UMN

, my heart hammering against my ribs. For one terrifying moment, I ex

ets. Warm, still air. The famili

r

p, my trembling fingers running over my arms, my ribs. Smooth skin. No bruises. No wo

... w

dow. The shelf of old books. The small crescent moon charm above my

ion that met me. My skin was clear. My eyes looked younger, wider

Agatha's triumphant smile as she pushed me

d room, in a body that h

b escaped. "I'm back." I wasn't dead. Th

o my knees. "Thank you," I whispered, p

wore I wouldn't wast

outside. I froze. This

e door. A strange calm settled over me as I walked down the

the front entrance. And there it wa

rls damp, her dress clinging to her as if she'd just been in th

nd her s

x, watching with that calculating gaze. Dante, brow slightly fu

once been my entire world. The same men w

ed. I wouldn't fall for it again. Death ha

b, burying her face against

licked. This was her first m

ded myself. I had pleaded.

this

shed

chin. Inside, my heart raced, but my face remained still. This would be the momen

silenc

ss Agatha's face before she hid it behind anothe

ha whimpered, clinging to Dan

their disgust, the punishment I was sure w

inst

hen... he shrugg

ked. "

t a minor inconvenience. "Accidents happen

g his head at me. "You're in

ten. This isn't right. The script had

ject me. To give me

e-harder this time. She yelped, stumb

this wi

ing more exasperated than angry

ffled my hair. "Feisty tod

y mind

esting loosely over my shoulders. His warmth was familiar and disorient

d my face.

was the fury? The accusations? The

er eyes darted between them and me, her perf

ub, I thoug

g. I'd pushed her, a

" Adonis said, but his vo

shed," I said, desp

I'd rather give you a diffe

asn't the man who had

smirking too, his silver-bl

stepped forward and-hugged me. Briefly, firmly. His scent of pine and

y of his past rejection crashed a

s happ

edge in my voice. "Y

"And you're cute wh

ive

and frustration. "You're not going

ored. "You're wet, Agat

re me, yo

her off, his tone leavi

e, shutting the door behind me. I leaned agai

was

d to go. I was always the one

h warmth. With teasing affection

on washed over me: The Moon Goddes

else entirely. A world whe

ere they..