My body hadn’t felt this light in years—maybe even a decade. There was a charge running through me, euphoric and bright, like I could take on twenty Gates without blinking... if only I could feel that sensation one more time.

Then I looked down.

Nathan was caught between Gabriel and me, his expression dazed—lips parted, pupils blown wide. His body trembled with the aftershocks of what we’d just shared. And just like that, the high dropped out from under me.

Snapping back to my senses, I shifted back quickly, peeling myself off him. Gabriel was still behind him, hands anchored firmly on Nathan’s hips, his breath brushing over the curve of his neck.

I reached out and smacked a hand down over Gabriel’s, jolting him. His eyes met mine in a flash of confusion, his grip loosening instinctively.

“Gabriel,” I said, voice low, urgent, “can you let go of Nathan’s hips?”

He blinked at me, the haze in his gaze clearing. Slowly, he stepped back. As soon as his support vanished, Nathan’s knees wobbled, his balance failing.

We both lunged forward, catching him. I hooked an arm around his waist, Gabriel steadying his shoulder. Between us, we lowered him gently into the nearest chair.

The energy still hummed beneath my skin, but the heat had begun to ebb—receding into something quieter. More manageable. My mind was clearer now, like the storm had passed, leaving guilt in its wake.

I crouched beside him, still not touching, but close enough to offer comfort. Gabriel pulled out his phone, calling Adam to bring clean clothes—and to notify whoever needed telling that Nathan wouldn’t be back on shift today.

I watched Nathan closely. His breathing was shallow. His gaze darted between us like he was trying to piece together what had just happened—and failing.

This shouldn’t have happened. We’d overwhelmed him. Trapped him. We were the ones with abilities—we should’ve known better.

“How are you feeling?” I asked gently, crouching so we were eye to eye. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

He met my gaze at last—and gasped, raising both hands to his mouth like he’d just realised what had happened. His expression crumpled in horror.

“I—I didn’t mean to do that,” he whispered. “I was just trying to leave. The door hit me. I didn’t mean for anything to happen, I swear!”

He trembled, shoulders shaking. And all I could think about was what he’d already endured—days locked up, interrogated, alone. Now this.

I reached out slowly, resting a hand on the armrest beside him—not touching, but grounding.

“No, Nathan. You didn’t do anything wrong. I was the one who opened the door too fast. It was an accident.” I softened my tone further. “Is your shoulder alright?”

He shook his head, a tiny, almost hesitant motion—indicating it wasn’t hurting.

“Good,” I murmured. “We know none of this was your fault. Whatever happened just now… it was beyond anyone’s control. But we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. That’s a promise.”

Even without skin contact, I could feel the magnetic pull of him. His flushed cheeks, his parted lips, the way his chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths—it was all burned into me. My body still ached to hold him again, to press closer, but I held firm. Consent mattered more than whatever the hell this bond was becoming.

He seemed to calm slightly, glancing towards Gabriel. I followed his gaze.

Gabriel had finished his call and stood silently, his expression unreadable. But the way he was looking at Nathan... there was heat in it, yes—but also something protective. Possessive, even.

God, I wanted to pull Nathan into my lap. Wrap him in my arms. Shield him from everything. But those urges weren’t helpful right now.

Gabriel crouched beside me. “Elliot’s right,” he said, voice quiet. “It didn’t even occur to us that you’d done anything wrong. We both felt it. We just… reacted.”

He tilted his head. “Nathan, if you’re alright with it… can you tell us what you felt?”

Nathan stared down at his hands. His voice, when it came, was small. “I think… when we touched… after the door hit me… it felt like waves. Waves of heat. From where you were touching me—and kissing me. My brain just—shut off. I couldn’t think. All I could focus on was… that feeling. Like everything else disappeared.”

His voice trailed off, cheeks flushed scarlet.

A jolt went through me again, slower this time, deep and lingering. I inhaled slowly, catching the faint trace of his scent—clean, warm, somehow addictive. My whole body leaned towards it without thinking. I shifted slightly, adjusting my trousers again.

I smiled softly. “We felt the same. So you’re not alone. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We just… don’t know why it happened.”

I glanced over at Gabriel, quirking a brow. If anyone had a theory, it was him.

But he just looked baffled.

Clearing his throat, he said, “We should talk to the doctors. I’ve never heard of a reaction like this before. Maybe the drugs still lingering in Elliot’s system are playing a part…”

Nathan’s expression clouded again, fear flickering in his eyes. Gabriel leaned forward, voice calm but steady.

“We know you didn’t cause this,” he said firmly. “We’ve had enemies target us before. This feels like the same thing. None of this is your fault. It’s on Elliot and me.”

I nodded, meaning every word. “We’re sorry you got dragged into this. Really.”

That seemed to soothe him. He exhaled slowly, shoulders easing just slightly. Then he looked between us, hesitant.

“Will they be held accountable… the ones that started it? If I can ask?”

Gabriel and I exchanged a glance. The odds weren’t great—Guides high up the hierarchy didn’t go down easily—but I wasn’t about to let it slide.

“We’ll do our best,” I told him. “It’s not easy, especially when they’re protected. But our best guy’s on it. And if there’s even a shred of evidence, they’ll regret doing that.”

Nathan nodded slowly, his hands finally unclenching in his lap.

Then—three sharp knocks at the door.

We all turned at once.

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