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“Good. See you then.” She starts to leave just as the noise around us dies down.

“You might be right,” I say as she slides out of her seat.

She stops mid-stride and pivots to look at me. Her expression is a question. “About what?”

I glance up and smile. “That I might be a little insane.”

TOMMY

Ipull up at home after running for hours at school. I rev the engine once, letting everyone know I’m home. I’m tired, grumpy, and need a beer.

As the sun dips into the horizon, casting a red glow across the sky, I gaze at my reflection in the window. A knot forms in my stomach as I take in the face staring back at me—one I barely recognize anymore.

They ruled the fire as an accident via a circuit breaker in the utility room. The university will not entertain any rumors about Shadowface, calling it once again an unfortunate accident.

I’m officially an arsonist.

A couple of cars pull up behind me, and I remember that Talia is throwing a party tonight. Taking a deep breath, I pull out what’s left of my cocaine and snort it. Wiping my nose, I blast Aerosmith, letting the drug do its thing.

It’s been a slippery slope with this shit after Remy introduced it to me in high school. I haven’t been able to stop, nor have I wanted to. It helps turn it all off, and it’s also the only way I can feel anything.

From the outside, we live a perfect life of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. The life Talia created for us. Attending Kinsmen helps us hide in plain sight, but none of it matters. Everything we do outside of the Order is a facade.

The Order is all that matters.

“Hey, Tommy, you coming?” Someone pounds on my window as they walk by, though I have no clue who it is. I wonder if they know they are about to party with the killers.

I sigh and head outside, staring up at the massive estate I live in with Talia and Remy. Bax stays here a lot, too. I’m pretty sure Bax is Talia’s favorite. The Vital family has owned this old Victorian house for generations and was gifted to Talia once she became a full member of the Order after she brutally slaughtered Daniel.

Creed IV: Each member must sacrifice their one true love.

I head to the fire, where a few people are already gathered. I have a ton of studying to do, but that means nothing to Talia. She lives by her own rules and spits in the face of authority.

I spot Talia at the fire, sitting next to Bax and Remy on a blanket with her legs crossed, the flames dancing around her. A flower headband crowns her head, and her dress has flared sleeves, and beads flow freely down her neck and slim torso. She’s stunning.

She sways back and forth with deadly darkness, and just seeing her reminds me that everything has changed. I sit across from her and run my hand through my shaggy hair.

When I open my eyes, I find Talia is watching me across the fire and seems to bleed into the night. She gives me a little wave.

She’s watching me the same way she used to, back when I was her conquest. Almost like she needs to hunt me all over again.

Talia Vital is a pure predator.

I haven’t spoken to her since the other night at Rollerland. I’m not sure where I stand with her now. Didi’s sudden reappearance after all this time has brought all my buried feelings flooding back, and I’ve been avoiding everyone.

After getting back from Rollerland, I was so angry that I punched a hole in my wall and stayed in my room for the rest of the night.

I push my way around the fire and take my place next to her. She curls her legs beside me and settles in while I rest my hand on the ground behind her.

Someone across from us plays the guitar, and eventually, she leans her head on my shoulder. Her breath is calming as my heart adjusts to the drugs.

“I missed you,” she says, and I hear the slur in her voice.

I turn and kiss the top of her head. Her pupils are delirious—radiant pools of darkness.

A smile hints at my lips. “I missed you, too. Can we talk?”

She hands me a cup—a mixed drink inside that smells like whiskey. “Here, Tommy, drink this and don’t worry your pretty head about anything tonight.”