Page 15 of Every Shade of Shadow

"Just say yes and I’ll have a car sent to pick you up,” he continues. “It’s one simple word.”

Nothing simple about it.

Numerous thoughts clash in my head, illustrating the level of my confusion. Caution? Check. Fear? Check. Thrill? Check. Desire? Check. I open my lips, but I don’t know how I’m going to answer. Until a single syllable spills, triumphant.

“Yes,” I whisper.

I close my eyes, my cheeks burning. But there's an answering warmth between my legs I can't ignore. It’s new. Alien. It’s been with me for less than twenty-four hours, but I can’t pretend it’s not there.

“Good girl. There’s a car waiting outside.”

The fuck? He knew I’d say yes when he woke up this morning? How? Is he in my head?

It’s not unheard of in the magical world, though outlawed.

The line goes dead.

I stare at the phone. What have I done?

But I already know the answer. I've opened the door. There's no turning back now. I’m going to Lumina.

It could all be an elaborate trick, a trap, but at least it’s a direction, a course of action.

I’ve heard of scams like this before, naïve witches, even witchlings, trafficked from house to house, forced to perform all manner of unspeakable acts. I thought that was limited to Eastern Europe, but it could happen here.

Or this could be my salvation.

All I know is I've stepped into unknown territory. A place of shadow and secrets.

Of sin, maybe sacrifice.

All I can do now is embrace it.

CHAPTER FIVE

I head over to the window and look out to the street.

He wasn’t kidding.

There’s a sleek black SUV parked there, windows so dark they may as well be painted on.

My heart’s gone back into gavel mode, flooded with a mix of anticipation and dread. The driver steps out in a crisp black suit, checking his watch.

This is really happening, I think. I’m either off to Lumina or a shallow grave.

I dress fast, throwing on the least crinkled outfit I can muster, tossing whatever I can find into an old duffle. I add Gran’s grimoire, her old pea coat. I don’t know what I’ll need, but fuck it.

But Sabrina, I think to myself. You’re not even going to tell her?

Would it make a difference?

Maybe it won’t work out. Maybe I’ll be back in a week.

Like hell.

No, I’ll find a way to contact her from Lumina. Ask for forgiveness, not permission—that’s the way to do it.

I finish up and make my way downstairs, a final look at the eviction notice before I close the door and pocket the key. And I actually. No one is going to kick me out because I won’t fucking be here. I’m leaving by choice. In my book, this is a win. A small one, yes, but a win, nonetheless. I won’t have to carry that burden. I won’t have to count down the days until those bastards barge in and yell at me to get the hell out of here.

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