Soren lets out a long breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies me. It's as if he's weighing something in his mind, deciding whether or not to pull me further into this mess. After a moment, he speaks, his voice lower, almost resigned.

"Rain, there's more you need to understand about me—about what I do." He pauses, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Enforcers," he continues, "are chosen, but not like any regular appointment. It's... not something you can apply for. It's a calling, something ancient. Only a select few per generation are chosen. We don't answer to anyone except each other, and we operate in complete secrecy."

I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of what he's saying. "Chosen by who? How?"

My breath catches, as my mind races. I have heard about enforcers, the ones who operate in the shadows, keeping balance in their world—often by any means necessary. Not much is known but they have existed as far as the first generation of Kindreds. I hear they will silence anyone who tries to tell the humans about our kind or try to use our existence for selfish reasons. With such power, there are only a handful that will exist in each generation.

"There is no individual enforcer. We move as one entity and operate as one in the shadows. We ensure that Kindred law is upheld and are often called up to handle the dirtiest work, including neutralizing rogue Kindred or negotiating with rival factions. There are never more than seven at a time and each generation only sees a handful of Enforcers. We receive a Calling of sorts when we turn thirteen and have an early awakening."

I am surprised to hear of their early awakening. I never heard of anyone awakening before they turned eighteen.

"It starts with a series of ominous, unavoidable signs. Some speak of recurring, vivid dreams where an ancient voice speaks in a forgotten tongue, while others feel a constant pull towards a specific, remote place, an abandoned temple that no one else can find. Those who follow the call are tested through a life-threatening trial, where they must survive an encounter with a shadowy presence—an entity older than the Kindred themselves. Most are never heard from again. But those who emerge from the ordeal bear the mark of an Enforcer, a scar-like symbol that burns itself into their skin in a place only other Enforcers can recognize..."

He pulls up his shirt to reveal the burn sigil in between his chest.

"I can see it?" He seems to understand my puzzled tone.

"Partners can usually see them, but usually after marking each other," he watches my reactions carefully.

"But?" I wait for his response in anticipation.

"But we seem to be different." He shrugs.

"So... these kids just die if they don't pass, if they aren't ever seen or heard from again?" That seems over the top.

"That is just the way." He states calmly. He doesn't seem to think it's an issue. Sometimes, his hot and cold answers really throw me off.

"Usually, our true identity is hidden. It is only revealed in certain unique cases. Since Enforcers work as one in the shadows, they operate as one mind and are linked telepathically to other Enforcers of their current generation. We have certain powers that not even the most powerful Kindred can match. If one Enforcer falls, a new Enforcer is immediately chosen."

"No one, I truly mean it--no one--outside the order is ever supposed to know. Not even family." He nods slowly.

I feel a cold shiver run down my sine. "Then why are you telling me?"

"It's obvious our bond is different. It's not just that you're my mate--it's stronger than that. There's something about it that makes keeping this secret impossible. I feel compelled to tell you. I shouldn't even want to. In fact, it's almost impossible for an Enforcer to break code." He seems conflicted at our unique situation.

I take in his words. My mind processes the gravity of everything he tells me. This is not just a breach of protocol--there's a violation of something ancient, something that is the core of an Enforcer's existence.

I almost hold my breath as I am afraid to disturb the silence.

"...It was bearable when we were separated, but things have changed." He finishes his sentence. I blush slightly as he seems to allude to our recent times together. We definitely got to each other's...mouths.

He continues to explain, "The moment they find out about you, about us, you'll be in danger. I've made enemies, Rain. More than you can imagine. I've done things that has put a target on my back. My identity as an Enforcer is hidden, but there is an organization has a strong suspicion of this generation's Enforcers. And they are closing in...I still have a target on my back. And now that target is on you, too. In fact, the Enforcers may also hunt you down if they know how much you know."

"Wait, you're linked. Won't they know that you're telling me this?" I pause in alarm.

"With time and training, we can create a sort of wall to block out our intimate and private thoughts." He explains slowly, as if trying to describe it as simple as he can.

I raise an eyebrow as I wait for him to continue once again.

"You and I are already connected. And once we fully bond--once you accept it--you'll be linked, too. Not just to me, but to them. You'll feel their presence in the back of your mind. It's a power unlike anything you've experienced before."

I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. My life, which had seemed so normal in comparison to his, is now anything but. "That sounds invasive. And...I thought we weren't fully bonding?" The question comes sarcastically, which is inappropriate in such a serious conversation.

