Page 74 of Molt

I pull him closer.

His hands move over me with a familiarity that makes my skin burn.

Every touch feels remembered. Not learned. Not new.

Remembered.

And suddenly the fact that I’m changing doesn’t feel like the worst thing in the world.

For one dangerous second, the thought comes, maybe becoming part of him wouldn’t be terrible. Maybe taking him inside me would mean I never lose him.

The idea chills me.

I pull back.

August notices.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Lenora.”

“I had a fucked-up thought.”

“Join the club.”

I almost tell him.

Then pain flashes across his face. He steps backward.

“August?”

His shirt hangs wrong. One shoulder lower.

“What happened?”

He pulls the fabric aside.

I stare.

Part of his collarbone is gone. The right side simply slopes where bone should be.

“No.” I touch my own shoulder. Pressure builds beneath my skin.

“Oh God.” Something hard pushes outward. Not through.

Under.

A ridge forms beneath my collar.

His collarbone. Inside me. “August...”

He stares.

Then his front tooth loosens and falls into his palm.

I cover my mouth. A sharp pressure fills my gum.