“Show me.”
The words hit harder than they should have.
Bastián’s hand moved toward my back slowly and intentionally, giving me enough time to understand exactly what would happen if his fingers touched the exposed skin beneath the ruined makeup. The Mark would be there, its warm gold under a fading foundation that’s impossible to explain and impossible to survive.
My pulse slammed hard against my ribs.
Think!
For the first time in a long time, I had nothing. No quick lie, no escape route, no distraction fast enough to pull him away before he saw the truth sitting inches beneath his hand.
His fingers brushed the air near my spine. The impact made me move forward, not even backward. I caught the front of his jacket with both hands and kissed him before he could touch the Mark, catching
