I haven't seen Soren for the past couple days, and I've tried looking. I'm pretty sure I was able to explore the entirety of the stronghold; I found a room with a whole lot of weapons, a massive kitchen stocked to the brim with everything from basic ingredients to boxes of instant ramen, and I even think I found where his workspace is, but for all I know it's a decoy. Maybe he was outside looking for more of his horn the whole time, or he very well could've been avoiding me in some secret lair I don't have access to. That was my best guess anyway, so when I hear the sound of footsteps echoing in the hall, I freeze, not quite believing it at first.

I push off the bed and step toward the door, suddenly nervous about how he'll react to the dreams I've been having. I've mulled over them again and again, wondering if they could be my imagination and if this whole situation is only driving my mind into weird places, but that would be denial talking.

"Soren," I call out just as he's about to turn the corner. He's dressed in dark, practical clothes, and his hair is slightly tousled, like he's been outside in the wind for hours. He doesn't look surprised to see me, but his gaze flickers over me in silent assessment. "You're here."

"Obviously," he says, though there's no real bite in his tone.

I clear my throat. "I need to talk to you."

He considers me for a moment longer before sighing. "We'll talk in my study," he gestures for me to follow him to the room I correctly guessed was his workspace.

"Go on, then," he says, sitting down in one of the armchairs. I take the sofa across from him. This is the hard part, because I don't even know how to explain what's been happening without him thinking I've lost my mind. Would he think that though? All logic has already gone out the window in regards to magic, so he's probably used to this kind of stuff.

"I keep having dreams where I'm... transported into the perspectives of others. Like, I can see through their eyes, and hear through their ears. Once I was able to speak and act through them, and once I was more of an observer. I'm worried that what I saw is real."

"Them?" Soren asks.

"The first time I was able to speak and act through a Velkeros girl who was captured. The second time I was able to observe through the eyes of someone named Dr. Vael, and he seemed to know I was there..." I trail off, seeing his jaw clench.

"What makes you think Vael knew you were there?" he asks.

"When he went into his office, it was like he was talking to me. He sounded annoyed that because of me, another piece of your horn was rendered useless. He sarcastically said to send his regards to you. He also said... the magic that connects me to him, also connects him to me."

"He's claiming to be able to see through your eyes? Has he done so?"

"I'm not sure." My heart feels like its running a marathon.

His stare is cold, like he's picking apart every word I just said. "You're not sure."

"He only said that he knew I was with you, which wouldn't be hard to guess considering the people he sent after me never returned." I know that's not proof that he doesn't know more than he's letting on though, "But if I could control the Velkeros girl's words and actions, what if Dr. Vael could control mine?" I ask nervously. His expression darkens.

"Dr. Vael, he has the same markings as me," I mention, pulling my sleeve up, "And these dreams only started when I touched your horn. Do you think we're somehow connected by your magic? Even the other Velkeros girl. When I was in Dr. Vael's body another scientist thought she was concealing your horn, so she must have touched it too."

Soren doesn't answer. He just shakes his head slowly, and I can't tell if he's deep in thought or trying to decide whether or not I can be trusted. Maybe both.

"Before we speak of anything else, I need to know how Vael could see through you. We need to check if you can sense when it happens, and if it's happening now."

I shift uneasily on the sofa. "Check how?"

"If what you're saying is true, I should be able to use my magic to feel through the connection you have to my power," his pale eyes meet mine, "If Vael is there, I'll know."

"You're saying you want to spy on my mind?" A chill rolls through me at the thought.

"For lack of a better term, yes." I don't even have words. The corner of his lips curl up slightly, "Think of it as a magical scan, not a dissection."

I let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh that the prince of stoicism is deciding now of all times to crack his first joke. "So I'm just supposed to sit here and let you rifle through my thoughts?" I ask.

"If you can't see their thoughts I assume I wouldn't be able to see yours. I'd only be feeling around for my magic, any sign that would show he's in there."

"And if he is?" I ask.

"Then we'll deal with it." What does that even mean.

"How does it work?" I sigh, rubbing my hands on my arms. I feel sick at the thought of him in my head, but the chance that Dr. Vael could go in there, or has already been in there is worse.

He leans in, lowering his elbows to his knees, and rests his chin on his hands. "Sit still, close your eyes, and don't fight me. Pay attention to any differences you might feel when I'm in there."

I nod, crossing my legs up onto the sofa and letting myself relax against the back of it.

At first, nothing happens. I sit there, breathing evenly and waiting for something to feel different, but it doesn't. The room is the same, the air is the same, the only thing I'm aware of is him sitting in front of me, probably glaring.

"Soren, I don't-"

"Your heart is racing," he interrupts. I go still. "I can feel it." His voice is even, but there's a hint of surprise in the way he says it that makes my stomach flip.

"It's not." I swallow hard, knowing that it actually has picked up speed.

"Lie."

I don't know what gets under my skin more, that word, no matter how true it is, or the low, quiet way he says it, like he finds this all entertaining.

"Maybe if you explain what's supposed of be happening, I'd be able to focus instead of-"

"Think of it as adjusting to the dark." Again, the way he says it... low and careful with amusement twisting around the edges. "At first, everything seems the same, but if you wait long enough, your eyes adjust, and you start to notice the difference."

I try to focus on his words, but his presence is starting to change in a way that I can't figure out how to grasp. Anxiety hits again at the thought and it's gone. I don't feel it, whatever it is.

"You're still tense. Take some deep breaths and relax."

"Comments like that are opposite of helping," I mutter, pressing my fingers into the fabric of my sleeve.

"You're the one who isn't trying to help yourself."

I snap my eyes open, scowling, "Excuse me?"

His expression doesn't change, but his gaze flickers lower for half a second, just barely, just enough for my face to heat because I know exactly what he means. The situation is tense, so I'm tense. He noticed.

"Do you want to feel it or not?"

I freeze, but I know wallowing in nerves isn't going to do anything. "I-yes." His silver eyes hold mine.

"Then focus."

After taking a few deep breaths, I close my eyes again and the presence deepens. My breath catches as something spreads. I can't feel it exactly, but I feel space being taken up in my mind.

"There it is," he murmurs, "Hold onto that feeling. Remember it."

I do.

The weight starts to lift, peeling away in slow, careful layers. I try to keep my focus on what's left, but it's like listening to a song as it fades, when you're straining to hear the last note, wondering if it's truly gone or just too quiet to catch.

When I'm sure he's completely out, I open my eyes. "Dr. Vael's not in there?"

"No, he's not."

Relief floods through me, but it barely has time to settle before I catch the shift in his expression.

"Then what's wrong?" I frown.

He sighs, rolling his shoulders back. "Nothing. You just have a lot of work to do."

My stomach sinks. "What does that mean?"

"It means we start training tomorrow."

I stare at him. "Training?"

He doesn't answer. He just walks out, leaving my mind here to race on its own.

Well. That doesn't sound ominous at all.