The connection opened immediately, her Essentia pouring into me like liquid sunlight. Clean, bright, with an undercurrent of something almost electric. I watched her pupils dilate as the sensation hit her—the same circuit closing, but amplified by awareness and anticipation.
"Oh," she breathed, her fingers tightening around mine.
I carefully moderated the drain, keeping it shallow, just enough to maintain the warm buzz between us without taking too much. Even so, I could taste her on my tongue—summer mornings and clear skies.
"That's..." Her voice had gone husky.
"Yeah," I agreed, understanding perfectly.
Aurora's free hand moved to her chest, pressing against her sternum as though feeling her heart rate. "Does this happen with everyone you touch?"
"No. Only certain people."
"What makes them certain?"
I met her eyes directly. "Compatibility. Chemistry. Call it what you want."
