We entered a small room that reminded me of the lobby of a doctor's office, like I'd seen in books at the Sacred School. Elias led us to chairs by the window and introduced us to his a friend, a stout man with a sharp gaze.

"Nice to meet you, Bertrand," I said.

He nodded without saying anything. I had the feeling he was studying us.

"Thanks for helping us." Elias spoke quietly like it was only to him. "I will pay you back in kind, I promise."

"Just don't tell me anything you don't have to unless I ask specifically. I don't want to know."

"That's fair. I get it."

I watched the man as he spoke, trying to judge whether I trusted him. It seemed like he had just the attitude we needed.

"So the three of you want implants. It won't take long. I'll bring you back one at a time for the procedure. When you're done, we'll have slide on into the dark room. Sometimes people have a headache. You'll want to rest for at least an hour."

"What will it be like?" I glanced at Nash with a nervous feeling in my stomach. This was a good thing, but I couldn't help thinking about how difficult it had been in my childhood to control my power. Children learned so quickly. Their minds were primed for growth and transformation. While adults could bring more discipline and understanding to their practice, much of the power of neural implants came as instinct because they were so integrated with our bodies. Piercey had more skill with purposefully controlling his power and utilizing study to enhance his abilities than I did, whereas I naturally picked up skills faster. But even for someone analytical like him, he'd had a time as a child where the power had come as unbridled as a wild horse. It was how we'd both ended up in the Sacred School

These worries didn't even take into account that I had questions about the risks of the procedure. I'd been born with my power. It was like a switch the gods had fliped in my code.

"We actually implant it through a needle in the center of the eye so that there's no need for surgery." Elias spoke slowly even though he acted like there was no cause for concern, because he likely noticed my anxiety. "It's a tiny device that integrates with the neural pathways in your mind and grows. It will take a few days for it to fully mature, but you'll notice some powers immediately. The process is unique for each person."

"Have you ever implanted in an adult before?" Wren asked.

At least someone else had the sense to ask questions. Leif looked annoyed with the conversation and Nash seemed content to trust that there'd be no problems.

"Yes. We've had some people who didn't get implants as children. It's rare, but our world studies people like this. I know one woman personally whose mother wouldn't let her get one when she was little. She hid her away and her village didn't even know about her. It was a sad, abusive situation. We gave her the implant when she was discovered at the age of nineteen."

"How did it go?" I asked.

"It's a challenge. Adults sometimes adjust to it very well. Sometimes it's a major change that they struggle with. We don't see as many impulsive displays of power or as much losing control. But it can take longer to master basics. It's like trying to learn a new language as an adult. You can study and dissect the language, but you're never going to keep up with a small mind that has more neural connections."

By the look on my friend's faces, I knew they weren't following at all. This man wouldn't know that they hadn't received the kind of education everyone else in this world had. I gave them a subtle look to remind them to hide their confusion.

"It's strange to see three of you without one."

"It was a religious situation for them," Elias said. "They came from a very small community that strayed off into a very niche sect. None of them have implants. They wanted to remain natural and as the gods created them."

The man snorted.

"Well, should we get started then?" The man clapped his hands together and looked from one waiting patient to the other. "I assure that it's safe."

"I'm done waiting," Leif said. "Take me first."

I grinned at his eagerness. Wren lifted her hands to indicate that she was fine with it while Nash just shrugged. Actually, I appreciated Leif going first so that I could talk with NAsh. I just wanted to make sure that he really wanted this and was ready.

"Can it be removed?" I hadn't expected to ask the question, but suddenly this seemed so permanent.

"No. I have no idea how to go about removing it from your neurology once it becomes a part of you. Only decide to do this if you're sure."

Wren and Nash looked at one another solemnly, while Leif just groaned. "Yes, yes. We're sure, my boy. Let's get on with it."

I chuckled and then grabbed my dear friend in a hug. "Be safe."

"You know I will be. Don't let your mind run wild." Despite trying to wave off my worries, his burly arm came around me and he hugged me tight. "All will be well, girl. We're hungry for battle and this is the best meal we've had yet. No one will stand in our way."

When I pulled back, I pressed my forearm to his chest. He clasped it. "My flesh."

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"My blood."

Then he messed up my hair and pushed me back. "Go dote on Nash. I will not waste another moment before getting my hands on this power. Our sparring matches will be a sight to behold now."

"Yeah." I smiled, set at ease by his confidence. "I'm looking forward to it."

One last grin and then he followed the man into the room. I looked to Elias. "You're sure we can trust him?"

"He's good. Absolutely."

"Okay. Wren…" I took her hands and studied her eyes. She hadn't seemed as certain. "You know you don't have to do this, right? Leif getting power is such a help on its own."

"I want to." She squeezed my hands. "I've watched you race around the valley for a year trying to hold us all together by yourself. Now when we travel with you, we can truly help. And maybe I'll learn to portal."

