NINETY-TWO | BURNING BLOOD

The meeting took place in the underbelly of Torre’s house, in a room I’d never seen before. She claimed that it was more secure than where we normally met, and infinitely safer than the town hall. I entered with a sense of trepidation – what was decided here would come to fruition as soon as we left, so I trailed my fingers along the ornate banister as we wound down and down, down into the darkness. Gently, Paps lifted my hand from the smooth wood, shaking his head at me slightly.

The tension had eased dramatically since Harper’s sudden departure. And, though I was concerned about him, I couldn’t deny that I was glad he’d gone. I doubted he’d tell anyone anything – who would believe him? He was a man scorned, turned vicious with jealousy over my new relationship. At least, that’s what I hoped people would think if Harper started spouting truths about the supernatural. A pang of guilt clenched my gut,