Eric was the only daimon to escape from Gatlinburg. I hadnt stopped thinking about him, but to hear his name knotted up my stomach. Half of the tags on my body were thanks to him.
I thought getting you out of there, taking you to the zoo would help get your mind off things, but I had I had to do more. I contacted some of the Sentinels around here. I knew Eric wouldnt have gone far, not after he knew what you were and had tasted your aether, he said. Based on Calebs and your description, it wasnt hard to find him. He was just outside of Raleigh.
What? The knots grew larger. Raleigh is like, less than a hundred miles from here.
He nodded. As soon as it was confirmed that it was him, I left. LeonApollowent with me.
At first I couldnt figure out when he couldve done this, but then I remembered those weeks after Id told him I loved him and hed ended our training sessions together. Aiden had had time to do this without me ever knowing. What happened?
We found him. He smiled humorlessly before turning back to the fire. I didnt kill him outright. I dont know what that says about me. By the end, I think he truly regretted ever learning of your existence.
I didnt know what
to say. Part of me was awed by the fact he had gone to such great lengths for me. The other part was sort of horrified by it. Underneath the calm and controlled persona that Aiden wore like a second skin was something darka side of him Id only glimpsed. I stared at his profile, suddenly realizing that I hadnt been fair to Aiden. Id set him upon this incredibly high pedestal, where he was absolutely flawless in my mind.
Aiden wasnt flawless.
I swallowed a sip of my wine. Why didnt you tell me?
We really werent on talking terms then, and how could Ive told you? He laughed harshly. It wasnt like a normal daimon hunt. It wasnt a precise and humane kill like were taught.
The Covenant basically taught us not to play with our kills, so to speak. That even though the daimon was beyond saving, hed once been a pure-blood or a half-blood. Still, as disturbing as learning that Aiden had most likely tortured Eric, I wasnt disgusted by it.
Gods know what that said about me .
Thank you, I said finally.
His head jerked toward me sharply. Dont thank me for something like that. I didnt do it just
You didnt do it just for me. You did it because of what happened to your family. And I knew I was right. It wasnt so much that hed done it for me. It was his way of taking revenge. It wasnt right, but I understood it. And in his shoes I wouldve probably done the same thing and then some.
Aiden went still. The flames sent a warm glow over his profile as he stared down at his glass. We were visiting friends of my father in Nashville. I didnt know them very well, but they had a daughter who was about my age. I thought we were just vacationing before the start of school, but as soon as we got there, my mother practically pushed me in her direction. She was a tiny thing, with pale blonde hair and these green eyes. He took a breath, fingers tightening around the fragile stem of the glass. Her name was Helen. Looking back, I know why my parents arranged that I spend so much time with her, but for some reason, I just didnt get it.
I swallowed. She was your match?
A rueful smile appeared. I really didnt want to have anything to do with her. I spent most of my time shadowing the half-blood Guards while they trained. My mother was so upset with me, but I remember my father laughing about it. Telling her to just give me some time, and let nature run its course. That I was still very much just a boy and that men fighting would interest me more than pretty girls.
There was a lump forming in my chest. I sat back, the glass of wine forgotten.
It was night when they came. His thick lashes fanned his cheeks as his eyes lowered. I heard the fighting outside. I got up and looked out the window. I couldnt see anything, but I just knew. There was a crash downstairs, and I woke up Deacon. He didnt understand what was happening or why I was making him hide in the closet and cover himself with clothes.
It all just happened so fast after that. He took a healthy swallow of the wine and then sat his glass on the ledge. There were only two daimons, but they had control over fire. They took out three of the Guards, burning them alive.
I wanted him to stop, because I knew what was coming, but he had to get this off his chest. I doubted hed ever put that night into words, and I needed to deal with it.
My dad was turning the element back on them, or at least, trying to. The Guards were dropping left and right. Helen was awakened by the commotion, and I tried to get her to stay upstairs, but she saw one of the daimons attack her fatherripped his throat open right in front of her. She screamedIll never forget that sound. A distant look crept across his face as he continued, almost like he was there. My father made sure my mother got up the stairs, but then I couldnt see him anymore. I heard him scream and I just, he shook his head, stood there. Terrified.