{The Heart Of Enki}

Eight minutes to Eternity, and there was no way back. The end of Enki smelled like salt water and sandcastles. The view would leave an impression forever burnt in Xelan’s mind. Never would he forget Rayne asunder in space.

Softly, almost unable to speak, he said, “Pax. This is your Auntie Rayne.”

As if sensing his father’s turmoil, his son solemnly reminded him, “From my dreams… ’Member?”

Of course. They knew each other.

Xelan cleared his throat and let himself look into Rayne’s eyes, brighter than ever. “Don’t worry about Tameka. She’ll regret missing this, but I’ll make sure she knows you love her.”

Stiffly, Rayne nodded.

Pax squeezed Xelan’s hand and nearly broke him. To Rayne, he asked, “Can you speak?”

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As stilted as before, she shook her head and winced from whatever pain it caused.

Seven minutes, thirty seconds.

“Even if we had the next millennia together, I wouldn’t have enough time to tell you how proud I am of you and how much I love you. I owe my life to you, Rayne. And now, so does the entire Vast Collective. I’ll never let them forget you…”

Rayne nearly doubled-over, but Xelan caught her face and pressed his forehead to hers. Her skin burned his, searing but not blistering. In her sobbing fit, he hushed her gently. “No. No. I got you, but I need you to open your eyes and look at me. Look at me, Callahan, that’s an order.” Xelan hovered lower to look her in the face. Pax peered up, too.

Because it was important—so important—Rayne look him the eye for this next bit.

There. So much pain and so much love. Xelan couldn’t bear it.

“There’s no way in the Wrong Side of Eternity I’ll believe for one second you intend to stay dead.” Gasps came from all around, but Xelan ignored them. Speaking directly into her eyes, he kept going. “I know you, Rayne Echo Callahan. You’re the best of me. Saving your life saved me, and I won’t ever accept you’re gone.”

Six minutes, forty-five seconds.

Someone grabbed Xelan by his coat, pulling—But not yet.

Not yet.

“I love you, Rayne. You’re not alone, and please don’t be afraid. I’ll find you—

“I’ll never stop looking for you—”