two weeks ago. If I had any sense, I’d take his truck and get the hell of out
 
 Magic Side. Away from him, away from the sorcerer, away from all the
 
 bullshit. If I had to, I’d leave it in a ditch.
 
 I sighed as I climbed into the cab.
 
 If I lied to myself, I could almost believe that twenty-four hours ago, that
 
 plan would have worked. But not now.
 
 Now I was being chased by a monster I couldn’t outrun. It was part of
 
 me.
 
 The truck rumbled to life, and the tires screeched as I beelined for the
 
 exit. The garage door opened, and I squinted as I careened onto the bright
 
 street.
 
 I hated Jaxson Laurent. For what I’d become. For the mess I was trapped
 
 in. For the power he had over me. For the heat he made me feel.
 
 The truck listed a little too much as I took the corner fast.
 
 Easy, tiger.
 
 My mind began to clear as I headed toward the Indies and away from
 
 Jaxson. All I had to do was act normal until I could get the cure from Alia. It
 
 might kill me, but I had to try. I couldn’t live with a monster inside of me.
 
 I let out a breath, feeling a modicum of relief as I passed the sign that
 
 marked the border of the Indies. Welcome to Indiana, it read, though
 
 someone had crossed out “Indiana” and replaced it with “Wild Side” in big
 
 yellow letters.
 
 I pulled up in front of Aunt Laurel and Uncle Pete’s house and got out. It
 
 was just after seven a.m., and I was certain Casey would be sleeping.
 
 I was wrong.
 
 The front door burst open, and my cousin stormed out. He was awake and
 
 looked like he was about to throw one down. Halfway through a string of
 
 curses, his gaze landed on Jaxson’s truck, and his face contorted. “What. The.
 
 Hell?”
 
 “Good morning to you, too,” I said dryly as I strode up to his Rav4,