“What's wrong?" I asked in a tiny voice, grasping for a piece of bookself to hold me up.His breath was still heavy. "This is a bad idea."Overwhelmed, I let my body slide towards the floor, until I sat crumpled on the dusty carpet."Brody, treat me better than this-" I said.He didn't turn around; his shoulders rippled as he gripped the shelf."It's dangerous," he said "We'll make it safe"He half-looked over his shoulder."That's not what I'm talking about," he said.”

“Brody, please tell me what this has all been about" I said."The lead-up to the Second World War" said Brody, still not lowering the handout, "or so I've been assured."Frustrated, I pushed the paper away from Brody. He averted his eyes from me."Don't be like that" he said quietly."Are you seeing Ashley Ventwood" I asked him."No" he said, still looking away."Would you tell me if you were?" He didn't move.”

“I was looking at the storm clouds above my head when Brody said, "Look Sophie-" He was clamping and unclamping his fists, and his eyes were green with frustration."What?"There was no answerIn half a step forward and less than a second, his right hand touched my hip, his left hand seized my jaw - and Brody Meine was kissing me.”

“His eyes locked on mine and my voice went a few notes high when i said "How could Ashley guess you were with me?"Brody said, " Because I don't think she's blind."We stared at each other. We were both breathing heavily.With one step across the room, i seized his face and kissed him.”

“You kissed Kylie" I protested"Yes, I did. Right in front of you," he said, stepping forward again."Brody-"Hi face was centimetres from my face. Every cell of my skin anticipated his touch. My head and back were pressed into the door. "You afraid of something 1919? You know I'm not going to do anything until you do.”

“His breathing was heavy and he was somber. He shivered still, and when his hand found me it was unsteady."Ah," I said smiling still, and kissing his shoulder."I hurt you!" he said."No, no, not at all, sweet Master," I answered. "But I hurt you! I have you, now!""Amadeo, you play with the devil.""Dont you want me to, Master? Didn't you like it? You took my blood and it made you my slave!"He laughed. "So that's the twist you put on it, isn't it?""Hmmm. Love me. What does it matter?" I asked."Never tell the others," he said. There was no fear or weakness or shame in it.”

“Is that a yes?" he asked, pushing his fingers through my hair, fanning it out around my shoulders and searching my face intently. "Please let it be yes," he said with a gravelly edge. "Stay with me tonight. Let me hold you, even if that's all it is. Let me keep you safe.”