A soft purple shield enveloped us. It looked so beautiful and strong that I couldn’t help but feel protected.

Forcefields, I thought in wonder. Seungkwan had mentioned it before but actually seeing one was nothing like I had expected. I stared in awe and slowly, my sobs ceased.

I’m not quite sure how to describe what I was looking at. The room looked like it was full of tiny dust-size amethysts. They eventually gathered into a wall that I could see through as clearly as I could glass, though I knew it was tougher than diamonds.

As if it had a mind of its own, my hand lifted slowly. For all my near-death experiences, this is the first time that I could visibly see the manifestation of a power. And it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I smiled through my tears.

Somewhere, deep in my subconscious, a brief thought flew by that was dedicated to wondering what would happen if the hospital door opened. But honestly? It didn’t matter. Right then, nothing mattered.

I had Seungkwan. If no one else, he’d stay by my side. He’d be my friend. That thought sobered me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my throat still a little hoarse. Seungkwan just wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. It was the only response I needed.

“I can feel your bonds,” he told me and not even the thought of what happened earlier could ruin the moment. “You’re very powerful.”

“I know,” I muttered back.

“Do you?”

I shrugged. “Everyone keeps telling me so.”

“Do you know what the difference between a bond and a Summon is?”

I looked up to find that Seungkwan’s eyes were uncharacteristically serious. I frowned a little in response.

“You can summ