"And not until after the baby comes," Kai added, his gaze dropping to her pregnant belly. "A ritual that powerful could affect the child in unpredictable ways."
Samantha nodded in understanding. Her hand found Kai's, and she reached her other hand toward Marcus, who crossed the room to take it. The three of them stood in a circle, an incomplete quartet but still connected.
"I can still feel it," she whispered. "Not the memory, but the bond itself. Like music playing in another room—you can't make out the melody, but you know it's there."
"It's there," Marcus confirmed, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "And it's enough. For now."
Kai completed their circle, his enhanced strength tempered by gentleness as he took Marcus's free hand. "We'll figure this out. Together."
The door opened, interrupting their moment of connection. Guadalupe entered, carrying a small wooden box inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
