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beautiful, and I adore being with you.”
    I watched as his hand crossed over the white linen tablecloth, begging for me to place my hand within his. I did as prompted and immediately felt a surge of infatuation rise within my chest.
    “There is something so…intriguing about you. You’re not only gorgeous. I’m just naturally drawn to you. It’s unlike any feeling I’ve ever experienced before.”
    This is the part where I clung tightly to the words my mother had spoken so plainly. Trey could have any woman that he wanted, so was he simply sweet talking his way into my life, or did he honestly feel attached by his heartstrings to me? Before I could answer, the tattoo that resided on my shoulder blade began to burn with intense heat, a fair warning that my Shomer needed me. Now?
    I pulled my hand from Trey’s and swung my left arm across my chest, my hand rubbing my Guardian mark in an attempt to suppress the pain. Evan’s heartbeat thumped loudly in my ears as danger lurked within the confines of his world. The voices of the atmosphere around me became hushed as I listened intently to the pounding of his lifeline coursing through me with extreme speed and profuse intentions.
    “Is something wrong, Mac?”
    I pulled my thoughts back to where I sat, slowly, as goosebumps covered my milky white skin in response to his calling.
    “Yeah, my mark, it burns. My Shomer needs me. This is the first time I’ve ever experienced this,” I replied, tears swimming in my eyes as I tried desperately to deal with the sting of being needed.
    I pulled my thoughts together and took a deep breath, wiping away the beads of sweat on my forehead.
    “I guess…I should go. Look, I’m really sorry,” I pleaded with him, longing to stay with him instead.
    “Hey, look, it’s fine. It’s our duty, our calling. And no matter the current situation, we have to follow through.” He stood up from his chair, and I followed suit.
    As I rummaged through my purse for my wallet, he grabbed my hand. “I got it. Remember, I asked you on a date.” A smirk fell upon his lips as he bent down to kiss me lightly. “We’ll finish where we left off soon.”
    “That sounds great. I would love that,” I replied.
    We walked out of the restaurant and into the foggy streets of the city. The sidewalks were wet with a light drizzle that fell from the darkness above. My mark began to intensify with a blazing heat once more.
    I stood up on my toes, wrapping my arms around him, kissing him fervently and lustfully as I ran my hands along the nape of his neck. I could feel the heat of his body as he drew me closer, leaving me begging for air, but longing to stand here for a lifetime intertwined within his arms.
    “I have to go,” I said, my heated breath leaving a mist hanging in the cool night air.
    His arms fell from around my waist, unwilling, but knowing I had to follow my calling.
    “If you must. Be careful, Lady Milligan. I’ll call you tomorrow.” His fingers traced the outline of my jaw, the heat of his touch melting into my skin.
    I left him standing in the moonlight, turning around to face him once more as I rounded the corner of the restaurant to wave. He waved back, and I vanished into the night, my tattoo scorching its immediate need within my skin. My feet led me to where Evan was without even the slightest notion of where I was going within the confines of my mind. My spirit knew his spirit, and that was enough to take me to his presence…his need. Dematerializing in the blink of an eye.
     
    *****
     
    There he sat, on the ledge of the Brooklyn Bridge, alone and unaware that I stood only a few feet away. His silhouette shimmered beautifully before me. The tiny bursts of golden light shot through the darkness, pulling me forward. I stood quietly, my image completely invisible to the world around me, concealed from the eyes of my Shomer.
    His hair was wet, his hands folded within his lap as looked out across the East River. A light rain had