You awoke to find yourself in an unfamiliar place.

Where were your parents? You were pretty sure this wasn’t your room.

Then you remembered.

You had inherited your grandfather’s house. Of course it felt unfamiliar.

Rubbing your eyes, you glanced around. You were still wearing the clothes you’d arrived in, but now you were lying in a silk-covered bed.

You remembered coming in during the afternoon—so why was it night now?

Suppressing a yawn, you stretched your arms. Maybe you should order some food… you were starting to feel hungry.

You were about to sit up when you suddenly realized you weren’t alone.

“You’re awake…” a guy said.

You startled at the sound of his voice.

Since when was he standing there? And who the heck was he? A guy in your room—had you really just woken up to that?

He averted his eyes. “Sorry,” he said. “I think I was saying my thoughts out loud.”

Why was he apologizing? To you? A stranger who had only said two words since you woke up. Wait… he looked familiar.

Then it all came rushing back.

He was one of the incubus who had taken refuge in your grandfather’s house.

You looked back up at him. He was leaning against the far wall, watching you. Your heart began to race as your mind spiraled through the endless possibilities of what this situation could mean.

You hated the thought of being under an incubus’s power—especially in a bedroom.

You took a steady breath. If any of them were going to take advantage of you, it would’ve already happened.

“Yeah,” you said, “I’m awake now.”

“That’s good,” Damien replied. Relief crossed his face before settling into a small smile.

Still, one thing bothered you.

“I’m not going to use my powers on you,” Damien said suddenly.

“Huh… what?” you asked, certain you hadn’t said anything out loud.

“I can read minds,” he explained. “It’s an ability I was born with. Each of us has a different gift—something beyond our usual mind-altering powers.”