He nodded. “Yes, they have been seen on multiple occasions, but they are not welcome in the sanctuary. You’ll be safe here until we figure out a plan.”

My voice cracked on my next words: “I don’t know what to feel about Max.” My pain could no longer be pushed aside, and it seemed Louis was the one I’d bare my soul to. Despite everything I trusted the sorcerer. Well, trusted with some reservations.

He examined me, as if trying to burrow into the deepest of my emotions. “You don’t lose anything by this, Jess, you gain another sister into your pack. Maximus will not abandon you … I can’t imagine a supernatural who could willingly walk away from you.”

Well, that was uncomfortably intimate.

Since exhaustion and heartache had negated my already faulty brain-to-mouth filter, it was time to get this shit out in the open. “What do you want from me, Louis? Why are you helping me so much?”

His expression closed down, more unreadable than it had been before. I was sure he wouldn’t answer. Then he said, “I had a mate … a long time ago. She was killed by another witch. One who wanted her power.” His voice broke. I strained to hear every soft word. “I went crazy for a long time. I was unstable, no one could touch the bubble of pain and anger I had wrapped around myself. Eventually, I was able to control myself again, but no amount of time could heal the pain. Up until the day I touched a tiny twin with a dragon mark.”

My heart dropped, I really didn’t want to hurt Louis, but I wasn’t sure I could give him what he needed.

“It was as if your power wrapped around me and soothed some of the ragged edges of my soul.”

He reached out and grasped my hand, pulling me closer into his side. “I thought maybe you would be a mate-of-sorts for me, that the tie I felt toward you had to mean something. I watched you grow up, kept an eye on you, protected you when I could and waited for the chance to be in your life.”

Okay, a tad creepy, but on some level I understood.

“Louis–” I started, but he cut me off with a chuckle.

“Stop panicking. It didn’t take me long to realize that the emotions you created in me were not romantic, but … family. You feel like my kin and I consider you to be mine … in a purely platonic way.”

It was strange, but I felt something similar when Louis was around. I’d always thought it was to do with his power being the one to spell my mark, but maybe there was something more there.