TWO DAYS AFTER THE LINKING - ANCHOR TRAINING FACILITY
"Stop THINKING so loud!"
I clutched my head. Ezra's thoughts were BLARING through the connection. Mathematical equations. Spell formulas. A random song about FIRE. All at maximum VOLUME.
"I can't HELP it!" Ezra shouted back. "My brain works FAST—"
"Then work QUIETLY!" Kassandra snapped. She was having the same problem. All twelve anchors crammed in one room. Twelve consciousnesses LINKED. Twelve minds broadcasting CONSTANTLY.
It was CHAOS.
"Everyone FOCUS!" Lily tried to mediate. "We need to learn CONTROL. Block unwanted thoughts. Share only what's NECESSARY—"
*"Like the fact you're terrified you're failing as a leader?"* Kassandra's thought cut through. Sharp. INVASIVE.
Lily went PALE. "Stay OUT of my head—"
"It's SHARED space now! We're ALL in each other's heads!"
The argument escalated. Voices. THOUGHTS. Emotions bleeding together.
