Page 78 of One Forbidden Moment

Copper met Moe's eyes."People are changing.You feel it, too."

Moe slid his hand down Jillian's arm and clasped her hand."People don't change here.Isn't that the whole point of Everstill?Think about it.How else could they have taken some of the most dangerous men and had them settle in a small town without anyone getting killed?"

Copper nodded once."Exactly."

The single word hit harder than any explanation could have.Moe stepped closer."Talk."

Copper's gaze drifted toward the front windows."You know how it is.This place is built on routines and repetition.People don't grow here.They don't move up to better jobs or newer houses.They don't question.They don't want anything.But now they do.Or they will once they get used to having emotions and being curious about their future."

"I can't imagine them all understanding the storms that come and the veil opening," muttered Moe.

Copper's eyes flicked to him."They don't know what they want.They don't know what's wrong.They only know something feels off but intriguing."

Moe's jaw tightened."Because Finn left."

Copper nodded."Finn leaving gave them the idea that they can leave too.You leaving only validated their thoughts."

Cold settled in Moe's chest."Explain."

Copper stepped farther into the room, his voice dropping."Everstill is built on patterns.On loops.On people who stopped fighting.People who accepted their place.People who forgot how to want anything different."

He knew it was true.Years had passed, and he hadn't once thought of leaving or going back to his old life.But now, he couldn't stay.He wanted to take Jillian home.

Copper crossed his arms."You forgot and became someone new."

"No."Moe shook his head."I was lost, but I'm the same person."

Jillian's fingers tightened around Moe's arm."I don't want to stay here."

"You don't have a choice, my dear," Copper said.

Moe's voice sharpened."Why her?"

Copper's gaze softened—barely, but enough to show the weight of centuries behind it."Because she's the first person to enter Everstill who wasn't already broken."

Jillian flinched."What does that mean?"

Copper exhaled heavily."You're a catalyst."

"For what?"

Copper exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with resignation."For change.For unrest.For questions.For desire."

He looked toward the door Vaughn had exited through."And people like Vaughn feel it first."

Moe's stomach tightened."He's dangerous."

"He always was."Copper nodded."Now, everyone is."

Jillian whispered, "I don't like him."

"I know."Moe pulled her closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders."I won't let him near you again."

Copper studied Moe for a long moment."Your protectiveness is part of the problem."

Moe huffed."Explain."

Copper stepped closer, his voice quiet but unyielding."Everstill was built to hold unredeemable people who were a threat to society.Here, we stopped fighting.Everstill became a workable community.A sustainable town.But with the arrival of Kallie, things began to change.Then Finn left with her.The shadow should've calmed down.Then you brought Jillian to Everstill."He looked at Jillian."And she fought for you."