Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Three

Even though I was expecting it, the floor of the gazebo turning into a portal to take me back to Briarville stole my breath. This time, I wasn't dizzy, but I didn't know if I'd ever be able to experience it the same as a normal action like opening a door to get from one room to another.

When I exited with Onyx, I blinked, feeling as though a sun shade had been pulled on my vision after experiencing the brightness in the Kingdom. The air felt less energized, the temperature was cooler, and everything just felt... dull. I wanted to go back. I could feel the need to, but it was at war with what everyone else required of me.

Calin wanted me to stop getting involved and I assumed get past my reservations.

Islene wanted me to discover my mom's secrets and give Calin a chance—and probably more, given nobody truly know the extent of what she saw.

Aiden, Julian, Nancy... They wanted me to deal with Trevor and come home for good.

Zach wanted me to embrace my role and train, then fix things... As did my mom.

Everyone thought they knew what I should do. Every time I learned something, another piece of the puzzle appeared before I could place the last, and all the information had become a jumbled mess. It was like there was no picture on the box to guide me or the pieces fit too many puzzles while I was trying to make one.

What could anyone do with that chaos to form order?

My breath wheezed out of my lungs. Suddenly, it felt like a weight was on my chest, and I couldn't breathe. My skin tingled. It's too much. No matter what I prioritized, I let someone else down or allowed something to be made worse by not dealing with it in a timely manner.

Gasping, I stumbled back and reached out with my hand until I felt the bench. I sat and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees and head in my hands.

Calm down.

My breaths came quicker, sounding like an animated air cushion that blows on a fire and had an irregular heartbeat. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the heat of Onyx against my legs while trying to rid all other thoughts from my head.

Calm down.

Breathe.

Since when did I panic? There were no emotions to pick up on here. How would I do anything if this happened?

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Breathe...

In-out, in-out, in-out, in-out.

I wrapped my arms around my body, hoping the pressure would help like I saw in the movies, and forced myself to exhale slowly. Once, twice. On the third inhale, I finally felt my lungs fill. My heartbeat slowed.

Calm.

Mid-exhale, my phone chirped. I took another deep breath and opened my eyes. I followed the notification, finding a text from Calin saying Nancy was waiting for us. Right. Trevor. My logic kicked in to remind me he was the first problem to deal with. Not only would it be the quickest, Trevor may have information that could help deal with the rest. Knowing my luck, I'd have to hand everything else simultaneously, so any help I could glean would be useful.

"Come on, Onyx." With a sigh, I stood on shaky legs, realizing that my breathing wasn't all I couldn't control. My fear of failing and letting people down scared me until taking a step forward was like trying to stand from a wheelchair even though I was paralyzed.