THESECRETLIFEOFAWITCH3

(MYSTICWILLOWBAYWITCHES,#3)

JESSICASORENSEN

Contents

Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13

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AlsobyJessicaSorensen

TheSecretLifeofaWitch3

JessicaSorensen

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D

C H A P T E R O N E

o you ever wonder if your life has been a complete and utter dream—or a complete and utter

nightmare,dependingonwhatkindoflifeyouhave?Orhaveyoueverhadoneofthosemomentswhen
you question if you’re dead and what you’re seeing is the afterlife, but you don’t realize it? Or do you
sometimesquestionifyou’retrappedinacomaandyourmindhascreatedadelusionalworldwhenyou
wakeupinademonlairwithrapmusicboomingthroughthestonywalls?No?Huh.Well,Iguessit’sjust
methen.

Justincaseyoueverdofindyourselfinthesesortsofsituations,takemyadvice:you’llquestionif

anythingisreal.

“Whatthehellhappened?”Imutter,clutchingmyheadandblinkingaroundatwhatIcanonlyassume

isademonlair.Well,eitherthatorI’vestumbledacrossaveryhigh-techbearcave.

Iimmediatelyshakemyhead.Seriously,Evalee,ahigh-techbearcave?Whatthehelliswrongwith

mybrain!Thatisthemillion-dollarquestion,isn’tit?

IrackmymindforhowIgothere,tryingtoputtogetherthepiecesofhowIendeduplyinginabed,in

acave,withlanternlightscoveringthedomedceiling,astereowithaprettygreatbasesystem,andthe
largestflatscreentelevisionI’veeverseen.

Slowly,bitsandpiecescreepbacktome…
Hunterconfessingourentirefriendshipisalie…
Thesecretsocietyhe,Opal,Ryleigh,andmyfakeparentsbelongto…
Mebeingsomesortofpart-witch,part-demon,part-creatureinquestionfreak…
Maxthedemonshowingup,kidnappingme,andcarryingmesomeplacewheretimemovesfasterthan

inMysticWillowBay…

MebeggingMaxtoputmedownwhenIstartedtofeeldizzy…
Thenblackingoutafterhangingupsidedownfortoolong.
“Freakin’ demons.” I press my fingertips to the brim of my nose and take a few measured breaths,

tellingmyselftoremaincalm,thatwhatever’sabouttohappencan’tbeanyworsethanfindingoutI’ve
beenliedtomyentirelifebyeveryoneIthoughtcaredaboutme.“Itreallycan’tbeworse,”Imutter,my
heartclenchinginpain.“Nothingcan…Idon’tthink.”

Suckinginaninhale,Iliftmyheadandsitupstraightinthebed.Igivemybodyaonce-overtomake

sureeverythingisnormalandthatMaxdidn’tdoanythingtomewhileIwaspassedout,like…saycurse
me with a unicorn horn pox. Except for a couple of scratches, my pale skin appears free of any horns.
However, my shorts do have a couple of tiny burn holes in the hem, and so does my black T-shirt and
plaidshirt.

“What in the freaking smoking witches happened?” I slip my finger through one of the singed holes

and frown. “Why does it look like someone pressed cigarettes into my clothes …? Or like a dragon

breathedonme?”Myeyeswiden.Perhaps,whileIwasunconscious,weranintoadragon.

Fearingotherpartsofmybodyareburnt,Ipushfromthebedandshuffletowardatall,ovalmirror

perchedinthecorneroftheroom.Asthecool,jagged,rockyfloorscuffsagainstmybarefeet,Ibecome
awarethatI’velostmyboots.Well,eitherthatorMaxjackedthemsoIcan’teasilyrunaway.

Grimacingatthethought,Imoveinfrontofthemirrorandexaminemybody.Mylongbrownhairisa

tangledmess,butfortunatelyappearsthesamelengthasalways.Andexceptforablacksmudgeacrossmy
leftcheekbone,myfacelooksnormal.Well,asnormalasafacecanlookwithweirdrainboweyes.

Blowing out a stressed breath, I comb my fingers through my messy hair then move on to my next

problem—figuring out where in the bleep I am. I know from the small, glittering stream of water
cascadingdownthewallsthatIhavetobeinademon’slair.ButisthisMax’splace?Whywouldhebring
mehere?Whydidhetakemeatall?Heneverdidgivemeanyanswers.HejusttoldmethatIcouldcall
himMaxandthatI’dbereturnedbacktoMysticWillowBayintimetosavemysister.Thatmeanshe’ll
eventuallyletmego,right?

Inearlylaughatmystupidthoughts.Ha!Justbecauseademonsayssomething,doesn’tmakeittrue.In

fact,usuallyeverydayisoppositedayforademon,mostofthembeingliars.

Whichwouldmakeyoualiar,too.
Ashakyexhaletremblesfrommylipsasrealitycrushesdownonmyshoulders.
I’mpartdemon.I’mpartofthegroupofspeciesthatkillsforfun,cursespeoplefornoreason,and

livesunderground;sometimesinsewers,andsometimesingross,nastylairs.Although,thislairdoesn’t
resembleanyofthephotosI’veseenofdemonlairs.Perhapsthisroomisthenicersectionofit.

SummoningupeverydropofcourageIpossess,Iinchtowardthearcheddoorwayacrossfrommeto

get a better look at where I am. The closer I get, the louder the music becomes, blasting out any other
noiseandgivingmenosenseofwhat’sgoingon.

AmIalone?Isaclusterofdemonswaitingformetostepoutsotheycanfeastonme?
AccordingtoHunter,ifademontriestodrinkmypower,theydie.Iwouldn’thavebelievedhim,ifI

hadn’tseenitwithmyowneyes.

Thatrevelationmakesmefeelatadbitbetter,butanysenseofcomfortgoesbye-bye,seeyaonthe

next full moon when I exit the room and step out into a smoke-filled room with chairs, tables, and a
fireplace.

Oh,yeah,andabouttenflippin’demons,bothmaleandfemale,smokingcigars,drinkingwhiskey,and

playingagameofcards.

Iinstantlyscreechtohaltandstarttobackaway,butit’stoolate.I’vealreadybeenspottedbyevery

singleoneofthem.

“Um …” I try not to panic, yet my anxiety shoots through the roof as ten pairs of red, bloodthirsty,

murderouseyesfixateonme.

Andallofthemlookreadytokill.

O

C H A P T E R T W O

kay, maybe I jumped to conclusions when I said all of them look ready to kill. Only a couple look

murderouslybloodthirsty,butthatcouldbethatthey’rejustthirsty.

My guess is confirmed when a demon with sandy-blond hair and sporting a tux materializes in the

roomtorefilleveryone’sglasses.

Asthedemonsdrinktheirfreshlypouredwhiskey,thebloodthirstylooksgodownanotch.Afewof

the other demons seem utterly bored with my presence. One of them even yawns. Some appear mildly
intrigued,othermarginallyannoyed.Anotherlaughsatme.

Thesoundsendsachillupmyspine.Iknowthatmockinglaugh.
Isquintthroughthesmokeand,sureenough,Imakeoutadark-haired,pierced,Gothprincelaughingat

mefromthefarbackcorner.

Maxisdressedheadtotoeinblack,withchainshangingfromhispantsandleatherbandscoveringhis

wrists.Hisclunkybootsarekickeduponatable,andhe’stippedbackinthechairwithhishandstucked
behindhishead.Socasual.Notacareintheworld.Asifhe’sunafraidofmetryingtorun,tryingtofight.
LikeIwon’tdoanything.

Irritationworksunderneathmyskin,onlyamplifyingasasmirkspreadsacrosshisface.
I narrow my eyes at him and glance over my shoulder, looking for a place to run, and not just to

escape,buttoproveapoint—thatI’mtougherthanIlook.Butit’sanact.Areaction…Okay,okay,maybe
I’mnottough.Thatdoesn’tmeanIcan’tchangethat.

Elevating my chin and throwing his smirk right back at him, I spin on my heels and rush toward a

narrowcracknestledinthefarbackwall.I’mnotsureifIcanfitthroughitorwhereitleads,butI’mnot
abouttostandaroundandletthesedemonsdo…Well,whateverthey’replanningondoingtome.

The second I try to squeeze through the crack in the wall, I smack into an invisible barrier and fly

backward,landingonmyass.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I grumble as a puddle seeps through the bottom of my shorts. “An

invisibleforcefield?Really,Max?That’sthebestyou’vegot?”

Themusicdies,andthequietthatfollowshasmefeelingaboutasstiffasabroomstick.
“Yousaythatlikeyoudidn’tjustgetknockedflatonyourass.”Max’svoicecomesfromrightbeside

myear,socloseIcanfeelhisbreath.

Startledbeyondallmagicalcontrol,Inearlypeemypants.Thankfully,Imanagetokeepmybladderin

check.Although,I’mnotsureitwouldmattersincetheassofmyshortsisalreadysoppingwet.

“Youknow,ifIhadmywand,Icouldescape,”Ilie,leaningforwardandstumblingtomyfeet.
“Sureyoucould.”Hiscondescendingtonemakesmyfingerscurlinward.
Iturnaroundtofacehimwithmyhandsballedatmyside,attemptingnottonoticehowmuchmore

intimidating—andsexy—helooksupclose.

Sexy?Jeez,Eva,getagriponyourself.
Sadly,thisisn’tthefirsttimeI’vehadtotellmyhormonestocoolthefreezespellsdownwhilebeing

aroundMax.Demonornot,there’snodenyingtheguyisattractive.Well,ifyoulikethatGoth,badboy
look,whichIusuallydon’t.Mytastehasalwaysbeenblond-haired,piercingfree,slightlyonthepreppy
sideguys.AkaHunter.Thenagain,thelasttimeIsawHunter,heprettymuchlookedlikeMax,exceptfor
withblondhairandnopiercings.ThatIcouldsee,anyway.

Icrinklemynoseatthememoryofhowhetoldmethatwashowhelookedwhenhewasn’taround

me.Helookedsostrangetome.Hot?Yes.Maybeevenhotter.Butunfamiliar.NotthebestfriendIthought
Iknew.

“What’sthatlookfor?”Maxquestionswithacurveofhisbrow.“You’renotthinkingaboutthatpretty

boywizardyou’reinlovewith,areyou?”

Myliptwitchesthatheknewexactlywheremythoughtswere.“Nope.Iwasactuallythinkingabout

howmuchthisplacereekslikeasewer.That’sprobablybecauseofallthedemonslurkingaround.”

Instead of getting irritated, he smirks. “You and I both know that you think I smell”—he makes air

quotes—“‘lovely’.”

Irollmyeyes.“I’mprettysureyou’realittleconfusedabouttheproperwaytouseairquotes.”
Hissmirkneverfalters.“Andwhy’sthat?”
“Because, at some point, I would’ve had to say you smelled lovely, and I can assure you I never

have.”Aloud,anyway.

Hislipsspanintoahaughtygrin.“Areyousureaboutthat?”
“Um,yeah.”Itrytoconveyconfidence,butthearroganceinhisexpressionismakingmeallsquirrely.
He reaches forward to lightly tug on a strand of my hair. “You know, you’re quite the little sleep

talker.Atfirst,Iwasalittleannoyed,especiallywhenyoukeptgoingonandonaboutthatstupidblond,
wannabepunkrockerwizard.Butwhenyoushiftedyourfocusonme…”Hegrins.“Well,Ifounditquite
amusingandveryinsightful.”

Myheartthundersinmychest.“Idon’tsleeptalk.”
“Youcan’tpossiblyknowthatforsure.”Hegentlytugsonmyhairagain.“AndIassureyou,youdo.A

lot.Infact,youmightbeevenmorechattywhileyou’reasleep.”Hisgazedropstomylips.“Andthose
littlemoaningnoisesyoumakeareabsolutelydelicious.”

Mycheeksflame,partlyoutofembarrassmentandpartlyoutofrage.“Idon’tmoaninmysleep,nor

doItalk.AndevenifIdid,I’dnever,evertalkaboutyou.Atleast,notinapositiveway.”

The stupid grin remains as he grazes his knuckles across my cheekbone with a look of fascination.

