ran my fingertips along her jaw, down her neck. “I thought there was. But you left this morning without an explanation.”
She shivered at my touch. “I didn’t want Lia or the kids waking up and not finding me at home.” Kenna balled her fists on the edge of my shirt, pulling me even closer. “I thought about leaving a note, but I thought you would just text me when you woke up.”
“And why didn’t you text me?”
She shrugged. “I guess I was waiting for you.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I guess we’re both a little stubborn.”
She chuckled. “A little?”
I felt the corners of my lips tugging up. I leaned into her, resting my forehead on hers, and wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. “Come over again tonight. I promise I won’t be mad if you disappear before I wake up.” I brushed my lips on hers.
Kenna shivered again. “I will,” she whispered.
Losing the battle against my self-control, I cupped her nape and closed my mouth over hers, kissing her.
Past
Kianna
When Devon had asked to talk to Ophelia and Kianna after the kids went to bed, Kianna’s heart started racing and her mind spun. What did he want to talk about? Would he ask for her hand in marriage? The idea was absurd. Devon wasn’t entirely human, Kianna was sure of that. He wouldn’t settle down and marry a human, even if he had told her he loved her.
But besides that one idea, Kianna couldn’t think of anything else.
Finally, Selina and Calvin went to bed. Kianna made some tea and met her mother and Devon in the kitchen. They sat around the table, each of them holding mugs of steaming chamomile tea.
Devon let out a long breath and fixed his dark eyes on Kianna. “You have to leave. All of you. It’s not safe here. Tomorrow morning, when the kids wake up, just pack a few things and leave.”
Whatever Kianna was waiting for him to say, that wasn’t it. Leave? What was he talking about?
“Devon, you’re not making any sense,” her mother said, her brows knitting together.
“Go as far away as you can,” he continued. “Even then, you might not be safe.” He slapped the table, startling both women. “We should wake up the kids and leave right now.”
“Wait, Devon.” Kianna shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“Remember that man? Those demons?” he asked. Kianna stilled. She didn’t think he would bring that up in front of her mother. How would she explain that if even she didn’t understand? Whatever she saw that day, she preferred pretending it didn’t exist. “They are members of the D’Ingur Order, and they are after you. After your powers. They won’t rest until they have you.”
Kianna shot up and took a few steps back. “Stop,” she muttered.
“You know I’m not lying.” Devon rose to his feet, but didn’t move from his spot at the table. “I promised I would never lie to you again. This is me, telling you the truth.”
Her chest tight, Kianna shook her head. “That makes no sense.” She faced him with big eyes. “I’m no one. I’m nothing.”
“That’s not true,” he said in a low voice. “You can control darkness. For these people, you are the most precious thing they could have.”
“But—”
“That’s enough.” Her mother stood from her chair and stared at Devon, her eyes hard. “I don’t know what has gotten into you, Devon, but I have to ask you to stop. What you’re saying makes no sense, and I won’t allow you to stay if you continue.”
“Ophelia, please,” he started. “I haven’t lost my mind, and I’m not lying.” He dared rounding the table and walking closer to her. “You and your family have become special to me. I don’t want any harm to come to you. I need you to be safe, and for that, we need to leave. Now.”
“Devon!” Ophelia snapped, losing her patience.
Kianna gasped. She could count on one hand how many times her mother had lost her composure in her life, and now was one of them. Whatever she thought of Devon before was crumbling in the face of this side of him.
“Please,” Devon said again.
A loud bang came from outside.
Devon went rigid. Kianna sucked in a sharp breath. Ophelia’s face paled.
“What was that?” Ophelia asked in a whisper.
After blowing out the nearest candle, Devon went to the window and looked out.
He cursed under his breath. His grave eyes met Kianna’s. “They are here.”
Present
Devon
For the last three nights, Kenna had come to