“If you ever keep anything from me again, even if you think it’s in my best interest, even if you believe your intentions are good.” Her gaze cuts to each of us in turn, daring a challenge. “This ends.”
It takes everything in me not to drop to my knees when her power, wound so tight, pulses.
Sai groans, unashamed.
The last time she did this—mistakenly thinking we were injured—it blindsided us. Now, we all stare, some with open hunger, others trying and failing to hide it. Even my brother’s gaze burns brighter, obsidian flames flickering as he takes her in.
As our bond, she should be our equal. Our match in every way. But she is so much more—she’ll be the strength in our weakest places, the force that’ll bind the cracks we’ve carried for centuries.
Then it’s gone. Her dark embrace slithers away. I feel bereft.
She nods, happy with our silence, and as her eyes return to that ineffable red fire, she stands.
“Ready?” she smiles.
The question is clearly aimed at me, her eyes are on me, her smile is mine, but we all stand like trained dogs desperate to please.
I’ll do anything to please her, to make her think we’re worthy, but she also asked a question, and the burning begins.
I hold out my hand. “Yes—”
“Nope.”
My gaze snaps to Sai.“Don’t you fucking dare,”I snarl.
“Something you’d like to say, Sai?” Jasmine asks, that tiny smile flicking into something fuller.
Sai runs his tongue along his teeth, and I swear I hear his mind rifling through every dirty answer he’s dying to give.
We all glare at him in unspoken warning, especially Kane.
“Pick me instead of Zeek.”
“You little fuck.”
He laughs. “I literally can’t help it. I’m just telling the truth.” Sai holds up his hands, smirking. “Trust me, I could have said something much less PG. I held back, give me some credit.”
I grit my jaw, not convinced Sai won’t throw in another comment just to rile me.“Do not say another word. If you jeopardise this for me, I’ll trap you in a memory for a week.”
“My friends.” Julien’s calm, level voice intervenes. His gaze sweeps over us in silent warning, before settling on Jasmine. “It’s been a long evening, one I think best we end here.”
In response, Sai rolls his eyes.But when his lips part like he’s about to speak, I tense, then move.More than ready to deliver the punch he asked for, and—
An intense heat encases my arm, burning through the sleeve of my shirt, into my skin.
I glance down to see nimble fingers gripping my elbow, and the irritation of Sai melts away under her fingertips.
And I know I shouldn’t.
I know it’s wrong of me—selfish.
But I flit.
The second Jasmine realises we’re now outside Kacey’s apartment, she steps back, and the heat dies away.
Confusion graces her features but—thankfully—she doesn’t seem annoyed.
Her mouth pulls to the side in an adorable smirk. “You know that’ll piss them off, right?”
