A kiss of deceit
otel room, grabbing her bag and phone as they went. Who was th
device. "This is a secure phone," Sophia explained. "Use it to contact m
unease. What was going on? And why did Sop
scanned the parking lot, her eyes narrowed. "We
was parked at the edge of the lot. Sophia open
urned to Sophia. "Who are you?" she asked, h
mirror. "My name is Sophia," she repeated. "And I
s racing. "Hired
g. "By someone who cares about you," she said
arrowed. "Who is
hat information," she said. "But trust me, Aless
ally? And who had hired her to protect her? Sh
ts turned to Julian. Was he behind all of this? W
she said that Alessia was in
of uncertainty and fear. She didn't know what was happening, or what was going to happen
op. She was exhausted, both physically and emotional
phia said softly. "Just
gratitude towards Sophia. She didn'
smaller one, Alessia's eyes snapped open.
she said. "A place where you can hide out for
"What do you mean, 'wha
ring. "I mean, what's going on with Julian
"What do you mean?" she asked, h
that you're not who you think you are," she said
s world
ds. What did she mean, Alessia wasn't who she thought she was?
a's soul, as if she could see the confus
le. "I know this is a lot to take in. But you need to know
ng with questions. "What truth?" she d
just a normal person, Alessia," she said finally. "You have...ab
ng with shock. "What abilities?" she a
veal too much. "I'll tell you more later," she said. "But for no
ars. She didn't know what to believe, or who to trust. All she knew wa
It was a small, nondescript building, surrounded by trees and a high fence. It l
lessia's mind. "This is a safe place," she said. "You
bts. What did Sophia mean, "at least, for a littl
opening the door and motioning for Alessia to get o
. But then, with a sense of resignation, she got out
se, with a single bed and a small table. It looked like a place where someone
Alessia's mind. "This is just temporary," she said
ts. What did Sophia mean, "something more permanen
g her a small bag. "Here," she said. "This is for you. It
nse of unease. What was going on?
e her heart skip a beat. It was a look of concern, of worry. And i
ssia asked, her voice
o reveal too much. "You're in danger, Alessia," she said fin
eeling with fear. What did Sophia mean
a beat. It was a look of determination, of resolve. And it was a look that made A