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Because it makes him easier to control

Chapter 22

We’re lying on Stasha’s front laatching the stars disappear as the sun cli here would force the Lost Soul out ofthe star on my wrist "You forced the Lost Soul out ofwould work on you"

I roll onhim "You couldn’t think of a better way?"

"It’s the first thing I thought of when I ran out of the house" He shrugs, snuggling his body into ht here"

"But Aislin tracked your car to the field," I say "She said your blood was everywhere"

His forehead creases with honest mystification "That wasn’t me Gemma" He points over his shoulder "My car’s in the driveway"

I stare at the outline of the cherry red Camaro "I still can’t believe you caht it would make you jealous," he says remorsefully "Just like you are every tilower "Jealousy is a horrible emotion"

"I had Nicholas plant so you’d freak out, just like you are now" He gives a contrite kiss on my cheek "I’m really sorry"

"How did you s that ledon with you two is from my dreams and a particularly painful vision"

He scratches anxiously at his neck "That serpent mark on the back of Nicholas’ neck isn’t what you think it is"

"The Foreseers didn’t give it to hi snakes on your skin He can invade your s that aren’t real"

"I’ the intihts I had about Nicholas "Hemy mind"

He cocks an eyebrow "What do you " I wave him off and push to et hirass off his jeans "I’ve told you Ge for you"

"That’s the only reason he helped you?" I inquire "Because he has a thing forit?"

Nicholas materializes in the front door "Because I’m a manipulative jerk, who you think very lowly of"

He struts down the stairs with a big sht red lipstick s his neckline "Death Girl’s lips aren’t toxic, in case you ondering"

"I wasn’t" I observe Alex’s reaction from the corner of my eye He looks like he doesn’t care at all In fact, he appears to be relieved I love the look It makes me feel like I have his heart in the palo?" Nicholas sticks out his elbow

I sigh, link rab Alex’s hand

Alex slips his hand fro it here"

Nicholas rolls his eyes "You want me to ride in a car? How ridiculous"

"You can do whatever you want I only care about Gemma" He directs his attention to s up the stairs and vanishes inside

I lean toward Nicholas’ ear and lower ain, I’ll rip out your soul and feed it to the Banshees"

He jerks his head back, flabbergasted "What did you say?"

I put er to my lips "Shhh… it’s our little secret Because if you tell Alex, I will kill you"

"Alright," Alex says, arriving by et out of here"

I watch Nicholas like a dog eyeing a cat, o," Nicholasfor the car

My lips curve into a grin I snatch Alex’s hand and practically skip to the car We peel down Stasha’s narrow driveway and a strange cal sensation devours me I feel free, like I could conquer the world if I wanted to

And maybe I will

"What the hell happened?" Alex asks, du in the Foyer, which hasn’t been cleaned up since the sprite braent down The front door’sis shattered, glass scattering the floor The table beside the door is tipped over, one leg snapped off The chandelier flickers, and the spot where it hooks into the ceiling is cracked

"We had a bit of a faerie probleain I’thy death, but for a moment I’d felt like the evil villain