A Lesson in Thorns (Thornchapel, #1)

by Sierra Simone

And in a clearing in the woods, in a church ruined by thorns and time, something stirred. Something called all six of them by name.

But I’m so susceptible to this kind of touch; I bloom like a rose when I’m handled like a weed,

Why am I so messy? So eager? I feel like an overgrown garden, lush and crowded, rioted and jumbled, except instead of leaves and roots and petals, I’m jealousy and hunger and pain and thrill.

“I’m afraid of you letting me hurt you,” says Auden. “Why?” “Because then I’ll want to do it for the rest of my life.”