Okay. I might let out a little gasp. But it’s not fair.
I’m the empath in this bonded unit. Emotions are my speciality. My domain. But now? He’ll know how I feel, all the time. Like right now? When I’m flustered, breathless, and very aware of where his mouth just was.
And I know how happily he’ll use this new power. To tease, arouse, unravel me, whenever and wherever he pleases.
Kane chuckles again—right against my throat—and that’s all the confirmation I need.
I’m doomed.
“With the rune partially removed, you’re now experiencing Jasmine’s empathic abilities.” Julien crosses his arms, studying me and Kane.
“Does it work both ways?” Ezekial steps closer. “Do you feel stronger, Jasmine? Like you can feel us more—”
Kane steps back, pulling me with him and the shadows respond, thickening around us in warning.
Ezekial straightens, silver eyes sharpening with confusion, then a hint of protectiveness and concern.
Sai drops down from his stool, inching closer too. Julien stands up from his lean against the counter.
When Ezekial takes another step, Kane’s hold tightens, and the shadows creep out. His emotions are raw, potent and completelypossessive.
My eyes lock with Ezekial’s.“Is this like when you touched my mark for the first time and each went a bit… crazy?”
“No, this is all him.”Ezekial’s voice is tight as his piercing gaze flickers over us.“Brother, Jasmine’s safe—”
“Mine.”The word doesn’t just cut through the air, it echoes.Aloud. In our minds. Clear and absolute.
I guess Kane hadn’t been kidding about the possessiveness.
“You can feel our emotions now, huh?” Sai snarls, dragging his tongue across his teeth. “Can you feel how close I am to knocking your fucking teeth out?”
Julien steps in front of Sai. “That seems to be the problem.” Then makes his way towards Ezekial’s side with cautious steps. “Kane’s never felt emotions like this. Not his, or ours, nor Jasmine’s. Not this deeply or all at once. It’s overwhelming him.”
And suddenly, I understand. I knowexactly what that feels like.
The confusion, the chaos, the raw flood of it all. Not knowing where you end and everyone else begins. The rune, the bond, the fact that we’re all here—together—for the first time since the rune altered again…
He felt mewhen we were alone together. But now, he feels them too. All of us. And he doesn’t know how to separate the emotions. He just knows he’s never had anything like this before, and he’s terrified it’ll be taken from him.
I feel it. That fear bleeds through the bond like ink dropped in water. No edges, no end. Just his need to keep me close and everyone else out.
My hands curl around his arms. “Kane.”
His body softens, just slightly. Some shadows recoil, but don’t leave.
“I’m safe,” I whisper, trying to look up at him. “Everything’s fine. You just need time to… adjust.” I push calm through the bond.
For a moment, nothing changes. His breath still ghosts across my throat, his arms a cage, darkness defensive.
“I’m not leaving, Kane. I’m here, with you. Always.”
His arms loosen then, just a fraction, but it’s enough to let me pump him full of soothing emotions.
“I…” His voice is rough, cloudy with uncertainty. Then I feel his arms fall away as he steps back.
When I turn to face him, my heart clenches at his expression.
Stormy. His black eyes are wild with conflict and fear, there’s too many emotions crashing through him.
