Page 42 of Midnights
My brain is still running laps, replaying the night's events in vivid detail. Kane’s mouth, the way his hand felt at my back, and that stupid, perfect kiss. I let out a slow breath, pressing my fingertips against my lips.
I should be analyzing this more. I should be going over all the reasons that this was a terrible idea. But despite the whirlwind of weirdness, and every reason I should be running in the opposite direction… it was fun.
Confusing, electrifying, and utterly bizarre. But fun.
A small, reluctant smile tugs at my lips.
As exhaustion settles in, a faint hum echoes in my ears and heat blooms beneath my skin. I exhale slowly as my thoughts grow hazy, tangled in the space between waking and dreaming.
Then the air shifts.
A ripple moves through my consciousness. The world distorts, bending at the edges, stretching and shifting like something is pulling me deeper.
Flashes of unfamiliar places flicker in my mind. Misty landscapes, endless corridors lit by a dim glow, and the sensation of beingwatchedtugs at the edges of my awareness.
I can feel eyes on me.
Not threatening. Butfamiliar.
Faintly glowing orbs hover in the distance, their light pulses with the rhythm of my breath. Shadowy figures slip through my vision, dissolving before I can focus on them, as if they’re not meant to be seen.
A weight settles in the air, wrapping around me and it feels like the darkness isn’t empty, it’s alive.
“Raven.”
A voice reverberates through my mind, smooth as silk yet laced with something deeper.
I turn and see Kane standing there, illuminated by the shifting silver mist. His eyes glow faintly, but the mist curls around his frame as he reaches for me and when my fingers brush against his, the world shatters.
A ripple spreads and the force of it sends energy pulsing through the ground beneath us. The air hums, and suddenly everything shifts. The forest thrums, and the trees arch toward the sky. Leaves whisper overhead, their hushed voices carrying secrets I can't hear. The mist swirls in intricate patterns, weaving threads of light and shadow around us.
The whispers grow louder, but it sounds like a language I don't understand.
Then, like a flame flickering out, the vision begins to blur at the edges. The warmth vanishes and the whispers retreat as I slip further into sleep.
Chapter 7
Currently NOT Enjoying Blue Balls
Kane
Raven.
The name suits her. She fires shots like she’s been waiting her whole life to sink her teeth into someone, and I'll be damned if she doesn’t hit the mark every time. And here I am, willingly walking right into her line of fire, not eventryingto dodge.
And no, it’s not helping my current case of blue balls.Not even a little.
I meant what I said when I told her that talking to her was refreshing. She’s chaos wrapped in something I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from.
Most of the women I’ve dealt with have no personality. No depth. Sure, some seemed interesting at first, until they weren’t. Give it a few dates, and they’re dull as hell. No spark. No challenge.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost forget that Cam is still in the car until he says, “Are we staying in town?”
I drag a hand over my face, shaking off the lingering pull of the night. “Yeah,” I nod to the driver, who’s already making his way toward the townhouse. “Are you going to be able to keep it in your pants around Rachel? She seems into you, but that’s probably the alcohol talking, you’re notthatgood looking.”
Cam just laughs, shaking his head. “Of course she’s into me.” His grin turns cocky, but there’s a flicker of something else there. “Look, Rachel’s fun, but she’s got a boyfriend. I’m not exactly losing sleep over it, so if it gets freaky, it’s becauseshewants it to.” His voice dips. “That’s on her, not me.”
I chuckle despite myself, shaking my head. Same Cam, same bullshit.