“You’readorablewhenyoublush.”

Ianglemyheadawayfromhishand,despitetheshiverhistouchelicited.“Don’ttouchme.”
“Demonscan’tblush,youknow,”hecontinueson,ignoringme.“Atleast,I’veneverseenonedoit.

Butyou,mylittlerainbowtrout,areacompleteanomaly.Andanadorableoneatthat.”

“Stopcallingmeadorablelikethat,”Igripewhilecastingaglanceattherestofthedemons.
Great,they’reallwatchingthislittlesceneunfold,lookingbothannoyedandfascinated.
Hisbrowsfurrow.“Likewhat?”
“LikeI’mthiscute,littlespriteorsomething.It’sunflattering.”
“Spritesaren’tcute,”heassuresme.“They’retasty.”
Myeyespopwide.“Youeatsprites?”
Hegivesashrug.“Ihaven’tpersonally,butalotofusdo.”Hepointsoverhisshoulderattherestof

thedemons.“Idon’tknowwhyyou’regettingupsetafteryoujustsaiditwasunflatteringtobecompared
toasprite.Imean,clearlyyoudon’tthinkthathighlyofthem.”

Icrossmyarms.“JustbecauseIthinkit’sunflatteringtobecomparedtoacreaturethatthinksthebest

dayeverisgigglingforthreehoursstraightwhilecirclingaseven-year-old’sheadandpokingheruntil

shecries,doesn’tmeanIthinkit’sokaytoeatthem.”

He gives me a suspicious look. “Did this seven-year-old happen to have rainbow trout eyes and a

verystubbornpersonality?”

“I’mnotstubborn,”Iprotest.
Hesnortsalaugh.“Okay.”
Myliptwitchesinannoyance.“JustbecauseIdon’tfallatyourfeetafteryoukidnapmeordiveinto

yourarmswhenyouaskmetokissyou,doesn’tmakemestubborn.Itmakesmesmart.”

“Fallatmyfeet,huh?”Herubshisjawthoughtfully.“No,I’mprettysureyoudiddothat.”
“No,Ididn’t.”
Heleansintowardme,hissmileallshinyandannoyinglyattractive.“Yes,youdid.”
“Droppingmeatyourfeetdoesn’tcount.”Irefusetobudge,evenwhenheslantscloser.
Sure,everyinstinctinmeisscreamingtorun,thathe’sademon;butwithnootherplacetogo,allI

candoisstandmygroundandpretendtobemorebadassthanIam.

Herollshiseyes.“WhyonearthwouldIeverdropyou?”
“Um,becauseyou’reademon,”Isay,likeduh.“Andthat’swhatdemonsdo.”
Amusement dances in his eyes. “They drop pretty witches? Huh, I guess I’ll have to add that to the

demonhandbook,becauseI’mprettysurenoneofusknowaboutthatrule.Ifwedid,wemightdoitmore
often. And I think, while I’m at it, I’ll add a rule where we have to carry around pretty witches with
rainboweyesaroundonourshoulderswhiletheysleepandmakehotmoaningnoises,becausethatwasby
farmyfavoritepart.”Hewinksatme.

Myheartflutters.Yes,itactuallyflutters.Inmydefense,itlastsforonlyasnapofafinger.
“You’resoannoying.”
Hewinksatmeagain.“Don’tpretendlikeyoudon’tlikeit.”
“IfIwereyou,I’dgetthatthingcheckedout.”Icirclemyfingerinfrontofhiseye.“Because,from

whatIhear,whenademon’seyestartstotwitch,itmeanshe’sprematurelyaging.”

Hestaresatme,unimpressed.“Demonsdon’tage,butnicetry.”
“Areyousureaboutthat?”Islantforwardandsquintathiseye.“I’mprettysurealltheselinesaround

youreyesarecrow’sfeet.”

Hereallydoesn’thaveanylines,butdemonsarevain,andIknowmycommentwillbugthecrapout

ofhim.Atleast,Ithoughtitwould.Allhedoesisleanincloserandputhislipsbesidemyear.

“Iknowforafactyoudon’tthinkIhavecrow’sfeet.JustlikeIknowforafactthatyouthinkIsmell

lovelyandfindmecompletelyandutterlysexyinawayyou’reunfamiliarwith.”Hishandfindsmywaist,
hisfingersfoldinginward.“ButIwon’tmakeyouadmitthat.”Hepauses.“Yet.NotwhenIhavebigger
thingstoworryabout.”

Iopenmymouthtotellhimthere’snochanceindemonhellthatIfindhimattractive,butthewords

arerippedfrommylipswhenhechantsasleepcurse.

Heatblaststhroughme,startinginmychestandworkingoutward,makingmylimbsgolimp.
“You evil troll …” My voice echoes away as I teeter sideways toward the ground. “Why does

everyonekeepputtingmetosleep?”

Insteadofhittingtherockyfloor,IfallstraightintoMax’sarms.
Scoopingmeup,heturnsandcarriesmeawayfromthecrackinthewall.
“Whereareyoutakingme?”Imumblethroughthedizzinesssloshingaroundinmyhead.
Hecontinueswalkingwithhiseyestrainedahead.“Tomyroom.”
“Why?”Imurmursleepily.“What’reyougoingtodotome?”
Hechuckles,alowsoundthatreverberatesthroughoutmybody.“Well,tostartwith,we’regoingto

talk.”Heholdsmetighteragainsthischest.“Then,afterthat,we’llsee.”

I’mnotsurewhathemeansaboutanything,butbeforeIcanaskhim,darknessfunnelsaroundmeand

dragsmeunder.

I

C H A P T E R T H R E E

hatethatthisishappening.Ihatethateverythingfeelsoutofcontrol.Ihatethateveryonehaslied

tome.

Ihate…
Ihate…
Ihate…
Ihurt…
Ihurt…
Ihurt…
“Eva,”Ryleigh’svoicegracesmyears.“Canyouhearme?”
Usuallywhenshespeakstome,Ifeelcalm.Butrightnow,allIfeelisanger.So,insteadofopening

myeyes,Iliemotionless.

“Eva,please,”shebegs.“Iknowyou’remadatme,butthisisimportant.”
Idon’twanttolistentoher,butthepleainhervoicemakesmefeelbad.
Dammit!Ihatehavingaconscience!
Sighing, I blink my eyes open to wispy clouds lazily floating across a glittering purple sky. I’ve

been here before, when Hunter put a sleeping curse on me. And like before, the place makes me
instantly feel calm and at peace. Then, again like before, the clouds shift and begin to run like wet
paint.

Ijumpupandshieldmyheadwithmyarmsasdropsofcloudssplatteracrossmyskin.
“Again?Whatthehell?”
“It’sjusthowthisplaceworks,”Ryleighsaysapologetically.
Iturninacircle,tryingtospotheracrossthefieldlinedwithtrees.“Okay,butwhatisthisplace?

Itsoundslikeyouknow,andhonestly,everytimeIcomehere,Igetaweirdsenseofdéjàvu.”

“That’s because you’ve been here before.” Ryleigh’s shadow appears in front of me. “When you

wereyounger,Iusedtobringyouhere.”

Iinchthroughthegrasstowardher.“Why?”
“To calm you down,” she whispers, sounding remorseful. “When you were first taken from the

demon lair, you had nightmares every night. So, I finally slipped into your dreams and brought you
here. After about a month of this place, you stopped having nightmares … It’s something I can do—
travelintopeoples’dreams.”

YetanotherthingIdidn’tknowabouther.
Slowly,theshadowstartstoshiftintoher.Well,thedeadversionofher,withlong,blondelilywhite

hair;big,blue,bloodshoteyes;andpaleskin.Thesightofherbringsmezerocomfort,onlyanger.

“Youliedtobe,”Ibiteout,stoppinginmytracks.“Allmylife,youandourparents—yourparents

—liedtome.EvenHunterandOpal,myonlyrealfriends.Iguessnothingwasreal,wasit?”

“That’snottrue,”sheinsists.“Howwefeelaboutyou,thatisreal.Weallcareaboutyou,Eva.And

youandImightnotbeblood-related,butyou’restillmysister…Alwayswillbe.”

I shake my head, fighting back tears. “If that were true—if you really cared about me—you

would’vetoldmethetruthalongtimeago.”Iswallowhard.“Honestly,Idon’teventhinkIbelieve
you.Afterlyingtomeforallthoseyears,who’stosayyou’renotlyingtomenow?”

Tearsfloodhereyes.“Eva,I’msosorrywedidthistoyou,”shewhispers.“Ireallyam.Therewere

so many times I wanted to tell you … But the society wouldn’t let me—wouldn’t let any of us.” She
staresdownatherhands.“Iwasn’ttheonlyonewhowantedtotellyouthetruth.Hunterdid,too.”
Shelooksupatme.“Hereallycaresaboutyou.”

I grit my teeth. “Did he tell you to say that?” I ask, and she nods. “How? Can he, like,

communicatewiththedead,too,orsomething?”

Sheshakesherhead.“No.Butheknewifhetalkedtome,I’dhearhim.JustlikeheknewthatI’d

eventuallycomehereandpassalongthemessage.”

“Soundslikeyouknoweachotherwell.”Imentallycursethejealousythatcreepsintomytone.
“It’snotlikethat,Eva.HunterandIarejustfriends.”
“Yeah,Ithoughtwewere,too.”PressurebuildsinmychestasIrealizethatmaybeweneverwere

anything.ThatperhapsIwasjustHunter’sjob,andthatallthoseyearsofbeinginlovewithhimwas
wastedtime.

“Youtwoaremorethanfriends,andIthinkyouknowthat.”Hervoiceissoftandcautious.
Ishakemyhead,staringdownattheground.“Idon’tknowanythinganymore.”Ireallydon’t.
EverythingIthoughtIknewwasalie.Alllies.Everysingleday.
Suckinginanunevenbreath,Iraisemyheadandmeethergaze.“Whyareyouhere?”
“Toseeyou.Tomakesureyou’reokay.”Shegivesanelongatedpause.“Andtoseeifyoucanhelp

usfigureoutwhereyouare.”

“I’mfine,”Itellher.“AsforwhereIam,Ican’thelpyou.”
Shefrowns.“Youdon’thaveanyidea?”
Ishakemyhead.“AllIknowisthatMaxtookmetosomedemonlair,butIdon’tknowwhereitis.”
“Max?”shequestionswitharaiseofherbrows.“Isthatthedemonwhokidnappedyou?”
Inod.“Or,well,it’swhathetoldmetocallhim.I’mnotsureifit’shisrealnameornot.”Ihugmy

armsaroundmyselfasthewindpicksup.“He’salsotheonewhorescuedyoufromthetunnels.”

Shetenses.“Theoneyoumadethedealwithtofreeme?”
Inodagain.“Buttakingmewasn’tpartofthedeal.”
“Thenwhydidhetakeyou?”
“Ihavenoidea.Hedidsayhewasgoingtobringmeback.”
Thatdoesn’tseemtorelaxhertheslightestbit.“Eva,youcan’ttrustdemons.”
“Well,Idon’treallyhaveachoice,doI?”Ipause,tryingtobitebackthecruelwordswantingto

fallfrommytongue.Theyslipout,anyway.“Besides,Maxhasbeenmorehonestwithmethananyof
youhave.”Whenshewinces,Isigh.“Sorry,butit’sthetruth.”

Hermouthcurvesintoabroken-heartedfrown.“Iknow.AndI’msosorryforthat.”Sheexhales

loudly.“I’mgoingtomakeituptoyou.Fromnowon,I’lltellyouthetruth,nomatterwhat.Butfirst,
weneedtosaveyou,andinordertodothat,Ineedyoutotrytohelpusfigureoutwhereyouare.”

“IalreadytoldyouIhavenoidea.IjustknowI’minademonlair.”
“Howdidyougettothedemonlair?”
“Onapath.”
“Eva, please,” she pleads, her body starting to fade. “I need you to think harder. Did you see

anythingthatperhapsstoodout?Likeasign,oramarker,oramountain?”

“Iwasblackedoutformostofthejourney,”Iadmit,pickingattheholeinthehemofmyshorts.

