Page 3 of Wicked Bonds

But a voice reached his ears.

One higher than the rest.

Filled with hope, life, and knowledge.

Leela.

He latched onto her thoughts, sucked in the underlying sensation of expectation, and clung to her existence like a lifeline.

Over three thousand years of experience had taught him how to tune in and out of people’s minds, how to ignore some emotions over others, how to exist in a world of perpetual chaos brought on by his supernatural abilities.

He stole a deep breath.

Exhaled.

Inhaled again.

And closed his eyes.

Lizzie’s anguish and Jayson’s concern created a harsh ripple of energy that Balthazar fought to contain and soothe. He’d assisted his best friend, Jayson, through the birth, helping him to remain calm as he held his wife, Lizzie. But when the baby finally arrived without any sign of life, the overwhelming despair from the parents had drowned Balthazar’s intentions beneath an avalanche of uncontrollable emotions.

Leela’s mind anchored him, her thoughts the only ones holding promise in the room.

She tried to calm the others, to tell them to let her focus, but they were too consumed with grief to listen. The frenzy worsened as Stas returned to find Lizzie in hysterics. Issac followed.

Sethios and Caro were behind them.

Too many voices. Too much pain.

But Leela’s certainty overwhelmed the others, providing Balthazar with the leverage he needed to regain control.

His power lashed out, harnessing those around him and sending a wave of coolness through their auras, demanding calm.

Breathe. Pay attention. Think.

Because Leela needed them to quiet down in order to save the child in her arms.

She held the baby to her chest, her blue-green irises swirling with power as she met Balthazar’s gaze. He nodded once, telling her without words that he understood.

She frowned in response.

He knows,she thought, her words crystal clear in his mind.But how is that possible?

A flash of a recollection swirled in her psyche, one he’d been trying to understand for what felt like an eternity, but was truthfully only days.

From the second she’d misted into his life, he’d known that they’d met before. He just couldn’t place the memory. However, trickles of information had bled into his mind since that pivotal moment, reminding him of Brazil.

It was a trip from only a few months ago.

One that had resulted from a dare between Balthazar and Luc. They were constantly at war over breakfast foods, a humorous nuance to the group, but a very serious debate between him and his fellow Hydraian Elder.

Waffles or pancakes?

Balthazar always chose pancakes because they were superior in every way, and he’d designed a game with Luc to test their little wager.

It had involved women, a beach in Brazil, maple-flavored shots, and the Seraphim standing before him now.

He was certain of it.She was there.