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The whistle comes again and I ignore it. “I won’t touch you because a ritual expects it.”
Thump.
My chest answers.
Fuck.
“And I won’t take anything you don’t give me.”
Her breathing changes.
There. The same woman from the maze. Curious. Excited. Just enough fear to sharpen everything.
“You liked it,” I say.
Her eyes narrow. “What?”
“Running.”
She doesn’t answer.
“You were smiling.”
“You were being an asshole.”
“You were still smiling.”
“That proves nothing.”
“You doubled back twice.”
“Because you were annoying me.”
“You wanted me to follow.”
Her lips part and her heart betrays her by beating fast in her chest.
I grin.
She glares. “I hate your new superpower.”
“I adore it.”
Ezra steps forward. “Enough.”
Sage doesn’t look away from me. “What happens if I run?”
I hear Malakai inhale.
“Sage.” Ezra says
I answer her. “I follow.”
“And if you catch me?”
“It’s your choice.”
The air between us shifts, heat gathering in the small space separating our bodies.
