“I’m not delusional,” Harry said. “I know you pretend to be heartless, but deep down you care a lot.”
Ksar just shook his head, looking at Harry like he was the silliest creature he’d ever seen but was still fond of against his better judgment. Which proved that Harry was totally right! Right?
“I don’t know how the hell you’re related to our mother or me,” Ksar said, his lips twisting. “You’re like a chicken hatched in a nest of k’hlers.”
“Now you’re being mean to yourself and Mother,” Harry said. Sure, their mother and Ksar could be stern and ruthless, but they were nothing like k’hlers—the poisonous Calluvian predators similar to Terran snakes, only with wings.
“I’m being honest, not mean,” Ksar murmured before boring his silver eyes into Harry’s. “Why are you here? Why did you want to return to Earth?”
Harry licked his dry lips. Before he could say anything, the doorbell chimed again and Adam entered the shop.
Harry froze.
Adam smiled at him before his gaze flicked to Ksar, who still had his hand around Harry’s wrist. Adam’s smile disappeared, his shoulders visibly tensing.
He strode toward the table, his eyes still locked on Ksar’s hand on Harry.
As if sensing something, Ksar turned around just as Adam reached them.
“Who is this, Harry?” Adam said, shouldering past Ksar and laying a hand on Harry’s nape.
Both men exchanged a cold look over Harry, Adam’s expression vaguely hostile and Ksar’s vaguely suspicious.
Harry bit his lip, eyeing them warily. They were of similar height and build. Harry wasn’t sure which of them would win if there was a physical altercation.
Tentatively, he extended his mental shields to Adam, protecting him from telepathic prying. Not that he thought Ksar would do it—it was a crime, after all—but he wouldn’t put it past him. Ksar could be absolutely unethical if he thought it was necessary. Harry was aware his brother was a bit of a hypocrite in that regard. He insisted that everyone should follow the rules and laws, but he seemed to have no problem disregarding the rules if it suited him.
Harry hoped Ksar wouldn’t try prying into Adam’s mind. If he did, he would find Harry’s shield, which would make Ksar more than just suspicious. A Class 1 telepath shouldn’t have been able to extend his mental shields to another person, and Harry was supposed to be Class 1.
“This is my brother, Ksar,” Harry said.
Catching Ksar’s incredulous look, Harry realized he had leaned back into Adam’s touch. He hastily straightened.
“Brother?” Adam said.
“Ksandr,” Ksar corrected curtly. “Alexander. And you are?”
Adam glanced at Harry before returning his dark eyes to Ksar. “Adam Crawford,” he said, his tone still cold.
“He’s my flatmate,” Harry said quickly.
He felt Adam stiffen and winced on the inside. He had so much explaining to do.
“Flatmate,” Ksar repeated, glancing at Adam’s hand on Harry’s neck. His face was completely inscrutable.
“Yes,” Adam said in a clipped voice.
“London is expensive,” Harry said, breaking the tense silence.
“I’m sure it is,” Ksar murmured before smiling nicely. It was a little unnerving. Ksar rarely smiled nicely without a reason. “But I’m here now and you don’t have to worry about it anymore. I’ll take care of it.”
Harry felt Adam’s irritation spike. Before he could say anything, Ksar said, looking at Harry, “Mother is eager for your return. Let’s get Seyn and leave.”
Adam sucked a breath in.
Harry grabbed Adam’s hand and didn’t move from his chair.
“Harry,” Ksar said, his pale eyes boring into him.
Harry took a deep breath, looked at Adam’s grim face, and shook his head. “I’m not going,” he said, looking at Adam.
The tension in Adam’s jaw decreased a little.
“Pardon?” Ksar said testily.
Harry got to his feet and looked at Ksar. He nearly flinched at the expression on his brother’s face. “I want to stay,” he said haltingly, taking a step toward Adam until his back was pressed against Adam’s chest. He calmed considerably as soon as Adam put a hand on his hip, anchoring him.
“I want to stay here,” he said, firmer this time.
Ksar stared at him before his gaze slowly dropped to Adam’s hand on Harry’s hip. Harry felt himself flush. If Ksar had any doubts about the nature of his relationship with Adam, they must be gone now for sure.
And then Harry felt it—a heavy telepathic touch that undid all his mental shields in a matter of seconds. He’d never felt something like that and could only stare at Ksar. It wasn’t just an immense breach of privacy; it should have been impossible. Harry was at least a Class 3 telepath now that his bond was gone. All modern Calluvians were supposedly no stronger than Class 2. Ksar shouldn’t have been able to do this. It should have been impossible.
“Where’s your bond?” Ksar’s voice sounded in his mind, cold and harsh.
Harry shook his head dazedly. He didn’t understand. How had Ksar done this? Ksar was bonded. His telepathy shouldn’t have been so strong.