“WhenIwokeup,Iwasinabed,inacave,andtherewereabunchofburnsinmyclothing.”

“Burnsinyourclothes?”Shepauses,deliberating.Thenhereyeslightup.“Oh,myGod,you’re

probablyatFireMountain.”

“FireMountain?Whatthehellisthat?AndwhyhaveIneverheardofit?”
“Becauseit’sdemonterritory,andpeopleinMysticWillowBayrarelytalkaboutdemons.”
“Unlessthey’reinthatsociety,right?”Mytonecarriesbitterness.Whenshewinces,Ifeelsortof

bad.“Sorry.”

Sheshakesherhead,herhairblowingintohereyes.“Youhaveeveryrighttobeangrywithus.I

justhope,aftersometime,youcanforgiveus.”

Iremainquiet,unsureofwhattosay,mostlybecausepartofmeisstillskepticalshe’stellingthe

truthnow.Perhapsshe’spretendingtocareaboutmesoI’llhelpherfigureoutwhereIam.

WhatIreallywanttoknowiswhytheywanttorescuemesobadly?Isitbecausetheycareabout

me?Oristheremoretoit?Andwhydidtheygothroughallthetroubletoprotectmefromthedemons
foralltheseyears?Wasitevenaboutprotectingme?

Somanyunansweredquestions.
“Iknowyouhavequestions,”Ryleighsays,asifreadingmymind.“Ipromisewe’lltalkmorewhen

Iseeyou.”

HerwordsremindmethatIstillneedtosaveheronceIgetbacktoMysticWillowBay,whichI

planondoing.Madatherornot,I’mnotgoingtoletherstaydead.

“But,Eva,Ineedyoutodosomethingforme,okay?”sheasksindesperation.
“Okay,”Ianswerwithwariness.“What?”
“Ineedyounottouseyourmagicatall.Evenifthedemontriestoforceyouto,pretendyoudon’t

knowhow.”

“That’snotgoingtobeaproblem,”Iassureher.“Idon’thavemywand.”
“Notyourwitch’spower,”shesaysinarushasherbodyflickersinandoutoffocus.“Yourdemon

power.”

“Demonpower?Idon’thavedemonpower.”Mybrowsdiptogether.“DoI?”
“Wedon’tknowforsurewhatyoucando,”sheexplains.“Butnowthatyou’rearoundademon,he

couldgetyourdemonpowerstomanifest.Andsincewe’renotpositivewhatyouare…Well,wedon’t
wantthedemonsfindingoutfirst.”

“YouthinkIcandosomethingbad?”Imassagemyachingchest.
Oh,myGod.WhatamI?
“Wedon’treallyknow,”shesaysquietly.“Allweknowisthatthedemonshavebeentryingtoget

aholdofyouforyears,eversincethesocietytookyoufromthatlair.Andnowthatoneofthemhasyou
…”Shegulps.“Youneedtobecareful,okay?”

“Okay,Icandothat.”Atleast,IthinkIcan.
Thetruthis,I’veneverhadmuchcontrolovermypowers.Andhonestly,whetheritmakesmeevil

ornot,partofmeiscurioustofindoutwhatIcando.

No,Ican’tdoit.WhetherIwanttofindoutornotisbesidethepoint.Thepointis,demonsareevil

andanypoweroftheirsthatIharborhastobeevilaswell.

Wait,doesthatmakemeevil?
“Ihavetogo,”Ryleighwhispersasherbodyfadesbackintoashadow.“I’lltrytovisityouagain

whenyou’reasleep,butmypowersareweaknowthatI’mdead,andIdon’tknowifIcangetback—”

Thewindpicksupandgustsherbodyawaylikepiecesofdirtandsand,leavingmestandingalone

inthefield.

Part of me wishes I could stay here forever. That I will never have to return to Max; will never

havetoreturntoRyleigh,Hunter,andmyfamily;willneverhavetodealwiththetruth.

Asecondlater,though,Ifeelmyselfjerkedawayfromemptylandandbacktoreality.

M

C H A P T E R F O U R

yeyelidsslowlyliftopen,andI’mimmediatelyblindedbylight.Isquintinpain.Dammit,I’mwitha

demonfor…Well,howeverlongI’vebeengone,andI’vealreadywokenupthiswaytwice.

“Let’sbreathefireonher?”alowvoicewithalisppurrs.
Igosuperrigid,blinkingmyeyesfiercelyandtryingtogetthemtoadjusttothelight.Whatthehell

wasthat?

“Itlookslikeoneofusalreadydid,”anothervoicehisses.“Lookatherclothes.”
Ithinkabouttheburnholesinmyclothing.Whatarethesethings?
“Ooooh…thatsoundslovely.”Spithitsmycheekastheyspeak.
Ew!Yuck!Gross!
“Burnallherclothesoffandsomeofherhair,”theotherinstructs,soundingpleased.“Butdon’tget

herface.Ikindoflikeit.”

“Shouldwewakeherupbeforewedoit?”
“Maybe.”
“Wakey, wakey, wakey, little rainbow trout,” one says before giggling. “You think master will get

upsetwithus?”

“Maybe,”theotherhissesout.“Hewasupsetthefirsttimeweburnedherclothes.”
“Hmmmm…Goodthingwelikegettingintotrouble.”
Theybothgigglemischievously.
Myvisionsmearsbackintofocus,andIrealizeI’mbackintheroomIfirstwokeupin.ButI’mnot

alone.

Mygazesnapstotheright,andIinstantlycringe.
“Ew, dragon fire snake babies,” I say, pulling a disgusted face at the winged dragons with large

nostrilsandsnake-likebodieshoveringbesidethebed.

They both turn their beady eyes on me, and the longer, silver-ish black one hisses, its snake-like

tongueslippingoutofitsmouth.

“Whatdoyoumean,ew?”itsays,soundingoffended.“You’retheonewho’shalf-witch.”
Irubmythrobbingforehead.“Yeah,sowhat?There’snothingwrongwithwitches.”
“Otherthanthey’reboring,dull,andstupid.”Theshorter,reddish-bluedragonfiresnakepuffsacloud

ofsmokeinmyface.“See?Stupid.”

“Idon’tknowhowthatprovesthatwitchesarestupid,”Ireply,fanningmyhandinfrontofmyface.

“And FYI, you’re the ones who are stupid. I mean, your main purpose in life is to be a pet to demons.
That’ssonotverysmart.”IknowI’mpushingmylucksincetheycouldeasilybreathefireonme,butthey
justcalledallwitchesstupid.Ifeelabitoffended.

Thenagain,maybeIshouldn’tbe.Witchesweretheoneswhobetrayedme.

IthinkaboutmeetingRyleighinmydreamandwonderifanyonewillbeabletofindmeinreallife.If

theydo,shouldIgowiththem?Itseemsliketheanswershouldbeadefiniteyes,consideringwhereIam.
Yet, residing deep inside me is a hint of hesitation, either from the betrayal or from the demon blood
coursingthroughmyveins.

“Idon’tlikeherverymuch,”oneofthedemonfiresnakebabiesscoffs.
Flutteringtheirwings,theyhoverintheairwhiletradingalookwitheachother.
“Whatdoyouthink?”thereddishoneasks.“Shouldweteachheralesson?”
Theotherbobsitsheadupanddowneagerly.“Let’sdoit!”
Idon’tknowwhatthey’reabouttodo,butI’mnotabouttoliehereandfindout.
“Idon’tthinkso.”Iboltuprightandscrambleoutofbed.
Imovetooquickly,though,andtheroomwhirlsandtwirlslikeanout-of-controlmerry-go-roundon

witches’mushrooms.

“Whoa,headrush.”Ipressmyhandagainstthesideofmyhead,strugglingtokeepmybalance.
Thedemonfiresnakeslaughhysterically.
“Stupidwitch,stupidwitch,”theychant,wigglingtheirtailsastheyflyaroundmyhead.
Thisisn’tthefirsttimeI’vebeencalledastupidwitchbefore,butit’sdefinitelythefirsttimetwoevil

demonfiresnakeshave.Normally,Iignoreruderemarksthrownatme,butrightnow,IfeellikeI’mabout
tosnap.

Ireachupandswattheredone,anditsailsthroughtheair,landingonthebed.
Thesilverone’seyesflare,smokefunnelingoutofitsnostrils.“Thatwasn’tverynice.”
“Neitheriscallingsomeonestupid,”Itellhim,slowlybackingawaybeforethesmokecomingoutof

itsnoseturnsintofire.

“Oh,no,youdon’t.”Itspaper-thinwingsflutterlikeahummingbirdasitfliestowardme.“You’renot

goinganywhere.Notuntilyoupayforthatbylettingmeburnallyourhairoff.”

“That’snevergoingtohappen.”Ipauseforabeat,thenspinonmyheelsandruntowardtheexit.
IknowwhenIstepoutoftheroom,I’llprobablycrosspathswithMaxoranotherdemon,butI’mnot

abouttoletsomemutantdragonsingemyhair!

“Comebackhere!”itshoutsafterme,hotonmyheels.
“Noway!”Ithrowovermyshoulder.“I’mso—”
Itgrabsahandfulofmyhair,andmybodyiswhippedbackward.MyeyeswaterasIfighttokeepmy

feetunderme.

“Letmego!”Ishout,flingingmyfistsbehindme.
Itonlygrabsontighter,draggingmetowardthebed.
Idigmyheelsintothefloor,ignoringthefieryburnastherockstearopenmyflesh.
“You’regoingtobetoast.”Thedragonfiresnakesnickersasitthrowsmedownonthebed.
I land with a bounce on my back and immediately scurry to get back to my feet with my fists

positioned,readytofight.Deepdown,Ilaughatmyself.

Fight,Eva?Yeah,thisisgoingtoendwithyougettinghurt.
ButIhavetotry.
Asthedragonfiresnakeopensitsmouth,Iseeitstongueflickerwithagolden-orangeflame.Beforeit

canbreathefireintomyface,though,Itakeaswing—

“Enough!”Max’svoiceboomsthroughouttheroom.
HestartlesmesobadlyIendupmissingthedragonfiresnakeandpunchingthebedpost.
“Motherofallcrazywitches,”IgrowloutinpainasIcradlemyinjuredhandtomychest.“Thathurts

sobad.”Igritbreathsthroughmyteethuntilthepainstartstosubside.

“Youtwocanleavenow,”Maxsaystothedragonfiresnakesashemakeshiswayacrosstheroom

andtowardthebed.“Andasapunishmentfordisobeying,youcangostraighttothefirepit.”

“Why?”thereddishdragonfiresnakewhinesasitpushesitsbodyoffthebed.“She’stheonewhohit

me.”

Maxstopsbesidethefootofthebedandarchesabrowatme.“Isthattrue?”
I shrug, still hugging my hand to my chest. “Only because they said they were going to burn off my

clothesandhair.”

Maxgivesthesilverdragonfiresnakeafirmlook.“IthoughtImademyselfperfectlyclearthatyou

two weren’t supposed to touch her. Your only job was to watch her until she woke up, and then come
informme.”

Thesilverdragonfiresnakepullsaguiltyface.“Sorry,master,butwecouldn’tresist.”Hiseyesskate

tomine.“Shejustlookedsotempting.”

Max observes me with a drop of amusement, but hurriedly squashes the look as he redirects his

attention to his pet. “Tempting or not, you deliberately disobeyed me, and for the second time since I
brought her here.” His gaze fleetingly drops to the burn holes in my shorts. “She’s not a toy.” His lips
quirkashiseyesrisetome,thenreturntothesilverdragonfiresnake.“Atleast,notyours.”

“Hey,I’mnoone’spet,”Iprotest,standingupstraighter.
Maxrollshiseyesthenpointsafingeratthedoorway.“Youtwo,gotothefirepitandwaitformeto

comeandhandoutyourfullpunishment.”

“Ah, man,” one of them grumbles. Then they flutter off with their heads tucked down and shoulders

slumped.

