"What if I need them after and they aren’t the same?"
"Then you deal with it. But at least you'll be alive to do that. And we both know, I’ll be right here."
Naomi's gaze found us across the room. Her eyes were clearer now, the heat still present but temporarily pushed back by Kira's presence, by the conversation grounding her.
"Do you want our help?" I asked quietly. "The truth, Naomi. Not what you think you should say. Not what makes this easier. Do you want us to help you through this?"
She was silent for so long I thought she might refuse again.
She closed her eyes, then said, "Yes."
"Say it again," Kellan said. "Look at us and say it."
She met our eyes. "Yes. I want your help." Her breath hitched. "I want you. Both of you. Please."
Relief crashed through me so intense it was almost painful.
"Kira," I said. "You need to leave the room."
"I'm not?—"
"You can stay in the house. Stay close. Check on her every hour if you want. But what's about to happen is between us and her." My voice was gentle but firm. "We'll take care of her. I promise you that. But we need privacy."
Kira looked at Naomi, who nodded weakly.
"Okay," she said finally. "But if I hear anything that sounds wrong?—"
"You won't," Kellan assured her.
She climbed out of the nest and left the room, closing the door behind her. And then it was just us. Three people who were about to become something else entirely.
"Are you sure?" I asked one more time.
"I'm sure." Naomi's voice was stronger now. "I need you. I want you. Please don't make me beg."
"You never have to beg," Kellan said, already moving toward the nest. "Not with us."
I followed, both of us climbing into the space she'd created.
She reached for us immediately, her hands fisting in our hair, pulling us close.
"Help me," she whispered against my mouth. "Please. Make it stop."
"We will," I promised. "We've got you."
And this time, we didn't hold back.
KELLAN
She was still burning up, still producing slick like her body was trying to drown us in it. But her eyes were clear. Aware. Choosing this. That made all the difference.
"How do you want us?" I asked.
"I don't care. I just need you inside."
"Both of us?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Like before. Like that night. I need to feel full."
