Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2)

by Victoria Schwab

After that, she didn’t let herself look back. Running was just like every other habit. It got easier with practice.

But it wasn’t that simple. Not when it came to Kate. She was his past. A reminder of who he’d been, who he’d wanted to be. Of school uniforms, and fevers, of starving and stardust and—

“You monsters,” muttered Kate, “you think everything is black and white.”

“I pleaded your case,” said August. “Convinced Henry to release you into my custody, at least for the night, so try not to do anything rash.” “But it suits me so well.”

“I’m willing to walk in darkness if it keeps humans in the light.”

She glanced his way and saw pain in his eyes, and fear, and it gave her hope. That he hadn’t given up. That he was still in there.

“The souls you take—” Her fingers tightened on his. “Do they—stay?” And he knew what she asking, and he knew why, but he didn’t know how to answer. He thought of Leo, his brother’s voice in his head, thought of all the other voices he never heard. “I don’t know, Kate.” His voice trembled. “I don’t know.” “Sometimes—” she said through gritted teeth, “I wish you could lie.”

He didn’t want it—didn’t want anything except to give it back, to hold her together the way she’d held him.