Chapter 48 – Gate Capital (Part 2)

Chapter 48 – Gate Capital (Part 2)

"…You can read minds?" Zane's voice was low, almost disbelieving, as he stared at Elizabeth. He blinked slowly, his expression unreadable, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise.

"Mmm." Elizabeth nodded, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. "But it's not like I can read everything. My Stigma… it gives me fragments—snippets—of what the person is thinking about in that exact moment. Not full sentences, not coherent thoughts… just emotions, flashes, and surface-level ideas."

She paused, lowering her head as if the next words were physically painful to get out. "I-I'm really sorry, Zane. Please forgive me."

"For what?" Zane's brows drew together slightly. He had been trying to process what she'd said, but the apology pulled him from his thoughts.