JASON

We've been in the air an hour, and I feel dread at our destination. I hate returning to Greece. I hate the reminder. For her, I would travel to Tartarus, willingly. Aislin's eyes upon me; I can practically hear her mind spinning, so full of questions. Keeping my eyes closed, I hope to deter her. I should know better; she is not one to be deterred. She moves next to me.

"I know you're not sleeping, Jason. You might as well open your eyes and talk to me." She rubs my hand, lacing our fingers together. A small growl comes from Kai even as he talks to Michael and Sean, the resident Druids. Turning my head, I bring her hand to my lips. "You better stop that before you push him too far, Bubba."

She started calling me that somewhat dreadful endearment, and I refuse to tell her I like it. "Kukla, what is it you wish to talk about?" I say, as she grins loving that I call her little sister.

"I want to talk about a couple of things. One, the power of your voice, and two, the most important aspect…," I raise my eyebrow, intrigued, wondering what was more important than my ability. "Emma, or rather, why you are interested in saving her. And please, Jason, don't try to tell me it's because she is important to me. I'm not an idiot or blind; something else is going on."

I refuse to answer the second question. Looking at her, I wonder how much to reveal of the first. "My power is complicated. You were right when you guessed it could be very beneficial, and at times, even an enormous amount of fun." She blushes, some erotic image dancing through her mind, I'm sure. I wink at her before continuing, "It can also be very dangerous."

She looks at me expectantly, wanting more. After a moment, she sighs, "I don't understand how. I would love to be able to make people do what I want." A slight smirk crosses her face at some thought, some act of playfulness she is envisioning. I wonder how much she would love it if she, or her dragon, realized I have been using it a little at a time on her. It started the moment the despair in her voice assaulted my mind and I saw the blackness surrounding her after the rescue..

The trauma from the torture she suffered engulfed her very soul. When she rushed into my arms, I wound my arms around her, and I began to whisper to her. The words unimportant, it was the subtle tendrils of my power moving through her mind, easing her pain. Each time we’ve had a moment alone, I use my power on her, giving her distance from that room in hell, giving her and her man a chance at happiness. Those whispers allow her to be open to his love and present her mind with the opportunity to heal. Would they love me or hate me for that power? Would they look at it as the gift it was meant to be or see it as a betrayal? I couldn't bear to see the looks of utter disgust in their eyes. Glancing away from her, I look over at Kai. He is listening to our discussion and his eyes are twinkling, imagining her devilish ideas. My eyes fall to Sean and Michael, closer than anyone I know, brothers in every sense of the word except birth. I know they would be livid if they knew I meddled in their minds. The knowledge doesn't stop me from whispering to them as they sleep. My hope is to lessen the nightmares of war.

My "gift" comes with strings, which is an aspect I will never reveal. Diminishing their burdens opens their memories to me. It takes me into the memory. I was in that room with Aislin, I felt the cane bite into my flesh, I watched Chris die. I was on the battlefield with the Druids; I felt every bullet, saw friends and brothers-in-arms die in unimaginable agony. Never will they know that I hold their pain within me. I'm selective in those I care for, as the burden is immense. Of course, the bounty is also great, like Aislin suspects, I can also use my gift for immense pleasure. At that moment of release, I feel all of my partner's pleasure, magnifying my own. Tantric sex, please; I can draw it out for hours, orgasm after orgasm. My lips curl at the thought.

"What are you thinking about, you naughty boy?" Aislin is grinning at me.

"Nothing you need to worry about, my dear."

Shaking her head, she sighs. "Don't think I have given up on my questions." She tilts her head her eyes intent, studying my face. "I see you, Bubba. Emma and I always say that to each other because we look beyond what we show to the world and actually see each other. I see you. You don't need to tell me, but you should find someone to tell, someone to hold your secrets. I have Emma, and now Kai." I look away. Yeah right, if only it were that easy. My secrets aren't just my own, and I learned long ago not to share. I'm lost in the past when she startles me from my reveries with a gentle kiss on my cheek before standing and moving towards her man. She looks over her shoulder, "Emma is a great vault." I don't miss the twinkle in her eye.

* * *

"Sparrow, ye shuid lea it alone." Kai's voice is amused, but there is something about it that brings me up short.

"Leave what exactly alone?" I know there is heat in my tone and I slide my eyes to his face. His eyebrow is raised. Okay, he's right, but there is something so broken about Jason. Don't get me wrong, outside he is, as Emma would say, sunshine and roses. But just below the surface is a raw wound, and I know exactly how painful it is. Brave face for everyone to see, so they don't worry, but inside you are dying. You smile while screaming inside.

'He isn't you, my love. And you don't need to hide behind a smile for me.' His voice plays through my head and tears well in my eyes. My boys turn concerned eyes to me. They don't ask questions, just send me looks of love. I lean my head back, keeping the tears from falling. Drawing in a few breaths, pulling the door closed on that room in my mind, I lock away the sounds of my screams and Chris's muffled shouts. It is minutes before I can school my face and only then do I look at them.

'They have enough nightmares. I will not add mine.' I squeeze Kai's hand. "I'm fine, just worried about Emma." I smile at them, my eyes begging them to let it go at my lie. They glance at each other, and I swear they are talking even though they assured me many times they have no ability. They are so much like Emma and I. One last knowing look passes between them before going back to whatever they had been talking about. I let the breath I am holding out; I didn't want to speak, I just want to focus on Emma and finding her. I don't want her eyes and heart to be haunted. I look back to Jason, but he is concentrating on the boys and unaware of my attention. I draw a breath through my parted lips, rubbing them with my fingertips. My chest aches, the look of longing on his face is heartbreaking. He glances around, his eyes lock with mine, and he shakes his head, swallowing hard. I smile tentatively, agreeing to let it go for now. But I love that man like a brother, and I refuse to watch him suffer.