“Few more minutes to laminate these, and we’ll be done.”

I nod while Katsuro takes the photos away. New pictures for my new life, wherever that ultimately ends up being. New names too, a main one and at least three backups, in case the Houses get their hands on any of the others.

I feel like I’ve fallen into a spy movie, except it’s all too terrifying and real.

Making myself keep breathing, I turn away and head for the door out of the stockroom. Amar is in the main part of the shop. I want to know his plan for all of this. What new identities he might have as well.

“I’ll never get you.”

I come to a halt at the sound of Bianca’s voice.

“You Legacies who…You just can’t see. You can’t understand how much better it is, not getting caught up in all that…” She makes a contemptuous noise, and my stomach twists. “The leverage you’re giving other demons over you? The threat? Humans are vulnerable as hell, and you can’t see how much better it is not to give in to all this emotional bullshit like they do?”

“I see it.”

My mouth falls open a bit at Amar’s response. What?

“I saw it. I understand. But this…Cait…what I feel…I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t want to. I still don’t. Not with her.”

A blush burns its way up my cheeks. Oh.

I shift my weight, unsure what to do. I’m eavesdropping. I shouldn’t, because it’s rude and because I wouldn’t know what to say if Amar realized I heard.

But my insides feel quivery at his words.

Biting my lip, I retreat toward the office at the far end of the stockroom. I…I’ll just wait for him there, and, um…

I stand in the middle of the office, at a loss for what to do with myself.

The stockroom door squeaks behind me. I look back over my shoulder.

Amar regards me from the other side of the room. “You okay?”

My mouth moves for a moment. “Y-yeah.”

He gives me a curious look and walks toward me. “Cait?”

“I heard some of—” I nod toward the front of the shop. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. I just…”

“What did you hear?”

He doesn’t sound upset. I shrug awkwardly, not meeting his eyes. Colors flare at the edge of my vision, but it’s easier to ignore them, as if the ability is settling now, more in my control.

“How you, um…I don’t know…feel?” He hadn’t really said how he felt, I realize. And I don’t know how to ask him. It’s not like I want to pressure him to feel any certain way. “How you didn’t want it to, um, stop?”

“Ah.”

He steps closer until he’s only inches from me. I can feel his warmth, smell that delicious earth-spice-something scent that’s purely him. His hand lifts, brushing across my cheek, looping a strand of my hair over my ear, and then returning to gently draw my chin up toward him.

READ NOW IF YOU LIKE

• Forbidden love
• Hidden magical world
• Chosen one
• Secret powers
• Touch-her-and-die
• Conspiracies and prophecies

WARNING: Contains a story you can't put down. Once you start reading, you won't want to stop.

Heat level:

• Medium (1-2 sex scenes)

Page count: 284

Print book dimensions: 5.5 in x 8.5 in

Series status: Ongoing

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