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“A witch gave me this. We have a few that work for us. You only have to drink it,” he says, producing a small vial from his pocket. He hands it to me; the yellow liquid inside is shimmering.

“What is it?”

“Not sure exactly, but it worked before, the witch said. My boss also confirmed it works. You drink that, then the bond breaks, and you’re free to be with me. They will leave you alone after that,” he says, leaning forward while I examine the vial.

My eyes snap to his, and I pull back, realizing he is going to kiss me.

“Eli will feel it if you kiss me, Sam,” I tell him.

“Let him. I want you, Addie. I always have wanted you. We can be together, Addie. I love you,” he whispers before grabbing the back of my neck with his hand.

His lips crash down on mine, soft yet demanding, as I feel his tongue move between my parted lips. I kiss him back, yet I don’t feel the same sort of feeling I get when I am near Eli and Cyrus. I love Sam, always have, but now with them in the picture, this feels different.

Sam deepens the kiss, his other hand going to my lower back as he pulls me up from the bench and closer to him.

I suddenly hear a loud growl, making me jump, and I pull away from him. Eli is leaning against the railing, watching us. Sam, however, isn’t afraid of him, which I find odd because I am terrified of the look on Eli’s face.

“Addie, come here,” Eli growls.

I do what he says, worried he will hurt him, when Sam grabs my hand.

“You don’t have to go with him, Addie,” Sam says, looking down at me.

He takes the vial from my hand and holds it up. Eli’s eyes flick to it before I hear a thunderous noise erupt from his chest, making my blood run cold. Sam passes the vial back to me.

Eli lunges at him, grabbing him by his shirt and slamming him down on the concrete. I scream, rushing over, only to be stopped when arms snake around my waist, yanking me away from them.

Looking over my shoulder, I see Cyrus has grabbed me.

“Eli, don’t hurt him, please!” I cry, and he growls.

“He can’t, even if he wants to, Addie. He kills me, and he will have the entire organization after them. Isn’t that right, Eli Colten?” Sam taunts him.

Eli stops, letting his fist drop and slamming him to the ground. He stalks toward me before grabbing the vial from my hand and emptying the contents on the ground. Sam sits up, a devious smile on his lips. Cyrus’s breath on my neck makes me shiver, and his arm around my waist tightens.

“Take her home,” Eli tells Cyrus, and I feel myself get pulled away.

“No, wait,” Cyrus growls behind me, his breath on my neck giving me goosebumps.

“No more, Addie. You fight us on this, I will let Eli kill him,” Cyrus says.

I give Sam one more panicked look.

“Go, Addie. Don’t worry, you will see me again,” Sam says before his eyes dart toward Eli when he takes a step closer to him.

I suddenly feel hands grab me, a rush of air, and the feeling of moving fast as air whips around me, stinging my skin. My stomach drops when I find myself in my room in a matter of seconds. Cyrus places me on my feet, and I am hit with vertigo, making me sway. Cyrus steadies me while my vision regains focus.

I clutch onto his arm, waiting for the room to settle as it spins violently. My mother walks out of her room, leaning in the doorway with a worried look on her face. I then hear the front door shut a little too loudly, Eli coming up the steps, and my mother jumping as he approaches her. He has a murderous look on his face.

“Is everything alright? Addie, what’s happened?” my mother asks, looking between Cyrus and Eli nervously.

Cyrus walks over to her, grabbing her face. My mother’s face goes slack as she stares at him, her eyes glazing over.

“Leave her alone,” I tell him, staggering toward my bedroom door. I feel like I am walking on the moon, the floor moving with each step.

“Nothing is going on. Go to bed, Debbie, and forget this encounter,” Cyrus says before letting her go.

She turns as if on auto pilot, walking back to her room.