Page 93 of Semblance

I was taken aback by his words. Was he saying this just to shut me up so I didn’t protest anymore?

“Say it again,” I said, skeptical about the truth behind his words.

“I’m falling in love with you.”

Damn it. If he was lying to my face, I couldn’t tell.

He had me good.

“I’m falling in love with you too,” I replied.

“Aside from you, Calisto, and Lincoln, there’s no one else on the council I can trust.”

“Well that’s not bad, right?” I asked. “You have fifty percent of the council right there, not including Lucien who I’m assuming you’ve already kicked out of your little social club.”

“Can you pass your university courses on a fifty percent average?” Shadow asked.

“Well…no.”

“I can’t run an organization on that either. Failure for me means death.”

“I get your point,” I said. “So what do I have to do as a member of the Scooby Gang? Investigate crazy killers and assassination plots?”

“You don’t have to do anything,” Shadow said. “Between Lincoln, my sister, and I, we can uncover the entire truth behind this ordeal. In the meantime, just stay safe.”

“I want to help,” I stated.

“Are you sure you want to get involved?”

“Hell yes,” I replied. “You don’t need to put kid gloves on me. After all, I am the Crow killer, aren’t I?”

Shadow couldn’t help but smile. “That you are Aria; that you are.”

“First thing after classes tomorrow, I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” I said.

“You still plan on going to classes?”

“Damn straight.”

I could see the look of concern on his face. “It might be dangerous.”

“I still have my own dreams to fulfill Shadow, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let one assassination attempt stop me from graduating this semester. I refuse to be a coward.”

Shadow looked at me and sighed. “I’m not going to stop you,” he said. “But can I at least send someone to protect you?”

“If I say no, you’ll still probably have someone follow me anyways, right?”

“Yes,” Shadow said, just before adding, “Have fun at school tomorrow.”

“Can you at least keep the guy following me out of sight?”

Shadow nodded. “You won’t even know he’s there.”

“Good. Then I’ll allow it,” I replied. “I won’t lie, I’m a bit nervous.”

“I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you,” Shadow said. “It comes with the territory of being with me.”

He pulled me into his arms and held me while our lips converged. Our kiss was filled with an insatiable urge to satisfy one another. However this time it was my turn to please him.

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