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The snake’s tongue shot out, a dart of red on Liam’s cheek.

A shiver ran up my spine. “I mean it,” I said, my voice trembling now. “I swear to God, I will end you.”

The snake curved back around, dismissing me. Its body wound around, its tail flicking in my direction before it slithered over Liam’s neck, then down his shoulder blade until it disappeared under the comforter. I sat there, staring, almost unbelieving.

Tentatively, I moved forward. Liam hadn’t woken up through all of that and I just needed to know he was okay. I put my hand on his shoulder. Liam jumped, practically coming right out of his skin. “It’s okay, it’s just me,” I said.

Liam whipped around, his feet already pulled up onto the bed in a crouched position. He regarded me, his body relaxing just a fraction. “What are you doing in here?”

“I came to check on you.”

“Why? What happened?” Liam searched his body for the snake and relaxed even further until he found it wrapped around his bicep.

“Nothing, really,” I said. “I just need to talk to you. You’re pulling away from me and I don’t like it.”

This got his attention. He sat back on the bed, crossing his legs in front of him. Taking that as an invitation to do the same, I perched myself on the edge, keeping one eye on the serpent familiar who was back to not moving. Asleep, maybe? Or just pretending? Who knew that he could slither over Liam’s body like that whenever he wanted?

“I’m okay, Norah.”

“You’re lying,” I said. I didn’t want to hear any of his excuses. I wanted to hear the truth now. “You haven’t been yourself, Liam. I know it’s the familiar, but what exactly is it about it? Are you just preoccupied with finding out how to get rid of it?”

I could’ve sworn I saw the snake tremble, and Liam hardened, his hands turning into fists on the bed.

I’d once thought that was it, that Liam just wanted to figure out how to get the thing off him, but what if it was something else? What if this thing was affecting him somehow? “Liam, talk to me.”

He gave a quick shake of his head. I crawled toward him on the bed, dipping my voice low until it was just barely a whisper. My lips brushed against his ear as I talked. “What is it? You can tell me?”

He didn’t say anything. He didn’t even move. His shoulders just barely raised an inch with his breaths.

I tried again. “Is it the familiar? Does it hurt you?”

Liam turned his face. “You shouldn’t be here right now. It’s not safe.”

We were face to face. Close enough to kiss, yet he felt so far away. We could’ve been on different planets. “You are one of my safe spaces, Liam.”

“Not anymore,” he said, his head already shaking. “I can’t be. Not right now.” His whole body started to tremble. “Can you please leave?”

“Liam?” I said, my voice breaking.

“It’s not you,” he said. “It’s not even me.”

I believed that. For once, he’d said something that made sense.

“Please,” he begged.

Before slinking away, I pulled him close, my lips finding his. I kissed him, urging his lips open and when he relented, I dipped my tongue into his mouth, trying to tell him with everything in me that I was going to fight for him. That he was worth it to me. He wasn’t going to be alone in all this because he had me, Randy, and the rest of the guys. We’d all figure this out. He didn’t need to carry this burden on his own. That’s why we were a coven. We helped one another.

Liam’s hand came up to rest on my neck. I relaxed, moving into the kiss more. He wanted it. I deepened it, pushing against him with my body.

His grip tightened, his fingers pressing into my skin harder and harder. Something in the air switched.

I hissed, and Liam’s grip immediately relaxed. “Please,” he begged again, looking me right in the eye, his eyes a mixture of pain and promise.

I scrambled off the bed. His eyes were the same dark shade of brown they’d always been, but within their depths, there was a yellow hue that wasn’t there before. It scared the shit out of me. I backed out of the room. “You’re not alone. I’m right here, Liam.”

“Please,” he said again, his voice desperate.

I backed up over the threshold and the door slammed in my face with no one touching it.