Page 277 of Blood & Betrayals

Max snorts and sits up. "You're too much."

I poke him playfully in the stomach. Max throws me a look, but there is a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"What? Don't tell me the big, bad Maximillian Romulus is… ticklish."

Max rolls his eyes. "You wish."

I tickle his ribs. "Come on. You must have a tiny ticklish spot."

Max just glares at me, unimpressed. "Nope."

I try another spot at his waist but get no reaction.

"Well, then, this explains it. You don't like fun."

Max snorts and attacks, tickling me. My skin prickles, and I squeal, combusting into a shaking, giggling mess.

"Max! No!" I laugh as he continues to tickle my waist. I wriggle and squeal, trying to escape, but he easily keeps me in place.

"This is like a Summer destruct button," Max says, unrelenting.

I swat at him and roll away, wiping the tears from my eyes. "Dick."

"You started it!"

I stand and offer him my hand. He takes it, and I pull him up.

"Get out of here," Max grumbles, but his lips twitch.

"Later, weirdo." I wink at him as I leave the gym.

In the shower, I plan my night to myself. Alice is out at the greenhouse tonight. She'd said something about having to water the plant every thirty minutes. I've set some time aside for school work, but I am also going to relax with some soft, pajamas that are runed to be warm, a bottle of wine, and a facemask.

I am looking forward to it, but what I am looking forward to the most is speaking with the stranger tonight.

I pull my pajamas on and am about to apply my facemask when someone knocks on the door. I sigh but open it. Connor is standing there, his face grave.

"Hi, big guy. I thought you were going to the game with Ra?—"

"You're the target," Connor says, and I can see the betrayal in Connor's face,

My stomach drops, and I feel the blood drain from my face. "What?"

Connor steps forward, looking down at me. "How long?"

I hold his devastated gaze. "Con…" He moves past me into the room, and I push the door closed. "What makes you think that?" I ask, the lie stabbing me through the heart.

"How long have you known?" Connor asks, his voice hoarse.

I look away from him, unable to face his sadness. "Connor…"

"How long?"

"A while," I whisper. "How do you know?"

Connor whimpers softly. "Weeks?"

I close my eyes, the small sound of pain tearing through me. "Connor…"

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