Chapter <b>474 </b>
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
“I wonder if the crystal had anything to do with the way the anesthetic wore off,” Tony finished for him. “It’s possible that the crystal, believing you were in danger, increased your blood flow exponentially. We’ll have to look into it.”
“In the meantime,” Anthony went on, “let’s avoid any procedures that require anesthetic, yeah?”
I couldn’t help but agree with that.
Once the doctors were certain I was okay to travel, I climbed into my car and headed out. The Anthonies waved at me from their porch as I pulled out of the driveway. I waved back, but my smile faded once I was out of their sight.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that brief visit I’d taken to the sea of souls. I hadn’t been dying like the two times before; it seemed that the crystal prevented that. It was merely a… visit.
If I could visit the spirit realm like that<b>, </b>then it made me wonder if could do it at will. Perhaps I could find a way to return. Maybe then I could find out whatever that strange voice was saying
Was someone in need of help there, I wondered? Did the crystal tale me there, knowing this?
Ever since the crystal embedded itself in my chest, I hadn’t noticed anything particrly out of the ordinary<b>; </b>nothing except for the day I’d held Lucien and healed him in my arms. Was that the crystal’s doing?
It all felt so strange and confusing. I decided that I would have to observe everything in my life for a while, see if I noticed anything else that was out of the ordinary. And if the Anthonies had any testing ideas in mind, then I would happily subject
myself to it.
After all, if it was true that this strange situation I found myself in could be of any help to people, or even to the world atrge, then I wanted to find a way to channel it.
And who knew? Maybe, just maybe, this whole thing could open up more avenues to help my mother take back Stormhollow.
It was nearly sunset by the time I pulled into the driveway back at home. I wasn’t surprised to see Alexander standing on the front steps when I climbed out of the car; I was supposed to be home hours ago, but the incident had held me up much longer than expected.
“Sorry,” I said, shouldering my purse as I approached, “I had an… interesting incident at theb-”
“E.” Alexander rushed down the steps, meeting me halfway up the front path, and grasped my shoulders in his hands. His green eyes were shockingly intense as he studied me. “Did you mean to mindlink me earlier?”
I stared up at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I was in a meeting earlier,” he said, “and I heard your voice in my mind, clear as day. You said, ‘Hello? Is anyone there?“”
For a long moment<b>, </b><b>I </b>just gawked at Alexander<b>, </b>not sure what to say. I remembered saying those exact words in the spirit realm; how did he know? More importantly, how had he heard me saying “hem?
I pressed my hand to my chest and furrowed my brow. The crystal elt cool and stagnant now; no warmth<b>, </b>no otherworldly pulse.
But was it possible, that while <b>the </b>crystal had been activated while was in the spirit realm, that I had been able to mindlink Alexander?
It felt impossible, but also sent a pang of hope through me that was so intense I couldn’t help but throw my arms around Alexander and hold him tight. I let out a wildugh that had him pling back a little to look at me with a contused expression, but I just shook my head and held him tighter.
What if the crystal was the key to restoring our bond?
I thought, then, that I had to find a way to return to the spirit real Maybe, there, I could find more answers.
And maybe that woman’s voice could lead me to them.
Cede
<strong>Cede</strong> is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.