Together Thomas and Isabelle left Micah to his books and computers and headed into the corridor.

Isabelle had leaked away a little the morning after the storm. More and more of her had followed in the days afterward. When she’d refused to continue to sleep in his room, even in the guest room, he’d wanted to push, to force her, but he hadn’t. These nights he slept alone.

He’d known when he’d admitted his love for her it might scare her away. He’d told her how he felt against his better judgment, but he’d done it anyway because Thomas had sensed she’d needed to hear the truth.

He’d been right about her fears and now he paid the price.

She fell into step beside him.

“What’s going on with you, Isabelle?”

Isabelle’s steps faltered, but she didn’t reply.

Thomas stopped in the middle of the corridor, grasped her upper arm and turned her to face him. He knew he wore a stormy expression. A storm had raged in him for weeks because of the demon and now because of Isabelle.

Now she met his gaze, only because he forced her to. Her big brown eyes were wide and her lips trembled as she parted her lips to speak. “I care deeply about you.”

“I hear a but coming up.”

She hesitated. “I don’t want a commitment. You’re a wonderful man and the last thing I want to do is lead you on. This is just…bad timing.” Her voice shook with emotion. “I’m not ready for a relationship right now. You deserve better than what I’m able to give you.”

“Bullshit. You’re just afraid.”

“I just want you to move on, please. For your sake. Just forget about me.”

“I could never forget about you, Isabelle.”

She glanced down, her eyes sheened with tears. Her voice came out a whisper. “I never wanted to hurt you, Thomas.”

It wasn’t the answer he wanted. A muscle worked in his jaw. “But you’re going to anyway, aren’t you?” He turned and walked away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-TWO

SHARP CLAWS SLICED THROUGH HER SKIN. THE PAIN was nothing compared to the hard suck in the center of her chest, where her power was being pulled from her like roots yanked out of the earth. Blood poured from her body just as she shed it psychically. She could do nothing, think nothing, move no part of her body—caught like a spider’s prey with demon toxin running though her veins.

Trapped in the demon’s close, dark embrace.

…clothing brushed her cheek and the musty scent of closet filled her nose…