Chapter 2 Veilmarked

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Lazrin should have killed her.

It would have been easier. Cleaner. Expected.

But nothing about Aeris Valen was clean. She bled danger and desire in equal parts, and when she touched the relic-his curse stirred. The part of him that wasn't entirely human anymore.

The Veil remembered her, even if he didn't.

"You didn't come here by accident," he said, circling her slowly. "You were drawn."

"I don't believe in fate."

"Fate believes in you."

Aeris laughed-sharp, humorless. "Spoken like someone who regrets every step he's taken."

Lazrin's jaw tensed. He stopped inches from her. "Every step except this one."

Her hand twitched on her dagger. She wasn't sure if she wanted to stab him or touch him. Maybe both.

"How long have you been dreaming of me?" she asked.

He didn't answer immediately.

"Since I was sixteen. Every night. Always the same: you, in fire. Your hands covered in blood. Mine."

Aeris swallowed hard.

He reached up-slowly-and touched a strand of silver-blonde hair tangled near her cheek.

"Why haven't you aged?" he murmured.

"Maybe I'm not supposed to."

"Or maybe you died once. Like me."

Her pulse skipped. "You think we're ghosts?"

"No. I think we're worse."

Lightning flashed again outside. Closer now. The relic throbbed in her hand like it wanted out, like it remembered too. She should've left the cathedral. She should've never come back to Virelle.

Instead , she let him touch her.

His fingers brushed her cheek-then curled behind her neck. Her dagger was still between them. Her breath hitched.

"You're going to ruin me," she whispered.

Lazrin leaned in, his lips just barely grazing her skin.

"You ruined me a thousand years ago."

She stabbed him.

Not deep. Just enough to make him bleed.

He didn't flinch.

And gods help her, she didn't run.

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