Page 185 of Trick or Stalk

Cedar.

Smoke.

Something clean.

My brow furrows.

I've smelled that before.

Haven't I?

He shifts closer, and the thought disappears beneath the sudden inability to breathe.

I stare into the dark hollows surrounding his eyes.

“You scare the shit out of me.”

His distorted voice comes out quietly. “I know.”

A shiver rolls down my spine.

But it’s not fear.

Not this time.

Fuck.

I swallow hard. “You like scaring me.”

His head tilts.

My heart pounds harder. “You're seriously fucked up.”

“I know.”

My lips part. That's the most he's ever said to me. Granted, it's four words spread across two answers, but we're making progress.

“Why me?”

He doesn't answer.

“Why are you watching me?”

Nothing.

“Were you the one who left the package?”

He goes still.

My pulse jumps. “That was you?”

No answer.

“But how did you know about the book?”

Nothing.

“Hades is the only person I recommended it to.”