Ascending the Veil Read Online Free PDF Page B

             
    I pull my hand away from the bridge of my nose, open my eyes and look up at everyone. Nick has his arm over the back of Elisha’s chair. Xander has his elbows on his knees, deep in thought. Sebastian is tapping a pen on the table, eyes watching it , but mind obviously somewhere else. Was I the only one that heard that? I close my eyes again, turning away from all of them. Sebastian whispers to Balthazar about the devices, but I block them out. I think of Nate again and another whisper falls on my ears, but this time it feels like he is standing right behind me delivering the message. “You can find us. Use our link.”
    As qu ickly as Nate’s energy befell me, it disappears, leaving me depleted of my own. I open my eyes slowly and turn back toward the team. “It’s the Copula.”
    Xander looks up at me first, examining what I am getting at.
    “Nate, he said that I needed to find them using my link.”
    Xander’s face transforms from that of concern to that of objection. He sits back in his chair, folds his arms over his chest and challenges me. “How?”
    I can sense Xander’s jealousy immediately. I try to ignore it. “It makes sense that I could find them because of the Copula.”
    Xander studies me, and then shakes his head. “I’m linked to Nate too. Why didn’t I hear him?”
    Smart ass. His jealousy is really getting under my skin. “Our link is a little different than yours and his, Xander.”
    Xander smirks and shoots daggers at me now. “Yeah, it is different all right.”
    Son of a ...
    Balthazar thwarts the back and forth between Xander and I. “Jes, you have been through a lot. You could have imagined it.”
    I shake my head, frustrated with the direction Xander has taken this conversation and Balthazar’s condescending approach. Feeling trapped between the two of them, I turn to Sebastian. “You know how strong a link can be, Sebastian. You said it yourself. You have experienced it with your own son.”
    Sebastian casts notice from Balthazar, to Xander, then back to me. “What are you suggesting Jesca?”
    Balthazar turns to Sebastian ready to argue him even entertaining my idea. Prepared for an argument, Sebastian holds his hand up to his son stopping him before he starts. “She is right. I would not have my son safe with me if this were not the case, Balthazar. We know how powerful the Copula can be within us.”
    Balthazar’s lips tighten as he weighs Sebastian’s words. The small gesture, Sebastian placing his hand on Balthazar’s shoulder, tugs at my heart as I reflect on the bond that was just beginning between myself and my father.
    Balthazar notices my stare and his face softens. “Even when the Sondian Copula was stripped from my body by Michael Sanderson himself, my soul was determined to reach my father. The bonds a soul makes can never be erased or stripped.”
    Balthazar looks down and I can see a mental struggle going on in his head, I just can’t read it. “Jesca, you have to realize that there is a risk of losing you. My father and I have only attempted this within our universe. You will be venturing into uncharted territory, beyond our universe.”
    “Until Sam, Ezra, and Nate. They made it and I will too. There is not a doubt in my mind Balthazar. I will find them. Just figure out how to get those devices you found working with my Copula and I will figure out the rest.”
    Balthazar scrutinizes me, trying to call my bluff; that I am afraid. I hold his gaze, working hard not to show the anxiety that is swelling within me. It takes moments, and then he releases a deep breath. “Alright. We are just waiting on our support team to arrive; we hope anyway. With the intersection and the chaos ensuing above ground, we aren’t sure if they will arrive at all. They may have to seek shelter with another Dobrian cell.”
    Having not heard a word from Xander, I let my eyes roam over to see response to Balthazar’s and Sebastian’s agreement with me.