Chapter 43 Jasmine
“Can we trust Delphine?” I ask, cautious.
Ezekial has mentioned the other Council member before, but nothing of detail. And the last Council member I met… well, that didn’t end very well. So I need to ask.
Ezekial places his tablet on the bed, eyes locking with mine. “When we first arrived here, Kane and I, enforcers found us and took us to Delphine.”
Kane once told me how young they were when they escaped the Dark Realm. How their fight with control almost consumed them. For a moment, I imagine being Delphine, stumbling upon two scared, furious boys carved out of shadows and blood.
“As you know, she’s an empath, but she’s older. An ancient immaru,” he reveals. “One of the last to escape the Light Realm before our father destroyed it.”
Ancient immaru… How old do you have to be to count as ancient?
“Enforcers have always existed, from the moment other beings began to integrate with humans, about a thousand years ago. The closest equivalent is the human military.” Then his voice lowers. “But during the Dark War, they weren’t enough. Something had to change—fast.
“Delphine organised a meeting between every district leader across the Earth realm—queens, kings, all leaders. She told them what had happened to her realm and warned them it would happen here. She asked for their help.”
“The majority agreed,” Kane adds.
“The majority?” I frown.
“All but the Necromancy District.” I don’t miss the bitterness in Julien’s tone, or how he and Sai exchange a look.
“But it didn’t matter,” Ezekial continues. “It was enough. Each district provided wealth, and more importantly, their best warriors, strategists, healers. Beings of light and dark alike. She placed them into units, trained them, and sent them to fight.”
“When Delphine found us, she gave us the same opportunity. And we saw it as a way to get revenge.” Kane’s eyes darken as though reliving the moment.
I wet my lips. “I always thought, was always told, that enforcers were these terrifying, blood-thirsty, cruel beings who killed mercilessly.”
Sai grins. “That’s just us, baby.”
Kane’s glare cuts sideways, but I can’t hold back my huff of laughter which makes Sai wink.
“An elite force from every race,” Julien continues, undeterred, “in a world divided into race-bound districts, nothing was more terrifying to the Purists than unity.”
“They hated it.” Sai’s grin turns wicked, showing how much he loved that. “So they spun their own tale, painted a false narrative, that enforcers were ruthless, lawless, evil. If there’s one thing purists are good at, it’s bullshitting.”
Ezekial nods. “Their propaganda spread, but it worked in Delphine’s favour. She wanted the world to fear the enforcers; it is always better to be feared than loved…” his voice trails off.
I’ve heard that phrase before, from Kane, about his father. Is Ezekial remembering that too?
I blink the thought away. “How does one woman transform an organisation like that?”
“Delphine is a strategist, and a fierce warrior. There’s a reason she survived my father’s war.
She trained recruits, then quickly appointed Lead Commanders, sending them all over the Earth Realm to build new headquarters and recruit more enforcers.
For a long time, she did it all. She alone, the only Council member. ”
“All on her own?” I can’t hide the shock, or the awe, or sadness.
“If anyone was to lead an army, it would be an empath.” Kane’s blunt honesty makes me still, especially when his eyes never leave me, and there’s a sliver of grey.
“When the Light Realm was destroyed, Delphine lost… everything. Her home, her friends, her family.” Ezekial’s eyes darken, as though he’s reliving his own losses. My fingers inch towards him until they’re gently brushing his knuckles. “She wouldn’t allow it to happen anywhere, to anyone, again.”
“And it didn’t,” Kane says.
“She protected the Earth Realm, a realm twice the size of the Light and Dark,” Julien adds.
“And when her enforcers found us, two boys struggling to control their darkness, and a mind melder…” Ezekial shakes his head.
“She should’ve killed us,” Kane finishes, never looking away. “But she gave us a choice.”
“Same choice the brothers gave me and Julien,” Sai mutters, smirking.
“If only we knew you then like we know you now…” Zeek mumbles, but he’s smiling too.
“And now you lead the enforcers.” It’s not a question because I already know the answer, but I have to say it to really believe it. I glance at them all. “She trusts you to lead the organisation she built.”
“Beings of light aren’t the brightest.” Sai winks and I chuckle, a little breathless.
“Although beings of the light do not become immortal, they do live much longer lives. She is the oldest creature I know, and with age comes wisdom.” Julien throws a subtle look at Sai, who just rolls his eyes.
