His gaze pins me in place.
“Unleash that side of me, little queen, and I may never put it back in the cage. But no matter how far I fall, I’ll never let you break. Not physically, or mentally.”
Holy. Shit.
Yes fucking please to everything he just said.
My stupid smile earns me a happy little hum as Ezra pulls me in and runs his nose up my throat.
So goddamn possessive.
“I’m happy I can please you, little queen. Now, I think you need to shower and dress. I’m afraid I’ve delayed the report of my recent travels long enough. You and Louie should knoweverything … what’s at stake … before we visit Iain,” Ezra says, while pulling on his suit jacket.
“Should I be worried?” I ask, fresh cup of coffee in hand, lingering just long enough to make sure Ezra gives me a real answer.
“Worried? No. Although what I learned is a bit terrifying, I will allow nothing to harm you. I would, however, be determined to get your powers in check because there’s a bit of a conflict on the horizon. And, unfortunately, you are at the center.”
“Great,” I sigh, dragging myself upstairs toward the bathroom.
I’m not sure how Ezra definesworry, considering he’s been here since the Earth was lava and vibes, but everything he just said would make a normal person collapse into a panic nap.
Ezra
Leaving Aurora behind so I can deal with my sibling and the vampires is agony. But there’s no world where I get to keep her safe and stay by her side. Not right now.
She’ll be alone, and I hate not knowing what state Louie will be in when she wakes up.
I’m certain the Disciples won’t go after her again so soon. They’ve lost the upper hand. Now, they’re scrambling after Renato’s attack.
At least he’s not completely worthless.
The idea of seeing Renato again makes me seethe. But if he has real intel on the Vermilion Maw, it’s worth the detour.
I turn from the house, the early light casting long shadows at my heels. The ones bound to me? They hesitate.
A few hover around the edges of the house, reluctant—no, fuckingrefusing—to leave. One slithers toward the window,pressing against the glass like it’s starring in a goddamn Shakespearean tragedy.
Another lingers near the doorway, vibrating with pure emotional need.
The absolute drama.
I exhale slowly, warning them back. When they don’t move, I grit my teeth, dragging a hand down my face.
“This is positively ridiculous! You’re like a fucking Greek chorus of sentient simp gremlins!”
They tighten around me. Splendid. They’re insulted now.
I stop, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.
“Oh, you’reoffended? You’re shadows. You don’t even have souls! And yet, here we are!”
The shadows vibrate. They disagree.
I pinch the bridge of my nose with all the patience of a black hole spitting light.
“Christ on a collapsing star. Do you think whining is going to help her? If we don’t handle this, she won’t be safe. So, let’s go!”
They hesitate.
