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