I took a deep breath. So, you think Telly does have something?
I dont think Telly would make idle threats and hope you fall for them. Look at all that hes done so far.
I dropped my head into my open palm. Seth, I cant let him go after them.
You can and you will. They. Are. Not. Important. You are. We are.
I hate it when you say things like that, I seethed.
Because its true, Alex. Why? Because once you Awaken, we can change things. Seth paused and then his voice lowered. You have no idea what the majority of the Council wants done to the half-bloods up here. Luckily, my presence seems to be keeping most of them in line, but they do want them killed, Alex. They see the half-bloods as a problem that they dont have the time or manpower to deal with. Especially now that the daimons have no qualms about attacking the Covenants.
I thought you didnt care about the half-bloods. I lifted my head and stared at the blank wall across from the bed.
Not losing sleep over their crappy lives and being okay with exterminating them are two different things, Alex.
Gods, Seth. I shook my head. Sometimes I dont even know you.
You never tried to, he said, without a trace of anger. And it really doesnt matter right now. All that matters is that you stay safe. Look, I got to go. Just stay in your room, at least until Telly leaves. I know he has to be back here by Friday because they are having a session.
All right, I said. Seth?
What?
I bit my lip, having no idea what I wanted to say to him. There was just so much, and none of it was anything I was willing to get into right now. Nothing. IllIll talk to you later.
Seth hung up, without making me promise to stay out of trouble. I think he knew my word was just as good as his.
The next twenty-four hours crept by painfully slowly. I wasnt allowed to leave my room. Food was brought to me by one of my babysitters. Besides them, I had no visitors. Bored out of my mind, I cleaned my bathroom and started to rearrange my closet, which ended with clothes strewn across the floor.
There was a moment when panic punched a hole through my chest. Was I making the right decision by not turning myself in?
I tried calling Seth a few times but that was a total bust. He eventually called back just after Id changed for bed. We didnt talk for long or about anything important. I think he was just surprised that I was still in my dorm and hadnt done anything dumb yet.
It took hours of tossing and turning to drift off to sleep. But I didnt stay asleep for long. I woke up while it was still dark, the comforter twisted around my legs.
I watched slivers of light slice across the ceiling, disappearing when the moon dipped behind a cloud outside my window. My brain immediately kicked into hyper drive, replaying everything that had happened with Telly, then with Aiden and Seth. What if Seth had been right and Telly had a way of finding out that it was Aiden? Or even if he didnt, what if he did go after him? And it wasnt just Aiden I cared about. What would it say about me if I let others be harmed so I skated through until the next time? Because there would be a next timeI knew it. And who would risk their future and their life then?
It wasnt right or fair.
Sitting up, I swung my legs off the bed and stood. Cool air spread goosebumps over my bare legs. I grabbed a long, chunky sweater off the corner of my bed and slipped it over my tank top. Creeping to the window, I pried the blinds apart and peered outside. I couldnt see anything in the darkness and I wasnt even sure what I was looking for.
What am I doing? I asked myself.
Absolutely nothing if I have anything to do with it.
Shrieking, I dropped the blinds and spun around. Heart pounding, I squinted at the tall outline taking up the entire doorway to my bedroom. Once I recognized who it was, it did nothing to calm my racing heart. Holy daimon babies! You gave me a heart attack.
Aiden stepped forward, folding his arms. Sorry about that.
I pulled the sweater closer, staring at
Get mad at me. Hit me. It doesnt change anything.
I moved toward him, to push him but not actually hit him. You cant
Aiden caught both my wrists and hauled me into his lap, switching my wrists to one hand. He sighed. I didnt mean for you to actually hit me.
Too stunned to respond, I just stared at him. Our heads were only inches apart. My legs tangled with his, and then he reached up with his free hand, smoothing the mess of hair back from my face. My breath caught as my heart sped up. Our gazes locked and his eyes turned to quicksilver.
He cupped the nape of my neck. I heard his sharp intake of breath. Then he let go of my wrists and grasped my hips. Before I could blink, I was on my back, and Aiden hovered over me. Using one arm to support himself, he lowered his head and brushed his lips over my swollen cheek.
How do we always end up like this? he asked, voice rough as his gaze traveled away from my face and down my body.
I didnt do this. Slowly, I lifted my hands and placed them against his chest. His heart jumped under my palm.