I wanted it so much that I'd almost taken a step toward him when his wings chose that moment to stir. They quivered and then spread partially open so that the sunlight glistened against their black depths, illuminating the indigo and purple that usually hid within their darkness. The sight of them was like running into an invisible wall. I remembered again what he was--a dangerous fallen immortal who would like to steal my free will and, eventually, my soul.

I don't see why you're laughing, I said quickly. I'm telling you the truth. I'm looking at you because I'm polite, even though I really wish you'd fly away and let me dream in peace. Oh, my A-ya. His expression sobered. I can never leave you in peace. You and I are bound. We will be each other's salvation, or each other's doom. He took a step closer to me and I mirrored his movement by taking a step backward. Which shall it be? Salvation or doom? I can only speak for myself. I made my voice stay calm, and was even able to add a touch of sarcasm to it, though I could feel the cool stone of the balcony balustrade pressing like the walls of a prison cell against my back.

But both sound pretty bad. Salvation? Jeesh, you're reminding me of the People of Faith, and since they'd consider you a fallen angel, that doesn't make you much of an expert on salvation. Doom? Well, seriously, you're still reminding me of the People of Faith. Since when did you become so boringly religious? In two steps he closed the space between us. His arms became bars, caging me between the stone balustrade and him. His wings shivered, opening around him so that he eclipsed the sun with his own dark brilliance. I could feel the terrible, wonderful chill that always emanated from him. It should have repelled me, but it didn't.

That awful coldness drew me at a soul-deep level. I wanted to press myself against him and be carried away by the sweet pain he could bring. Boring? Little A-ya, my lost love, for centuries mortals have been calling me many things, but boring is not one of them. Kalona towered over me. There was just so much of him! And there was all that naked skin . . . I wrenched my gaze from his chest and looked up into his eyes. He was smiling down at me, perfectly relaxed and completely in control. He was so darn hot I could hardly breathe. Sure, Stark and Heath and, yes, Erik, were cute guys--exceptionally cute guys, actually. But they were nothing compared to Kalona's immortal beauty.

He was a masterpiece, the statue of a god that personified physical perfection, only he was even more attractive because he was alive--he was here--he was here for me. I-I want you to step back. I tried unsuccessfully to keep my voice from shaking. Is that truly what you want, Zoey? His use of my name jolted through me, affecting me much more than when he called me A-ya. My fingers pressed hard into the stone of the castle as I tried to ground myself and not fall under his spell. I drew a deep breath and got ready to lie and tell him yes, I sure as hell did want him to step away from me. Use the power of truth. The words whispered through my mind.

What was the truth? That I had to fight myself not to leap into his arms? That I couldn't stop thinking about A-ya's surrender to him? Or that other truth--that I wished I was just a normal kid whose most stressful problems were homework and mean girls? Tell the truth. I blinked. I could tell the truth. Right now what I really want is sleep. I want to be normal. I want to worry about school and paying my car insurance and how stupidly expensive gas is right now. And I'd seriously appreciate it if you could do anything about those things. I held his gaze with my own, letting that one sliver of truth lend me strength. His smile was young and mischievous. Why don't you come to me, Zoey? Well, see, that wouldn't actually give me any of those things I just mentioned. I could give you so much more than those mundane things. Yeah, I'm sure you could, but none of it would be normal, and right now what I'd truly like more than anything is a very big dose of normal.

He met my gaze, and I could tell that he was waiting for me to falter, for me to get all nervous and stuttery, or worse, to panic. But I had told him the truth, and that was a small, shining victory for me, one that lent me power. It was Kalona who finally looked away, Kalona whose voice was suddenly halting and unsure.

I don't have to be like this. For you, I could be more. His eyes met mine again. I could choose a different path were you by my side. I tried not to show the flood of emotions his words had caused within me as he touched the part of me that A-ya had awakened. Find the truth, my mind insisted; and, again, I found it and spoke it. I wish I could believe you, but I don't. You're gorgeous and magical, but you're also a liar. I don't trust you. But you could, he said. No, I said honestly. I don't think I could. Try. Give me a chance. Come to me and let me prove myself to you. Truly, my love, say one small word, yes. He bent and, in a movement that was graceful and strong and seductive, the fallen immortal whispered into my ear, allowing his lips to only brush my skin enough to send chills skittering through my body. Give yourself to me and I promise that I will fulfill your deepest dreams. My breath was coming fast and I pressed my palms harder against the stone at my back. At that instant, I only wanted to say one word, yes. I knew what would happen if I did. I'd already experienced that kind of surrender through A-ya. He chuckled, a sound that was deep and confident. Go on, my lost love. One word, yes, and your life will forever be changed. His lips weren't by my ear anymore. Instead his gaze had captured mine again. He was smiling into my eyes. He was young and perfect, powerful and kind. And I wanted to say yes so badly I was afraid to speak. Love me, he murmured. Love only me. Through my desire for him my mind processed what he was saying, and I finally found a word other than yes.