Edith's POV
She told herself she wasn't going to his house.
She told herself she was going on a walk, like she always did.
But her steps had a purpose tonight. Her silence had weight. Her gaze focused.
By the time she reached the edge of the woods, moonlight had painted everything in silver and blue.
His house stood quietly, the porch light off, but she knew he was awake. She could feel him.
She didn't knock.
Didn't have to.
She stepped onto the porch, and the door creaked open.
He was already standing there.
Leaning against the frame, arms crossed over his broad chest, that calm smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth.
"You gonna stand there all night?" Kane asked.
Edith didn't answer. Not immediately.
Instead, she met his eyes and stepped inside without permission.
"I'm not here for games," she said coolly.
"Good," Kane said, shutting the door behind her. "Neither am I."
She glanced around. The house was clean, quiet, the air warm but filled with something… wild. His presence was in every wall, every breath of air.
He walked past her, slow and sure, like a man who knew the effect he had and didn't need to use it.
"So?" he said. "What made you show up?"
Edith folded her arms. "You've disrupted things."
"Yeah," Kane said, grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen. "That tends to happen when I show up."
"I'm not impressed by arrogance."
Kane's eyes flicked to hers. "I'm not trying to impress you."
That pulled something sharp and unexpected in her chest. She didn't want to feel intrigued but there it was.
"You stare at me," she said bluntly.
"You stare back."
"Only because I don't trust you."
Kane took a slow drink. "And I don't need your trust."
Silence.
Tight. Electric.
"You think you're better than us," Edith said, taking a slow step closer.
"I don't think," Kane replied, voice low, steady. "I know I'm stronger."
Edith's eyes narrowed.
He didn't say it with pride. Just certainty. Like a man who'd lived in the skin of power so long it was second nature.
"You don't know what we are," she said softly.
Kane stepped toward her now just one step but it was enough.
"I know enough," he said. "I know that you're scared. Not of me. But of what you feel when I'm near."
Edith's jaw clenched.
She wanted to deny it.
Wanted to shut it down.
But her voice betrayed her.
"I don't feel fear."
Kane's smile curved darkly. "Then why do your hands tense when I speak?"
Her fists tightened slightly, a betrayal of control.
"I don't like being studied."
"Neither do I," Kane said, his gaze dragging across her slowly. "But you've been watching me since day one."
"I watch everyone."
"No," he said simply. "Not like this."
They stood still.
No more words.
The air between them burned, and Edith hated how much she wanted to stay.
She turned, headed for the door.
"Edith," Kane said behind her.
She stopped, not looking back.
"You'll come again."
She didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
Because they both knew
She would.