I swallowed. How strange?
A brief smile appeared. There was a flash of light
I remember that.
Do you remember anything after that?
FallingI remember falling and I scrunched up my face. I cant remember.
Its okay. Maybe you should get some rest. We can talk about this later.
No. I want to know now. I met his gaze. Come on, this sounds like its going to be interesting.
Aiden laughed, dropping his hand. Honestly, I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt seen it.
I started to roll onto my side, but remembered the whole no moving thing. Staying still was going
Marcus sighed. The law requires that I do, Alexandria. It even requires that I turn you in, and by not doing so, Ill face charges of treason. Just as Aiden will face charges of treason if anyone discovers what he did.
Treason equaled death for them. I swallowed. Im sorry. Im sorry I dragged all of you into this.
Aiden softened. Alex, dont apologize. This isnt your fault.
Its not. You cant help what you are. And all of this is because of what you are. Marcus lips curved into a half smile. I dont agree with a lot of the decisions youve made or the fact that both of you have kept very important things from me, but I cannot blame Aiden for doing what I wouldve done in the same situation. Im your uncle, Alexandria, and I will be tough on you, but that doesnt mean I dont care for you.
Stunned into silence, I stared at him. Could Ive totally misinterpreted everything about this man? Because I seriously wouldve bet my life that he couldnt stand me. But had it just been his version of tough love? Blinking back tears, I suddenly wanted to hug him.
The look on Marcus face told me he probably wouldnt be comfortable with that.
Okay. We definitely werent on hugging terms yet, but this this was good. I cleared my throat. So wow. Leon is Apollo.
Aiden grinned.
Grinning back at him, I suddenly felt panicked and it took me a second to realize why. Oh, my gods. I started to sit up, but Marcus stopped me. I need to call Seth. If he suspects anything, hell go crazy. You dont even know.
Aidens grin faded. If hed knownfelt it through your bond, then hed have already gone crazy. He doesnt know.
He had a point, but I still needed to talk to him.
We think its best that he doesnt know, not until he is here with you, Marcus said. Right now, we cannot afford for him to lose it. And he did call for you last night. Aiden told him you were sleeping.
Aiden rolled his eyes. After he complained about me answering the phone that he gave you, he hung up. If he felt anything, he doesnt know why.
Sounded like Seth. Relieved, I settled back down. Can someone grab my phone, though? If he doesnt hear from me, hell suspect something and blow someone up.
That can be arranged.
Ill get it, Aiden said, sighing.
Good. And while you go get it, why dont you take a shower and get some rest. You havent slept since yesterday morning, Marcus said. Lucians Guards are outside the door. No one will get past them.
The only reason I trusted Lucians Guards was the fact that there was only one person who wanted me to Awaken more than Seth, and that was Lucian. Does Lucian know what happened?
Marcus stood. Yes, but he agreed that it would be wise to keep Seth in the dark for a little while.
And you trust Lucian?
I trust that he understands that we cannot afford any acts of retaliation from Seth. Other than that, not particularly, but he needed to know about Telly. He has some of his people looking for the Head Minister, He paused, running a hand down the side of his face. Dont worry about things like that right now. Get some rest. Ill be back later.
There were still a lot of questions, like who were the Sentinels that Marcus trusted? And how in the world could we keep a secret like this from Seth? But I was tired and I could tell that both of them were, too.
Aiden lingered after Marcus left. He came to my bedside, his silvery gaze drifting over me.
You havent left this room, have you? I asked.
Instead of answering, he bent and placed his lips against my forehead. Ill be back shortly, he promised. Just try to get some rest and dont get out of the bed until someone is with you.
But Im not tired, not really.
Aiden laughed softly as he pulled back. Alex, you may feel fine, but you lost a lot of blood and you just had surgery.
And Id died, but I figured there was no point in adding that. I didnt want Aiden to worry any more than he did, especially when he looked so exhausted. All right.
He moved away from the bed and stopped at the door. Looking back at me, he smiled. I wont be gone long.
I eased onto my side carefully. Im not going anywhere.
I know. Neither am I.
CHAPTER 18
I SLEPT LONGER THAN ID EXPECTED. WHEN I AWOKE, the room was empty and my cell phone had been placed on the bedside table. I hoped that Aiden was getting some rest, and that Marcus was, too. Pushing into a sitting position, I winced as the movement pulled at the skin around the stitches.
Curious, I inspected the jagged scar again. Half-bloods were notoriously fast healers and Covenant blades were designed to cut