He ignores my jab at him.

"So.. I'll be able to hear their thoughts, assuming the two of us will also be the same?"

"Not exactly," he says. "The link is deeper than that. It's not just about thoughts. It's emotions, intentions, a sixth sense almost. We don't invade each other's minds--we just know. And because I'm connected to you already, they'll sense you, too. You'll become a part of the web. But only if we complete the bond."

"Why haven't we?" Most partners can't keep their hands off each other, but we seem to be fighting against our natural instincts and avoiding one another.

His eyes darken before he looks away. "You're young. Once you're marked, it's undoable. Being marked to me...that's only going to bring more danger."

"Well, that's a little late. You're only six years older..." The six year gap between us doesn't seem large but perhaps it's big enough for him.

"And what happens if we don't end up accepting each other? If we don't fully mark each other?" I process his words carefully as he drops bomb after bomb.

Soren looks down, his hands tightening slightly. "If we don't... the connection will be incomplete, unstable. It will make both of us vulnerable. The telepathic link could falter, and that could get dangerous—especially for me as an Enforcer. Our kind of connection isn't meant to stay halfway. It's either all in or nothing."

"But you said...there were other ways?" I briefly recall.

"Yes, but it's risky. A consenting partner would not be sufficient, like what they would typically do if you cannot find your partner. It's risky but we can do it if we must." He doesn't seem to want to talk about it. It sounds like a last resort.

My pulse quickens. "So, what happens when I'm linked to the Enforcers? Will they know everything about me?"

He shakes his head. "No, not everything. They'll sense your presence, your strength, but your thoughts will remain yours unless you actively choose to share them. It's like having a shared awareness, but with privacy."

I exhale and feel another heavy decision coming down on me. "This is what you meant. Once I'm bonded to you, there is no going back."

He nods. "Exactly. But you'll also be stronger. We'll be stronger--together. You'll be able to sense danger, feel when something is off. You won't be ordinary."

I swallow hard at what is about to come. "So, if I do this, I am bout to you, to the Enforcers, forever."

He nods.

My mind races with the possibilities and the risks. The idea of being tied to him, of becoming part of something bigger, both excites and terrifies the shit out of me. But more than that, I realize something else. "And if I'm linked to them, they'll protect me, too."

Soren's gaze sharpens. "Yes, but it's not just protection. You'll be part of a secret world with dangerous responsibilities. They'll expect you to hold your own. And knowing how strong you are... they might demand more from you."

I contemplate his words. It doesn't sound like I have much choices. I either agree or I die. It sounds like there's no win-win solution. I become a part of them or I get hunted. Soren may be an Enforcer but I don't think he can handle all of them and his enemies all the while trying to protect me.

And would he even protect me? If we weren't bonded, then would he just accept this fate?

"So it's not just about us. It's about becoming a part of their world, too."

"Exactly," Soren says, his voice steady but filled with intensity. "Once we complete the bond, you'll be drawn into my world. And trust me, Rain—it's not an easy one to live in."

As he stares directly at me with a grim expression, he says, "I have to warn you. Many partners have been hunted and killed. Some partners are unable to bear the weight of the Enforcer's mental link and go insane or kill themselves. It varies but it's not always pleasant."

"I can't tell if you want me to bond with you or not. You're really not painting a pretty picture..." I grimace at all the grave consequences.

"I'm asking you to trust me. I'm laying out all the cards so you know what you're getting into. Once we bond, everything will be revealed. I don't want us to hate each other." His sincerity shocks me. For a stone cold killer who appeared short of words at first glance, he has really shown a soft, considerate side that is unexpected.

Soren's voice softens. "I've done things, Rain. Things I can't tell you about. Things I'm not proud of, but necessary to protect our kind. And you're in the middle of this now because of our bond."

I frown. Now that we have met each other, it seems impossible to separate from him. I cannot imagine my life without him by my side. "It's not like we can choose or go against one another. You will literally go crazy."

I feel the room closing in around me, the weight of everything he's said pressing down on my chest. This is more than I ever imagined. It's not just about him being dangerous—this is about being pulled into something ancient, something powerful. Something I'm not sure I'm ready for.

"And you're okay with that?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper. "With me being part of this?"

He steps closer, his hand reaching out to touch mine. "Rain, I don't want you to be in danger. I've spent years keeping people away, keeping them safe from what I do. But with you, it's different. I can't keep you out of this anymore. Not after everything that's happened."

