Y

firm but careful, as though he's afraid I might disappear if he lets go. His other hand moves to my cheek, his thu

ined. There's so much emotion in his eyes that it ro

and rough. "Baron played a cruel trick on us when he erased your memories

o much, too fast. Someone like him, so powerful and

r, though my voice trembles. "But

ightens with frustration. "Baron has tw

hand and leads me down the corridor until we stop before a da

e the space, giving it a cold but strangely calming feel. A massive bookshelf fills one entire wall, crammed with books from floor t

ex closes the door behind us and sits on the ed

Pictures of us. Of me and Dex together. Of smiling faces I don't recognize-Brad, L

lying. The

into my voice. I pick up a photo, my hands shaking slightly. I'm sm

lly. "What's the last

thing feels blurred. I remember waking up in that dark room bef

g forward. "What's the very last th

ig deep into the haze of my thoughts

e yellow. There was a table in the middle cov

bering a place you haven't seen in over eight

is that possible? How can I rememb

r a moment. "Like I said,

sk. "She's my twin. Ho

ly. "If Baron wanted to remove us from your m

y go through all that trouble? Why erase my

dn't want to kill you. He wanted to turn

he phantom sting of Baron's bite burns at my neck. Everythi

for me to process it all. I lean against the wall bes

"But you have to understand... none of this fee

itter smile. "Humans always struggle to accept what they can

tranger if they told you fairy tales were real

I saw it with my own eyes. Only a fool denies what's right

my head back to meet his gaze. My arms are still crossed,

ng in until I can feel his breath against my skin. His ey

you and me?"

er. His lips twitch into a crooked smile as he gestures toward the photos aro

"You said we're... to

nships," he replies, his voi

whisper, my curiosity

licks his lower lip. A faint, d

his voice edged with both promise