Fizban and Greg’s misty forms gathered. I heard whispering in a language I couldn’t comprehend.

Adam came to stand beside me. He took my hand and squeezed it.

After several seconds, the mists reassembled into Greg and Fizban.

Fizban came forward and held out her hand, indicating I should take it.

Hesitant, I reached out and grabbed hold. She grinned. “We will give you the remainder of your year. We’ve decided you’ve earned it.”

“Thank you,” I said, pulling her close and hugging her. She returned my hug carefully.

“There are conditions,” Greg added.

I nodded. “I’m listening.”

Fizban locked her hands behind her back and began to pace. “Number one: You will keep your promise to Professor Pops and help him find Cole.”

“Agreed,” I said. I would’ve done that with or without their conditions. “Do you know where he is?”

Greg snorted. “We do.”

“Are you going to tell me how to find him?” I hated that they were acting coy. Why would they do that?

“In time, Beatrice. First you must consider our remaining conditions.” Fizban wrapped a piece of red hair around her finger.

“Fine.” As I watched the Unknowns, the way the moved, the secret smiles they gave each other, the strangest feeling came over me. Was my life even my own? Even though I believed I controlled my own fate, the Unknowns seemed to create problems and then demand I fix them while they just sat back and watched. Like a character in a TV show doing what the directors ordered.

“Number two: You will train with Adam and learn to control your beast and your abilities,” Greg said.

So far, the conditions were easy. “I understand,” I said, solemnly.

“Number three: You will memorize the laws of your species, including no cross-species procreating.” Fizban’s scrutiny roamed between Adam and me.

My heart fell. It wasn’t like I wanted to do that now, but I did like Adam. Like a whole freaking lot.

“Did you hear me?” Fizban asked.

“Yes.” I picked at some dead skin on my hand.

“Adam?”

He gritted his teeth. “I understand.”

“Excellent,” Greg said.

“The final condition: You must go to Hiraken and rescue Adam’s sister.”

I heard Adam suck in a breath.

“This last is of the utmost urgency. The vicious Vaktare king ruling the land has been torturing her.” Fizban’s features softened. “She’ll be dead within the month.”

I took hold of Adam’s arm. “We’ll go immediately.”

He nodded.

“The sooner the better, Beatrice, but make sure you have a plan. Adam is an enemy to those in control now, just as you are. Remember that.”

“I will.”

“You’d better,” Fizban and Greg said together. Their bodies started to shimmer and I knew they would evaporate shortly.

“Wait,” I said. There was one more thing I needed to know.

“Yes,” they said together.

“My parents? Do you know where they are?”

“Of course we do, Beatrice. We’re the ones who took them.”

It was hard to tell if the Unknowns were good or bad. Maybe they were neither. Maybe they were both. Or maybe those words, good and bad, meant nothing to such creatures.

“What? Why? To keep them safe?” I hoped that had been the reason, but the look on Fizban’s iridescent face told me otherwise.

“We took them to keep them away from you.” Their forms were almost transparent.

I knew they’d vanish any second. “Wait.”

“We grow weary of you, Beatrice. Ask your question so that we may go.”

I swallowed. “Did you . . . kill my parents?”

The Unknowns laughed. The sound echoed off the walls.

“They are alive. Perhaps you’ll see them again,” Greg said.

“If you do as we say,” Fizban added.

“Of course I will, just bring them back.” I spoke the words to empty air. They were gone.

“Why would they do that?” I asked Adam, taking a shuddering breath, relieved they were gone but still upset by what they’d done.

Adam’s shoulders sagged. He sank onto my bed. I knew his heart was as heavy as mine.

I sat beside him. At least I knew my parents were alive. Adam’s sister was being tortured. “We will get her out. We have to.”

Adam ran a hand over my cheek, causing my whole body to quiver. It was great to have him close. I wrapped my hand over his, pressing my face into his touch.

“Adam.” My emotions were overflowing with need.

“I’m here.” Adam scooted closer. His lips were inches from mine.

I sighed. “You heard what the Unknowns said.” I felt I should at least state the obvious, even though I wanted him to kiss me with every ounce of my being.

Adam’s lips tilted in a smile and he leaned in, kissing my cheek. “I did hear what they said.” He kissed my other cheek.

My breathing increased, and the fireworks that lit up every time he was near exploded into the softest rose petals. They fluttered around inside my lower belly. “Yeah.” I couldn’t even think. Every nerve was sparking with need.

Adam kissed my forehead. “They said we couldn’t procreate.” His lips kissed the tip of my nose. “There are ways to ensure we don’t make any babies.”

“You’re right,” I whispered. Hope beat through my heart.

Adam’s lips claimed mine. He lay back on the bed, pulling me with him. Adam and I had a lot to think about, a lot to deal with. My parents. His sister. Finding Cole. But for right now, it was just the two of us.

“You’re bad, Adam Haddox. So, so bad,” I said against his mouth.

Adam smiled, nibbling on my lower lip. “What can I say, you accomplished your goal.” He growled, rolling on top of me.

“I did?” I asked, breathlessly. I had no idea what he meant.

“I am more beastly than you are.” With those words, he covered my mouth with his, taking his kisses to a whole new level of passion.

End of book one.