Chapter 60
60
Kaede
“ M y teleporting shouldn’t have gone against the dimstar rule.” Kaede growled low in his throat, the sound more animal than Aldawi, his fists clenched tight at his sides. “REI is a part of me. Her capabilities are mine. It wasn’t cheating.”
Z, lounging in his overstuffed chair with one foot dangled lazily over the arm, chuckled. The sound was rich, smug, and infuriating. He swirled his drink, the amber liquid catching the soft light. “You’re getting too dependent on your gadgets, Kaede,” he said with infuriating calmness. “You’re lethal, no one’s denying that. Deadly, even. But what happens if—when—you’re alone? No drones, no tech. Just you, and you’re defending her.”
Instantly, Kaede’s psydagger was in his hand, a flicker of sharp, shimmering purple energy. In three strides, he was in front of Z, the blade stopping just short of his chest. “I would gladly bite every. Single. Enemy,” Kaede spat, his voice laced with venom, “and inject them with my Vusyte . They’d be dead before they even realized it. And with both hands, I’d wield my psydaggers, slicing through them like shadows through the void. If it wasn’t for the game’s restrictions—”
“You would’ve killed Zyxel in the process,” Z interrupted without flinching, his tone unbothered. He didn’t even move, his drink still balanced in one hand as if Kaede wasn’t pointing a deadly weapon at him. “Is that the victory you wanted, Kaede? Killing someone she’s drawn to? Stop throwing a tantrum fit for a cub and accept that even you have faults.”
Kaede snarled, his fingers twitching on the psydagger’s hilt, but Z’s words struck too close to the truth. With a growl, he spun on his heel and sheathed the blade in one swift motion. He stormed toward the drink dispenser, and selected the strongest alcoholic beverage on the list. He slammed the button and waited, his breathing heavy with frustration.
The moment the amber liquid filled the glass, he downed it in a single swallow, welcoming the burn searing down his throat and spreading through his chest. “I’ll need more of this,” he muttered, his voice a rough rasp, “if I’m going to get through the night.”
From the far side of the room, V’dim’s booming laugh filled the space. “Kaede, you’re making this way more entertaining than it needs to be,” he said, his tentacle playfully smacking Z’fir’s shoulder. “It’s hilarious, really. You’re having such a strong reaction, and yet our nestqueen is finally at peace, able to enjoy herself.”
Kaede spun to glare at them. “What do you mean?” he demanded, slamming the empty glass down on the counter.
Z’fir raised an eyebrow at him. “You should know how she’s feeling,” he said simply. “How relaxed she is. How she’s accepting his touch.”
Kaede growled again, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “I’m too angry to open myself up to her right now,” he admitted, his voice strained. “It feels like I’ve failed her. Somehow. Again.”
“You haven’t failed her,” V’dim said, his tone softening. “This was written in the stars, Kaede. There’s nothing you— or any of us —can do to change it.”
“She’s always had a pull toward Zyxel,” Z’fir added. “And so far, nothing about it has gone amiss. Let her explore this, Kaede. Without interference.”
Kaede’s fists clenched at his sides, his claws digging into his palms. “I’m blocking the bond to do just that,” he said through gritted teeth. “If this… reward gives her the closure she needs, so be it. But I don’t have to accept him. Not unless he bears her claim.”
Z’fir’s mouth twitched into a faint smile. “It seems she’s already unconsciously marked her claim on him,” he said. “Or did you miss what happened with that female Aldawi in the salt spa’s lobby?”
Kaede’s snarl filled the air. “While you all enjoy yourselves here,” he bit out, “I’m going to find someone worth sparring against. Someone who won’t—mock me.”
Before they could respond, Kaede closed his eyes and let the shadows take him. Darkness enveloped him as he teleported, leaving the soft hum of his clan’s laughter behind him.