I pull my hand away, taking a step back. "But you've already put me in danger, Soren. I've been attacked, kidnapped, and now I'm here, in this underground bunker filled with weapons, because of you. Because of this bond we share."

He nods, his expression somber. "I know. And that's why I'm giving you a choice. You can walk away from this. From me. I'll leave you alone, and you can go back to your life. Or..."

I look up at him, waiting.

"Or you can stay with me," he says softly. "But if you stay, we complete the bond. And once that happens, you're with me—completely. In everything. You'll be part of the Enforcers, part of the danger, part of the fight."

I take a deep breath, my mind swirling with the weight of his words. My heart pulls me toward him, but my mind screams to run. I look up at Soren, and I can see the conflict in his eyes, the fear that he's about to lose me.

"I need time," I whisper. "I don't know if I'm ready for this."

He nods slowly. "I'll give you until the end of the week. After that, we either finish this... or we part ways."

My stomach twists, and I feel the weight of the decision looming over me. One week. That's all I have to figure out if I'm ready to dive headfirst into this world with him—or walk away forever.

"I'll stay here for now," I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not ready to leave yet. But I need space, Soren. I need time to figure this out."

He doesn't argue. Instead, he simply nods, his jaw tight as if he's holding back everything he wants to say. "I understand," he murmurs, though his eyes tell a different story—one filled with conflict, longing, and fear.

Soren steps back, giving me a physical space that mirrors the emotional distance I'm asking for. Without another word, he moves toward the door of the cabin, pausing just before leaving. "I'll be nearby if you need me. Get some rest, Rain."

And then, he's gone.

The door shuts softly behind him, and I'm left standing alone in the middle of this hidden cabin. My mind is racing, heart pounding with adrenaline. My thoughts flicker back to the weapons I saw, the way Soren had fought those men like he'd been born to do it. Everything he told me feels surreal. An ancient group of enforcers, telepathically connected, keeping their world in balance. It feels like something out of a nightmare or a story too dangerous to even be real.

But it is real. I've already felt the danger closing in around me.

I sink down onto the couch, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees. My hands run through my hair as I close my eyes, trying to sort through the storm of emotions running through me. I feel pulled in two directions: part of me longs to dive deeper into this connection with Soren, to explore the bond we share, to see where it leads. But the other part—the rational part—screams for caution. The danger he brings with him is no small thing. I've seen what it can do.

There's a part of me that's deeply afraid of Soren. Afraid of what he's capable of. But there's also a part of me that's drawn to him, to the protection he offers, the strength. Even now, I can feel that pull, deep and unrelenting.

I rub at the sore spot on my arm where one of the men had grabbed me earlier. The bruises are already fading, but they still sting. I can handle myself, but this... this is something bigger than me.

One week.

One week to decide if I'm willing to dive into the unknown with him—or walk away and leave this entire nightmare behind.

I think about Soren—his touch, his presence, the way he looks at me as if I'm the only thing that matters in the world.

The thought is both comforting and terrifying.

---

Soren quietly leans against the kitchen counter, watching me, as I continue to pore through my latest book. He's dressed differently—more casual now—but there's still an edge to him.

"We're running out of time, Rain."

I sit up. "What do you mean?"

He steps closer, crossing the room with that silent, predatory grace he always seems to have. "The people after us—they're not going to stop. We need to keep moving."

The reality of his words sinks in, and I feel a pang of frustration. "You're asking me to leave everything behind."

"I'm not asking," Soren says softly. "I'm telling you it's necessary."

I stand up, squaring my shoulders as I face him. "And if I don't want to go?"

He exhales sharply, the frustration clear on his face now. "Rain, if you stay, you'll die. They're going to keep coming for us. This isn't just about me anymore—it's about you. You're a target now, because of our bond."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I take a step back, my mind racing. "So, what? You're just going to drag me along with you, and I have no say in this?"

Soren's expression softens, and he reaches out, gently touching my arm. "I don't want to force you into anything. But I can't lose you. Not like this."

"I'll go with you," I finally whisper. "But only until we figure this out."

Soren nods, relief flashing in his eyes, but it's quickly replaced by that same guarded expression he always wears. He knows this is only the beginning. The real fight is still ahead of us.

Without another word, we start packing the weapons and gear, the cabin growing quieter as the reality of our situation sets in. Whatever comes next, we're in this together—whether I'm ready or not.