Page 49 of Unclaimed Bonds

Anders smiles and shows Shadow the book’s cover. “Is it alright if we table our discussion for the moment? I would like to discuss something else first.”

Well, that’s a polite way of saying no. My heart sinks. The rain taps harder against the windowpane.

“I didn’t say no, just yet. I need to think about it, and I need to discuss it with Chris and Elias.” Hope flickers in my chest. “Shadow is our recruiting officer. I gave him your application. He will review it, and depending on our collectively decision, he will notify you.”

It’s not a definitive answer, but I can look forward to a response, at least a small possibility that they won’t write me off completely.

Anders chuckles. “Don’t think too much about it. I haven’t made up my mind yet, but it’s a start. We can talk about it more a little later.”

I lean forward and wrap my arms around Anders. “Thank you,” I rasp, using my voice. Then, I jump off my bed and bound over to Shadow. As I wrap my skinny arms around him, a tether of sorts tugs at my heart.

He tenses, with a quick intake of breath. Am I hurting him? Maybe he doesn’t like being touched.

Shit. I loosen my hold on him when his arms slowly, awkwardly embrace me. The tension I felt earlier softens. I peer up, expecting to see his chin. Instead, striking blue eyes gaze down at me. A clash of light and dark alternate before settling on a lighter shade of blue.

He stares at me for a few more seconds before looking to Anders, frowning. “It stopped raining,” he claims.

I drop my arms and face the window. The sun shines in all its warm glory.

“So it seems,” Anders whispers.

Shadow asks, “Does the weather always match your feelings?”

I shrug, looking to Anders to interpret for me.Not that I’ve noticed.

Anders shakes his head. “Jessica, why don’t you mind-link with Shadow and tell him yourself?”

I don’t know how to.

“You’ve done it with Chris and Elias. Why don’t you just—I don’t know, humor me—give it a try?”

I clasp my hands in front of me and fidget with my fingers. I don’t know how to connect willingly. With Chris and Elias, it just happened, the same way it did with Anders and the twins.

I angle myself slightly and stare straight at Shadow’s forehead, pretending for an instant that I can break past the invisible barrier that lies between his skull and brain. Feeling ridiculous, I eventually lower my gaze. His features are soft, and a slight smile touches his lips. At least when he smiles now, he doesn’t look constipated or like he’s holding in a fart.

Shadow bursts into a hearty laugh, and my eyes widen. “That’s too bad. To think this entire time, I thought my smile looked genuine,” he commented.

Nope. definitely looked like constipation. I press my lips together to prevent my growing smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the tip.”

Yeah. Sure. Any time. Heat rises, coloring my cheeks. I don’t like the idea of him hearing my thoughts anymore. It’s too much like an invasion of my privacy. Regaining my composure, I clear my throat.So, in answer to your earlier question, no. I haven’t noticed whether my moods correlate with the weather.

Shadow’s smile fades, and his expression becomes serious. “Maybe you should pay attention.” His eyes shift from my face to Anders. “Well, I really should be going. I’ll keep in touch and let you know when I will be by again.”

Anders nods farewell.

Before Shadow turns to leave, he says, “I look forward to our next meeting. I’m interested to see what else pops through that mind of yours.”

I stand by the door and watch his retreating back, still trying to make sense of him. He’s peculiar; that’s for sure. As he strides down the hall, I notice how tall he is—at least six foot two—with wide shoulders that taper to a narrow waist. I admire his backside, for a few more seconds. His girlfriend is a very luckygirl. I shake my head to clear it of his image and turn back toward the room.

Anders narrows his eyes. “Please don’t tell me you look at all the guards like that.”

I blush, glancing down at my hands.Oops. I forgot he could still hear my thoughts. I wrinkle my nose and smirk.

“Oops? Do not make me lock you in our dungeon until you’re 100,” he threatens.

I cock my head to the side.We have a dungeon? Did I miss that part of the tour?