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“I’d like that,” I tell him, balancing one leg on top of the other, ankle resting on my knee.

“Paul,” he replies, giving his shoulders a wriggle to see how firm his bonds are.

“I’m told you’re immune to the Bureau’s interrogation spells.” I rub my chin. Behind Paul, Nico frowns.

Paul doesn’t reply.

“Which means, unfortunately for you, I’m here to break you down in other ways.”

6

NOVA

Rage glistens on Kole’s skin. He storms down the corridor as if he and Thornfield just survived a fight to the death instead of a fuck-fest.

He is coming down from his orgasm, but my blood will race through his system for a few more hours.

I can almost feel the way his teeth itch and his muscles twitch beneath his skin.

“Are you alright?” I put my hand on his shoulder and he stops in front of the witchcraft exhibit.

“Fine,” he snaps.

“Kole, I didn’t force you to…?” I frown at him, folding my arms around my waist. “With Thornfield? It was my idea.”

Kole looks at me, looks up at the security cameras above the exhibit, then turns around, rips a piece of fabric from a wall hanging and wraps it around my shoulders. Clearly not giving a shit if it’s valuable or old, only thinking of my modesty.

“No, Little Star, you didn’t force me to do anything. I enjoyed fucking him. But now I’m back to hating him. And hating that I have to work with him.”

“Work with him?” I ask as we start walking again.

Kole follows the corridor past Thornfield’s study toward Mack’s room. “Thornfield wants to work with me to bring Zephrya down while you and Tanner find the ingredients Miranda needs for the elixir.”

I raise my eyebrows, my eyes widening a little. I know Kole wants to destroy Zephyra. But does he want it bad enough that he’d work with Thornfield to achieve it?

Answering my question, he sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose then says, “We need Thornfield. His motives aren’t clear, but we need him. Which means I have to help him.”

I press my palm to his chest, sliding it up to rest on his neck. I want to kiss him clean. He is still wearing remnants of me, and I have the overwhelming desire to make him sink into a hot bath so I can wash them away.

Taking my hand, Kole kisses my knuckles while staring into my eyes. “I also need Zephyra to be gone, Nova.”

I inhale sharply. I know why he needs her gone; despite everything, she still has power over him. Power he can’t shake.

“I need to know I’m walking through a world where she no longer exists. If she’s still alive, I can’t take her down alone. I wish I could, but…”

“You don’t have to persuade me, Kole.” I lean into him, resting my head on his chest. It feels strangely normal to be standing here, naked, in the middle of a museum corridor with no one else around. “I understand why you want her gone. So, why not let me help you? Sam and Tanner can search for the ingredients for the elixir. I can⁠—”

“No. I’m not letting you anywhere near her, Little Star. Now she knows what your blood can do, she’ll⁠—”

Reaching up on tiptoes, I kiss him lightly on the lips then tuck my hands behind his neck. “I understand.” I kiss him again, deeper this time. “Let’s not talk about that now.” I glance down at my naked body, only just covered by the fabric Kole wrapped around me, and shiver as I suddenly start to feel the cold. Giggling a little, I shrug. “Let’s go get cleaned up, and we can⁠—”

I’m interrupted by a loud banging sound.

Someone is outside, clamoring to be let in.

Retracing our steps, we grab our clothes and pull them on as we make our way to the front of the museum. The entire place is deserted now; it is close to nightfall and even the security guards don’t bother to walk the halls at night.

“Where did Thornfield go?” I ask, slipping my hand into Kole’s.