Scorched Souls (Chosen Book 3) by Jeff Altabef & Erynn Altabef

Author:Jeff Altabef & Erynn Altabef [Altabef, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC
Published: 2016-10-21T18:30:00+00:00

Juliet

Aaric’s private jet leaves from the same small airport we used only a few days ago. It’s hard to believe how much has changed in such a short time. Ever since Sicheii started me on this path I’ve been whipped about like a snowflake in a blizzard. I wonder if I’ll ever settle on the ground.

Aaric sits a row behind me with his eyes closed. He’s not sleeping. He’s holding a crystal in his hand, and the aura around him burns with an intense white light.

I sense that he’s communicating with someone far away.

I attempt to settle my mind by playing the What If game. I used to play different versions of the game to chase away my anxiety. Often, I’d play the what’s-the-worst-thing-that-could-possibly-happen version, where I spiral downward to the most horrific end possible. Usually, I’d do this when facing a big test I wasn’t so sure about, or a lacrosse match. Eventually, I’d realize the worst-case scenario wasn’t all that bad, comforted in knowing my life wouldn’t be ruined by a failed test or a bad game.

For obvious reasons, I don’t play that version anymore. Worst-case scenarios have become terrifying.

In the other form of the game, I take one action and spin it outward, projecting as far into the future as possible, often revolving around Troy and me. What if he went to the same college as I did, and he realized we should be a couple, and we had our first kiss, and...? Eventually, everything becomes fuzzy as the possibilities multiply and it all becomes silly.

Now, I realize I’m much better at the What If game than ever before. I take a single event, like Connor and me running to Fiji, and spin an entire life out of it. The problem is that each starting point is based upon so many variables now: what would the Alphians do if we don’t kill Aaric; or what happens if we disarm the bomb; or can I trust Aaric? It’s hard to make sense of all these futures.

I create one game with a trustworthy Aaric, and feel a blush when I envision us together. Not that I want to be with him—I like Connor—but what if I was with him anyway? The notion seeps into my thoughts without invitation. How would my life evolve? How would his warm skin feel pressed against mine? Can he feel love the way humans do?

My heart starts to beat fast and my skin turns clammy. The What If game is supposed to relax me, but it’s doing just the opposite.

I open my eyes and find Aaric settled into the seat next to me, his gaze watching me. “What were you doing?”

I shift away from him so he doesn’t see my still-flushed face. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

“Remarkable. Your mental capacity has increased since we took the linking potion together. In just this short time, your brain processes thoughts using more of your gray matter than it did before.”

“That’s good, right?”

He smiles but before he says anything, I add, “It’s neither good nor bad.

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