Ismoothmyuninjuredhandovermyhair,makingsureallthelocksarestillthere.
Maxwatchesmefusswithaglimmerinhiseyes.“Relax,youlookperfectly,weirdlybeautiful.”
Icrinklemynoseathim.“I’mjusttryingtomakesureyourlittlepetsdidn’tpulloutorburnanyofmy

hairoff.”

“Hmmm…”Heeyesmeoverthenstepsinfrontofme.“Letmemakesure.”Hisfingersseekmyhair.
Ileantotheside.“Don’ttouchme.”
Hegivesmeasemi-annoyedlook.“Ijustwanttomakesuretheydidn’tdoanythingtothebackofthat

prettylittleheadofyours.Mypets,whileItoleratethem,canbeextremelymischievous.”

“ThenwhydidyouleavethemtokeepaneyeonmewhileIwaspassedout?”
“BecauseIhadtorunsomeerrands,anditwaseitherleaveyouwiththemormydemonfriends.Trust

mewhenIsayyouwerewaybetteroffwithmypets.”

IfrownasthememoriesofbeforeIfellasleeprushbacktome.“Youputasleepingcurseonme.”
Hesmirks.“Well,youshouldn’thavetriedtorunaway.”
“OfcourseIshould’ve.”Myliptwitcheswithirritationashereachesformyheadagain.“Iwokeup

inademonlair,forcryingoutloud.Andafteryoukidnappedme.”

“Ididn’tkidnapyou.”Hecombshisfingersthroughmyhair.“Imerelyborrowedyouforanextended

amountoftime.”

Icrossmyarms,debatingwhetherornottoduckawayfromhistouch.Ontheonehand,he’sbugging

thedemonsoutofme,butontheother…Well,itkindoffeelsgood.Likeagentleheadmassage.And
rightnow,myheadhurts.

“You can only borrow someone with their permission,” I point out, shivering as his hands tangle

throughmylocks.Abadshiver,though.Youknow,thekindofshiveryougetwhenyou’rereallygrossed
outbysomething…

Ishiveragainasherepeatsthemovementwithhisfingers,pullingalittleharderonmyroots.
Okay,okay,theshiveringmightbebecauseIfeelallflutteryinside.
Damntraitorbody!
“That’snottrueatall,”hedisagrees.“Youcanborrowsomeonewithouttheirpermission,justaslong

asyougivethemback.”

“You act like you’ve done that a hundred times or something.” My eyelids involuntarily shut as he

slipshisfingersthroughmyhairagain,hisfingertipslightlybrushingmyscalp.Itrelaxesmesomuchand
Ifindmyselfsittingdownonthebed.

Goodgollyofalleuphoriaspells,thatfeelsamazing.
Hemimicsthemovementagain,goingslower,butthesensationisequallyaslovely.
Youneedtostophim,Eva.He’sademon!Ademonwhokidnappedyou!
Butyouhavebeenthroughalot.Maybejustalittlebitlonger…
Lips abruptly brush mine, and I freeze, but I don’t pull back as a mixture of confusion, want, and

repulsionflurrythroughme.Thentheconfusionnearlydoublesashistongueslipsoutandtriestopartmy
lips. I almost let him, too. I don’t even know why. But then a voice screams in the back of my mind,
yellingatmethatthisisn’tright.

“Hey.”Ipressmyhandagainsthissturdychestandpushhimback.“Backoff,demonboy.”
Heblinksatme,appearingalittledazed.Thenthehazinessinhiseyesswiftlyfadesasthecockiness

returns.

“Fine,wasteyourtimepretendingtofightit.”Hislipstiltintoacrookedsmirk.“Ithinkwebothknow

that,eventually,you’regoingtobebeggingmetokissyou.”Hereachesoutandgrazeshisknucklesacross
mycheek,movingsofastIhavezerotimetoreact.

“Inyourdreams,demon,”Isneerwithmyeyesnarrowed.Ontheinside,though,myheartisdancing

likealoopypixieattheideaofactuallykissinghim.

I’mseriouslysomessedup.
“Max, why did you bring me here? You said it was to talk to me. About what? I’m guessing about

whatIam.”IhavenocluewhysincehegivesmevagueanswerstoanyquestionsIaskhim.

Hewaversthenconclusivelynodshisheadonce.“I’mgoingtotellyouwhatIknowaboutyou,but

onlyifyoupromisenottofreakout.”

“Okay …” I wet my dry lips with my tongue as I consider what he wants from me. I mean, sure, it

soundsprettyeasytostaycalmandtakealittlechillpillforafewminutes.ConsideringhowIreactedto
whatHuntertoldme,though,Iwon’tbethrowingdownanybetsthatIamgoingtobeallchillaxedwhile
sexydemonGothprincetellsmethatI’mafreak.“ButwhathappensifIdofreakout?”

“ThenI’llhavetocurseyouwithsleepinessagain.”Hepresseshislipstogether,hiseyesleisurely

scrollingovermybody.“Andsincemypetsarebanishedfromeverwatchingyouagain,I’llhavetobe
theonetodoit.”

I hug my arms around myself, wondering why he keeps looking at me like that … Like … Well, I

imaginelikehowIusedtolookatHunterwheneverhewashedhistruck.Whenhe’dtakehisshirtoffand
hismuscleswouldgetallwet…

Holynoself-control!
“Betweenthetwochoices,I’dratherhaveyoudoit,”Itellhimtruthfully.“Youseemlikethelesserof

twoevils.”

His low chuckle makes me squirm uncomfortably. “The fact that you can say that shows how naive

youreallyare.”

Iscowlathim.“I’mnotnaive.I’vebeenthroughatonofcrap.”
“You are with guy stuff,” he states matter-of-factly as he plops down on the bed beside me. The

mattress concaves beneath his weight and forces me to slide toward him. “You have no idea how
appealingyouare,andIfindithighlyamusing.”

“Yeah, okay.” I snort a laugh, scooting away from him. “You know what? I don’t think I’m the one

who’snaive.You’rejustanidiot.”

Hiseyesflashbloodred.“Youknow,normallywhensomeoneinsultsme,Ithrowtheminthefirepit.”

Hishanddartsout,hispalmlandingonmythigh.Thenhepresseshisfingersdownwardashedragsme

back toward him. “It’s a good thing I think you’re too weirdly beautiful to ruin that pretty little face of
yours.”

Ishakemyhead,huffinganexasperatedexhale.“Stoptryingtoproveafakepoint.”
“Whichis?”
“ThatI’mattractiveorwhatever.”
Hemusesoversomething.“Whydoesthismakeyousouncomfortable?”
Ishrug.“Becauseit’salie.IknowwhatIam—howIlook.I’vebeentolditenoughtimes.”
“Toldwhat?”
“ThatI’mhideous.”
Hefrowns,acrinkleformingathisbrow.“WhatexactlyhappenedtoyouinMysticWillowBay?”
Iswallowhardaspainfulmemoriescreepupofgettingmockedallthroughoutmychildhood.“Iwas

toldthetruth.”

Hiseyesblazelikewildfires.“Thetruth?”Heyanksmesoclosetohimmylegsenduponhislap.

“Youwanttoknowthetruth?Therealtruth?”Hedoesn’twaitformetoanswer,puttinghislipsbeside
my ear. “Eighteen years ago, a little girl was born that was created from a demon with succubus
bloodlinesandahalf-witch,half-demonfeeder.Thepowerofallfourbloodlinesweresopowerfulthat
nodemoncouldresistwantingtogetclosertoher.Theproblemwas,shewasalsosopowerfulthatany
demon that dared try to feed from her power died instantaneously. And then, one day her parents
abandonedherinalair.Nooneknowswhy,ifmaybetheywereafraidoftheirownchildorifthechild
killedthem.Although,aftermeetingyou,Inolongerbelievethelatter.”

He wraps his fingers around my wrist, as if he’s afraid I’m going to try to bolt. “Then a bunch of

idioticwitchesfoundheranddraggedherofftotheirmagicalkingdomwheretheyletthegirlpretendshe
wasapretty,pretty,almostpowerlesswitch.”Hecupshishandaroundthebackofmyneckanddrawsme
closer,hislipskissingmyearashespeaks.“Whenreally,shemightbethemostpowerfulhybriddemon
thathaseverbeencreated.”

Myentirebodytrembles.“You’relying,”Icroak.“I’mnotpowerfulatall.”
“WhywouldIlie?”Hebreatheshotlyinmyear.“Andasforbeingpowerful,youjusthaven’tbeen

taughtproperly.”

“That’s not true. I took every power controlling class at school and none of them ever helped me

improvemyskills.”

“That’sbecauseyouwerebeingtaughthowtousewitchpower.Butyou’remorethanjustawitch,my

littlerainbowtrout.”Henuzzleshisnoseintothecrookofmyneck,breathingindeeply.“Somuchmore.”

Idon’tknowwhattosayordoorthink.Noneofthismakessense,yetatthesametime…
Well,someofitdoesmakealittlebitofsense.Likewhythedemondiedwhenhetouchedme,orwhy

thedemonswantmeatall.IfIhavedemonfeederinme—creaturesthatsupplydemonswithpowerand
magnifyit—thatwouldexplainthatpart.

“Whydidyoubringmehere,Max?”Iwhisperhoarsely.“Didyoufindawayto…feedoffme?”
Hecontinuestonuzzlehisnoseintothecrookofmyneck.“WoulditmatterifIdid?”
“Thatalldepends.”
“Onwhat?”
“Onwhatyouneedtheextrapowerfor.”
Instead of answering, he turns his head and places a kiss against my racing pulse. “God, you smell

good.LikenothingI’veeversmelledbefore.”

“Max …” I start, my voice wobbling. “Tell me what you need my power for. And why the other

demonswantit—”

The rest of the words are ripped from my tongue as a loud explosion booms throughout the room,

vibratingthewalls,bed,andthechandelieraboveus.

I jerk back from Max, my gaze zipping to the center of the room where a massive, rainbow-tinted

portalisspinning.

“Whatthehell?”Maxmutters,risingtohisfeet.Hebrieflystaresattheportalbeforehisfierygaze

targetsme.“Whatdidyoudo?”

“YouthinkImadeaportal?”Iask,thenshakemyhead.“Newsflash,Max,I’mnotaspowerfulasyou

think.”

Shakinghishead,hemovesinfrontofme.“Idon’tthinkyouopenedaportal.”Hecrosseshisarms

andfixesaglareonme.“WhatIdoknowisthatnoone,includingwitches,shouldbeabletofindthis
location.Yet,somehow,someone’screatedaportaltoit.”

IthinkaboutmeetingRyleighinthedreamandhowshethoughtsheknewthelocationofMax’slair.

ButI’mnotabouttotellMaxthiswhenhehasn’ttoldmeifhe’sfoundawaytodrinkmypower.

“Well,Idon’tknowwhattotellyou,otherthanIdidn’tdoanything.”Igiveanonchalantshrug.“How

couldIwhenI’vebeenstuckhere?”

Hiseyesnarrowintoslits.“Thereareotherwaysofcommunicatingwithsomeone.Andconsidering

thepoweryouhave,I’mbetting—”

“Getawayfromher!”Hunter’sdemandingvoiceringsthroughtheair.
Thesoundcausesconflictingemotionstostirinsideme;hurt,anger,andelationtonameafew.
Iturnmyheadtowardtheportal,andmyheartleapsinmychestatthesightofHunterstandinginthe

openingwithhiswanddrawnandpointedatMax.

H

C H A P T E R F I V E

unterisheretosaveme!Hunter,theguyItrust!
Or,well,usedtotrust.
MyelationgoesdownanotchasIrealizeImightnotbeabletotrusthimanymore.
“Demon,stepawayfromher,”hesays,inchingcautiouslyintotheroom.
He’s wearing the same outfit as the last time I saw him: black jeans, a matching shirt, and boots. I

wonderifhe’llevergobacktodressingliketheHunterIknewbeforeallthesecretscamespillingout.
ThenIwonderwhyonearththatisthefirstthoughtthatcrossesmymindatthismoment.

Seriously,getyourheadinthegame,Eva!
ImovetoshoveMaxsoIcanruntotheportalandescape,buthesidestepsoutoftheway.
Then I spring to my feet, ready to make a run for it. Sure, I’m not too thrilled to return to Mystic

WillowBayanddealwiththetruth,butbeingheldcaptiveinademon’slairbyademonwhomayormay
not want to slurp me dry of my questionably strong power isn’t a better alternative. A demon wanting
powerisneveragoodthing.

