Page 97 of Mostly Shattered

“Anthony made it home safely,” he says. “Your mother coddles him in magic, but he is mending.”

I sigh in relief. “I almost feel sorry for him. Lady Astrid’s attentions can be worse than her neglect.”

“I told them you were safe.”

I glance at his shoulder. There is no indication of the wound. “You almost died protecting him in the tunnels. Thank you for not leaving him.”

“He asks that I bring you home. I think he’s worried about Conrad’s vengeful spirit coming after you. Conrad should be drained at the moment after the second trial, so you are safe.”

“You know, vampire, we surprisingly have something in common.” I try to smile and lighten the mood. “Both of us have siblings willing to kill us to get what they want.”

He frowns. “I do not find that amusing.”

“I mean, relationships have been built on less,” I keep trying. The attempt is lame and doesn’t work.

“Lady Astrid asked me to send for a necromancer to collect the spirit so he can do no further harm. Elder Leviathan will be happy to have me owe him a debt. Conrad will not be bothering you again.”

At that, I stiffen. “What does that mean?”

Damn. Even now, I care about what happens to him. What is wrong with me?

“His soul will be put in a place where he can do no harm.”

I think of the two demons haggling over the soul in the jar.

“The necromancer won’t…” I’m not fully sure what necromancers do with souls. “He won’t give Conrad to demons or anything, will he?”

Costin does not look as concerned about this as I do. “I will make sure he does not.”

“Thank you.” The idea of Conrad being stuck in a jar doesn’t sound like a great end, but then what else can we do? His rage needs to be contained before he acts on all his threats.

“Of course.” He nods. “I’d do anything for you.”

A small guilt lingers in the shape of Paul. Maybe, in another life, that would have been my path. But, after all the alternate timelines, I’ve had enough of other lives. I’ll save Paul for those quiet, private moments when I let my mind drift. He’ll always be a what if, but Costin is here. He’s real. He belongs in my supernatural world.

“I don’t know what comes next for us or if I’m being presumptuous in saying there is an us,” I say. “I’m not sure how to handle all of this. But I know one thing. You’ve been with me through some of thehardest moments, and I don’t want to keep pretending like what I feel for you isn’t real.”

Costin’s eyes lift to meet mine, and there’s a flicker of something deep in his gaze—something I’ve seen before but never allowed myself to truly acknowledge.

“This thing between us,” I continue, my hand still resting on his, “it’s real, Costin. I feel it. And I think, maybe, you do, too.”

His hand shifts beneath mine, turning palm up to intertwine our fingers. The gesture is simple but speaks volumes. He doesn’t say anything, but the way his thumb brushes over my knuckles tells me everything I need to know.

He’s never been a man of long conversation. That’s okay. Words aren’t needed.

I lean toward him. My heart pounds, but it’s not fear that drives the heady rhythm. It’s something deeper, something real. When his lips brush mine, it’s tentative at first, as if neither of us is quite sure how to proceed. Gradually, the kiss deepens. All the emotions I’ve kept locked away spill over onto him—fear, insecurity, relief, desire. They’re all there, churning into that one perfect kiss.

He pulls back first and leans forward to rest his forehead against mine. His hand still holds mine tight. “We’ll figure it out.Together.”

I believe him.

My entire life, I’ve been pulled between the human and supernatural worlds. I’ve walked a tightrope between the two. No matter how hard I wish, I’ll never be free of my family’s legacy. The supernatural realm will always overpower the mortal in me, but I’m not facing it alone.

With Costin beside me, maybe—just maybe—I can face whatever comes next.

I push against his knee to stand. “How much time do we have until you take me back to the penthouse?”

“Never, if you so wish.”

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