Sublime

“Stephens,” he says, tone dry once more, “if you’re the villain in someone else’s love story, then I’m the devil.”

“Adam,”

“I knew it,” Aunt Thea said. “It’s him.” The strange man nodded. “It’s me.” “It’s who?” Maddie blurted out.

He turned up from nowhere, on the pretext of being a second cousin or something of Evie’s, though she didn’t seem particularly keen to acknowledge the relationship.

Matthew’s eyes widened as he understood what she intended. “You wouldn’t.”

“Angie is dead—,” said Eli. “Yes, I know—” “…but so are you.” It wasn’t a threat. “I don’t know who you are, but you’re not Victor. You’re something that’s crawled into his skin. A devil wearing him.” “Ouch,” said Victor, and for some reason, the word made him laugh.

“Who is she?” Ethan asked softly. “No one. An imaginary woman.” Averting his gaze, West used the toe of his boot to flick a loose pebble to the side of the drive. “Who happens to despise me,” he muttered.

him.”

He