Butneitherareyou,Eva.You’reademonandasuccubusandawitchanddemonfeeder.
WhileI’veneverheardofsuchacombination,theyallshareonethingincommon—theyhavealotof

power.So,ifMaxistellingthetruth…Ishudder.

Whatifhe’stellingthetruth,though?Thinkaboutthestuffyoucando!
Analmostviolentshiverrollsthroughmybodyatthepossibilities.
“Eva,gothroughtheportalnow!”Huntercries,reachingforme.
Istarttoruntowardtheportal,butMaxgrabsmyarmandhaulsmebacktowardhim.
“You’renotgoinganywhere,”hehisses,soundingveryunliketheMaxI’vebeentalkingto.
“Yousaidyouweren’tgoingtokeepmehereforever!”Icry,throwingmyweightforward.
He snakes his arms around my waist, holding me against his body. “Hate to break this to you,

sweetheart,butalldemonslie.”

Myheartthrashesinsidemychest.“Youwerelyingtome?”
“Notabouteverything.”Hekissesthebackofmyear.“Justaboutlettingyougo.”Anotherbrushofhis

lips,andthistime,averynotsogoodshivervibratesthroughmybody.“LikeIwouldevergivesomething
likeyouup.Besides,ifyougoback,you’llbeindanger.”

Ilaughhollowly,feelingstupidforeverbelievinghe’dletmego.He’sademon!
“LikeI’msafehere?”
“SaferthanyouareinMysticWillowBay,”hewhispersinmyear,movingbackwardasHunterruns

at us with his wand poised to cast a spell. “Now that word has gotten out about you, every demon and
hybridintheundergroundisgoingtocomeafteryou.”Hebacksuparoundthebed.“There’sareasonI
toldyoutostayawayfromTheIlluminatingHorrorHouseofTruth.Becausetherearedemonsplottingto

captureyouanduseyourpower.Forwhat,I’mnotsure.ButtrustmewhenIsayitwon’tbegood.”

“Howcantheyevenusemypower?”Imakemybodygolimpinanattempttogethimtostopmoving.

“Ithoughtitkilledthem?”

“Itdoes.Thatdoesn’tmeanthereisn’tawayaroundit.Trustme;Iknow.”
Heknows,asin,he’sfoundaway?
Panicflaresthroughme,potentandscorching.
Ineedtogetoutofhere.
“Lethergo!”Huntershoutsashechasesafterus.
Maxlaughsashecontinuestodragmedeeperintohisdemonlairbedroom.“Orwhat?”
Hunterscreechestoastopwithhiswandoutinfrontofhim,thetipsparklingsilver.Thenheopens

hismouthandstartstochantaspell.“Alofor—”

Maxcutshimoffashebeginstoyelltheincantationtoapetrifyingcurse.
Mypanicdoubles,knowingthatifMaxgetsallthewaythroughthecurse,Hunterwilldie.Justlike

Ryleigh.

Wait a second. This is the second time I’ve heard Max throw a petrifying curse. It’s not a very

commoncurse,either.Mostdemonsusethetorturespelltokilltheirvictims.

DidMaxkillmysister?

O

C H A P T E R S I X

h,myGod.Oh,myGod.Oh,myGod!Whatifhedid?

Iwanttoaskhim,demandtoknowtheanswer,butHunterandMaxareinthemiddleofaspellanda

curse that is potentially going to lead to disaster. I need to stop them—well, Max, anyway—before he
killsHunter.

Dosomething,Eva!YoumaybemadatHunter,butifhedies,apartofyouwilldie,too.
IlookaroundtheroomforsomethingtograbandhitMaxwith,buttheonlythingwithinreachisthe

bed. Therefore, I do the only thing I can think of to do. I open my mouth and out comes the most
bloodcurdling scream I can make. I hold the sound for as long as I can until I run out of breath. The
momentthenoisedies,thetwoofthemstartrightbackupagain.

Panicking, I lean forward and lift my leg to kick Max in the shin. However, he jumps back while

holdingmeandsomehowcontinuesonwithhiscurse.

Thetrickylittledemon!
I open my mouth and belt out, “Max, if you don’t …” I trail off as a figure appears in the spinning

portal.

Momentslater,Opalstumblesoutofthecircularopeningandintothedemonlair.Shehasherwings

outandadon’t-fuck-with-meexpressiononherface.Definitelynottheshy,quietOpalIknow.

Again,anotherlie.
ButIhavehardlyanytimetogetallwoundedandsulkyasOpalflingsherhandsforwardandthrows

shimmering violet faerie dust all over the room, which might not sound too scary in theory, but just a
handful of it carries enough power to collapse an entire house. And it also happens to be potent to
demons.Whichmakesmewonderwhyit’sneverdoneanythingtome.

Strange…
Astheshimmeringdustshowersthroughtheair,Maxletsoutastringofcurses,hishandsfallingfrom

mywaist.

“Damnfaeries!”hegrowlsasheracesbackward,tryingtoescapethefaeriedustrainstorm.Butafew

glitteryfragmentslandonhischeeks.

Hegivesmeaworriedlookbeforehiseyesrollintothebackofhishead,andthenhecollapsestothe

floor.

Isteptowardhim.“Ishe…?Ishedead?”Idon’tknowhowIfeelabouttheidea,butapartofme—a

verydisturbing,unsettlingpartofme—isn’tveryhappyaboutit.

“No,he’sjustpassedout.”Huntermovesupbesideme,hisarmbrushingagainstmine.
When I glance up at him, he’s not looking at Max but at me. His eyes are wild, as if a frenzy of

emotionsarepouringthroughhim.Theout-of-controllookthrowsmyequilibriumoffbalance.

Hunterneverlooksoutofcontrol.

“Areyouokay?”heasks,hisvoicehoarse,hiseyeshugeashefranticallylooksmeover.
Ibobmyheadupanddown.“Yeah,I’mfine—”
He crashes his lips against mine, giving me a brief but passionate kiss. When he pulls away, he

appearsadropcalmer.ButwhatevercalmnessIhadinmegoespeaceoutasconfusionfloodsmybody.

Hekissedme.
What.The.Freakin’.Giggling.Sprites.
Hecarriesmygaze,hiseyessearchingmine.“Iwassoworriedaboutyou.Ithoughtwewerenever

goingtobeabletofindyou.Ifitwasn’tforRyleigh,wewouldn’thave.”

“Iknow.”Asuddenthoughtcomesoutofnowhereandbitchslapsmeacrosstheface.“Wait,howdid

youcommunicatewithher?”

“Wehadatelepathicexpertcomeinandreadhermind.”Helaceshisfingersthroughmineandholds

ontightly.“Iknewthat,whenRyleighwasalive,shecoulddreamtravel.Ihadahunchshemighttrytoget
intoyourdreamstoseeifyouwereokay.”

MylipsformanO,butnowordscomeout.HeknewRyleighcoulddreamtravel?Heknewherbetter

thanme.

“Eva, I’m so sorry we lied to you and hurt you,” he says, as if reading my mind. “But I’m just so

fuckinggladyou’reokay.Whenthedemontookyou…Ithought…Well…”Shakinghishead,heleans
forwardandkissesmeagain.

Warmthandcoldnesssimultaneouslyflowthroughmyveins,scorchinghotyetchillinglycold,which

makesitimpossibletopullawayorkisshimback.Instead,Iendupstandingtherewithmyheartpounding
inmychestandmylegstrembling.

“Hunter,stopthat,”Opal’svoiceslicesthroughthemoment.“Youknowyou’renotsupposedtodothat

whileyou’reonthejob.”

Huntergraduallypullsback,wettinghislipswithhistongue.“Thisisdifferent,”hetellsherwithout

takinghiseyesoffme.

Ifeellikehe’ssearchingforsomethinginsideme,butIdon’thaveacrazy,confusedcluewhat.And

addingtothatconfusionisthefactthathe’skissedmetwiceinthelastminute.Howcanthatbepossible
afteralltheseyearsofmebeinginlovewithhim,yetfiguringhe’dneverreciprocatemyfeelings?Hashe
reallywantedtokissmeallthistime,butwasjustafraid?Oristhispartofthelie,ofstayingclosetome?

Iinstinctivelystarttodecideonthelatter,butthenMax’swordsechothroughmymind.
HesaidIamnaiveaboutguys,likeIammoredesirablethanIthought.Hemadeitsoundlikeithad

moretodowithmypowerthananythingelse…

Thenitdawnsonme.
Succubus.
Holyfreak!Iamasuccubus!

O

C H A P T E R S E V E N

kay,sohere’sacoupleofthingsIknowaboutsuccubi.Theyhavethepowertoseducemen,andthey

havealotofsex.NoneofthatmakessensetomesinceI’veneverseducedanyoneinmylife.Andupuntil
whenMaxkissedmeinthecageatEvan’s,virginlipsgracedmyface.

“What’swrong?”Hunterasksworriedly.“Youlookflushed?”
“It’s nothing.” I shake my head, feeling my cheeks warm even more. “I’m just exhausted and

overwhelmed.”

Ihatelying,butwhatelseamIsupposedtosay?I’mflushedbecauseImightbeasuccubus. Yeah,

that’sprettymuchawalkingcontradiction.

Bythelookonhisface,hedoesn’tbuymybullshit.It’sirritatingthatheknowsmesomuchbetterthan

Iknowhim.

Opalapproachesuswithherwingsstillout,thecornersflutteringagainstthedraftblowingoutfrom

theportal.“Hunter,weneedtogetheroutofherebeforethedemonwakesup.”

“HisnameisMax,”Iautomaticallysay,thenshrugwhentheybothgivemeastrangelook.“What?He

toldmeitwas.”

Puzzlement etches into Hunter’s features. “Eva, you know he was probably lying to you, right?

Demon’srarelytellyoutheirrealnames.”

Hehasapoint,butstill…
“IsHunteryourrealname?”Ibitedownonmytongue,regrettingthewordstheinstantIsaythem.I

soundlikeabitterBetty.

Huntersighssadly.“Yes,mynameisreallyHunter.”Heleansforward,loweringhisvoice.“Iknow

youdon’ttrustmerightnow,andItotallygetit,butIpromiseyouthatnoteverythingwasalie.Thebasic
stuffItoldyou,andsomeofthemorepersonalstuff,iscompletelytrue.”

Mybrainsetsintoamentaltug-of-warovermyfeelingsforhim.DoIhatehim?Lovehim?AmIangry

withhim?Sad?Hurt?WhatdoIfeel!

Whenhenotesmyexpression,hebrushesthebackofhishandacrossmycheekbone.“We’lltalkmore

aboutthislater,okay?Rightnow,weneedtogetyouhome.”Heoffersmehishand.

Home.DoIevenhaveahome?
I glance around the demon lair, remembering the story Max told me about the hybrid child. Then I

think about how Hunter said that the society found me in a demon lair when I was a baby. The stories
matchupalmostperfectly,whichmeansthat,atonepoint,Ilivedinaplacelikethis.ThatalsomeansI’m
afreakofnaturewithaclusterfuckofcreatures’bloodsloshingaroundinmybody.

Igrimaceatthethought,butIdotakeHunter’shandandlethimleadmetowardtheportal.
“I’venevertraveledthroughaportalbefore,”Iadmitasweneartheswirlingtunnelinthemiddleof

theroom.

Hegivesmyhandasqueeze.“Iknow.I’llgetyouthroughit.Justholdmyhand,okay?”
InodasOpalstepsupbesideme.
“Whathappensifmyhandslipsfromyours?”
“Don’tletthathappen,”Opalsaysworriedly.“Youcouldgetlostinsideandneverfindyourwayout.”
I turn my head to look at her, but she won’t meet my eyes, her gaze trained on the portal. I wonder

why.Doesithaveanythingtodowithfeelingguiltyaboutlyingtome?Orisshejustconcentrating?

