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“Maybe I’m not being clear enough, Night, so I want you to watch me as I say this to you—I never wanted to come here. All I wanted was to be free of my situation back home. I just wanted to feel…safe…” I trailed off. The moment I’d said, “watch me” and pointed to my mouth, his eyes had dropped to my lips. The furious, hot energy between us began to shift and morph into something more tender.

Night’s own lips began to part as he looked at my mouth, and his eyes shifted from an intense emerald to a softer chartreuse shade of green. My stomach filled with flutters as he shifted toward me, bending slightly. Is…is he going to kiss me?

Before I could find out, a howl pierced the night air. Night stiffened, his head cocking toward the sound of the howl. His expression darkened, and he pushed me toward the door.

“Get inside, and don’t leave my mother’s side.”

I stumbled against the door, looking at him with wide eyes. “Wait, what’s happening? What’s wrong?”

He glanced back at me, and for a mo