Slowly, reluctantly, the shadows return. As the burning eases, I let out a long breath that joins the men’s quieter ones.
Upon the table, Kane’s fingers twitch. Ezekial remains rigid, jaw tight. Julien is still, watching me. And Sai… he grins.Dishevelled, and eyes aglow. He leans over the arm of his chair to get closer. Clearly, he’s already forgotten the struggle.
They don’t speak, not even mentally, and when I try to feel their emotions… I can’t.
They’ve blocked me out. Completely.Which is how I know what happened was bad—
“Do it… again,” Sai suddenly pants, grin wide and lazy, eyes wild. “Please.”
“Someone... shut him up,” Ezekial murmurs, shaking his head with a wince.
What did I do to them? I thought my control was better, especially now that I’ve slept—
“It is better.”Kane’s voice fills my mind, and a coolness runs along my spine.“You’re stronger.”
And I feel it.
My shadows moved like they knew every crevice of their chaos, every shattered piece begging to be held.
It didn’t feel like a fight, more like… a reunion.
“I grounded you, right?” I wait for someone willing, and able, to answer.
“It was… more than that.” Ezekial’s gaze is brighter now, voice clearer.
When snippets of emotions slip back into the air, they’re… varied. Sharp frustration, heavy shame and burning… oh.
Oh.
I stare at the table hard, and I will keep staring at this red tablecloth, analysing every embroidered pattern until the last trace of that emotion is gone.
“I don’t know how you held it in, Zeek.”I don’t look up, but I just know Sai is smirking.“Foreplay with the wall all night, then this?”
“It’s called restraint, Sai,”he murmurs, voice gruff.“I know you find that word hard to comprehend.”
Sai chuckles.“I’ll tell you what is hard, my co—”
“How was everything?” Martha’s chirpy voice silences him.
I look up, eyes wide, glancing at the men who remain silent.
Martha’s expression crumples, concern taints the room.
“Amazing, wonderful, thank you so much.” I smile wide. Maybe it looks a little forced, but I’m trying my best.
She takes it, her face splitting into a grin. “Oh good, I’m so glad you decided to come!”
Sai flinches, and I know exactly why.
“I’m opening the shop soon, enforcers, Lord.” She glances around at them, and finally, they look at her.
But they don’t speak.
“I don’t think I can flit yet.”Ezekial, the Lord who rebuilds composure in a heartbeat, can’t seem to find it now.
“Flit? Mate, I can’t even stand.”Sai’s voice is strained, but edged with laughter.“Or Martha’s gonna think I really like her pastries.”
Oh my—
