Chapter 44 Kane
I’ve never been on a date.
Never needed to. Never wanted to. I’m not even sure what constitutes as a date.
I looked it up. That did not help.
Every definition used the word romantic, a word I then proceeded to research. Again, the results were inconclusive.
How could I be something no one could properly define?
I need it clear. Black and white.
The only enticing element of a ‘date’ is knowing I will be with Jasmine.
Alone.
And I want that.
Ezekial has just finished his call with Delphine. He’s informing us of the five-day cooldown period, which I pay attention to, because it means we’ll have five days with Jasmine before the barrier comes down.
Five days to woo her. To date her. But I still don’t know how to date.
We’re all sat in his office—except Jasmine, unfortunately.
She wanted to check on Kacey and her sister, because she is kind and selfless and everything we are not.
I couldn’t follow because she asked to go alone, and we have no right to keep her with us…
and I know my brother has been monitoring her on the atrium cameras.
“…which means we’ll need to work down the chain of command. Inform the Lead Commanders, speak with the units, then the trainee enforcers, before we send out something official to the district. Maybe shut the Council building for a few days? Give the units a break before we begin training again...”
I hear my brother’s words, but I find myself disinterested. Distracted. Skimming an article on my phone titled The Art of Dating.
“Zeek, your brother has other things on his mind right now.” Sai turns to me with a sly, knowing smirk. “Something with red hair, a killer smile, and legs that he wants—”
“Jealous?” Sai’s mouth hangs open—wordless and shocked by my abrupt interruption.
“My, my. Didn’t think you had it in you, mate.” He chuckles. “Jealous? Nah. Just waiting for you to fuck up so I can swoop in and save the day.” He winks.
I force myself to remain still against the door, even though the shadows creep out.
“Brother, did you hear anything I said?” Ezekial asks, but there’s a softness in his tone, a slight lift to his lips like he too finds my discomfort pleasing.
“Five days. Inform units. Trainee enforcers. Days off.”
“Like the perfect little robot,” Sai mutters, grinning wide when my gaze snaps to him. He holds up his palms. “Okay, my bad. Dark Sai is kicking my ass lately.”
I slip my phone into my pocket, followed by my hands, and stare hard at the floor, studying the faint shimmer in the marble tiles.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.” It slips out, and the room falls silent.
Sai leans forwards in Ezekial’s chair, elbows on the desk. “Sorry, man. Didn’t realise you were actually this eaten up about it. Listen—”
I focus on him, hating the fact I actually want his advice. Need it.
“You’ve already spent time alone with her, more than most of us…” he mumbles the last part, eyes glinting dark, then shakes himself. “Just do what you did then, talk, but be more… romantic.”
Romantic.
That word again.
Did Sai forget who I am? What I am? How that word means nothing to me?
I stare at him, expressionless. Waiting for a follow-up. A strategy. Something I can use.
He doesn’t.
His eyes dart over my face, then he blows out his cheeks.
“Okay. How about I tell you what not to do?” He waits, then huffs.
“Guess I’ll take that as a yes. Right then.
So. Don’t tell her you don’t know what you’re doing.
Don’t order her around. Don’t be cold. Don’t take her into the Dark Realm.
And, for the love of all that is Light and Dark, if she tries to get closer—don’t pull away. ”
I don’t respond. Instead, I look to the others for their input.
Julien leans back in his chair, watching me closely. “I know you prefer things simpler. I suggest you get her talking, try to learn more about her, and make her laugh, then keep her laughing.”
I frown. “I’m not good at that.”
“No one is, at first,” he says softly. No judgment, just quiet understanding. “But you’ll learn how.”
I look to my brother next. He exhales, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leans against the edge of his desk.
“Brother, I’m not sure listening to us is the right call.
This is new ground for all of us,” Ezekial says, levelling us all with a serious look before asking, “When was the last time any of us went on a date?”
Sai opens his mouth, then shuts it. Silence.
“Exactly. None of us know what we’re doing, especially with Jasmine.” He shakes his head and removes his glasses. “I suggest you let her take the lead, brother. She has us in the palm of her hand, and she knows it. Ask her what she wants, and give it to her.”
I can do that. A simple two-step strategy.
Ask and give.
I nod.
***
When I step into the atrium, I hear her laugh before I see her. I find my pace quickening until I catch sight of her beside the river, like the last time. And like the last time, and every time I see her, she’s a vision.
