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Vesper stares at me for a long time. Through the bond, I catch the shift. A faint, almost imperceptible softening. A tiny sigh of surrender.

Slowly, Vesper reaches into his jacket pocket. He slides a brand-new purple smartphone across the table, letting it come to rest right beside my hand.

I stare at the phone, completely floored. It shimmers with glitter and is decorated with a pretty floral design. It’s something I would’ve picked out for myself. Something Gregory would have thrown in the trash.

“It’s encrypted,” Vesper murmurs.

My lips twitch. He’s trying so damn hard to maintain his cold composure.

“Gregory’s surveillance can’t trace it. Oakley’s number is already saved.”

An overwhelming surge of affection fills my chest. I grin up at him, touched beyond words. But beneath my relief, the bond thrums with a strange ache radiating straight from Vesper’s chest. He’s terrified. I can feel it. He thinks giving me a window to the outside world is the first step toward me pulling away. My silly, silly demon. He has no idea how easily I’m falling for him.

I tighten my grip on his hand, determination pulsing through me. ‘I’m going to prove you wrong, pretty demon,’ I promise silently through the link, feeling his pulse jump at the unspoken vow.

***

A few days later, it’s Halloween night; the cold air is crisp and biting. The town below is buzzing with Halloween festivities, just like every year, with parades, costumed crowds, and street vendors creating the perfect chaos for us to move unnoticed.

I stand near the estate’s grand iron gates, pulling the dark hood of my sweater low over my face to shadow my features. I slip on a pair of cat-eye glasses, my face heavy enough with makeup that even I can’t recognize it’s me. Beside me, Killian is dressed in his human glamor, sporting a royal-blue coat decorated with gold buttons. He’s a tall, sharply dressed man with amber eyes and a casual smirk that hides his lethality. His long golden hair tumbles down his shoulders in waves. Honestly, he looks like a sexy pirate.

Vesper stands before us at the threshold, his dark coat billowing gently in the ocean breeze. He has agreed to let me meet Oakley in town while he spies on Gregory’s movements nearby, but his protective instinct vibrates nervously through the link.

“Keep the hood up,” Vesper instructs, his voice low and stern as he adjusts my glasses. I’ve never worn glasses in my life, but I kind of like the look of these. “Stay within three feet of Killian at all times. If anything feels off, pull on the bond immediately.”

“I know, I know, Vesper.” A soft chuckle escapes my lips. “You’ve told me, like, five million times.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll tell you ten more if it keeps you safe, Bell,” he growls lightly.

Killian checks his watch, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Are we going to stand at the gates all night, or can we actually leave?”

Vesper ignores him, his glowing eyes locked onto mine. “Go. Meet your friend. Have fun, but please stay alert.”

Instead of turning to leave, I take a bold step forward, grabbing the lapels of Vesper’s dark coat. Before he can react, I pull him down into a raw, breathless, deeply sensual kiss right in front of Killian. I press myself against his chest, sliding my tongue past his lips, tasting the sweet taste of mint, and pouring every ounce of affection I have into his mouth and the bond. It’s all tongue and open mouths. It’s devouring, and quite honestly, almost enough to make me cancel my plans.

Vesper lets out a low, strangled gasp against my lips, his hand instantly flying to the small of my back, gripping me so tightly I can barely breathe as he kisses me back with wild, possessive hunger.

When I finally pull away, flushed and panting, Vesper stands frozen at the gate, his hair slightly rumpled, his glowing eyes dilated wide with shock.

Killian stares at us, his lips parted. “Damn,” he whispers.

“Fucking hell, Bellamy,” Vesper breathes, his voice raspy. “Are you a damn witch? Because I swear you put a spell on me.”

I give him a wicked, triumphant grin, adjusting my hood as I turn toward the open gate. “See you later, Vespy-pooh.”

Ten minutes later, I’m wrapped in a tearful, breathless hug in the quiet back nook of a café downtown.

“I can’t believe it’s really you!” Oakley cries softly, pulling back to clutch my shoulders, his bright, bubbly face flushed with emotion. He’s also wearing makeup that hides his identity. With all the townsfolk in costume, none of us look out of place. “When you vanished from Gregory’s house, I was terrified he’d done something awful to you. I’ve been going crazy over here!”

“I’m okay, Oak,” I say, my voice thick with emotion as I hug my best friend again. “I swear I’m okay. I had to stay hidden, but I’m safe now.”

Oakley wipes a tear from his face, his bright eyes scanning my face before darting toward the table nearby, where Killian sits casually sipping an espresso, looking amused.

“So…” Oakley whispers, leaning in close with a conspiratorial grin. “Who the hell is the gorgeous guy watching you?”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “That’s Killian. He’s keeping me safe. He’s friends with my boyfriend. They’re the ones protecting me from Gregory.” God, it’s so weird calling Vesper my boyfriend, but I kind of love it. Seems fitting for a dangerous blue demon.

I watch as Oakley glances back at Killian, and to my amusement, Killian catches his eye and offers a wicked, charming smirk and a tilt to his head. Oakley flushes bright pink, biting his lip as he quickly looks away. The subtle, flirty sparks passing between them are unmistakable, making a genuine smile spread across my face for the first time in months.