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Shock slapped her face as she lifted her eyes to Soren. “Are you insane?” she hissed.

I sat up straighter, sensing something was very, very wrong. “What?”

“You idiotic male,” Evie said, her voice shaking.

She set the butter knife she was using for the grilled cheese and reached for Soren.

He gracefully sidestepped her. “I know you’ve been dying to molest me for ages, flower darling, but I must regretfully decline.”

Evie didn’t smile. “Soren. Don’t make me force you.”

Soren gasped dramatically, but there was something forced in his humor.

I rose to my feet as Soren sidestepped Evie once more.

Rowan peeked around the corner, his face grave.

Something serious was going on. Something I didn’t understand. I looked between my friends, then at Soren, a horrible suspicion unraveling inside me.

“I’m going to ask you to stop nicely one more time,” Evie said softly. “If you don’t, I will force you.”

“I’d do as she says,” Rowan advised.

“Afraid I can’t,” Soren said.

“Godsdammit,” Evie growled.

Vines stretched from the walls, Evie’s power compelling the plants she kept everywhere to obey her commands.

“No thorns, please,” Soren said with a resigned sigh.

Evie’s magic halted. “I can’t believe you allowed it to happen.”

“Allowed what?” I demanded, confused as hell.

Soren turned, his muscles bunched to flee.

“STOP.” Evie’s voice filled with power, the command forcing Soren to obey.

He gritted his teeth, his body tight and tense.

Evie marched over, raised both her hands, and ripped Soren’s shirt wide open.

I wasn’t sure whether to gasp or crack up, but once I noticed what was on Soren’s chest, I did neither.

“You idiot,” I breathed. Even the sight of Soren’s chiseled golden chest couldn’t distract me from the stylized antler tattoo pulsing with magic against Soren’s upper pec muscle.

“I thought you smelled of Dad’s magic because you carried a talisman of his with that spell you spoke of,” Evie said, her voice shaking with disbelief. “But you are the talisman.” She placed a hand over the tattoo and closed her eyes. “You foolish man,” she whispered softly, her eyes filling with sympathy.

My best friend turned to me and Rowan. “Take her outside, please,” she said.

I blinked. “Excuse me.”

Evie’s expression brooked no argument. “For once, please don’t argue with me, Moira.”

My friend sounded unbearably tired.

She tried to smile and couldn’t. Instead, Evie closed her eyes. “Please.”