It's not mind-reading,' she said. 'Not even an empathy link. Just … a temporary wave of exhaustion. Primal emotions. Your pain washes over me. I take on some of your burden.' Nico's expression became guarded. He twisted the silver skull ring on his finger, the same way Reyna did with her silver ring when she was thinking. Sharing a habit with the son of Hades made her uneasy.
In this passage, a character explains her ability to empathize with others on a deep emotional level. She clarifies that she doesn’t possess mind-reading skills or an empathy link. Instead, she feels a temporary exhaustion that allows her to experience the primal emotions of those around her, helping to lighten their emotional load by sharing in their pain.
Nico, another character, reacts with caution to this revelation. He fidgets with his silver skull ring, mirroring a habit of another character, Reyna. This connection makes her uncomfortable, as it emphasizes the bond they share and underscores the complexity of her emotions regarding Nico, the son of Hades.