The sunset bleeds gold and crimson through the skylight, catching in the soft waves of her scarlet hair. She turns at my approach, her smile aimed right at me, and for a moment, I can’t see anything but her.
And what she’s wearing.
She wasn’t wearing that this morning. I would have remembered.
We all would.
It’s a dress. White, dainty, utterly angelic.
The delicate sleeves slip off her shoulders like they were never meant to stay, barely there, just enough to draw the eye and feign modesty.
The bodice is fitted, cinched, hinting at the curves hidden beneath before flaring into a skirt that brushes mid-thigh.
Innocent lace trims the hem in a thin, whispery tease.
It reminds me of a dress she’s worn before, on that night, when The Inferno was attacked. Just without the wings. But if that was temptation cloaked in white, this is an angel stepping into sin intentionally.
Bare legs, smooth and seemingly endless leading down to black heels. Her hair a loose, tumble of thick red curls that fall over one shoulder, with the other side tucked behind her ear in casual grace.
I can’t stop looking at her.
Admiring her.
But then she laughs again, and I see who caused it.
“Good evening, Kane.”
The dragon.
Would killing him be a bad start to a date?
I flash the moment to the others but say nothing. It’s automatic. They said I could use them if I needed help, and I need help.
“Kill him,” Sai snarls.
“No, wait. He’s Kacey’s bond, brother. He’s not a threat,” Ezekial weighs in.
My eyes never leave the so-called non-threat, jaw tensing.
“Kane, think rationally,” Julien adds. Sai’s disgruntled groan echoes. “Jasmine would not want Amon to be harmed. She would be very displeased.”
Amon, oblivious to how close he is to death, holds his hand out towards me.
I look down at it. Then slowly back up at him. The room darkens.
“Kane, can you not stare at Amon like you’re about to kill him?” Even Jasmine’s internal voice isn’t enough to pull me from the man standing closer to my bond than I am.
Take him.
Who was making her laugh.
Kill him.
Amon’s lips fall into a hard line, then he seeks out Jasmine.
He’s looking at my bond.
Mine.
“Okay, let’s just…” Jasmine steps between us, blocking my direct path to Amon as she glances back at him. “Can you tell Kacey I’ll text her later?”
Amon nods, then smiles.
Now he’s smiling at her. At my bond.
My bonded.
Death will be a blessing—
“Kane.”
My eyes snap to her. She’s staring up at me, her back towards Amon who’s now walking away.
“What’s wrong? Why do you feel so—”
“Why were you laughing?” I can’t help it. The question slips out, my gaze still flicking to where Amon has now disappeared.
I could still flit, reach him, drag him into the dark and leave him there…
“Why does it matter?” Her voice is so soft and confused, a crease forming between her brows.
“I was supposed to make you laugh.” I don’t think I was meant to say that. The way her eyes widen suggests that too.
Have I already messed this up? Have I—
She laughs. Louder than before, warmer, like it’s bubbling out of her.
“Were you… are you jealous, Kane?”
I don’t respond. But my eyes flicker back once more, just to be sure he’s gone.
She laughs again. I wish I knew exactly what it was that was making her laugh, just so I could do it again. And again. I drink in her face, the soft crinkle of her eyes, the shake of her head.
“You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
Cute?
“But Amon is Kacey’s bond, remember? Her bonded,” she says gently, like my reaction is unnecessary but forgivable. “And you have all night to make me laugh.”
There’s a soft smile lining her face, even though I haven’t said another word, and the last thing I did say was borderline insane.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.” The words slip out before I can stop.
I think the silence would’ve been better. I’m sure Sai would’ve agreed. That was the first thing he told me not to say.
But her smile doesn’t falter. If anything, it grows. “That’s alright, I don’t either,” she murmurs, like it’s a secret meant just for us.
Then she turns, glancing back out over the river. The fading light dances across the surface, caught in the slow current.
“You like being by the river. I always find you here.”
She studies the water. “I guess, after being surrounded by towering buildings and neon lights for five years, it’s nice to be around nature.”
“I can show you more.” My voice drops into a rasp. I clear it quickly, but the implication lingers, because that’s an understatement.
I want to show her everything. More than a river, more than just nature. She turns back to me, her gaze gently searching my face, reading me, like she knows I mean it in so many other ways.
I gesture towards the man-made waterway. “I can show you where the river comes from.”
She smiles. “I’d like that.”
I stare, enamoured, as always.