I’m going to have to use my ability on him. There’s no way around it. I can’t imagine he’ll just let me go on my merry way, not after he found me unconscious and trespassing on his watch. But I’m not sure what to do, not sure how to handle this. I’m so new to Speaking—I’ve been winging it, for the most part, using easy, obvious intents. Open a few doors … Turn on some lights … Shatter some mirrors …

The last didn’t turn out as planned, and a sick feeling floods my stomach as I recall the devastation I unintentionally caused, the glass cascading all around me, the room exploding into a halo of broken bulbs and shredded wiring. My palms begin to sweat beneath my gloves as I look at the man, fearing the damage I might cause if I attempt to tweak his mind. But if I want to escape this place, I don’t have another choice.

“I’m sor—”

“Alyssa!”

The breath leaves me in a whoosh as I hear Kael calling my name. I don’t look away from the security guard, but the approaching footsteps are the most wonderful sound I’ve heard all night.

“What the hell, babe? I was worried sick.”

My brow furrows at Kael’s term of endearment just as he enters my line of sight, his dark hair disheveled from the Speaker skirmish, his clothes dirty and rumpled. He barely pauses to glance at the guard before he pulls me close, tilts my chin up … and kisses me.

Kael.

Is.

Kissing.

Me.

I’m so startled that I freeze in place, my arms like useless planks by my sides, my lips unmoving against his warm mouth.

He doesn’t linger, the kiss is short—but it feels as if it lasts an eternity.

“I know what this place means to you, but you scared me half to death,” Kael says, his fingers trailing softly over my cheek before he ducks in to give me another kiss—another kiss!—and then steps back, one arm curling around my waist as he turns to the guard.

“Hey, mate. Thanks for finding my girl.”

It’s impossible for me to school my features right now. Impossible for me to look anything but stunned.

What.

Just.

Happened?

I can’t formulate a single thought, my tingling lips claiming all my attention.

“It’s the anniversary of her dad’s death, and this was the last place he ever took her before he … Well, you know,” Kael continues, turning to kiss my temple. I’m still unmoving, my deer-in-the-headlights expression likely jeopardizing whatever ruse Kael is attempting right now. I try to compose myself, beginning to catch on to what he’s doing.

“This day is always hard for her,” Kael says softly, as if sharing a secret about me, even though I’m standing right here. “I know we’re trespassing, but if you could maybe let it slide, just this once?”

I’ve been staring at Kael, so lost in my stupor that my focus on the guard slipped. But I turn back to him now, noting that while his hands have lowered, he hasn’t reached for his gun. Instead, he’s looking at us with a haunted, understanding look on his face.