Huntersoftlytugsonmyhand,redirectingmyattentiontohim.“Ready?”
Igiveanunsteadynod.“Iguessso.”
Truthfully,I’mnervous.Ifanyoneweretoendupgettinglostinaportal,it’dbeme.Havingnoother

choice, though, I clutch Hunter’s hand and step forward into the swirling colors and warm air, hoping
uponhopethatI’llmakeitout.

T

C H A P T E R E I G H T

ravelingthroughaportalisawful.AndImean,awful.NotonlydoIgetmotionsickness,butmylimbs

feellikethey’regoingtoberippedfrommybody.Anddon’tevengetmestartedonthehandsweat.But
that’smostlyfromthefactthatI’mclutchingHunter’shandfordearlife.

Pleaseletmegetoutofhere.Please,please,please…
My feet touch solid surface, and the wind rushing and pulling at my body suddenly stops. I don’t

releaseHunter’shandrightaway,though,grippingitasIcrackopenaneyelid.ThenIsighinreliefasI
takeinthefourwallsandthefurniturethatmakeupthelivingroomofthehouseI’mrenting.

“I’mhome.ThankGod.”
Hunterbrusheshisfingeralongthebackofmyhand.“You’reallright,right?Nomotionsicknessor

anythinglikethat?”

“Notanymore.”Idrapemyfreehandacrossmystomach.“Whilewewereinthere,though,IthoughtI

wasgoingtoyackalloveryou.”

Hechuckles,shakinghisheadashestaresatmein…well,shock.
“What?”Iask,feelingself-conscious.“Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat?”
“Likewhat?”Hislipstwitchinamusement.
“LikeI’vesurprisedyou.AndthatI’mamusing.”
“You’realwaysamusing,”hejokes,tuggingonastrandofmyhair.Thenthehumorinhiseyesfizzles

intoseriousness.“It’sjustnicetohearyousoundlike…well,you.”

“WhatelsewouldIsoundlike?Acrazyhybriddemon?”Iask,slightlyoffended.
Hepromptlyshakeshishead.“That’snotwhatImeantatall.Imeantthatyoustillsoundlikeyoueven

afterI…”Hepauseswithconflictioninhiseyes.

“Admittedthatyouliedtome,”Ifinishforhim.
Guiltflickersacrosshisface,buthehastilyerasesitasOpaldivesoutoftheportalandintotheliving

room.Shelandsgracefullyonherfeetneartheleathersofa,thendustsoffherhands,foldsupherwings,
andshutsdowntheportalwithaflickofherwrist.

“Missionaccomplished.”Shebeams,buthersmilefaltersassheglancesatme.“Hey.”Sheoffersme

atentative,unsuresmile.

“Hey.”MytoneconveysthebuttloadofhurtI’mfeelinginside.
Shemusthearit,becauseshesays,“Eva,I’msosorry.ThereweresomanytimesIwantedtotellyou,

butitwentagainstprotocol.”

“Iunderstand.”Honestly,Idon’t.MaybeI’mbeingcrazy,butI’dliketothink,ifIwereintheirshoes,

I’d have broken down a long time ago and confessed everything to them. Perhaps that’s because I care
moreaboutthem.

“No,youdon’t.”Shereadsstraightthroughmylies.“Butthat’sokay.Youhaveeveryrighttobehurt.

Justsoyouknow,ourfriendshipwasneveralie.I’vealwaysthoughtofyouasmyrealfriend.”

“That’swhatHuntersaid,too.”Mydeflatedtonecausesthembothtofrown.“Sorry,butIcan’thelpit.

Youguysliedtomeforyears,andnowI’mwonderingifanythingaboutourfriendshipistrue.Anditsort
ofmakessense.Nooneeverlikedme,exceptyoutwo,andIalwayswonderedwhythatwas.”Igestureat
Hunter.“Imean,youweresopopular,yetyouactedlikewewerebestfriends.”Hislipspart,butItalk
over him. “And Opal, you were so normal and sweet and powerful. It never made sense why you hung
aroundme.”

“Eva…”Opalstarts,tearspoolinginhereyes.
“It’sfine,”Icutheroff,backingawayasIbecomeemotionallyoverwhelmed.“Ijustneedaminute,

okay?”

Hunterwindsaroundthesofa,followingafterme.“Idon’tthinkit’sagoodideaforyoutowanderoff

byyourself.”

Frustrationcrawlsthroughme.“So,I’mneversupposedtobealonenow?”
Opal’s gaze flits to me then to Hunter. “Give her a minute, okay? The house has more charms and

protectionspellsonitthanthefeyrealm.Nothing’sgettingin.”

“I’mnotworriedaboutsomethinggettingin.”Hunterstuffshishandsintohispockets,seemingfidgety.

“I’mworriedabouthergettingout.”

“I’mnotgoinganywhere,”Ipromise.“Ijustneedabreather.AndIwanttoseeRyleigh…Isshein

thebasement?”

Hunternodsuneasily.“Sheis.”
“Okay,I’lljustgodowntherethen.”Imovetoleave.
“Eva,wait,”Huntercallsout.
Ipauseinthedoorway,glancingovermyshoulderathim.“Yeah?”
Hewalkstowardme,takingslow,measuredsteps,asifapproachingaskittishcat.“Didthedemon

saywhyhetookyou?Oranythingtoyouatall?”

Ihesitate,notbecauseIdon’tplanontellinghim,butbecauseI’mafraidofwhathethinkofme—and

maybedotome—whenhefindsoutwhatIam.“Hemayhavesaidafewthings.”

“Aboutwhat?”
“AboutwhatIam.”
“CanIask?”Heinchesclosertomewithuncertainty.“Willyoutellmewhathesaid?”
Iswallowthelumpcrammedinmythroat.Idon’twanttotellhim.Idon’twanttotellanyone.Iwant

tokeepthetruthlockedinsidemewhereitcanneverescape.Thatway,Idon’thavetoseethedisgustin
theireyeswhentheyrealizejusthowfoulofacreatureIam.Fakefriendsornot,Idon’tthinkIcanhandle
thatrightnow.

“I’lltellyoulater,afterImakesureRyleighisstilllingeringaround,”Isay.ThenIhurryoutofthe

roombeforeeitherofthemcantrytowrigglethetruthoutofme.

BythetimeImakeittothebasementdoor,I’monthevergeoftears.Nothingmakessenseanymore.

Notmyself.Notmyfamily.NotOpal.NotHunter.

What was with all the kisses he gave me? He’s never kissed me like that before, except for right

beforeIwaskidnapped.Butthatwasmorebecausewesharedmagic.Perhapsthat’swhyhe’skissedme
twicesinceherescuedme.Perhapstheconnectionspellisstillinplace.

I continue to obsess over it, more than I probably should, as I trot down the stairway. Then, all

thoughtsleavemymindwhenIseeRyleigh’sbodylyingonthemetaltable,lifeless,hereyesopen,her
skindeathlypale.

WorryblaststhroughmeasIrushuptothetable.“Ryleigh,canyouhearme?”Itouchhercheektofind

herskinisblisteringcold.“Ryleigh,wakeupandtalktome.”

Silenceismyonlyanswer.

“Ryleigh,please,youcan’tgoyet,”Ibeg.“IknowIwasangryatyou,butI’mnotreadytoloseyou.”

Tears fall from my eyes and cascade down my cheeks as she remains motionless. “Please,” I whisper.
“Pleasewakeup.”

Again,Igetnothingbutsilence.Andthelongeritgoeson,themoreIrealizeImayhavetoacceptthe

truth.

I’mtoolate.
Ryleighhascompletelydiedforever.

I

C H A P T E R N I N E

don’tknowhowlongIstandthere,sobbingmyeyesout,beforeHuntereventuallycomesdowntocheck

onme.Hetakesonelookatmyhotmessofafaceandwrapshisarmsaroundme.

“I’msosorry,baby.”Hehugsme,smoothinghishandupanddownmyback.
TearsstreamfrommyeyesasIpressmycheekagainsthischest.Everythinghurts.Mybrain.Mybody.

Mysoul.Ryleighmayhavebeenmyfakesister,butIstillcaredabouther—stilldo.Idon’twanttodeal
withthepainrightnow.Can’t.I’vefelttoomuchpaininthelastfewdays,andIfeellikeIwillfallapart
atanymoment.

“Baby?”Iaskinanattempttodistractmyselffromthepain.“Sincewhendoyoucallmebaby?”
“DidI?”Histoneisamixtureofperplexityandintrigue.
Ibobmyheadupanddown,clutchingthebottomofhisshirt,andherunshisfingersupanddownmy

spine.

“Ididn’trealizeIdid.”
“It’s weird you did.” I suck an uneven breath, fighting back the tears that want to pour out. “That’s

whatRyleigh’sboyfriendusedtocallherallthetime.”

Ryleigh.Ichokeonthename.
Myheartisbreakinginhalf.
“Hmmm…”isallHuntersays,pressingmeclosertohim.
“You’reactingweird,”Iwhisper.“Isit…?Isitbecausewesharedmagic?”
“Maybe.”Hesoundscompletelydoubtful.
“Whatelsecoulditbe?”
Insteadofanswering,hehugsmecloseruntilourchestarepressedsotightlytogetherIcanfeelhis

heart hammering. I wonder why. I wonder a lot of things. Instead of asking questions, though, I end up
sobbingmyheartout,andHunterholdsmetightlyagainsthischesttheentiretime,rockingmebackand
forthwhilehetracesapathupanddownmyspinewithhisfingers.Italmostmakesmeforgetheisn’tmy
realfriend.

Almost.
“Howaboutwegetyouupstairstobed?”HuntersaysafterI’vecriedforwhatfeelslikeforever,yet

somehownotlongenough.“I’msureyou’reexhausted.”

“Yeah, I am.” I dry my eyes with the back of my hand then step out of his arms. “Just give me a

second,okay?”

IturntowardRyleigh’sbody.“I’msosorryIcouldn’tsaveyou.Iwantedtosobadly,butI…Ifailed

you.”TearsfallfrommyeyesandlandonhercheeksasIwhisper,“I’llmissyou.”Igivemyselfonelast
momentbeforeItakeadeepbreathandturnaway.

ImeantwhatIsaid,too.Ryleighmaynothavebeenmyrealsister,andImayhavebeenangryather

forlyingtome,butI’llmissherwithallmyheartandwillalwaysfeelguiltyfornotsavingher.

“Y

C H A P T E R T E N

ouknowit’snotyourfault,right?”Huntersaystomeasweentermybedroom.“Ryleigh’sdeath,I
mean.”

Idon’tsayanythingasIcrossmyroomandopenthetopdrawerofmydressertogetsomepajamas

out.Itfeelssostrange,lookingforpajamas.Soordinary.Sonormal.

“Eva,talktome.”
WhenIremainquiet,Huntersighs.
The floorboards creak beneath his weight as he makes his way toward me. I don’t turn around,

busyingmyselfwithfindingclothes.Findingclothesiseasy,andeasyiswhatIneedrightnow.However,
Ican’tfindanydamnpajamas!Anywhere!So,Ijuststarttossingclothesonthefloor.

“Takeadeepbreath.”Huntersetshishandsonmyshoulders.
“Ican’t.”I’mafraidifIdo,I’llstartgaspingforair.AndifIstartgaspingforair,Imayneverbreathe

again.

Aftergivingmyshouldersabriefmassage,hesteersmeawayfromthedresser.Whenwereachthe

footofmyunmadebed,hetwistsmearoundtofacehimthengentlypushesmedownonthebed.Then,
without saying a word, he returns to my dresser, opens the middle drawer, and digs out a pair of plaid
pajamashortsandatanktop.

“Youmadethatlooksoeasy,”Itellhimashehandsmemypajamas.
“You’reupset.”Hecrouchesdowninfrontofme.“Andthat’sokay.You’vebeenthroughalot.”He

sweepsmyhairoffmyshoulder.“ButyouneedtoknowthatwhathappenedtoRyleighisn’tyourfault.”

