“I know you are after this power.” Daniel’s fingertips ghosted against Liam’s chest, and his heart leapt in response. “But it’s not something you only run toward.”

Liam curled his fingers against his sternum, though Daniel’s hand was long gone. “There was . . . an accident. A couple of them, really. My mother, and then—”

Liam paused. He’d used up all his recklessness. But Daniel deserved to know. He pressed his hand against the driver’s door and tasted the words on the tip of his tongue:

“And then the—the person I thought I loved.”

Daniel exhaled. “Oh.” His face scrunched up. “Did she . . . leave you?”

The taste turned salty, like blood. “I lost . . . him.”

Too long of a silence, a hole dug too shallow, dirt filling it in as fast as he shoveled it out. He’d miscalculated. An ache was forming between his eyes, exhaustion and humiliation. And he’d just gotten Daniel on his side—

Daniel’s fingertips came between their faces against the truck door, and he pressed his palm right beside Liam’s. Liam imagined a faint current jumping between them. “Then I’m sorry for your loss.”

Liam let out his breath in a rush.

They stayed there for a moment, the tension unwinding in Liam’s chest as Daniel studied him with fresh eyes. Behind Daniel, a faint blush of violet was creeping up the eastern sky. With a nod, Daniel pushed off of the truck, then swung up into the cab. “It’s probably better if you drive, in case we’re stopped on the road. You look like one of them.”

Liam nodded, mouth too thick to say more. His body was tingling. One threat had passed. But there were plenty still ahead.

Daniel dug around the steering column and tinkered with the electrical wiring. “It’ll all be over the minute you open your mouth, but you can buy me some time.”

“What’re you gonna do, jump out and slit their throats?” Liam asked. A flush climbed Daniel’s neck, and Liam couldn’t help it—he laughed. “That really is your solution to everything, isn’t it?”

Daniel grinned, and it lit up Liam’s insides—there was one smile earned. “It’s worked well so far.”

After a few hesitant chugs, the engine sputtered to life. Liam raised one eyebrow, impressed. “Are you a mechanic or something?”

“Violist.” Daniel swung back out of the cab, long fingers lingering on the door handle. “Let’s get you a uniform.”