Charlotte Stein – författare

They say I need help. Another exorcism. This is not new. This is my life. Today, I expect to suffer at the hands of a man as warped by superstition and fear as my mother. A man who will torture me in order to save me from things that don''t exist.

But the man who actually comes to me is different.

Killian is good and decent and he sees what’s good and decent in me. And I don''t mean for it to happen, but every time he looks at me his gaze sets me on fire. He brings me to the light, gives me back my life. For the first time, I see a future for myself.

A future with him.

I burn for Killian—a man who’s intent on protecting me. On healing me.

He doesn’t get it. The only thing that can heal me is him. But Killian will soon be a priest. Untouchable. Forbidden.

How can I ask a man to choose between me . . . and God?

It was just a prank I didn''t want to be a part of. I never meant to hurt anyone, least of all Johann Weir. You wouldn''t know that he sells literature for a living. He has these wild eyes—eyes that light something up in me—and he must be twice as big as me with strong, warm hands. Hands I try not to imagine everywhere.

He scares me. And thrills me. 

But now, the deed is done, and I have to face the consequences. He says he just wants to hold me here until the police come, but it''s been hours and I''m still here.

Chained to a pipe in his back room like a prisoner.

The only person I have to talk to is Johann, and all I have to say are secrets I didn''t know I was keeping. Dark, shameful secrets—secrets that involve the metal around my wrist and him standing over me. But I can’t stop. I need him to know everything. I need him. 

Johann has his own secrets—ones he wants to tell me too. And more than anything, I want to listen. And maybe, before he sends me away, he’ll punish me.

Just a little. 

Just enough.