Incredulous, he threw up his hands, shaking his head. Youre being way too
Way too what?
Caleb frowned. I dont know, too rational about this or something.
For a moment I did nothing but stare at him, and then I busted out laughing. Do you know youre the only person to accuse me of being too rational?
A smile broke out across his face, reminding me of the younger, more carefree Calebthe Caleb who didnt get excited about taking a stance against the pure-blooded Council. Well, I guess theres a first time for everything.
We grinned at each other, but then my smile faded. Caleb, youve changed.
His smile disappeared. What do you mean?
I dont know. Youre just different now. I didnt think he was really going to respond, especially when he stood up.
He walked around the table to sit next to me, and his lips pursed for a thoughtful moment. I am different.
I know, I whispered.
A brief smile appeared. You know, I keep thinking about when we were in that cabin and I couldnt do anything to help you. I dont know what Id thought it would be like to face a daimon. I guess I really had no idea. A muscle along his jaw ticked as he rubbed his fingers over a scuff mark on the table. All I keep thinking is there had to be something I couldve done to make them stop hurting you. I shouldve fought through the pain or something.
Calebno. I grabbed his cool hands. There was nothing you could do. And that whole, messed-up situation was my fault.
He faced me, lips twisting into a cynical smile. I just never felt more powerless in my life. I dont want to feel that way again.
Youre not powerless. You never were. I scooted over and wrapped my arms around his stiff shoulders.
Caleb responded a little awkwardly at first, but then he rested his chin atop my head. We stayed like that for a little while. You have mayo in your hair, he murmured.
Giggling, I pulled back. Where?
He pointed. Youre such a messy eater.
After I got the mayo out of my hair, he studied me. What? Do I have more mayo in my hair?
No. He glanced around the empty cafeteria. How are things between you and Aiden?
I dropped the napkin. Usually Caleb sensed Aiden wasnt something I wanted to talk about. I dont know. Everything is the same, I guess.
He rested his chin on my shoulder. The edges of his soft hair tickled my cheek. Was he mad about the Guard thing?
He didnt say anything about it, but Id go with a yes.
Have you guys, you know, done?
No! I jerked back, hitting his arm lightly.
Caleb shot me a knowing look.
Nothing can happen between us, you know that. So stop looking at me like that.
Like not being allowed has ever stopped you before, Alex. Just just be careful. Im not going to lecture you
Good.
He flashed a grin. But if anyone finds out about what almost happened between you two
I know. I glowered at the rest
of my fries. Its nothing to worry about, all right?
The topic thankfully switched to less serious subjects. Way too soon, we had to head back to our dorms, and I was feeling a little bit better about things by the time I showered. But I still worried about Caleb, feared that the events in Gatlinburg had damaged him.
After Id changed I was hit again by that weird tingly sensation. Heat crept over my skin right before the intense ache started in my belly. Really, I tried to ignore it. I even picked up my trig book, but I couldnt focus. I turned on the television, but the force of whatever affected me made it nearly impossible to think about anything other than not having a boyfriend. Maybe this was the way my body was telling me I needed to find someonesomeone who was actually available and wasnt a pure-blood.
When it finally did ease off, I fell into a restless sleep that lasted only hours before I shot straight up in bed, heart racing. I scanned the dark bedroom, trying desperately to rid the image of Daniels face from my mind, his touch from my memories.
I rolled over and looked at the window. A second passed before my brain processed the dark shadow behind the blinds. My heart leapt into my throat. Jerking up, I threw the covers off and crept over to the window. The shadow was still there, sending shivers over me. Was it Seth trying to peep into my window?
If so, I was going to beat him over the head.
Or it could be the daimonsince they hadnt caught it yet. Hell, if it was, it wasnt going to sneak into my room.
I drew the blinds up and jumped back. A pale faceclearly not Sethsstared back at me. In the pale light of the moon, I almost thought it was a freaking daimon.
But it was a Sentinel. I think the icy blonde was named Sandra. Still, what was she doing staring into my bedroom window? Something about that creeped me out majorly. Without further ado, I unlocked the window and pushed it open. Is everything okay?
Sandras eyes dropped to the tags on my bare arms before she dragged them back to my face. I thought I heard screaming coming from this room.
I flushed as I realized I mustve been dream-screaming. Im sorry. Everythings fine.