I sat staring at the ceiling.

Anger, betrayal and remorse. All three felt like a dagger to the chest. 

If these were my own feelings, they would be dull and wouldn't hurt. 

But they weren't so it hurt like hell.

Verse sat next to me, obserbing my actions. "Does it hurt?" they asked finally, tilting their head.

"Yes." I replied.

"Are they vivid? The feelings."

"It feels pretty vivid to me." I hissed, looking directly at the being.

Verse scowled. "No need to be rude. These aren't your emotions." 

I turned away, biting my tongue.

"Apologies, Verse."

"Apology accepted." They replied, smiling.

"Verse.. do you know what's causing this?" I asked, turning back to them. Verse nodded.

"Yes. Before you officially Choose the boy, you have to know what he's like. Therefore you are know feeling his emotions as if they are yours. Except they influence you as well." Verse added apologetically. I sighed, slightly annoyed.

"Why is he mad?"

"Aliki must have told him about the Choosing. There is a reason your choices have been wrong in the past 10 years. All those years she has been keeping him from the Choosing to... protect him," Verse said, sounding unsure when they said protect, "so I've had to choose someone similar in personality or aura. It was rather hard, I'll admit."

"Ah. I see.." I trailed off, staring at the ground. "Verse. If I choose the boy, who knows what Ebony will do. Is it really wise to choose him?"

Verse's aura darkened. "Ebony will not have any say in this matter. It is your mage, and severing that contract is a severe offense."

"But Verse--"

"His past actions were uncalled for, but the mages before were not the one you were destined to Choose, so therefore it won't affect you as much as the boy dying will. I assure you, he will not die to the hands of that man."

I remained silent.

"I will return soon." Verse said finally, standing up. They dissolved into mist, and I was left alone in the room.

He wouldn't die.

He couldn't die.

But what if he did?