LOGIN“They just moved here last week.”“Wow, you didn’t waste anytime,” Erika laughs. “At least give us local girls a chance. There’s not many single men our age around here, and you’ve somehow managed to bag four of them. You have to tell me your secret.”“Actually, I knew Leo and Jake before I came her
** Poppy’s POV **“All four?” Erika tries to whisper, but it comes out more like a hiss.“Keep your voice down,” I say, glancing over my shoulder to check we haven’t gained the attention of the entire shop before turning back to her.She stares at me, blinking slowly. “Poppy. Four?”I blow out a bre
“Are you okay?” he asks.“Yeah.” She nods. “It’s strange being back.”Alaric peers through the window. “Crazy coffee girl has returned.”Poppy snorts a laugh.“Are we going inside? Or just standing here, drawing attention to ourselves?” Mason asks, his eyes scanning the street.Poppy nods and pushes
** Leo’s POV **The village is quiet. The sun shines over the street, reflecting off the windows, leaving patches of gold on the cobbled road. It’s very similar to the one on the edge of Phoenix, actually. Maybe slightly more modern, with a mix of old and new shopfronts. People walk slowly, stopping
“Nope, that’s why I was coming here. I was going to ask to borrow a quad.” I narrow my eyes at her. I don’t believe her for a second.Poppy shuffles closer to me, keeping a small distance between us. I look down at her. She’s smiling that smile again. The one that makes me agree to things that I’d
** Bastian’s POV **The mind-link is silent for a moment. Then Leo speaks.“Who the hell are you, and what have you done with Bastian?”“Very funny.”“I’m being serious. Is she holding you hostage up there? Blink twice if you need help.”“Leo, shut up,” Alaric says. “We can’t even see him, so how wo
** Paige’s POV **The sentence lands heavily, but I can’t say I’m totally shocked.“What?” I ask softly.She finally looks at me then, eyes bright and too guarded all at once. “I’m not staying, Paige. Not here. Not now.”My chest tightens, but I don’t interrupt.“I need space,” she continues, her vo
** Paige’s POV **Leo’s chest rises as he sucks in a breath. His fists are clenched at his sides. He looks like he’s on the verge of shifting, and I can almost see the war in him, duty versus love, control versus fear.“You’re not safe alone,” he says, his voice low now, dangerous.Poppy shakes her
Parker joins us on the porch for a while, handing me a cup of steaming tea I don’t remember asking for. I hold it; using it to warm my hands, but I don’t sip it. It feels wrong to be standing here sipping tea whilst the enemy is literally on our doorstep, waiting to attack at any moment. He doesn’t
** Ryder’s POV **I feel it before I understand it.It’s not a surge or the blow I was expecting. Not the sharp crack of power I’ve learned to brace for whenever Paige’s gifts shift. It’s a settling. It’s like the final jigsaw piece fitting in to complete the picture.I stop mid-step in the hallway







