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“Somewhere else?”

I look up at him and smile sadly. “A different life.”

“No.” He shook his head, then adds, “I just wish you’d had more nights like this.”

I rest my head on his chest again, and his arms close around me. Maybe if I’d had more of them, I would’ve wanted to stay longer. Maybe I would’ve known how to stay.

“Good memories,” I repeat softly.

His head rests on top of mine, the dance turns into a long hug, music still playing in the background, and he whispers, “You’re safe here. Monsters will never find you in my arms.”

I say nothing, and hold him a little tighter.

106

Unknown

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Distractions

Raven hair.

How easily she forgets everything around her when her mind is preoccupied with something else. The thought of her near him. Near them, near anyone, has the rage I feel wanting to burst out from beneath me.

Doesn’t she know how much I long for her? How I miss her touch.

Her mother was never like this, she knew to keep herself in one place, knew she had no other life apart from living for me. It seems she isn’t the only one who likes to forget.

I find it comical how he too forgets everything he came here to do when she gave him attention, not that I blame him. I would forget everything if I had her like he does.

Like I did before. How stupid he is. So incredibly stupid. I am so near but so far away from his grasp because he is distracted.

Distractions.

They can be a disadvantage because the moment you are distracted is the moment when things can go wrong.

And he, Damien Caldwell… He is going to find out just how much things can go terribly for him all because he has touched something that doesn’t belong to him.

Because she is mine.

And I hate when people use my belongings.

107

Mireya

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When she is near

“Hold your arms up, woman!” I laugh as I lunge towards Hayzel.

“God, Reya.. I’m trying,” she replies breathless.

I shake my head at her blocking the counter attacks that she throws in my direction. “You know…” I dodge. “You’re gonna make a shit,” another dodge, “agent, if you keep this up.”

She glares at me before spitting out her mouth guard and throwing her hands to her sides.