me like a lover’s perfume, damning me more than any spoken admission. We’d come here to clean my eye. I recalled the sensation of your gentle ministrations and then…
Then it was a fog.
“I’m not sure what happened,” I admitted. I should have seen this coming.
“He was seducing you,” Xavier said simply.
I was horror-struck that I’d let it happen. A flood of shame overwhelmed me. Judging from my still-racing heart and the throbbing in my genitals, I was clearly aroused by whatever had taken place. What had I said? What would have happened had Xavier not interrupted us?
“I’m so sorry.” I stared at my fists. My knuckles ached from the pressure I was exerting. Xavier pulled over a chair and sat down across from me.
“It’s not your fault,” he said and, while I was grateful for his mercy, I surely didn’t deserve it.
“What are his powers?” I asked. It was a potent seduction, for me to surrender myself so completely. Perhaps it was because my defenses were down?
“That was the first time I’ve seen him use it, but he seems to be able to summon the things you wish to keep hidden… your secrets or your fears, your desires. There was some sort of falling out amongst his friends, a betrayal was brought to light. I’ve suspected Vincent aided in that effort.”
It was natural you’d want to practice your powers, but I hadn’t expected to be on the receiving end of it. And I mistakenly thought I’d be strong enough to resist.
“Henri,” Xavier said, and I reluctantly met his gaze. “He’s been asking about Orlando.”
I nodded, accepting full responsibility. I’d opened a door by mentioning the name to you. You hated secrets as much as I hated keeping things from you, but how could I possibly explain?
“He’s not ready,” I said. Your temperament was mercurial, and your body was going through a lot of changes. You were in the midst of realizing your potential and your powers. I didn’t want to shatter your sense of stability. Or burden you with my sins.
“Or you’re not ready,” Xavier said gently.
I cleared my throat, trying again to recall the words exchanged between us. You’d asked about Orlando, how he—you—had died. But you hadn’t seemed upset by my answers, which meant I’d effectively evaded your questions. And then you’d asked me to kiss you. I almost did.
“I believe he’s developed romantic feelings for me,” I admitted. My feelings toward you were complicated but mostly irrelevant, for I would do what was best for you. A long enduring friendship seemed safest. Passion involved too many risks. In the past, our love had bordered on obsession, causing us both to behave recklessly. I would not lose you again.
“Yes, I think he has,” Xavier said in a musing fashion.
“Why aren’t you more upset by that? And at me?”
“It seems somewhat inevitable, doesn’t it?”
I shook my head vehemently. “No, it doesn’t. Not at all. There will be many opportunities for him to bond with other souls.”
Xavier nodded and seemed to be biting his tongue.
“What is it?” I appreciated that Xavier valued discretion and treaded lightly on delicate matters, but I needed him to be direct with me now. I was floundering in my own confusion.
“Vincent is my son, and I love him more than anything, but he’s getting to an age where I feel unable to guide him. He needs you to show him how to navigate this world, how to control his impulses. To teach him between right and wrong. I’ve done my best, but your kind have different rules and boundaries. I can only do so much.”
“He has plans to go to college, Xavier, and after that he may want a career…”
You’d lived a charmed life with parents who loved you, a good education, and friends whose companionship you enjoyed. I didn’t want you to know more about our kind or what we must do to survive. I wanted to protect you from the dark temptations that lurked around every corner. If that meant denying your powers and your cravings, it seemed a worthy sacrifice.
“We’ve created this beautiful life for him,” I said, appealing to Xavier’s sensibilities as a parent. “Why would you want him to leave that behind?”
“He’s changing, Henri. He’s outgrowing his container.”
“Just a few more years.” I wasn’t ready for this bubble to burst just yet. “Let him have this life as long as possible.”
Xavier sighed but nodded in acquiescence. “At the very least, you should talk with him about not using his seduction