There they are.
Nolan Porter’s hand wrapped lightly through hers, her posture soft, relaxed. She leans toward him, a half-smile curling her lips. They’re seated too close. Too familiar.
The sight hits low and hard—white-hot instinct snarling through my chest. Every part of me wants to reach out and yank her back. Put her somewhere safe. Somewhereawayfrom him.
Nolan startles first. His head snaps up, and the color drains from his face. He drops her hand like it scorched him. Lindsay jerks, eyes going wide. Mira squeaks and shrinks half behind a book.
I step into the circle of light, my foot falls scuffing against the stone in my haste.
I don’t slow.
“Apparently, I’m here to protect you from yourself.”
The words land hard.
Lindsay straightens, shoulders back, chin up. Blue eyes blazing.
“Excuse me?” she snaps, defensive already.
Good.
Let her be pissed. Better that than letting her guard down in a place like this—surrounded by spell traps and shadow-inked tomes that would kill her before she evenfeltthe spell sink into her veins.
I shift my gaze to Nolan, who’s still frozen—wide-eyed and silent.
“You know better than this,” I say coldly.
He flinches. His mouth opens, but nothing comes out.
He’s a good guy. I know that. Ido.He wouldn't put her in danger on purpose. But still, hedid. And right now, that’s all I see.
Lindsay shoves to her feet, shoulders squared. “Don’t talk to him like that. He was helping me.”
The bond surges hot between us, pure fire as her pulse drives straight through it, her own anger sparking down the tether.
I feel it. Every beat. Every breath. And my control slips, fast. Before thought catches, my hand closes around her arm—solid, unyielding.
She gasps as I pull her forward, away from Nolan, out of the circle of lamplight—toward me. The bond coils tighter, thrumming with approval beneath my skin.
I barely register Mira’s sharp intake of breath or Nolan’s aborted move to rise. All I see is Lindsay, glare cutting, breath coming fast.
I lower my voice, each word measured, cutting clean between us, “You don’t understand what you’re playing with. And I’m done watching you stumble through it.”
Lindsay wrenches against my grip.
“Let. Me. Go.”
Her voice rings through the narrow space, color high in her cheeks with her irritation.
The bond lashes back, heat spiraling through me, instinct driving hard beneath the surface. She’s feeding it without knowing. Every pulse of her anger draws it tighter. Pulls us closer together.
I hold steady. Refusing to hurt her, but not giving an inch. Contain it. Keep her grounded.
“Fight me all you want,” I say lowly. “It won’t stop what’s happening. The bond answers instinct. And right now—” I pull her a fraction closer, breath uneven, “your actions are telling me I have to protect you.”
Across the table, Mira’s eyes go wide. Her lantern flickers between her hands.
Nolan pushes up fast this time. “Raiden—stop. She wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
