Chapter 43: The Price of Power

The moment they left the underground, Shade felt it crawling beneath his skin.

The power.

The hunger.

Jade was pacing in the safehouse, furious. "I cannot believe you."

Shade exhaled. "I didn't have a choice."

Jade turned on him. "Bullshit! You always have a choice!"

Shade's hands curled into fists. "She would have died."

Jade's expression softened for half a second—then the anger returned.

She stepped closer, voice sharp. "And now what? You think Selene's just gonna let you go?"

Shade didn't answer.

Because deep down?

He knew the truth.

He wasn't free.

Jade's voice lowered. "You don't feel it, do you?"

Shade swallowed hard. "Feel what?"

Jade's fingers grazed his wrist—where his veins had darkened, like ink spreading beneath his skin.

Shade stiffened.

Jade's breath hitched.

"Oh my God."

Shade pulled away, his body burning. "I can control it."

Jade shook her head. "You don't even know what it is."

Shade exhaled. "I don't care."

Jade clenched her jaw. "I do."

Then, softer.

"…Because I can't lose you."

Shade's pulse roared.

Jade's fingers dug into his jacket, her breath hot against his neck. "Tell me this is still you."

Shade grabbed her waist, pulling her flush against him. "It's me."

Jade's lips brushed his. "Then prove it."

Shade kissed her hard.

It was desperate, hungry—more violent than before, more dangerous.

Jade gasped as he pushed her against the wall, his hands exploring her body like he was claiming her, like he needed to drown in her before the darkness swallowed him whole.

Jade let him.

She pulled him closer, nails raking down his back, biting at his lip—pushing him to the edge, to the brink.

And for the first time in years—

Shade lost control.