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ButthenIseeRobbie, my big brother who has always protected me, and the utter shock in his glassy eyes.
Therealization hits me so hard it threatens to knock the breath out of me again.
Notonly didIcome home toSanAntonio, butI’mback inTimeless.AllbecauseIjust fuckingdiedinZak’sarms and made a deal with the devil to survive.
AndZakappears utterly devastated by it, too, as the rain pours on us in total darkness.Myeyes adjust in time to watch him swipe his shaking hands over his eyes as he snivels.
“God,” he cries over the rain. “Babe?Areyou—”
“Iswear to fuckingJesusChrist,”Isnarl with a chest full of oxygen, “if you ask ifI’mokay,Iwill fucking lose it.”
Asharp sob falls from his lips.Bloodstreaks down his chin and tattooed throat, soaking into his black shirt. “I’mso sorry,” he says in a high-pitched voice. “I’mso sorry.”
Myglare cuts toAdrianandShannon, who remain silent.
Rainwashes over me.Bloodcascades from my skin onto the abandoned and unfinished bridge to blend with that of the sacrificed deer beside me.Likethe other ritual sacrifices made here above theMedinaRiver, the blood will stain and absorb into the concrete—it’ll fuel the devil’s doing.
It’llfuelShannon’sdoing.
He’sthe first to rise.Hiseyes don't leave me, even after he runs a hand over his face.Heswipes the back of his hand across his nose and sniffles.Hislips part like he’s about to say something, andIlook away.
Electricrage flares whenImeetAdrian’swatchful stare.
“Yourtwin is a vampire.Yourbrother-in-law is the devil,”Iyell at him. “Whatthe fuck are you?Poseur-ass bitch having ‘el diablo’ tattooed on your fucking chest.”
“Hey,Iwarned you you wouldn’t believe me ifItold you,”Adrianbites.
Iscoff.Thunderrumbles overhead. “Iwas right—youaremy personal demon.”
Adriangrumbles nonsensically over the rain and rises to his feet.Hehas no hesitation approaching me, butIscramble away.
Robbieintercepts him, throwingAdrianback. “Don’tyou fucking touch her.”
Adrianshoves him away with a stern glare.
Iturn to run, but he slips an arm around my waist beforeIcan scurry off and holds me close.
Mybreath catches, every part of me clenching up tight in a desperate attempt to not fall apart in his arms.
“I’mgonna take you home,” he murmurs, “so you can get cleaned up and rest.”
“Fuckoff,I’lltake her,”Robbiesays.
Myvoice trembles asIrespond weakly, “Ican take care of myself.”
Adriangrabs my face and smashes his lips against my temple. “Notright now, you can’t.Iwon’t let you.”
“Getaway from her!”
Zakstumbles toward us.Myeyes widen at the blood dribbling down his chin.
Ibolt from the approach.
“Steph, wait!”
Adrian’sthe one who called out, butIknowZakis right behind him—Ican’t let him get me again.
Myfeet pick up the pace untilIslam into my car.Voicesyell and holler over one another, drawing closer.
