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But then I notice how her hands tremble.

Relief washes through me.

She’s shaken by this too. My luck hasn’t entirely run out then.

Like a predator, I pounce on her vulnerability.

I materialize behind her in an instant, bending to her ear. “Demanding as always, I see.” I smile a little when she yelps in surprise, turning to face me. “Odd character flaw of yours, considering how muchyouoweme.”

My magic slips into my voice, promising her all those forbidden things that her insatiable siren craves.

I will give each and every one of them to you siren, night after night, so long as you’re mine.

Those deep, fathomless eyes of hers search my face. I forgot what it felt like to be seen by them. Seven years has made them sadder, lonelier, but no less piercing.

She believes I abandoned her. Clear as starlight I read it on her face.

In that instant, I come as close as I ever have to freely giving up information. Only centuries of restraint hold my tongue. Telling Callie the truth doesn’t buy me love. She’s had years to resent me; a few short sentences aren’t going to just fix that.

I’m going to have to make her fall in love with me, all over again.

I take her hand and push up the sleeve of her robe. Row after row of my beads twist up her forearm. A primal sort of pleasure stirs in me at the sight.

“My bracelet still looks good on you, cherub.”

I can ask anything of her, anything at all, and she must oblige me. I could ask her to live with me, to marry me, to bed me, to bear my children.

It’s not enough. Not nearly. I want her love, her thoughts, her passion—and I want it to be given freely. Always freely. Nothing less will do.

But she doesn’t know this.

“Callie, you owe me a lot of favors.”

You’re mine. You don’t know it yet, love, but you are.

She meets my gaze, and I feel the weight of her dawning realization. A part of her understands this is the end—and it’s the beginning. “You’re finally here to collect.”

Chapter 23

Till Darkness Dies

Less than a year ago

The bounty hunteris a threat no more. That much is obvious the moment he sees my wings and recognizes what they mean.

It all goes over Callie’s head. But she must have some sort of idea. After my confrontation with Eli, she locks herself away in her room, her face troubled.

My body practically quakes with the need to be close to her. Just like the night of the dance, I’m losing my control. My fae instincts are crowding out reason.

Eventually the door to Callie’s room opens and she storms out. “Is it true?” she demands.

I glance at her, still distracted by my thoughts. “Is what true?”

“About yourwings,” she says. “Is it true that you’ve been flashing them to let everyone know not to touch me? That I belong to you?”

I still. She’s come awfully close to the truth—she missed the mark, but gods, she’s close.

My heart is picking up.