Unseen Scene—Book Three, Chapter 6 (Nate PoV) (Patreon)

A buzz of tight vibrations washes across Nate’s skin as he inches a step closer to the barrier. He’s seen barriers before but this one is different. Not in looks but in how it feels.

The invisible wall is less a physical thing, even with the fizz of magic, and more… a pounding in his head he can’t shake past. His eyes almost water at the pressure which fills his mind the closer he advances on it.

But he grits his teeth against the throbbing ache to meet eyes with the Anunnaki inside the protected walls.

"Your attempts to save the human are admirable, but they are pointless," the stranger comments as though able to read Nate’s thoughts on how to progress.

Going up against this obviously much more powerful opponent would be inadvisable in any situation, and resorting to a fight is never the solution Nate favours.

But what would he do to protect [Name]? What lengths would he go to?

His gaze slides in their direction, and his lungs seem to collapse. Any rational thought is lost behind the swell of need to protect them. To not lose them. To not let them suffer. It’s the only instinct left to him as fear almost overtakes him at the thought of a world without them.

He almost lets out the resigned laugh that he bites back. How long has he craved to feel this way for someone? To truly feel this way?

Now he has it…but everything wants to rip them apart from each other.

But not this time.

He stares at the Anunnaki, straightening himself with new resolve. “We won’t stop.”

The man’s expression sinks with sorrow. “I understand. But neither shall I.”

An explosion of energy thumps into Nate’s chest with such speed, he barely has time to register it before his body is flung to the other side of the clearing. He slams into the ground before the force of the landing keeps him rolling across the ground. He reaches and scratches for purchase against the sun-baked dirt before his motion is stopped painfully by a boulder slamming against his shoulder blades.

Colour-specked darkness shadows his mind until someone shouts his name. But it’s barely a ringing in his ears as he groans and lurches to lay on his back. He sucks in a breath and panics when the air doesn’t reach his lungs.

But a moment later oxygen bursts through his body with a desperate ragged breath.

His fingers are numb but begin to tingle as he can feel the crushed bones of his arm begin to heal at a rapid rate. Thankfully the only serious injury from the attack.

But pain is soon replaced by panic.

His heart stutters in his chest, and he swings himself around onto his front in order to frantically search through the blur in front of his eyes for [Name]. His vision clears painfully slowly, but he almost wishes it hadn’t at all as he spies the Anunnaki making a direct path for [Name].

They’re saying something to each other Nate can’t hear, his ears popping as his body still tries to slowly bring itself back from injury.

Nate claws at the ground, forcing himself inches closer as pure dread threatens to consume him.

To lose [Name] now would be…No, he can’t think that now. He’s paralysed enough without that notion freezing him completely.

But his fear is burst like a bubble as the Anunnaki is shoved away from [Name] by [Name] themself.

Nate isn’t sure what to feel first: confusion, pride, relief, still that fear that wants to take hold…. The sight seems too impossible that the emotions are held in check as he actually tries to process it.

And Nate can’t deny the guilt that wriggles in his gut at not believing in them more.

He sinks onto the ground with a breath, resting his forehead on his hand, wondering if this fear is how it will always be…and is it because of a selfless want never to see [Name] hurt, or a selfish fear that they’ll be taken from his life?