“Iknow.”AndIkindofdo.Still,IfeellikeIfailedher.“IthinkImightknowwhosefaultitis.”
Hisbrowsscrunch.“Youmean,youknowwhohitherwiththepetrifyingcurse?”
“I’mnotpositive,butIthinkitcould’vebeenMax.”
“Thedemonwhokidnappedyou?”
I nod. “Petrifying curses are used so rarely, yet he used it once on me and tried to use it on you.

Apparently,it’shisgo-tocurse.”

He’squietforalengthyamountoftime.“Idon’twanttoupsetyoumore,butIthinkthatassumption

mightbealongshot.”

“Iknowthat.ButIwanttolookintoit.Andifhedid,heneedstopay.”
He places his hands on my thighs. “I don’t want you going near that demon, or any demon, for that

matter.Notwhenalmosteverydemonoutthereishuntingyou.”

“They’vealwaysbeenhuntingme,haven’tthey?”Iask.“What’ssodifferentnow?”
“Theywereneverhuntingyoubefore.Theywerejusttryingtofindawaytogetclosetoyouandfeed

off your powers without killing themselves. Now they’re literally coming after you. They’ve been
loomingaroundthehousesincethatdemontriedtofeedoffyou.Theonlyreasontheyhaven’tcomeinside

is because we had the most powerful faeries and witches basically drown the house in charms and
protectionspells.”

Acoldchillrunsdownmyspine.“What’schanged?”
“I’m not sure. My bet is that they’ve figured out a way to feed off you without dying.” He cups my

cheek,lookingmedeadintheeye.“Youcan’tleavethishouse,okay?Promisemeyouwon’t.”

Myexpressionplummets.“Youwantmetostayinhereforever?”
He swiftly shakes his head, sending wisps of his blond hair into his eyes. “Just until we can find

anotherplaceforyoutostay—asafeplace.”

“Youmean,IhavetoleaveMysticWillowBay?”Iwanttoadd,leavemyfamily,butIguessIdon’t

reallyhaveone.

IwonderifmyfakeparentsknowIknow.IwonderiftheycarethatI’mhurting.Iwonderiftheywere

upsetwhen—andif—theyheardI’dbeentakenbyademon.

“Don’tworry;I’llgowithyou,”hepromises,skimmingmycheekbonewithhisfinger.
Aslovelyasthegestureis,Ihavetowonder…“Why?We’renotfriends.Isitbecauseofyourjob?”
“Wearefriends,”heinsists,avoidingthequestionaboutthejob.“Ialreadytoldyouthatwasreal.”
“Arewe,though?”Iwonder.“Idon’treallyknowyou,andIthinkfriendsaresupposedtoknoweach

otheralittlebit.”

“Ialreadytoldyouthatyouknowmebetterthananyone.”
“Butafteryousaidthatnoonereallyknowstherealyou.”
“Eva…”
“Hunter…”Imimichistone.
Hesighs,andsodoI,mostlytoannoyhim.
Heshakeshishead,buthe’sonthevergeofsmiling.“Youdrivemesocrazysometimes.”
“Rightbackatyou.”
Hegrins.“Nomatterwhatyousay,wearefriends,Evalee.Weclickwaytoowell.”
Isnortalaugh.“Click?Ha!Yeah,right.We’recompleteopposites.”
“Andthat’swhywe’resoperfectforeachother.”Alopsidedsmileliftshislips.“Noonecankeepup

withmybanterlikeyoucan.”

I wish I could agree with him, and maybe a few days ago, I would have. Now I’m not even sure I

knowhimatall.Besides,wouldhestillsaythatifheknewwhatIwas?

“WhatcanIdo?”heasks,searchingmyeyesforsomething.
“Whatdoyoumean?”Iwonder,feelingsolost.
Hegentlysweepsastrandofhairbehindmyear.“Tohelpyoufeelbetter.”
Isighheavily.“I’mnotsurethere’sanythingyoucando.”
“Of course there is.” Determination burns in his eyes. “I always used to be able to cheer you up

wheneveryouweresad.”

“Iknow.”AndI’mbeingtruthful.Hunterwasalwaysgoodatcheeringmeup.“ButI’mnotsureIcan

be cheered up right now. After everything …” I suck in a tremulous breath, fighting back the tears.
“BetweenRyleighbeing…gone,andthewholethingwiththedemonkidnappingmeandtellingmewhat
hethinksIam…”Igiveadrearyhalf-shrug.“Idon’tthinkI’mgoingtobeabletocheerupsoon.Sorry.”

“Youdon’tneedtobesorry.”Herubshislipstogetherasheseemstodecideonsomething.“Hetold

youwhatyouare?”

Inod,lookingawayfromhim.“Hedid.”
Silencedragsbetweenus.
“Canyou…?”Hestrugglesforwords.“Doyouwanttotalkaboutit?”
Ishakemyhead,tearsbubblinginmyeyes.
Hehesitates.“Idon’twanttoforceyoutodoanything,especiallyrightnow,butifweknewwhatyou

are,itcouldhelpusfigureoutwhythedemonsareafteryou.”

“By us and we, you mean the society, right?” A single tear falls to my cheek as shame burns in my

chest.

I’mamonster.
“Yes.” He swipes the tear away with his thumb then rests his hand on my cheek. “I know you’re

probablyalittleunsureofthissocietything,butIpromisethateverythinginitisworkinghardtoprotect
you.”

“Even my fake parents?” Another tear escapes my eye and another. Freakin’ bawling baby witches,

whendidIbecomesuchacrybaby?Ineedtowomanup!

He nods with remorse in his eyes. “I know you think everything was fake, but the people who are

lookingoutforyoucareforyou.”

“Thenwhyaren’tmyfakeparentshere?”Iquestion,fearingtheanswer.“Iftheyreallycareaboutme,

whyaren’ttheyhere?”

Hislipspart,butnowordscomeout.Sealinghislipstogether,hestudiesmeintently,andthensays,

“I’mhere.”

“I know.” I have to wonder why. Is it solely because of his job? Or is he here as my friend, too? I

couldaskhim.Thenagain,Ifearthetruth.Instead,Iask,“AmIevergoingtomeetotherpeopleinthe
society?”Anotherthoughtclicks.“IsPeytonapartofit,too?Idoubtit,becauseshe’savampire,butshe’s
alsomyroommate,andsofar,thosearetwofortwo.”

“Peyton’snotapartofit.”Hegivesareluctantpause.“Eventually,you’llmeettherestofthesociety.

Someofthemembersyou’vealreadymet,buttherearesomeyouhaven’t.”

Ieyehimovercarefully.“Whydoyousoundunhappyaboutmemeetingthem?”
Hegivesadismissiveshrug,hisjawsettight.“Idon’t.”
“Youdo,too.”Iwaitforhimtotellmewhatinthewigglingmonkeyshasgothimsosquirmy,butall

hedoesispushtohisfeet.

“I’m going to let you shower and get changed into your pajamas. I need to go talk to Opal for a

minute.”

Iwatchhimcrossmyroom,myheartachinginmychest.ImaynotknowtherealHunter,butIcantell

he’skeepingsomethingfromme.

Beforehestepsoutofmyroom,hecastsaglanceoverhisshoulder.“Iknowyoudon’twanttotalk

aboutwhatthedemontoldyou,butyoureallyneedtotellmesoon,okay?Ifyoudon’t…”Hewavers,
worryflickeringinhiseyes.“Well,someoneelsefromthesocietyisgoingtogetthetruthoutofyou.”He
quicklyexitstheroomwithoutsomuchasabackwardglance.

Puzzlementswirlsinmymind,thickandpotentandlacedwithfear.Fearovertellingthetruthandfear

because…Well,becausewhenHuntersaidsomeoneelsefromthesocietywouldgetthetruthoutofme,
itsoundedlikeawarning.

A

C H A P T E R E L E V E N

fterI’veshoweredandchangedintoapairofpajamas,Iheadbacktomyroom.Idon’tknowwhy,but

IexpectHuntertobetherewaitingforme.He’snot.

I consider hopping into bed, because holy sleepy spells I’m exhausted. However, curiosity gets the

bestofme,andIdecidetotrytodoalittlebitofeavesdropping.

Tiptoeing out of my room, I pad down the hallway and toward the top of the stairs. As I pass by

Opal’sroom,Ihearmurmuringcomingfromtheotherside,soIstopandpressmyeartothedoor.

“Hunter,Iseriouslyhavenoideawhatthehellisgoingoninyourhead,”Opalhisseswithfrustration.

“Kissingherlikethat—that’scompletelyagainsttherules.”

“Iknowwhattherulesare,”Hunterbitesback.“Idon’tneedyoutoremindme.”
“Obviously,youdo,”Opalsays.“SinceyoukissedhertwicethatIknowof.Godknowshowmany

othertimesyou’vedoneit.”WhenHuntersaysnothing,sheletsoutasequenceofcurses,soundingvery
un-Opal-like.“You’regoingtogetinsomuchtrouble.”

“No,I’mnot,”hestates.“Becauseyou’renotgoingtotellanyone.”
“Pleasedon’tputmeinthatposition.”
“IfyoucareforEvaandmeatall,youwon’tsayanything.”
Silencelingersintheair.
“Whyisthissoimportanttoyou?”Opalfinallyasks.“Doyoureallycareabouther?Oristhisjust

anotheroneofyourflingswhereyou’lluseherthendumpher?It’snotworthgettingintotroubleoverifit
is.AndIdon’twantyoumessingwithEva’sheartlikethat.She’stoosweet.”

Moresilence.
“Look,I’mnot—”
IletoutabansheescreamasPeyton’spetbatswoopsdownthehallwayanddivesatmyhead.
Irealizemymistakeasquealofasecondlaterandmakeamaddashformybedroom.ThenIdiveinto

bedandpullthecoversovermyhead,feelingalittlesilly.Atthesametime,Idon’twantthemtoknowI
waslistening.Iftheydofindout,theymightbemorecarefulaboutwhattheysay,andIneedtofindoutas
muchasIcan.

WhatIreallywanttoknowiswhyHunterisn’tallowedtokissme.Becauseofthesociety?
Ireallyneedtofindoutmoreaboutthissociety.Imean,Iknownothingaboutthemorwhattheydo.

WhyworksohardtoprotectmewhentheysupposedlyhavenocluewhatIam?

As I lie in bed, waiting for someone to check in on me and teeter-tottering between sleep and

consciousness,mythoughtsdrifttowhatelseHunterandOpalsaid.AmIjustaflingforHunter,likealot
of the girls he’s dated? A while ago, I would have never doubted him. Now … I don’t know anything.
Abouthim.Mylife.Thisworld.

I’m completely lost and alone. I worry I may never find my way to a place where anything makes

senseagain.

I

C H A P T E R T W E L V E

leadHunterdownapathpavedwithflowers,staringupatthetwinklingstarssparklinginthesky.

The way I move feels different than normal, like I’m more in control over my body. A seductress.
Powerful.Hypnotic.

MyheartissteadyinsidemychestasIsteerhimfartherdownthepathandintothedarkness.Then

mypulsequickenswithexcitementasIturnaroundandlookathim.

“Youdon’tneedtoworry,”Itellhim,mylipscurling.“Iwon’thurtyou.”
Notphysically,anyway.
I can feel a darkness stirring inside my chest. A darkness begging to be fed. It’s terrifying and

invigorating.Iwanttoturnaroundandrun,yetatthesametime,Iwanttokeepgoing.

Soft,sultrymusicflowsfromsomewhereandcandlessparkleinthedistance.Theairishotandmy

skinisdampbeneaththeshortdresscoveringmybody.Ifeelsexyandalive.Awakeforthefirsttime.
Incontrol.

Ilovethefeeling.Cravemoreofit.
IwalkbackwardinfrontofHunter,stillholdinghishand.Islipmytongueoutofmymouthtowet

mylips,andhiseyesflarewithdesireashewatchesthemovement.WhenIdothemovementagain,he
letsoutagroan.

Theurgetoleanforwardandbiteonhisliprushesthroughmybody,andIleanforwardtodojust

that.Asimpletaste,butitsendsmysensesintoafrenzyandmakesHuntergroanagain.

I’veneverfeltthiswaybefore.Wildlyincontrol,yetreckless,likeI’mabouttodosomethingvery

wrong,yetso,soright.

