hake the feeling

xt morning. The streets were alive with the usual small-town routine-shopkeepers setting up displays, an

her. Quick, fleeting looks. A littl

ircling back to

o

stopped her. Wh

known h

was a trick of the mind. That maybe exhaustion had p

had happene

thing

needed

as quiet when sh

d of old pages and vanilla-scented candles. It was her safe

en here, the u

gh ni

the store's owner, watching

streaks of silver in her dark curl

smile. "Someth

ard the back of the shop. "There's

ated, then t

an old record player. She poured herself a cup, the warmth g

whi

Just beh

re body w

arply, eyes sc

thi

shut. The sp

at thundered

imaginin

eyes shut and to

she opened

was

g in the

chin

reath

was

nger from

dr

his name all along. It had settled in her mind, un

king in the daylight

r falling carelessly over his forehead. He wore black, the kind of fitted clot

his

en't blac

were

crimson, like embers

ed around her mug. "W

Instead, he stepped forward, cl

tively, pressing herse

raid," Adri

d, but her voice was s

y cha

hat part. Why d

long moment. Then, quietl

ent a chill

e had. But hearing him say it-so

o r

owed. "Then

d slightly, but ther

mons

med to close

er ribs, every instinct screamin

cou

ear clawing at her, th

rio

his red eyes scanning her fac

wn, Leila," he said softly

ned. "I gre

." His gaze darkened.

teeth. "Why do peop

Instead, he lifted a ha

she thought he

he gestured

turned

blood r

he street, stood a

sn't m

't bl

watc

ed up her spine

w tightened.

h hitched.

both o

rled into fists.

hand through his hair. "Y

give shitt

flickered in his expressi

oice barely a

ready for the

ed at him

nd for a split second,

hing h

ing dan

en, he

like b

hind nothing but the lingering scent

h came in shar

n in the coat ha

e counter, her

her whole lif

the fir

he didn't reall