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My mate.

Damian's hand finds mine.

I squeeze it.

And then my skin burns.

I gasp.

“Belinda?”

Damian moves instantly. But this isn't pain. Heat races beneath my skin. Down my arms. Across my stomach. Along my legs.

I stare as a flush of crimson begins spreading across my fingers.

Not a rash. Not irritation.

Red skin.

Damian's eyes go wide.

“Oh, fuck.”

“What?”

Something moves behind me.

I freeze. Slowly, I look over my shoulder. A long, slender tail unfurls from the base of my spine.

Red.

Devilish.

And very fucking real.

“Oh my Goddess.”

Damian looks like someone just handed him the entire universe. My mother looks like she's going to faint. Melida looks horrified.

And me? I stare at my tail.

It flicks. I blink. It flicks again.

“Well.”

My voice comes out breathless.

“That's new.”

Damian makes a sound somewhere between a laugh and a growl.

“Sweet.”

“Don't.”

“You have a tail.”

“I am aware!”