Eight of Hearts: The Rift Blade - Book 1

Chapter 40

Pahana was still reeling from his rough treatment by Dr. Higgins when Kaya started pulling him away. But even more so, his mind reeled at the vision he had seen. Something that lurked within the void had reached into him, probing him as though it were looking for something.

The vision he had seen was because of the reaction it caused with his powers, but what did it mean? Where was that terrible wasteland where the two armies fought? What was the shadow that destroyed them both in an instant? Was it the same shadow that he sensed from Dr. Higgins? Or something worse? And why, in the end, had he seen Isaac? Even now he could still see Isaac as he had in that vision: his eyes blackened by the shadow, vanishing into dust as he was consumed.

Thankfully, whatever the shadow sought, he didn't find it in Pahana. But something in the way it ripped away from him made him feel like it had found something. That was worrying. But what had it found?

He let himself be pulled along by his sister as he tried to clear his thoughts. The lingering dread he felt from the shadow's touch only grew with each passing moment. Something was wrong. Something terrible was about to happen. He looked over at Isaac as they passed him, and he suddenly understood what had happened.

Isaac stood staring at Dr. Higgins, his face pale despite the confident smile he wore. His eyes twitched, betraying the tension he had buried deep within himself.

The shadow is after Isaac, Pahana realized, and if he is captured like I was, then that vision-

Isaac bolted, passing them in seconds as he rushed ahead. In the same instant Pahana heard Dr. Higgins scream something, and he looked back to see him aiming his gun at Isaac's unprotected back.

Again, he saw the premonition of Isaac, twisted into a dark reflection of himself. He knew he had only a second to act before Isaac would be doomed to that path, so he did the only thing he could.

He pulled away from Kaya's grip, and leapt between Isaac and the doctor, projected a barrier with his mind. Isaac had taught him the basics, but this was his first attempt at making one. He felt a thrill of excitement as the light film appeared around him, shielding him just like he hoped.

Bang!

Dr. Higgins fired, but Pahana was faster, raising the psychic shield and intercepting--

Pahana was knocked backward as the bullet struck his chest, and he crashed into Isaac.

Huh...? Pahana looked down at his chest to find a gaping wound where he had been shot. Why...? Why didn't it work? When he couldn't sense the bullet with his mind, he understood: it was made from the same metal as the doctor's strands, and the walls of this prison wing.

"Ah..." he groaned. Disappointment flooded through him as his body grew colder and his eyes fluttered closed.

"Pahana!" Kaya screamed, rushing to his side.

The bullet had pierced his heart, and she realized as his eyes closed that he only had moments left. She scooped up her brother and cradled him in her arms. Tears she had held for so long came quickly as she closed her eyes and focused all her strength to communicate with his mind.

I can save you! Her mind screamed at him.

If she could get his soul to come into her mind, she might be able to find a way to save him. Their surroundings faded to white and noise, and soon was replaced by her sanctuary--the house within her mind where she'd always been able to retreat to when things were difficult. It wasn't as refined or decorated as Isaac's, but it was where she felt safe. And more importantly, it was the only place where she had a chance to save Pahana.