he began creeping forward. I longed to pull him back against me, as I had immensely enjoyed the feeling of his face pressed against my chest. It had been right—his small form tucked against my larger one. I wished to experience it once again. No, I needed more than that. I needed… I needed to feel his slight form beside me at all times.
I shook the random thoughts away and followed Vince. We rounded the different jagged rocks, searching. Seth and Kalvoxrencol had turned quiet. I heard Kalvoxrencol’s thoughts, but I tuned them out to keep the battle fair.
In front of me, Vince froze, and I stopped behind him. Caleb and Zoltilvoxfyn were in front of us, but they were otherwise occupied. Caleb was braced against a rock, and Zoltilvoxfyn stood in between his legs, wings out and tail wrapped around his mate’s leg. They were in the middle of a frantic kissing session. Caleb had his hands buried in Zoltilvoxfyn’s hair and he rocked against him in steady movements.
Ridiculous. They could barely go an hour without inhaling each other.
Vince covered his mouth as he smothered a laugh. “You were right.”
I laughed, head lowering near his shoulder.
