Page 4 of Upon Shattered Bonds

Though she’d slept here often, it’d never been a home. With her promise to Kaien—to return to clan lands—she would force herself to make it into one.

So much had changed in the last two years, especially the coming together of the immortal nations under the Peace Accords. The four breeds were now in equal partnership, sharing intel and resources. As a result of that, her brothers had both found their fated mates. Aidan had rescued Lucy from the Citizens, and discovered they were fated for each other in the aftermath. A year later, Kaien had mated Blair. For the first time in their long lives, both of her brothers were happy and settled.

To know they’d share their lives with someone made for them eased a portion of her strife. She’d often worried about Aidan’s inability to put down roots, and Kaien’s tendency to give too much of himself. With mates invested in their wellbeing, Nina knew they’d be stronger and more balanced.

The soft smile that played on her lips slowly faded. That door would forever remain closed for her, and it was pointless to think about being able to rely on a mate. What strength and balance she needed to survive life and her mistakes could only come from within. Zeke had never deserved her tears.

Three boxes, four, five. Soon, the last remaining box was discarded and the belongings within put away. She’d successfully unpacked and placed everything in its proper place. Nina could now officially call this house her home.

And still, it felt … empty.

Chapter Two

Screams met his ears the moment he solidified.

The young Raeth’s ability was potent, pressing into Zeke’s skin and mind even as his Blunting powers pushed back. Abrasive, fiery, and darkly malevolent, the destructive gift that clawed at him was nothing less than extraordinary.

It was a gift so debilitating that even the child’s sovereign had barely managed to call Zeke for assistance. The telepathy had been little more than static to his mental ear, repeating his name, but the psychic signature made the request plainly apparent.

Wrapping his Blunt ability around him, Zeke had stepped out of the jiu-jitsu studio and into a psychic battlefield in rural Texas. The territory was held by Orson, the clan’s sovereign for more than seventy years. Though the man was significantly younger than Zeke, he was a decent leader.

Today was simply a bad day.

A year ago, one of the clan’s youngest members had come into his abilities—and they’d been terrifying. As a sovereign with no shielding or defensive abilities, Orson was woefully outmatched.

Zeke had heard of Orson’s need through the network of Raeth healers. Although it involved disclosing powers he would rather keep secret, he felt morally obligated to offer assistance. His rare ability to nullify other’s psychic gifts had been essential in helping the child when he lost control of the pain.

With time, the youngling would learn to manage it himself, hone and focus the talent like a weapon, but for now, Zeke was one of the only immortals who could aid in his training.

Casting out his psychic tendrils, he searched for the youngling’s signature and found it almost instantly. Though he could’ve teleported directly to the child, he didn’t want to frighten him into another loss of control.

A hundred feet in that direction, he found Orson kneeling, panting with his palms pressed against the dirt. Beside him, a woman’s panicked gaze locked with his from where she was curled in the fetal position. Both Raeths sputtered nonsensical words at him, pleading with him to find the source.

As he drew closer to the youngling, the ability grew more oppressive. Shrieks echoed from the homes and outdoor spaces around him, but Zeke didn’t stop to check on those in pain. Once the youngling was stable, their sovereign would see to that.

He could extend his Blunting ability now and save them suffering, but the child might have had a good reason to project this strongly. His power made him a valuable commodity for the kind of people who thought nothing of trading and abusing younglings. If someone had attempted to kidnap him, neutralizing his self-defense would allow them to escape.

Zeke tracked the boy to a patch of trees just outside the main row of homes. He couldn’t sense any other minds nearby, but he wasn’t the only Raeth with shielding abilities. A peek around the corner confirmed he was alone.

It was too early for leaves and green grass, but the warm breeze must’ve driven the youngling outside to play. Samuel sat beneath a tire swing that was still swaying gently beside him.

Instantly, Zeke blanketed the boy with his nullifying gift, cutting off the pain that radiated outward and affected everyone in the immediate vicinity. At the disturbance, Samuel sniffed and looked up.

“Hey buddy,” Zeke whispered. “You okay?”

The youngling twisted slightly, exposing the broken arm he cradled in his lap. “It hurts.”

A stab of sympathy struck him, and Zeke moved in for a closer look, resting a comforting hand on Samuel’s uninjured shoulder. He also sent a telepathic ping to Orson, telling the other sovereign their location. He knelt beside the boy.

“Your healer is on the way,” he said. “It’ll be okay. Let’s stay right where we are so you don’t get hurt anymore, okay?”

Samuel’s lower lip quivered as he blinked wide brown eyes up at him, but the youngling nodded. True to his word, Orson and the woman who’d lain beside him appeared only seconds later. The other sovereign dipped his chin to Zeke but refocused on the youngest member of his clan.

“Broken arm?”

Zeke—and Samuel—nodded. “Just startled it out of him, I think.”

The healer cast stony eyes toward him. “Don’t let up your Blunt. Not until we know he can control it.”

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