“Areyouready?”Iask,stoppingwherethepathopensup.
Thousandsofcandlesflickeracrosstheground,matchingthestarsinthesky.Leavesandflower

petalsrainintheair.Thisplaceisgorgeous,familiar,butIdon’tknowwhy.

Hunterslowlynods,skimmingtheinsideofmywristwithhisfinger.“Fuckyes.”
AsmiletugsatmylipsasImoveintothespaceattheendofthepath.Petalsandleavesinstantly

swirl around us, making the atmosphere magical. But the uplifting feeling clashes with the hungry
darknessclawingatmychest.

Ineedsomething.Fromhim.
Anervousbreathpuffsfromhislipsashestaresatme,hypnotized,waiting.
Forwhat?
Icrookmyfingerathim.“Comehere.”
Hestepstowardmeuntilourbodiesarenearlyflushed.“Nowwhat?”
Istareintohiseyes.“Doyouwantme?”
Henodswithouthesitation.“Morethananything.”

Ipullhimcloser.“Howcomeyou’veneversaidanythingbefore?”
Hisshakyfingersfindmywaist.“BecauseIwasafraid.”
Itracemyfingerupanddownhisback,smilingtomyselfasheshivers.Ihavesomuchpowerover

him.

“Afraidofwhat?”
Heloopshisarmsaroundmywaist,thenslantsforward,leavingonlyamereinchbetweenourlips.

“You.Me.HowIfeelaboutyou.Whatitmeans.Howthesocietywouldreact…”Hetrailsoff,hisgaze
droppingtomylips.“Iwantyousobadly,Eva.”

“Iwantyou,too.”Myboldwordsdon’tfeelliketheybelongtome.Nothingaboutmedoesatthe

moment. Something is wrong, and I know it, but I can’t stop myself from leaning closer to him and
breathinginhisscent.“Yousmellsogood.”Tasty.

I’mgoingtodevouryou.
Thethoughtsendsterrorcoursingthroughme,butthedarknessinmychestpromptlysquashesit.
“Sodoyou,”hewhispersdazedly.
Idipmylipsclosertohis.“Iwanttokissyou.”
Whatishappeningtome?
Heshutshiseyesandletsoutanuntamedmoan.“Iwantyoutokissme,too.”
Givinghimwhathewants,andwhatthedarknessinsidemecraves,Isealmylipstohis.
Heshivers,hiseyesslippingshut.
A consuming hunger blazes through my veins as I deepen the kiss, slipping my tongue into his

mouth.

Hewhimpers,almostseeminginpain,buthehastolikewhatI’mdoingtohimbecausehesays,or

morelikebegs,“Please,Eva,Ineedmore.”

Igivehimwhathewants,andwhatthedarknessinsidemecraves,asItanglemytonguewithhis,

tasting,wanting,drivinghimmad.

MypulsethrobsasIgrabaholdofhim,stabbingmyfingernailsintohisflesh.Ahuskymoanflees

hislips,andIpressmybodyclosertohim,kissinghimfiercely,nearlybruisingourmouths.

Whatintheworldishappeningtome?I’veneveractedthiswaybefore.Sooutofcontrol.Sobold.

Sosexual…

MymindgetslostinacloudofdesireasIkisshisjawline,hisneck,gentlygrazingmyteethacross

hisskin.I’mswelteringwithneed.

Takeitfromhim,Eva.Feedyourpowers.
Whatpowers?
HegroansoutmynameasIbitehisneck,kindofroughly,too.
Heclutchesontome,groaningandpanting,beggingformore.
“Eva,” he groans out my name as his head tips back and his hand finds the back of my head.

“Moreplease.”

Ibitehimagain,probablybreakingskin.I’dworrymaybeIhavevampirebloodinme,butit’snot

hisbloodIcrave.It’shim—allofhim.

“Thisiscrazy,”Iwhispermoretomyself.“ButIcan’tcontrolmyself.”
“Good…Idon’twantyouto.”
Ibitedownonhisneckagain,leavingteethmarks.“I’mgoingtodevouryou.”
“Yes,please…”hebegsasmylipsmovetowardhismouthagain.
Ipreparetokisshimuntilhecan’tbreathe,untilthehungerinsidemeisfullyfed.Butrightasour

lipsareabouttoreunite,Irealizewhat’shappening.

I’mseducingHunterinadream.
MaxtoldmeIhavesuccubusblood.

Oh,myGod,I’minsuccubusformrightnow!
Ijerkbackandslapmyselfacrosstheface.“Wakeup!”
Huntergapesatmewithwideeyes.“Eva,whatareyou—”
I smack myself again, and it seems to do the trick as I’m yanked away from Hunter and into the

unknown.

M

C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N

yeyessnapopen,andIboltuprightinbed,panting,sweaty,mymindcompletelywired.Thelampis

on,filteringlightthroughthedarknessblanketingtheroom.

AsmysleepymindbeginstoprocesswhereIam,thatI’minmybedroom,Huntersitsupinmybed,

too,thepanicandconfusioninhiseyesmirroringmine.

Waitasecond?Hunterisinmybed?Why?
“Whatareyoudoinginhere?”Iask,tryingtoignorethefrenzytakingovermybody.
Evenawake,Iwanthim.Toomuch.
Crappity,whatifthefeelingdoesn’tfade?
Thepanicinhiseyessubsidesasafaintsmirktoucheshislips.“YoutoldmeIcouldsleepinyour

bed,remember?”

Irackmymindforwhatinthemagicalkingdomshecouldpossiblybetalkingabout,andthemoment

comes rushing back to me. Then I frown and shake my head. “Yeah, but that was before everything
happened.”

He has the audacity to simply shrug. “So? You never said otherwise, so technically, your offer’s in

place.”

“Areyouonlysleepinginheretokeepaneyeonme?”
“Partly.”Hewetshislipswithhistonguewhilestaringatmymouth.“Itdoeshaveitsperks,though.”
Iswallowhard,wonderingwhathemeansbythat.“Hunter…Didyou…?”Ipickatmyfingernails,

mycheeksflushing.Okay,soapparently,mydominantpowersarestrictlyadreamlandthing.“Didyou,by
chance,haveastrangedream?”

“Yes.”Hishuskytonedrawsmyattentionbacktohim.Thesamedesirehehadinmydreamnowfills

hiseyes.“Didyou?”

Inod,feelingunsettlinglyguilty.ShouldItellhimwhatIthinkwashappening?DoIdare?
“I think it might have been …” The words are stolen from my lips as he presses his lips to mine,

kissingmewithsomuchpassionIcanscarcelybreathe.

Pullaway,Eva.Thisisn’tright.NomatterwhatHunter’sdonetoyou,youdon’twanthimkissing

yousimplybecausehe’sbeingseducedbyyoursuccubusparanormalpowers.

Suckinginadeepbreath,Ipullaway.Butthenhecupsthebackofmyheadandguidesmebackto

him.

“Don’tgoyet,”hewhispers.“Justgivemeafewmoreminutes.Thenyoucanreturntobeingmadat

me.”

Hesoundsfullycoherent,likeheknowsexactlywhathe’sdoing,whichbefuddlesme.Inmydream,

he seemed so dazed. And why doesn’t he seem more concerned that we both had a strange, probably
similardream?Doeshenotrealizethat?Whatdoesherealize?

Iwanttopullaway—Ireallydo—buthekeepskissingmeasifImeantheworldtohim.
TheoldEvatakesover,theonewhoisinlovewithherbestfriend,andIendupkissinghimback.
“God,I’vewantedthisforlongerthanyoucanpossiblyimagine,”hemurmursbetweenkisses.
Ashiswordsregister,guiltconsumesme.
I jerk back, ready to tell him the truth about why he probably wants to kiss me, when my attention

wanderstothedoorwayasmovementshiftsintheshadows.

“Whattheheckwasthat?”Iwhisper,startingtogetup.
Huntergrabsmyarmandyanksmebackagainsthim.“Don’t.”
Whenmylipsparttoaskhimwhy,thequestionfadesonmytongueasRyleighappearsinmydoorway.
“Ryleigh…”Itrailoffasshestepsfullyfromtheshadowsandintothelight.
Herskin,whichwaspalefromdeathtobeginwith,isnowpallidandtintedblue;herveinsbeneath

her skin are visible and purplish black; her lips are stained blood red; and the gleaming hunger in her
bloodshoteyescanonlymeanonething.

Thisisn’tmyfakeoldersisterRyleigh.
ThisisthebrainthirstyzombieRyleigh.

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R

JessicaSorensenis a New York Times and USAToday bestselling author who lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not
writing,shespendshertimereadingandhangingoutwithherfamily.

A L S O B Y J E S S I C A S O R E N S E N

Othe rbooksbyJe ssicaSore nse n:

Sunnyvale NA:

IsabellaAnders

IsabellaAnders2

IsabellaAnders(comingsoon)

BadBoyRe be ls:

DiscoveringZhara:KissingBenton

Untitled(comingsoon)

Pe rfe ctRe be ls:

FindingWonderful

Untitled(comingsoon)

Le xiAshford:

TheDiaryofLexiAshford

TheDiaryofLexiAshford2

TheDiaryofLexiAshford3(comingsoon)

ShadowCove Se rie s:

WhatLiesintheDarkness

WhatLiesintheDark(comingsoon)

MysticWillowBayWitche sSe rie s:

TheSecretLifeofaWitch

TheSecretLifeofaWitch2

TheSecretLifeofaWitch3

TheSecretLifeofawitch4(comingsoon)

Une arthlyBalance :

Captivate

Captivate2(comingsoon)

Re be lsRe ve nge :

TheOppositeofOrdinary

TheHeartbreakerSociety:TheDeal

Standalone s:

TheForgottenGirl

TheIllusionofAnnabella

ConfessionsofaKleptomaniac

RulesofaRebelandaShyGirl

Fire Bre athe rSe rie s:

TheAllureofMadness

TheAllureofMadness2(comingsoon)

Broke nCitySe rie s:

Nameless

Forsaken

Oblivion

Forbidden(comingsoon)

GuardianAcade mySe rie s:

Entranced

Entangled

Enchanted

Entice(comingsoon)

GuardianAcade my,Dash’sSe rie s:

TheForestofShadowandBones

TheForestofShadowandBones2(comingsoon)

Sunnyvale Se rie s:

TheYearIBecameIsabellaAnders

TheYearofFallinginLove

TheYearofSecondChances

TheYearofKai&Isa(comingsoon)

Unrave lingYouSe rie s:

UnravelingYou

RavelingYou

AwakeningYou

InspiringYou

UndoingYou(comingsoon)

Sins&Se cre ts:

Sins&Secrets

Sins&Secrets2

The Coincide nce Se rie s:

TheCoincidenceofCallieandKayden

TheRedemptionofCallieandKayden

TheDestinyofVioletandLuke

TheProbabilityofVioletandLuke

TheCertaintyofVioletandLuke

TheResolutionofCallieandKayden

Seth&Greyson

The Se cre tSe rie s:

ThePreludeofEllaandMicha

TheSecretofEllaandMicha

TheForeverofEllaandMicha

TheTemptationofLilaandEthan

TheEverAfterofEllaandMicha

LilaandEthan:ForeverandAlways

EllaandMicha:InfinitelyandAlways

The Shatte re dPromise sSe rie s:

ShatteredPromises

FracturedSouls

Unbroken

BrokenVisions

ScatteredAshes

Bre akingNovaSe rie s:

BreakingNova

SavingQuinton

Delilah:TheMakingofRed

NovaandQuinton:NoRegrets

Tristan:FindingHope

WreckMe

RuinMe

The Falle nStarSe rie s:

TheFallenStar

TheUnderworld

TheVision

ThePromise

The Falle nSoulsSe rie s(spin-offfromThe Falle nStar):

TheLostSoul

TheEvanescence

The Darkne ssFallsSe rie s:

DarknessFalls

DarknessBreaks

DarknessFades

The De athColle ctorsSe rie s(NAandYA):

EmberXandEmber

CinderXandCinder

SparkXandSpark

Unbe autifulSe rie s:

Unbeautiful

Untamed