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The line goes dead. He was far calmer than I anticipated.

“Was that Cade?” Calli asks as she walks over, pushing a stray hair that fell from her messy bun out of her face.

“Yeah.”

“Oh Gods. How angry is he?” She drops onto the bed.

“He said to keep you away; he said it’s safer to stay away right now anyway.”

She blinks. “You’re telling me my brother is perfectly fine with me being gone for a couple of days?”

“Yep.” I move back toward her. “Just as long as I don’t let you out of my sight.”

I drop to my knees again and rest my head in her lap, my arms sliding around her waist. My hands settle lower.

“So looks like you don’t have a choice but to deal with me regardless.”

“You’re such an asshole,” she says, looking down at me with a sly grin.

Good. I knew she couldn’t hate me.

I stand by the window later, watching Calli on the balcony. The wind plays with her hair. She looks so peaceful. I wish I could freeze this moment, remember her exactly as she is right now and replay it in my mind every time I think of her. The truth is, she is not long for this world. And I am.

That imbalance sits heavy in my chest. I am doing this to keep her safe. That is the only thing that matters. I squeeze my hand into a fist, my knuckles turning white. Nothing is guaranteed anymore. If this goes wrong, we are all dead.

That includes you. I know you’re here in my head. I highly doubt that you’re smart enough to understand. So just know this, the council are bad guys, you following?

They will kill your precious hunter, they will kill Calli. And I’m sure if they figure out what you are, you will be next—along with me. That grimoire is the key to everything, do you understand?

Of course you don’t. Foolish little pest.

Calli turns and I watch as she walks in from the balcony, clearly seeing the frustration on my face. She cocks her head at me and I soften.

“Come here,” I say, opening my arms. “You wanna go do something?”

“Yes, yes, I absolutely do.” She nuzzles my neck. “In a minute, though; I’m not done with you yet.”

I flip her, her back hitting the bed, my face crashing into her in a rough kiss. I pause, studying her features, and smile.

“Get dressed.”

She looks down at what she’s wearing and says, “I am dressed.”

“Okay, then let’s go.”

We throw on our jackets and head downstairs into Cade’s truck.

Calli sits beside me, rubbing her hands together. “It’s freezing out here.”

I grab both her hands in mine and pull them to my mouth, blowing on them.

“That feels so good. How are you not cold?”

“I am, I’m just not a delicate flower.” I smile at her as she shoots daggers at me.

“Jerk.”

I back the truck up and head out. I’d planned this before we left. Though it was last minute, I think it’s something she’ll enjoy. It’s going to be a new experience for the both of us.