“Do you trust me?” Tam said it almost too softly to be heard. I hesitated, sighed, then reached down and took his hand. Tam’s fingers wrapped warm and strong around mine. The magic sparked between us, though this time it was warm and tingling, not violent and lustful. “Though you’re the last thing I need,” I muttered. I heard the smile in his voice. “But I’m the first thing you want.”

“Maybe he sees it on my face, that fraction of a second whenI let my guard down, because in that moment his expression softens and his eyesgo bright as flame and even though I barely see him move, suddenly he hasclosed the space between us and he’s wrapping his warm hands over myshoulders—fingers so warm and strong I almost cry out—and saying, “Lena. Ilike you, okay? That’s it. That’s all. I like you.” His voice is so low and hypnoticit reminds me of a song. I think of predators dropping silently from trees: I thinkof enormous cats with glowing amber eyes, just like his.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, staring down at my hands.He turned his head to me. “Do what?”I rubbed the sweat from my palms off on my jeans. “Stick around. You can leave if you want. I’m not expecting you to stay and babysit me.”“Hey,” he nudged me with his shoulder, drawing my gaze to his. “I’m staying. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”Despite the tremors of relief coursing through me, I didn’t relax. “The offer stands. Any time you want to go just… go.”“Well, I don’t want the offer, because I’m not going anywhere, not unless you’re coming with me.”“Why?” It took a second to realize that the barely whispered word had come from me.He reached for my hand. His long, warm fingers laced through mine, and that was all the answer I needed.”

“After soft kisses, they pressed their hands together palm to palm. The tingling scattered all over Livia's body, warming her. "Do you feel that?" she whispered with a smile. His lips moved in his silent count. Blake wrapped his fingers around her hand. She copied the movement. Their hands together now resembled a heart-not a cartoon rendering of the shape, but a real human heart. He touched her lips with his and murmured, "I've been feeling it since you first smiled at me.”

“I pointed my eyes straight ahead too and muttered, “I’m sure I’ll find something I can do.” I felt Frey’s eyes on me, kept mine aimed at the hall then I heard Frey sigh. “Indeed, you will and this terrifies me,” he muttered back and that was when I allowed myself to giggle.”

“Despite their macabre imaginations, they don't believe the things they say, all those things about magic and fantômes. But I do. I know he lingers. I've heard his voice, soft as a lover's whisper.”