“Malice?” I reach a hand to his face, brushing my fingers against his cool skin to make sure he’s real. A spike of rage pierces through the fog coating my mind, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. I care for Malice—my mate—what reason is there to keep my hands away when I know he wants me to touch him as much as I do? When the bond is screaming that this is right.

“I’ve missed you,” I whisper, sliding my hand to his brow. “You feel like home.”

Malice’s eyes flutter closed as he releases a breath, broad shoulders settling as if a great weight has been lifted. A rare, genuine smile tips his mouth as I brush my fingertips through his hair, marveling at the silkiness of the long red strands.

“I’ve been waiting a lifetime to hear you say that,” he murmurs, leaning in to press his lips to my forehead. “They’re so much sweeter than I thought they’d sound.”

“Mmm.” I allow my eyes to close as Malice slides his other hand over the curve of my hip, my heart thrumming in answer to the appreciative hum vibrating his chest. My blood is on fire, my skin bathed in molten gold, but still that nagging voice in the back of my mind lingers, telling me to pull away. Ordering me to remember.

“Malice?”

“Yes, wildfire?”

My brows knit in a frown as I search his gaze for the answers I so desperately need. Why can’t I remember anything? What happened to me?

“What’s going on?”

“Hmm?” His tone is distracted, his focus entirely on the bare strip of skin showing through the tear in my bodysuit. His claw hooks on the fabric, shredding through the material and doubling the size of the hole.

“Malice?”

Instead of answering, Malice slides two of his fingers through the slit on my hip, his bare skin brushing against mine, drawing sparks of electricity everywhere he touches.

“Malice? What are you⁠—”

“Shh,” he murmurs, scraping his nails against the side of my neck. “I have a secret to tell you.”

“A secret?”

“Mm-hmm.” He gazes downward, his genuine smile turning into something far more sinister. “We don’t have much time, though, so you’ll have to listen carefully. Can you do that for me, kitten?”

I nod hesitantly, hoping what he has to say will clear up some of my confusion. Malice’s smile widens, pulling at the corners of his eyes as he leans in like he’s going to whisper something in my ear. But instead of that, his sinful voice enters my mind, his words enough to shock me back into reality.

I’m breaking us all out of here tonight.

Eight words, and my world flips on its head. I stare at Malice, my sworn enemy and mate, unable to believe what I’m hearing.

“What?”