"I just hope you know how much you've already done for me. You guys have pulled me through this year. You pulled me through the fight with the Prophet and—"

"I know, Max. It's okay. You're not pressuring us. This is our decision."

Her eyes shifted to Nash. "I think he's the one you're really wanting to talk to. So go. I'll sit with Elias."

When I turned to face Nash, he had that look in his eyes. The one that said he knew me far too well. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Nothing. You know how much suffering this power can bring, even though you also know how great it's potential can be." Nash drew me to his side and walked with me to the other side of the room. "You carry too much responsibility. Let us take care of ourselves."

"You're right."

He hooked my chin and lifted my face to him. "Seriously, Sharpshooter. We've got this."

When I'd first fallen for Nash, every look felt tantalizing. That fresh excitement hadn't left, but something deeper grew day by day beneath the surface. We could make the rest of the world stop while we looked into each other's eyes, the connection between us stronger each time. No matter what was happening or where we were, it quieted all within me and around me. As much as I loved the fire of his look, I found that I loved the peace even more. It brought me such comfort.

The tips of my fingers trailed the side of his face softly. "You're sure you're ready?"

"I have no doubts, Sharpshooter."

The name made me smile every time. "Okay."

"Are you ready?"

I laughed quietly and let my forehead fall against his. "I don't know. I'm nervous. I know he said it's safe but–"

"You're thinking of the most insane scenarios of what could go wrong."

His large, familiar hands smoothed up my sides until he held me firmly. "I'll be okay. So will Leif and Wren."

I nodded. My anxiety was so much better than it had been a year ago, but it never would leave entirely. "Let's do this then."

"I want to take care of you for once." His whisper tickled my air. A tender touch trailed my back now.

"You always take care of me."

"Not in the way you need it most right now. I need to fight, Max. This is a good thing."

"I know. But Nash…" I drew back enough to look into his amber eyes again. "I love you just like this. You don't need to change a thing."

A sly smile crawled up his face. "You just don't want me to start beating you at things."

"I'll still win."

He cocked a brow. "Tell yourself that."

We both laughed and then we settled against one another in an embrace. Nash was right. I needed help and this would change everything, not just for the valley, but for me. I felt like we were waiting to start our life together because I'd been so busy. It was silly to get nervous like this.

"Alright, I guess that this isn't too bad."

Hardly ten minutes had passed when the man came back for Wren. I couldn't believe the procedure was so short.

"When we go home, I'm learning how to portal." Nash grinned with ambition lighting his eyes. "No, I'll learn to travel the way you do. The way no one else can master."

I noticed Elias watching us, though I wasn't sure it was because of any kind of jealousy or longing. Rather, he looked quietly curious. Maybe he wanted to understand what Ashton and Jaxon shared, and where he fit into that.

"Elias," I said. "Why do you think I travel so differently from others?"

"Something seemed to happen whenever you lost control during the eclipse in your childhood. I think that your world being reset played a role. It's just my instinct. The fact that no one in my world has figured out how to travel like that is telling. For you to instinctively pry open space-time like that is wild."

"You figured out how to do something no one else did."

"After intense and obsessive studying and trial and error."

I nodded. "You think everything is going okay?"

"Yes. He would have said otherwise."

"They're fine," Nash said and laced his fingers with mine.

Time passed quickly when Bertrand came for Nash.

We stood before room now while Wren and Leif were both resting in the procedure room still.

"Do you want to come?" Nash asked.

I shook my head. "If I watch them shove a big needle in your eye, I might just punch the guy."

He laughed loudly. "I'll see you soon. When I do, I'll be more the person I know I can be. I'm meant to fight alongside you, not hiding behind someone else's power."

I saw it clearly. He was meant for this. The gods had it all wrong. Nash, the man who had trained so diligently with his swords that he'd become the best swordsman I knew to this day, certainly needed to wield this power I'd been born with.

"I love you."

Nash kissed me softly. "I love you too."

"Next time I see you, you better have an impressive power."

He winked. "You know I'd never disappoint you."

I held my breath and watched as Nash disappeared into the room. They'd all have power.

When I looked at Elias this time, alone with him, I heaved a heavy sigh. "I can see a glimpse of hope for the valley. But I also see a terrible war approaching."

He glanced down. "I'm sorry. I put your world in danger."

"You brought us help. Your guild put us in danger."

"We'll make this right. I have a plan."

I sat across from him. "Alright. Let's talk it out."

"The problem is that I'm not sure there's any way out of this without fighting my guild."

"You need to fight them anyway."

"You shouldn't be forced to under the threat of your world being invaded."

"What's new?"

He raised a brow. "Max."

"Look, Elias, we can't do anything about it now. We have too much going on to dwell on regrets. Let's really look at the threat and figure this out."

"Well, our first step is to get you all ready. Then, we need to recruit people. You're the only one who can get Jaxon to our side."