“No. Yes?” I draw in a breath, then let it out slow. “It’s the fact I know I won’t want to leave.”
I look over the kitchen, spotting the henbane plant still missing some leaves sitting on the shelf.
“When the barrier drops tomorrow, they might come through.” I wet my lips. “The people who found me, who raised me, who I thought I could trust.” It stings to think about, I think it always will. “And even though I know they’ve lied, that they kept things hidden from me, I still—” I clench my teeth. “I still care about them.”
“Of course you do, J.” I meet her gentle gaze, see her soft understanding. “They were everything you knew for five years.”
“But that’s the thing, Kace. If I have to choose, if it’s between them and…” My voice falls away, then sharpens. “I’ll choose my bonds.”
I’ve never felt so certain about anything. Even without all the answers, with my past still hidden, I can’t imagine a life without them.
But instead of feeling relief at saying it out loud, I’m filled with…
“Why does that make me feel so guilty?” I grit the words, hating that I even feel it. “Like I’m turning my back on the people I love—loved—I… I don’t even know.”
Kacey’s features harden, dropping into an expression I don’t recognise. Something fierce.
“No.” When she wags a finger at me, I pull back, a little shocked. “You don’t owe anyone your feelings. Just because you stayed with them for five years doesn’t give them ownership of you. It doesn’t mean they’re entitled to you. Just because they gave you something doesn’t mean you owe them something in return.”
Her voice wavers, and slowly, I realise this isn’t just about me. Not anymore. She’s talking to both of us. A truth neither of us can ignore.
Family isn’t who raised you, it’s who you choose.
Her eyes lock with mine. “You don’t owe them a thing, Jasmine. Not even your misplaced guilt.”
I pull her in without thinking, wrapping my arms around her shoulders as the soft buzz of our powers connect.
“Neither do you, Kacey,” I murmur.
She flinches at my words, then sinks into the hug, her arms sliding around me.
We stay like this for a while, wrapped in this quiet warmth, letting our words and truths sit in the air. When I finally pull back, her eyes are a little teary, but her grin breaks through.
“So, what are you wearing tonight?” I blink at her abrupt question.“Remember last time? We had this whole game plan, and now it’s the next level.” She smirks mischievously. “Bondedlevel.”
Kacey really has changed. From the woman who used to flinch away from touch, who couldn’t hold eye contact and rambled through almost every sentence. Now she’s holding hands, speaking truths, and plotting outfits.
Her bond didn’t change her, not really. He just made room for the best version of her to breathe.
And maybe that’s what’s happening to me. Even if I don’t know who I used to be… I think I like the person I’m becoming.
Chapter 59: Jasmine
There’s a ritualistic calm that comes with dressing up. From cleansing every inch of skin to the final sweep of plum lip stain, from perfectly filed nails to slipping on heels as sharp as they are high. Every choice I make is a statement.
Especially the dress.
Weeks ago, while preparing for something very different with my four bonds, Kace and I rummaged through the mound of clothes and found the long ivory box wrapped with velvet bows.
We peeked inside, and I dismissed it immediately. But now it’s, as the French might say, the pièce de resistance.
Whilst getting ready at Kacey’s, Sai sent me regular messages. Cute and sweet, dotted with a little begging, ending with updates of Kane’s death glare since Amon joined them. Then Julien texted to say both Sai and Kane had to be removed for Amon’s safety. Poor guy.
The final text was from Ezekial a few hours ago, letting me know he’d stayed and would wait until I was ready.
Now, as evening settles in, I’ve just texted Zeek when a knock sounds at the door. I smile, tugging on a long leather jacket that hides everything but my bare calves and heels.
I open the door with a shadow, and when Ezekial sees me, even with the jacket, he curses under his breath.
