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“Kai said the Harvest wants me outside.”

“Which is precisely why you’re staying inside.”

Then another pull, only stronger which makes me cry out.

Malakai reaches for me. His hand lands on my waist and the sensation eases. My body reacts to him immediately. Heat again.

Jesus Christ.

He feels it too. I know he does because his fingers flex.

Ezra notices. Because apparently Ezra notices every goddamn thing I don’t want him to notice. “Take your hand off her.”

Malakai doesn’t.

“I said…”

“I heard you.”

Oh. Interesting.

The room changes. Ezra steps closer. Malakai turns toward him. Neither moves away.

Rhett looks delighted.

I point at him. “Don’t encourage them.”

“I haven’t said anything.”

“Your face is encouraging.”

He tries to look serious and fails.

Ezra looks at Malakai’s hand. “You’re feeding it.”

“No.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I can feel the difference.”

“That’s exactly the problem.”

“What problem?” I ask.

Ezra’s attention snaps to me. “Nothing.”

I laugh. “Still doing that?”

“Sage.”

“No. Explain.”

His jaw works.

“The Harvest responds when you touch us.”

My skin prickles.