Communication is difficult because they are of different ranks, and it would be suspicious. The military stations Elliot and Sully at the exact same location for basic training. Elliot's gift is manipulating emotions in people to his advantage, a skill that could come in handy in war. Since he is from a well-to-do family, Elliot enters service as an officer. But fate has different ideas.Įlliot was blackmailed into joining the military because they knew about his proclivities. Before he ships out for Europe, he meets an extraordinary man, Elliot Stone, with whom he spends a night of unbridled passion, expecting they will never see each other again. Sully's gift is his ability to shield the troops from the enemy. Sully Sullivan, of 'Imperfect Illusions' by Vanessa Lawless, hid his “gifts” from the world for his entire life until the military discovered them and they drafted him. “The Empath is often said to have such a great degree of empathy that they can literally feel what others feel, and thus intuitively know many of the yearnings, sensitivities, tastes and even thought patterns of the people they're around.” ~ Aletheia Luna, Old Souls: The Sages and Mystics of Our World Now they battle enemies with twisted magic where their secrets are a liability.Ĭan they bring their dreams-and love-to life? Or will the war cost them everything? But being away from the front lines doesn’t mean Sully’s safe. So when Elliot has the opportunity to recruit Sully to the secret elite unit of magical soldiers he leads, he’s willing to risk everything for the man he’s fallen in love with in dreams.

And when dream-Sully begs him to keep coming back, something Sully would never do while awake, Elliot can’t resist that either.Īs real life draws them into battle, their shared dreams become a refuge that only Elliot recalls. The urge to rescue Sully is impossible to resist. Elliot assumes it's a one night stand and nothing more, until he awakens in Sully’s nightmare. On their last night of freedom before shipping off to training-military and magic-Elliot and Sully indulge in an explosive, emotional night together. That, and a lifetime of fending for himself, has left him guarded. Stubborn, fiercely independent Warren “Sully” Sullivan is an illusionist with a secret of his own: he feels the emotions of others as visceral sensations. He can also wake in the dreams of people he cares deeply for. But that's only part of his magical abilities. Idealistic, aspiring poet, Elliot Stone can make people feel euphoria or horror with a simple touch.

Imperfect Illusions by Vanora Lawless