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"Yeah…" I trail off, distracted by er tracesabout?"

"Just stuff… about you"

"What about me?"

I find his hand under the blanket and interlace our fingers "I just don’t want to lose you" My voice shudders like it always does whenever I speak ers rub the black star ht here It means you’re stuck with me forever, whether you like it or not"

I stifle a sraze his lips withhim a quick kiss I lean back, but his hand cups the back of ue slides in ainst ether I choke my anxiousness down and clutch the hem of his shirt as I roll ontoon his elbows, licking his lips, wantingto sleep," I joke, my nerves jumbled

He arches an eyebrow "You want me to stop?"

"Not yet" My breath falters and I seal my lips to his

He moans in response and pulls me closer, until there’s no space left between us We stay that way until the sun rises, breaks through the clouds, and silences the storainst him, I can’t help but think how beautiful theand soon I’ht

What if our forever has a loophole?

Chapter 3

I wake up to an elistens across the rippling lake and the trees drip fro to the voices downstairs I glance at my watch

"Two o’clock?" Iin bed?"

I shuffle into the hallway, lit by lanterns that hook into the brick walls All four of us live in the Keeper’s castle--Alex, Aislin, Laylen and randmother, Sophia, sometimes stays in the master suite, when she’s not off on one of her "travels"

The castle technically belongs to the Keepers, but none of the spree None of us kno ether, but Alex says it’s a useless atteered So as far as I know there are five Keepers left: Alex, Aislin, Laylen, Sophia, and myself But Alex assures me there’s more

As I pass the banister, I freeze at the sound of a voice I haven’t heard in a while I back up and trot downstairs, not caring that I’m barefoot and half dressed in pajaathered in the living roo a private conversation But that’s not what’s pissing me off

Nicholas sits co a cup of coffee

"Why are you here?" I cross my arms and narrow ht we told you to stay away"

Nicholas’ golden eyes travel uplook consumes his face "Did you throw on that outfit for me? Or do you alalk around half naked?"

I don’t budge so he won’t know he’s getting under ain, why are you here?"

He sets the cup on the coffee table and rests back in the red velvet sofa "Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t want me here You know you do You’re still just pissed because I won’t help you save your father from the Room of Forbidden But I’ve already told you I don’t knohere the Crystal of Limitation is"

The Crystal of Limitation is a device that can free a Foreseer from the solitaire of their mind, also known as the Room of Forbidden--a place where a Foreseer is sent after they coet branded with the Mark of Evil and alter the world’s future by ta with visions

I clutch"

Nicholas stands up "Wrong or not, it’s the consequences he has to pay for being a Foreseer who ta fire "I fixed the vision He shouldn’t have to suffer anymore And you kno to free him, but you won’t share it!"

His eyes scorch like cinders "Lean a bit closer and we’d be kissing"

"Move a little closer" My voice is low, nearly a growl "And I could kick you between the legs"

He licks his lips "You know you secretly enjoy this Deep down inside, you want to be with ainst h his hair, his hands on my back…

"What’s theyou like?"

I don’t have a clue what’s wrong withbecause I have never EVER thought of Nicholas that way, nor do I want to My skin reddens and adrenaline zips throughto me" I start to back away, but he clamps his hands on my wrist Aislin and Laylen leap to their feet, ready to throw him down

"You know you want h your head"