Free Hopeless Magic by Rachel Higginson Page B

head, but did my best to repress him.
    I was tired of being told what to do, or what to say, or what to think. I was sorry that Avalon was so everything they wanted and expected. But I was not Avalon, even if he was in my head, even if he was my twin, even if I’d just stolen his truck. I was my own person and this person did not want to join their freaking Resistance.

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    I sped down the gravel road, reminding myself more and more of my twin brother, driving haphazardly at an alarming rate. I took a big breath and allowed the magic to take control. I then opened my palm and willed my cell phone into my fingers.
    I was tired of the Resistance, and I was tired of people trying to protect me. What better way to spite them all then to find the one person that was against everything they stood for, the one person I was utterly in love with. My mind was wholly focused now; I was nothing but determined to be wrapped in Kiran’s arms before I internally im-ploded from frustration.

    8.
    I skidded parallel into a parking spot across from Kiran’s building. On the drive from the farmhouse to downtown Omaha I had practically mastered my magical driving ability. There were a few rough patches on the interstate, but no cas-ualties, so I called my drive a success.
    Having gotten even more worked up on the forty-five minute drive from the middle of nowhere to the upscale part of down town Omaha known as the Old Market, I could not wait to see Kiran.
    I hesitated a few more seconds before leaping from Avalon’s oversized truck. The last of Kiran’s guard disappeared around the corner and subsequently a light was turned off in Kiran’s loft apartment and replaced with a candle, a sign that the coast was clear.
    I reached for the keys from the ignition and realized too late that I didn’t use any, I had used magic. Bracing myself against the whipping wind 120/711
    and icy rain, I opened the door and dashed across the wet and slippery, brick street. There was no using a shield of magic in the middle of a crowded city.
    Kiran buzzed me in before I even had a chance to push the button and I magically dried myself and clothes on the way to the elevator. I danced around the lobby anxiously, waiting for the elevator to reach the ground floor. Biting my lip and holding back tears of frustration, the only thought I allowed myself to think was of Kiran and Kiran alone.
    The elevator doors opened and to my surprise he was waiting on the other side. I jumped into his arms immediately, not allowing one second of separation between us. My mouth found his instantly and a sense of overwhelming security washed over me. Hot tears finally escaped the tightly closed corners of my eyes, while Kiran’s touch melted away my fears and frustrations.
    Albeit a little surprised, Kiran reciprocated my passion with his own and soon our magic was 121/711
    mingling together in a swirl of frenetic energy.
    One of his arms gripped me tightly around my waist, pulling my body close to his in inseparable proximity; his other tangled its way through my hair. My lips refused to leave his.
    The elevator came to a stop once again on the top floor and the doors opened into Kiran's penthouse apartment. I regretfully relinquished my hold on him and quickly turned around to hide my embarrassing display of emotion. I entered the classy, modern apartment that took up the entire top floor of the apartment complex. The exposed brick and cork floors gave the loft space a warm and inviting feeling despite the sparse furniture and manly touches.
    The space had several rooms and at least two bathrooms to accommodate not only Kiran and Talbott, but a handful of other Titan guards. If that weren't bad enough, I'd been informed Sebastian had also joined them until other arrangements could be made. Kiran was close behind me, hands gently on my waist.

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    "That was quite the greeting," I could hear the smirk through his crisp, English accent, and my own version of his