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It’s not bad.

“You look ridiculous,” Evan said.

Xen chuckled. “I heard that.”

“That’s why I said it.”

“I heard what you didn’t say, too.”

Evan frowned in confusion for a moment, then realized what he meant and dropped his face in his palm.

Of course he could hear Evan’s thoughts. Now Evan didn’t have any doubts that a spiritual channel had formed between him and Xen, probably due to the blood bond.

And what had he just said?It’s not bad.

Why would he say that about ademon?

“Stop reading my mind,” Evan snapped.

“Stop thinking so loud.”

“Is this a side effect of the blood bond?”

“An advantage,” Xen mused.

Evan swatted that comment away. He straightened, fixing Xen with a serious look. “Listen here, you… My sister is coming home this weekend.”

“So I heard.”

“And I need you away from her,” Evan walked up to Xen, craning his neck to stare him in the eye but keeping his voice firm enough to fill the distance. “Far, far away.”

Xen pressed his forearm against the doorframe and bent at the waist, bringing his face to Evan’s level. “But I can stay close toyou. Very, very close.”

Evan stepped away, the tips of his ears burning. “No, you won’t!”

“Why not?” Xen leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest. “Now that we’ve established a relationship, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Whatrelationship?”

Xen pointed at himself. “Family friend.”

Evan scoffed. “What family friend? Not to mention thisfamily frienddidn’t exist in our lives until ten minutes ago. Celie will see right through this.”

“I’m certain you can figure that out on your own,” saying that, Xen turned around.

What…?

Fume steamed out of Evan’s ears as he followed Xen into the living room. “I won’t have to figure anything out if you don’t show up in front of anyone for a few days. Just stay cooped up in your nest or wherever you hole up in the trees at night.”

Xen abruptly stopped, and Evan bumped straight into his back, the impact similar to crashing into a concrete wall. He stumbled back, nose stinging. “What the—”

“Nest…” Xen’s voice turned gravelly as he slowly turned around, a red spark flying past his dark irises. “Tree…”

Evan reflexively retreated a step, guard up. “I…I meant wherever you disappear off to every time you leave.”

Xen stepped closer. “What made you think I ever left?”

“What…?”