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Kaien was the Blaede clan’s senior healer, and his interconnection through the psychic web was similar to his sister’s. If any of their clansmen were in distress or ailing, he’d quickly be able to come to their aid. Given their unique link as twins, he shared access to Nina’s vampire fledglings—though he had to consciously be listening for signs of distress and occasionally, it was tardy.
Often, Kaien found himself peering into Nina’s connection with Blair to assure himself of the reckless vampire’s continued health. His sister hadn’t caught him—yet.
“I will keep a channel open for her should she need it.”
Xavier and Remmus teleported in behind him, both humming with tension while they moved to flank him in anticipation.
“Take care of them.”
The words were a bare whisper of sound, his sister already miles away. A moment later, Nina’s back arched under the torrential downpour of agony that infiltrated her body, her mouth falling open in a soundless scream. Every muscle in her body coiled with vicious tension, the abrasive nature of the recoil penetrating every cell of her being.
Her sudden retraction from the psychic network reverberated through the bonds that connected the clan together, a painful deprivation. Within moments, Nina’s lieutenants bolstered the connections with their own mental strength.
Kaien’s arms locked around her as her body succumbed to the psychic and physical devastation of the recoil. Laying her reverently against the leather, two fingers automatically went to her temple to verify her mental state.
Recoils were vicious kickbacks when a Raeth pushed their abilities to the extreme. For Raeths born of creation, like Kaien, a recoil—or energy drought—would result if he overused his abilities. He’d be conscious after the initial kickback, but would be powerless for several days following.
As Nina was born of destruction, the recoil mirrored her dark gifts back onto her, causing an immutable tidal wave of pain that’d leave her unconscious and powerless. The more power she used, the more brutal it would be.
During that period, she’d be unable to support the psychic network of the clan that depended on her. Her lieutenants, including Kaien, were the ones who held it together when she was unable.
Scanning through his unconscious twin’s mind, Kaien sighed with audible relief. “Her mind is intact.”
Unsaid was the very real possibility that ghosted over his twin, or any Raeth born of destruction. If they overextended their abilities, the resulting recoil might permanently strip them of their consciousness. It’d effectively render them brain dead: a shell of their former selves.
It’d happened only twice in recorded history, but it was enough to forestall any Raeth from tempting fate.
While Kaien examined her, the remainder of the lieutenants had filtered into the room and taken up guarding positions around their sleeping sovereign. Celeste, the youngest of the group, sat down next to her on the sofa.
“Is she injured elsewhere?”
“Torso,” Kaien clipped, his hands hovering over the nearly healed wound on her bicep, “but it’s already stopped bleeding.”
“There were six of them in total.” Xavier said from behind him. “All clanless.”
Remmus stepped into Kaien’s field of vision, but his gaze was on his unconscious sovereign. “Unbelievable. Fools, all.”
“What took you so long?” Kaien growled, hostile.
Sobering, his friend inclined his head. “One of them must have been a shield. None of us registered the attack until we felt Nina’s abilities flair.”
“Not all of us have the twin bond, Kaien.”
Xavier settled against the back of the sofa, his voice lacking its usual spirit. In a rare show of aggravation, his hand raked through his pitch-black hair, and his emerald eyes darted toward his unconscious sovereign with genuine regret.
He’d spoken the truth.
Kaien and Nina, as twins, held a bond previously unseen by the immortal races. Not only were they easily able to slip into each other’s minds and listen in to thoughts and telepathy but they also had a sixth sense when the other was in danger, as was the case today.
Twins were a near impossibility in Raeth culture. Due to their inherent structure and psychic energy, the carrying of twin souls had only been recorded once before Nina and Kaien’s arrival. Unfortunately, the pregnancy had nearly killed their mother, Vialle, who survived only because her mate—their father—had been able to share energy to thwart her death.
As Kaien finished healing the injury on Nina’s arm, he sighed and glanced up at the lieutenants gathered around with sober faces. “We run perimeter checks every hour and make sure the younglings stay within sight at all times. In the meantime, we’ll watch over Nina while she heals.”
Jaw clenching, Kaien straightened from his crouch next to the sofa where his sister was sleeping. Celeste blinked up at him, her cotton candy pink braids twisting on either side of her neck.
“Will you keep an ear out for Blair?” Celeste asked.
“I will.”