“I’d like to meet her. Properly, I mean. Not when I’m tied to a chair with truth serum in my veins…” My words fall away when I notice how all their eyes lit up the second I said I wanted to meet her.
Even Kane’s.
Even if they won’t say it outright, it’s clear they do trust her, respect her. Maybe even care about her.
Their expressions linger, almost too intent, until my gaze drops and catches on the contract in Ezekial’s hand, forgotten until now.
I nod to it. “What do you think about my amendments?”
His fingers crinkle the paper, then he places it down on the bed to glance over them once more, smiling softly. “Agreeable.”
I look down over the final page.
? All clothing must be approved, selected and purchased by Julien. (Sai has jurisdiction over footwear.) Jasmine has final say over all selections.
? Uniform requirements: a skirt. whatever Jasmine deems appropriate for the role and occasion. Suggestions may be submitted in writing, to be ignored at her discretion.
? One date, per bond, every week. Schedule TBC. Schedule to be confirmed by Jasmine. Failure to attend will result in a penalty of her choosing.
? Weekly meetings with employer. When necessary.
? Will accept all gifts. Vice versa.
And then the ones I added:
? Everyone eats together, every Friday (no excuses).
? In the event of a dispute, majority vote rules. In a tie, Jasmine has final say.
? Leaderboard is back in play.
? Any attempts to leave, sacrifice oneself unnecessarily, or bear the weight alone will be met with aggressive and immediate group intervention.
I pick it up. “Well, if everyone agrees, you just need to sign—” Before I even finish, Ezekial’s taking it from my hands, and signs.
He passes the contract to Sai, who I’m sure doesn’t even read half the amendments before scribbling his name. Julien takes it, barely glances over the page, signs, then passes it to Kane.
He does read them, each sentence, word, piece of punctuation—but gives nothing away.
In that time, I start to overthink everything I’ve written, until there’s a soft twitch at the corner of his mouth. A soft huff of air.
And then… he signs.
“Who’s at the top of the leaderboard?” Sai suddenly asks.
“Kane.” At my immediate response, Kane pauses, peering up from the contract to me. I smile at the shock he tries to hide. “Are you busy tomorrow?”
He freezes.
I fidget with the bedding between my fingers. “I just thought… maybe we could start the dates tomorrow? If you’re free.”
Nothing.
All my other bonds look or turn to Kane.
“Wake the fuck up, mate.” Sai’s staring at him the hardest. “This is painful. Should I shock the poor guy—”
Then Kane nods.
It’s a response, but not exactly an answer. Still, it’s so endearing and unlike him, I can’t help but smile again. “Is that a ‘yes, I’m busy’ or—”
“No. I’m not busy.”
“Great.” I beam, shifting off the bed and holding out my hand.
His eyes never leave mine as he finishes signing, then hands the contract back to me, our fingers lightly brushing.
“Pleasure doing business with you gentlemen.” I glance back at them all. “Is anyone else hungry?”
I leave the bedroom with the contract in hand, and a smug smile, because I know asking for food will make them happy, and I realise… that’s what I want.
Julien flits ahead of me, already in the kitchen with his sleeves rolled up to reveal those smooth, dark arms. Then the others flit in, and immediately begin doing something.
An easy conversation sparks about ordering more food, Ezekial’s instantly on his phone while asking what I want without even bothering to check with anyone else.
Julien claims head chef duty, but keeps a wary eye on Sai who’s chopping things with a knife far too big for the task.
When he starts waving it around mid-story, Julien plucks it from his hand without a word.
And Kane… Kane only leaves my side to fetch me things, things I don’t even ask for but happily accept. Like the coffee I’m sipping now, even though it’s well past midnight.
Before long, we’re sprawled across the kitchen, contract abandoned, half-empty glasses and plates scattered over the marble island.
The evening blurs into one of those rare, easy nights where serious talks about the barrier, enforcer training, and Council politics are broken up by ridiculous bets, teasing jabs, and Sai’s attempt to teach me how to insult someone in Faeish.
Throughout it all, they check in with me. Little things—a touch to my arm, a glance, a question. It’s so easy, and I let myself lean into it.
I don’t even realise how late it’s gotten until a soft grey light spills through the window.
Ezekial glances at his phone with a grimace. “I need to speak with Delphine.”
I glance at Kane who catches my eye instantly, like he’s been waiting for me to look his way.
I smile. “Still free for that date later?”