Page 5

Really, really terrified—sick-to-my-gut, wake-up-puking scared. Here, I can pretend, at least for some of the time. Once I’m back in Valandria, there will be no hiding from what I am.

I will do what I was born to do.

But a few more days won’t hurt.

Zayne looks like he’s biting back words, but then he’s never been Khaosti’s biggest fan. Then his eyes widen as though he’s thought of something. “What?” I ask.

“I take it Amber isn’t your real name. That would be too wild a coincidence. So what is it?”

I scowl.

“Come on, princess. It can’t be that bad.”

What does he know? “It’s Lilith,” I say.

He frowns as he thinks that through. “As in the mother of demons. Lives in the abyss.” He smirks. “Suits you.”

“Don’t go there. I’m quite happy with Amber.” Automatically, my hand goes again to the piece of amber at my throat. It seems to pulse beneath my fingers, almost as though it’s alive.

“Aw, maybe I could call you Lily or Lilibet.”

I bare my teeth. “Did you know I have a sword?”

He laughs, then the laugh is cut short as he listens to something in the distance. I know his senses have become more acute since his… accident, but so have mine, and I pick up the deep rumble of approaching motorcycles.

Zayne doesn’t look bothered.

“Friends of yours?” I ask. I can see the lights now.

“Sort of.” He pushes himself to his feet, then climbs down the tree beside the garage. When he gets to the ground, he holds up his arms. I give Josh a little shake and he tenses, then blinks. He smiles when he realizes where he is, and something twists inside me. I know I’ll do anything to keep him safe—which circles back to saving the world. Because if I don’t, then no one will be safe. Josh included.

Josh scrambles down the tree, and Zayne helps him, taking him by the arms and whirling him around before he puts him on the ground.

I don’t bother with the tree; I just launch myself off the roof and land lightly beside the other two.

“Show off,” Zayne mutters, just as two big black Harleys turn into the drive. I don’t recognize them, and I thought I knew all of Zayne’s friends. Josh edges closer to me, and I wrap my arm around his shoulder.

The bikes come to a halt, and one of the riders swings his leg over and dismounts, tugging off his helmet as he approaches.

Whoa.

Hotness alert. Most of Zayne’s friends are in that transition state between boy and man. This one’sallman—tall and lean, with messy dark hair and deep brown eyes set in a stunningly handsome face. He moves with an easy grace. I sense that there’s something different about him, though. I glance at Zayne and raise a brow in question.

He gives a small nod, then steps forward. “It’s great to see you again,” he says. “But why are you here?”

The man looks between me and Zayne. “Can I talk?” he asks.

“Yeah. She knows everything.”

His dark gaze wanders over me, and I’m sure I can feel myself blushing. Ugh. “I doubt she knowseverything.”

Hah, I probably know more than he does, shifter or not.

Zayne takes my hand and squeezes. “I meant you can talk in front of them.” He includes Josh in his comment. For a moment, I wonder whether it’s right to involve an eight-year-old in this, at least any more than he’s already involved. But if Zayne insists on coming with me to Valandria, then I’m not leaving Josh here alone a second time. He’s better off with us, wherever we are.

The stranger purses his lips, then shrugs. “When you visited, we talked about you joining us. You said you’d think about it. Butthings have changed, and we’d like you to come sooner rather than later.”

“Why?” Zayne asks. “What’s changed?”