Page 44 of Tempest

But I don’t step back, and neither does Tempest. Heat curls between us, unseen, tangible, and alive. A strange feeling, curling like smoke, stretches out from my middle and reaches for him.

Tempest surveys me with hooded eyes. Holding his gaze, I suck in my lower lip.

Not with the goal of seduction—I have no idea where to begin with that. I’m just … quivering underneath his gaze.

Tempest’s attention darts to my mouth. When he returns my stare, his pupils are dilated.

I hitch in a breath.

He blinks. “Morgan’s leading the burning tonight, and I’d rather the two of you fuck off.”

The air turns frigid between us. I’m able to distance myself, returning to reality with an uncomfortable pop in my ears.

Later, I’ll know what to call it: a resurfacing after drowning in his black, rippling waters.

Clover pipes up behind us. “Professor Morgan?”

Moment over, I shake my head at Tempest. “You couldn’t have said it better.”

Tempest’s brows crash down. “The fuck that’s supposed to mean? Clo?”

But Clover’s already dashed down the path, halfway to Morgan by now.

Tempest curses.

I pull in my lips, stifling my amused grin.

Tempest catches it, anyway. He glares fire at me, then catches me by the elbow, dragging me forward.

“Hey! What is with you Callahans and your preferred mode of transporting me? I can walk by myself, you know.”

He growls while stalking forward. “I’d rather you be on a leash, so I guess we both have to be disappointed. You are not to leave my side until we find my sister. Understood?”

“No.”

Tempest grinds to a halt, whipping around and pressing his chest into mine so suddenly that I stumble back. “I will only repeat myself once: understood?”

If it weren’t for his continued hold on my elbow, I would’ve tripped on my ass. Yet I have the irresistible urge to retort, “You’ve made it clear you’re not responsible for me, so I’ll go wherever I please, thank you.”

Tempest dips his head until his face fills my entire horizon. “I should let them eat your heart.”

My mouth hangs open.

He takes advantage of my stunned silence, dragging his thumb across the front of his shirt while his mouth curves into a cunning grin.

Tempest releases his grip on me. My arm throbs where he touched me. I rub it while backing away. “Thank you for listeni—”

He catches my lower lip, pulling it down with his thumb. When it returns to its place, a metallic tang hits my tongue.

Sickened horror leeches into my face. “Oh my God, what is that? Who is that?”

Tempest smiles, this time showing his teeth while he casually turns away. “Better the devil you know than the one you don’t. Stick with me, princess. You’re too tempting of a prey.”

He disappears around a thick tree. Spitting, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I race to catch up with him.

“I’m not afraid,” I say to his back.

“No? You should be. You’ve had enough warnings to last my lifetime, which means it’s not a fucking long one.”

“I told you—”

A scream cuts off my argument with bloodcurdling finality.

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