---
Sekhmet pulled away. A thin line of blood ran down Vera's neck.
Vera's eyes were half lidded now, but she was still aware.
Vela stepped closer without being told.
She tilted her head the same way, offering her neck.
Sekhmet bit again.
Vela's reaction was different. She did not gasp. She inhaled sharply, then exhaled like she was forcing herself to accept the pain as payment.
Sekhmet drank from her as well.
It was controlled.
It was measured.
The thread formed again, a second resonance locking into his blood.
He pulled back.
Both twins now had small wounds at their necks, bleeding lightly.
Their bodies were already responding to his bite.
Their skin around the puncture marks flushed, then cooled, like something inside was deciding whether to become cursed or evolution.
Sekhmet's hunger surged for a moment. His instincts whispered that he could drain them. He crushed the thought immediately.
Not yet. Not ever like that.
He stepped away and opened the desk drawer.
