a bruised, sickly purple. A heavy humidity hung

the tension wa

papers in front of her. Brendon was on the sofa, a

reement," Kiera sa

across the table. Brendo

s without 24

hours star

s personal items (this includes

cy. No one can kno

twice. "Absolute secrecy?

m trying to rebuild my life. If people find out I'm living with the 'Simp of

, the words tasting like ash

you," she said. "I don't wan

ger. He wanted to tell her that he was doing this for her. He wanted to t

ade a pact

windows. Kiera flinched, her han

f storms. When they were together, she used to hide under the cov

Kiera," he said, h

she snapped, though h

s. Another bolt of lightning flashed outside, follow

n the apartm

breathing became

Brendon

ered, though she was

she reached the hallway, the lights flick

lunged into total,