Page 77 of The Secret Life of a Witch

I let out a banshee scream as Peyton’s pet bat swoops down the hallway and dives at my head.

I realize my mistake a squeal of a second later and make a mad dash for my bedroom. Then I dive into bed and pull the covers over my head, feeling a little silly. At the same time, I don’t want them to know I was listening. If they do find out, they might be more careful about what they say, and I need to find out as much as I can.

What I really want to know is why Hunter isn’t allowed to kiss me. Because of the society?

I really need to find out more about this society. I mean, I know nothing about them or what they do. Why work so hard to protect me when they supposedly have no clue what I am?

As I lie in bed, waiting for someone to check in on me and teeter-tottering between sleep and consciousness, my thoughts drift to what else Hunter and Opal said. Am I just a fling for Hunter, like a lot of the girls he’s dated? A while ago, I would have never doubted him. Now … I don’t know anything. About him. My life. This world.

I’m completely lost and alone. I worry I may never find my way to a place where anything makes sense again.

EVALEE

Ilead Hunter down a path paved with flowers, staring up at the twinkling stars sparkling in the sky. The way I move feels different than normal, like I’m more in control over my body. A seductress. Powerful. Hypnotic.

My heart is steady inside my chest as I steer him farther down the path and into the darkness. Then my pulse quickens with excitement as I turn around and look at him.

“You don’t need to worry,” I tell him, my lips curling. “I won’t hurt you.”

Not physically, anyway.

I can feel a darkness stirring inside my chest. A darkness begging to be fed. It’s terrifying and invigorating. I want to turn around and run, yet at the same time, I want to keep going.

Soft, sultry music flows from somewhere and candles sparkle in the distance. The air is hot and my skin is damp beneath the short dress covering my body. I feel sexy and alive. Awake for the first time. In control.

I love the feeling. Crave more of it.

I walk backward in front of Hunter, still holding his hand. I slip my tongue out of my mouth to wet my lips, and his eyesflare with desire as he watches the movement. When I do the movement again, he lets out a groan.

The urge to lean forward and bite on his lip rushes through my body, and I lean forward to do just that. A simple taste, but it sends my senses into a frenzy and makes Hunter groan again.

I’ve never felt this way before. Wildly in control, yet reckless, like I’m about to do something very wrong, yet so, so right.

“Are you ready?” I ask, stopping where the path opens up.

Thousands of candles flicker across the ground, matching the stars in the sky. Leaves and flower petals rain in the air. This place is gorgeous, familiar, but I don’t know why.

Hunter slowly nods, skimming the inside of my wrist with his finger. “Fuck yes.”

A smile tugs at my lips as I move into the space at the end of the path. Petals and leaves instantly swirl around us, making the atmosphere magical. But the uplifting feeling clashes with the hungry darkness clawing at my chest.

I need something. From him.

A nervous breath puffs from his lips as he stares at me, hypnotized, waiting.

For what?

I crook my finger at him. “Come here.”

He steps toward me until our bodies are nearly flushed. “Now what?”

I stare into his eyes. “Do you want me?”

He nods without hesitation. “More than anything.”

I pull him closer. “How come you’ve never said anything before?”

His shaky fingers find my waist. “Because I was afraid.”

---