Page 36

After my mother got involved with my father, she barely kept in touch with her family. Did I miss the chance to have something bigger? Not that family ever meant comfort to me. It meant pain. Loss. Things breaking and never getting fixed. Still, something tightens in my chest. Julian said he knew my mother. So why did she never mention them? Was she protecting me from that side of the family? Or protecting them from us?

A hand grabs over my mouth from behind, leather gloves sealing my lips before I can scream. An arm locks around my waist, hard enough to lift me slightly off balance. The ledger falls from my hands and hits the floor with a heavy thud.

“You can hide under glamour,” Nero whispers against my ear, “but I can smell you, stardust girl.”

Of course. The psycho boy is back. I try to use my magic but his biker gloves keep me from touching skin. Fucker.

I twist against him, trying to get free, but he tightens his grip. It’s like fighting with a brick wall. He can just hold me down with one arm, and I cannot do anything.

“Shh. We don’t want company,” he purrs.

His hand stays firm over my mouth, the other low on my hip, holding me like I weigh nothing.

“I’ll let you go,” he murmurs, “but you have to promise not to do anything stupid.”

I try to turn my head, but his hand keeps my face still.

“So,” he says, voice amused. “Are you going to behave?”

I nod once.

He releases me.

I turn and swing at him immediately.

He catches my wrist.

Nero clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “Liar.”

He laughs quietly. He’s dressed in a black long-sleeve and biker gloves, every muscle visible beneath the fabric. My attention snags on the tattoo climbing his neck, the edge of wings and broken statues disappearing under black cotton, veins shifting beneath ink when he moves.

I get distracted and look for too long. Bloody moonshine.

“What are you even doing here?” I snap.

“I followed you.”

“What?”

“I think you know more than you told me.”

“This is witch business.”

“You glamour your face. You’re nervous. You shouldn’t be here, am I right? You are looking for something.” His gaze drops to the ledger on the floor. “What did you find?”

“We need to get out of here. I don’t have time to talk to you.”

“Don’t worry. Everyone upstairs is busy. I sent some wolves to keep them company.” He smiles faintly. “You know how witches like them.”

I hate how calm he is.

“So,” he says. “What did you find? Is it about Julian?”

“Why are you looking for him?” I ask. “I wouldn’t be shocked if your father ordered someone to get rid of him.”

His expression changes just enough to surprise me.

“I hope not. I want Julian back safe.”