I turn, taking two steps for the back door—when the little bell at the front tinkles as that one opens.
Heat buzzes through the air, the crackle of fire magic sizzling and popping behind me.
“It’syou,” I growl, whipping around to face my opponent.
Sairos.
My twin brother.
“Hey, bro,” Sy says, tossing a fireball lightly in the air. “Fancy meeting you here.”
He’s grinning. And that can’t mean anything good.
“What the hell do you want?” I snarl, holding my ground. I don’t want to start anything. Not now.
All I want is to get back to my human, because the bad feeling tightening around my heart is getting worse and worse.
She’s in trouble.
I’m sure of it.
I need to get to her fast, before it’s too late.
“Oh, I don’t want anything in particular,” Sy says lazily, still smirking as he tosses the fireball like this is all a game to him. “Just to finish what we started. What’s it been?Centuries?”
“Because ofyou.”
Sairos just shrugs, running one hand through the spiky, red mess of his hair.
“Look, man, you’re my brother. I don’t want to do this, but you’re a danger to society. A menace. I can’t just let you go free.”
I snort. “Look who’s talking. You’ve been following me, haven’t you? Waiting for your chance.”
He just shrugs again.
“You’re always with the human. And I’m not here to make a scene.”
“That’s rich, coming from the man tossing fireballs in a public cafe. And you followed her friend. Shesawyou. She saw you use your magic, and she remembered it well enough to talk about at a party.”
“So? People see crazy stuff all the time. Doesn’t mean they’re believed.” He takes a step toward me. “Besides. I saved her from a mugging. I don’t see what the problem is.”
I glare. “You always think you’re some kind of white knight. You think you’re so good. That you’re a hero.”
“At least Itry. Unlike somebody.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“And what? That makes it okay?”
“I think I’ve served my time, Sy. I’ve got other priorities now. So if you’ll excuse me—”
“Priorities?” He scoffs, “Like what? The human you’re suddenly so attached to?”
“Yes. Actually.”
Sairos laughs, a barking, surprised sound. Like he doesn’t believe me. Not in the slightest.
“Don’t give me that. You and I both know you don’t care about her. You’re just using her for her blood. And because you can’t get free—look at you! The Demon Tornado, tamed by one weak little human.”
