Page 39 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Agreed,” says Duncan, “I’m staying. When you’re not attending meetings, we’ll work on your new powers and strengthening your shields.”

“Why do you think she suddenly has powers?” Aaden asks Duncan in his typical no-nonsense fashion.

Duncan grins. “Not sure, but they can only be a blessing for Natia in this situation.”

Aaden focuses his steely gaze on me. “Have you tried accessing them again?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m really not sure how I did it to begin with.”

“You were pissed,” Aaden says. I tilt my head in acknowledgement. “Don’t you find the timing suspicious?” he pushes.

I frown, while Duncan nods and says, “A little.”

“Wait, why is it suspicious?”

“You’ve shown no magical capabilities beyond aura reading, strength, and sensitivity to air currents before now. Most people come into their powers around puberty,” Duncan explains.

Rubbing my hands down my face, I consider the implications. “So either I’m a late bloomer or something else is happening to me.”

Duncan squeezes my shoulder. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together, Natia. You’re never alone.”

Images of the SIP testing people’s strength and powers float through my mind. Anything unusual, and they’re all over it—and not necessarily in a good way. I may be human, and they may value abilities, but they don’t tolerate unstable agents. They’ll want to know why I have power, where it came from, and what I plan to do with it. If I can’t demonstrate I have control, they may incarcerate me. “I don’t want to tell the SIP yet, not until we know what it means for me.” I know Duncan will protect me, so I aim this at Aaden.

He nods. “It’s okay, Natia. I won’t say anything. I’ll contact Charlie and update him with the progress we’ve made with the files. He’ll find it difficult to justify pulling the mission when we’ve gotten this close.”

“What about Zee?”

Aaden pushes his chair back. “I’ll handle Zee. Go get some sleep; meeting’s at noon today. You have,” he peers at his watch, “three hours.”

Duncan follows me upstairs, and I sit cross-legged on the center of the bed. The mattress dips as he sits on the edge. “Tell me about Reinheart and how you feel when he’s trying to break your shields.” I flush and look away.

Duncan wraps an arm around my waist, and my head collapses onto his shoulder. “He’s playing with you. It doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means he’s strong.”

I gulp. “He… touches me with his power. It’s hot, sensual—intoxicating. My mind blanks, and all I can feel is his essence thrumming under my skin. His brief touches unsteady me. It’s a dangerous combination.” I tip my head back to look into Duncan’s eyes. “This is what scares me… I don’t know how much is me and how much is his mind fucking.” I bury my face in his neck.

A knock on the open bedroom door makes me lift my head. Zee is leaning against the doorframe, his hands in his jeans pockets.

“How much did you hear?” I ask, panicking we’re going to repeat our earlier argument.

“Enough to know you need support, not judgment. I’m sorry… I crossed a line. If you hate me, I understand. But I’m here for you. If you want to finish this assignment, I’ll support you.”

I stand, closing the space between us, and put my arms around his waist. He tenses.

“Forgive me?” I ask.

“What for?”

“I kinda threw you across the room.”

He laughs, and his muscles relax beneath my fingers. “I deserved it, and if that’s what you can do with your new power, it will help protect you. Work with Duncan to harness it, and we can spar to keep your fighting skills honed.”

I give him one last squeeze. “Okay, sleep first, then the lion’s den. But remember, our sticks are bigger than theirs, and we swing them faster and stronger than the largest cat.”

***

Sleep claims me fast. I dream of golden eyes and my skin being covered in blue, red, and orange flames burning me from the inside out, balancing a fine line between pleasure and pain. When I wake, I’m covered in sweat.

I can’t escape this man.

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