Page 47 of Love Summoned

Sloane nods. Her tongue slides over her teeth behind her closed lips, frustrated energy radiating off her. She tosses the wrench onto the rag on the sidewalk, then clutches the hood with both hands.

“Who’d you go with?” she asks.

I cross my arms over my chest. “What do you mean?”

Her green eyes narrow. “Kleo called me. Said you came to the store with a guy; dark hair, bad aura.”

I huff, looking away. “Since when are you all buddies with the wolves? Since you mated with one?”

“I haven’t mated with Rowan,” she spits. “Thanks for telling me, by the way.”

“You’re not entitled to every piece of information just because you want it. It was Rowan’s information to share.”

“I didn’t think there were secrets between sisters.”

“Like I said, it wasn’t mine to share.”

“Okay, what the fuck is going on between you and that demon, Sera?” Sloane steps onto the curb to stand in front of me.

My jaw clenches. “He’s not like them.”

“Are you defending him? Sera, don’t you see what’s happening?” I ignore her, but I can’t ignore the tears that pool in my eyes. “He’s using you.”

“You don’t know him like I do,” I shout, the fear, and doubt rising. I need my sister to believe me. To trust me, but she just looks at me with disappointment.

“You shouldn’t know him at all. We don’t know what that magic was between you. It was probably some demon curse to trick you into getting closer to him. They could be Catori’s soldiers for all we know, maybe the dagger you’re seeing is a warning to protect us.”

I suck in a breath, knowing how close she is to the truth. I already know Catori is Nix’s warden. My suspicions were confirmed by the way Nix looked at the dagger in the book earlier, and the way his energy shifted to fear clouded in guilt.

I don’t believe Nix is solely acting under his warden’s control. Maybe the others are, like Hynde, but not Nix. When I came to, after my premonition, his energy was a different kind of fear. He wouldn’t hurt me.

Maybe Delaney is the key to defeating Catori and freeing Nix from his bond. I’m more certain than ever that my visions are telling me to save Nix. Or, do I hope that’s what they’re telling me?

Could Sloane be right? Has the magic between us clouded my judgment?

My powers have always shown me who needs saving. I just need to figure out how all the other pieces connect. Since being in Hemlock, every time I’ve had a new vision, it’s been after I’ve been around Nix, after we’ve touched or been intimate. Tonight, the vision came only once I was in his arms.

“I’m the one with the visions. I’m the one who bonded with a demon, so why don’t you just trust me to figure it out, and you worry about your wolf?” My powers pick up her defeat and agitation as I storm past her. “Oh, and in the interest of honesty.” I pivot, continuing my steps backward. “With every full moon that passes and you denying the bond, Rowan risks turning feral. Just in case he didn’t tell you that part.”

Sloane’s face grows pale before I hurry down the alley to the inn.

My room is dark and empty when I reach it. I head straight to the bathroom and strip off my riding leathers. A hot shower is all I need right now.

I should apologize to Sloane. Even if we’re not in agreement over Nix, I should still be there for her and what she’s going through. At least she knows what hers is; wolf bonds are ancient. She’s probably still scared out of her mind about it, though.

My sister isn’t big on emotions or touch. She’s loyal and protective, but her love is reserved only for a select few, and I’ve always been at the top of that list. Apart from a few boyfriends in high school, Sloane has avoided relationships, especially as she grew older. Family is the most important thing to her.

I don’t know how long I spent standing under the spray of hot water, but when I return to my room, it’s empty. Maybe Nix couldn’t sneak away from his brothers. I wonder what they think about me. Do they trust me just as much as Sloane trusts them? Are they convincing Nix at every turn that I’m biding my time, getting close to him only to vanquish him when he least expects it?

I slip into bed, pulling the covers over my head, and close my eyes.

“You know, hiding under the blankets never works. The bad guys still know you’re there.”

Despite my sullen mood, I smile and push the blankets away. Nix is leaning against the dresser. He’s changed out of his gray hoodie from earlier into a black button-up shirt that’s open at the collar, and the sleeves are rolled up, revealing corded forearms decorated in black ink. The moonlight streaming through the window shimmers over his chain and nose ring. Dark hair falls across his vibrant brown eyes as he crosses the room and sits on the edge of my bed.

“You came,” I say softly.

“I told you, I’m weak when it comes to you.” He cups my cheek, thumb ghosting over my bottom lip as he stares at me.