CHAPTER 27 The Manipulator I *m just drifting off into a deep sleep when I hear the creak of a door, my body jolting from the disturbance. When I turn to look at the door, it’s firmly closed. My brow crinkles in confusion. Just when I convinced myself I was only hearing things, I see a movement out of the corner of my eye. Sucking in a sharp breath, I turn and see Zade standing outside my balcony doors, a red cherry pulsating in the moonlight. Wide awake, I sit up and glare. “How long have you been out there, you creep?” I snap. Zade opens the doors the rest of the way, smoke billowing from his mouth. “Awhile,” he answers flatly. He flicks the butt of the cigarette out over the balcony and then reaches up and pulls his hood down from his head. The moonlight shines directly on him, making him glow beneath the soft aura. Such a contradiction that something so dark shines so brightly beneath the light. “Stop littering.” “You’re much more pleasant when you don’t know I’m around,” he murmurs, his voice subdued as he walks in and closes the doors behind him. I frown, squinting my eyes in an attempt to see his face clearer. There’s something off about him right now. He’s not his usual smirk-y hoity-toity self at the moment. He was here just a couple of nights ago, going through more training with me. I finally got the hang of several of the moves he’s taught me. I’m going to be a badass pretty soon. “What’s wrong with you?” I snip, though the heat is missing. It’s almost like I’m feeling actual concern right now. I raise a hand to my forehead and feel for any warmth. I must have a fever and be delirious from the sickness. He steps from the shadows and comes closer. My body locks as he trudges to the bed and sits down on the edge. It’s not unusual to see his muscles straining