Page 75 of Night of Death and Flowers

“I had to know if you were telling the truth.”

I pause briefly, then slowly lick my dry lips, recalling the details of the memory. How did she access my mind like that? I’ve spent decades trying to recall my memories. Yet, when I touch her, I can feel them drifting back to me, the clues of my muddied past and why everything ended the way it did.

“I felt your pain,” she whispers.

“Don’t,” I warn, then glide my fingers down to the back of her neck, running the tips over goosebumps pricked over her skin.

“Who were the two dead women?”

“Sacrifices, I think.”

I can barely catch my breath when she says, “You don’t remember.”

I shake my head, reliving the memory. My brothers were holding me back. I must have been trying to stop the ritual, to stop whatever curse Essentria wanted to enact. Likely on me.

“Nyxara stole my memories, but when I touch you,” I say, running my shadows over her. “I see glimpses.”

“Essentria killed one of them.”

“Do you believe me now, Poison?”

“Yes,” she whispers, her nails digging into my arms, and sparks fly through my skin.

“If you use Cyna’s magic against me again,” I warn, spitting his name like venom. “I will hurt you.”

She holds her breath, then glances down at the bulge in my pants, dragging her teeth over her bottom lip, noticing the effect she has on me.

“Cali?” The traitor’s voice breaks the spell, and my shadows retreat from her. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” she blurts out, placing several feet between us.

I cast a glance at the boy, my lips curving into a smile, as I watch him practically vibrate with rage. “Go inside, traitor. We’re in the middle of something.”

His jaw slacks, gazing at Cali.

She shakes her head, glaring at me while curling and uncurling her fingers. “We are not in the middle of anything,” she hisses, her cheeks flushing pink, then turns to Drake. “I was looking for you.”

“That’s not what it looked like,” he mumbles as my shadows poise to attack. “Never mind. It’s not like I can do anything about it.”

“You’re right. Now go inside,” I command.

“Don’t leave,” Cali states. “We’re done here.”

He tsks. “I’ll leave you to it. Clearly, his vile magic has tainted your brain.”

“What? Drake!” Calista calls as he pushes past us. She tries to follow him, but I grab her wrist before she can reach the door, then curl her back into my embrace.

Her back lands against my torso, and I lower my whisper to her earlobe. “I should kill him for that comment.” I run my hands around her waist, surprised when she sinks into my arms.

“He’s right,” she says.

“Your magic is beautiful,” I purr, shockwaves throbbing through my length as her chest heaves. My fingers trickle over the front of her dress, tracing lower, until I hit my mark. “Do you feel that?” I ask, dragging the shadows from her core before they slip out of her fingers, caressing me. “You’re more powerful than you realize.”

Her head flops back against my chest, her neck exposed, and I bring my lips to them, scraping my teeth over her delicate skin. Lust consumes me as she backs into me, the scent of her arousal driving me to the edge of madness.

“Stop,” she says as my lips travel lower, tasting her sweat against my tongue. Her body stiffens, her shadows forming a dance of illusory swirls around us. “I hate you.”

“You said that already,” I murmur against her throat.

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