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WRAITH

Or you can stay at the house with us.

CASSIAN

Is that a good idea?

WRAITH

We have to try it sometime.

Trouble, the name of the hotel is The Hellfire Lounge.

The address is 6425 Sinner Highway.

AUDREY

Thank you! Have fun with your sleepover.

CASSIAN

And you have fun with yours.

I tuck my phone back into my shorts as Brenden comes to a stop. “We can head there whenever. Since I have the address, I can shadow walk us there. I’ve gotten really good at it since I started reaping.”

When he doesn’t respond, I lift my eyes to find him staring at something. As I follow his gaze, I realize it’s not something but someone—Nex, who’s staring right back.

“Well, that’s unexpected,” I mutter under my breath, but Brenden lowers his eyes to meet mine, and I know he heard me.

“We should just go,” he says quietly, but his eyes make their way back to Nex almost immediately.

Once again, I’m struck with guilt over keeping the two of them apart—even if it’s been their decision, it’s still because of me. Brenden can deny it until he’s blue in the face, but it doesn’t make it any less true.

I chance another glance at Nex and our gazes clash, a shiver running through me at the longing in his. I don’t know if it’s for me, Brenden, or both of us, but I don’t like it. “Or maybe you should go talk to him.”

“Why would I do that?”

I shrug, even though he’s not looking at me. “Because you want to.”

He sighs, taking my hand in his once more. “Only if you come with me.”

“That sounds like a terrible idea.” I glance between him and Nex as I bite my lip. What’s the worst that can happen? Nex is cruel to me again? It’s not like he can really hurt me anymore than he already has. “But fine.”

“Really?” Brenden tears his eyes away from Nex to glance down at me. “Honestly, I was expecting you to tell me no and then we’d carry on as if we hadn’t seen him.”

I frown. “Is that what you want to happen? Because we can do that, too.”

“I don’t know what the hell I want. I want to talk to him, but I also want to run in the opposite direction.” When he flashes me his fangs, I realize just how much this is bothering him.

“Are you hungry?”

Brenden looks confused as he frowns at the sudden subject change. “What?”

“Your fangs are out. I figured you must be hungry. Or stressed. I guess that would make more sense.”

He curses, lifting his hand to his mouth. Then he’s dragging me toward Nex.

“You.” Brenden stabs his finger into Nex’s chest.