Aiden, you were just a boy.
He nodded absently. My mom yelled at me to get Deacon and get him out of the house with Helen. I didnt want to leave her, so I started down the stairs. The daimon came out of nowhere, grabbing her by the throat. She was staring at me when he snapped her neck. Her eyes .just glossed over. And Helen Helen was screaming and screaming. She wouldnt stop. I knew he was going to kill her, too. I started running up the stairs, and I grabbed her hand. She was panicking and fighting me. It slowed us down. The daimon reached us and he grabbed for Helen first. She went up in flames. Just like that.
I gasped. Tears burned my eyes. This this was more horrific than Id imagined, and it reminded me of the boy the daimon had burned in Atlanta.
Aiden turned to the fire. The daimon went after me next. I dont know
why he spared me the fire and knocked me to the ground, but I knew he was going to drain my aether. Then there was this Guard whod been burned downstairs. Somehow, through what had to have been the worst kind of pain, he made it up the stairs and killed the daimon.
He faced me and there wasnt any pain in his expression. Maybe sorrow and regret, but there was also a bit of wonder. He was a half-blood. One of the ones Id been following around. He was probably my age now, and you know, in all that horrific pain, he still did his duty. He saved my life and Deacons. I found out a few days later that he had succumbed to the burns. I never got a chance to thank him.
His tolerance of half-bloods made sense. That one Guards actions had changed centuries of beliefs in one little boy, turning prejudice into awe. It was no wonder that Aiden never saw the difference between halfs and pures.
Aiden made his way over to me and sat. He met my stare. Thats why I chose to become a Sentinel. Not so much because of what happened to my parents, but because of that one half-blood who died to save my life and my brothers.
I didnt know what to say or if there was anything I could. So I placed my hand on his arm as I blinked back tears.
He placed his hand over mine as he looked away. A muscle worked in his jaw. Gods, I dont think Ive ever talked to anyone about that night.
Not even Deacon?
Aiden shook his head.
I feel honored that youd share that with me. I know its a lot. I squeezed his arm. I just wish youd never had to experience any of that. It wasnt fair to any of you.
Several moments passed before he answered. I had justice for what those daimons did to me. I know its different from what you dealt with, but I wanted to give you that justice. I wish Id told you before.
A lot of stuff was going on then, I said. We hadnt been talking, and then Calebs death happened. My heart didnt clench as badly as it used to at his name. I understand what happened with Eric.
He smiled a little. It was a knee-jerk reaction.
Yeah. I searched for something to take our minds off everything. We both needed it. My gaze found the acoustic guitar propped against the wall. Play something for me.
He rose and picked up the guitar reverently. Walking back to the couch, he sat on the floor in front of me. He tipped his head down and locks of hair fell forward as he fiddled with the knobs along the headstock. His long fingers plucked a pick out from the taunt strings.
He peered up, his lips tipped in a half-smile. Treachery, he murmured. You knew I wouldnt refuse you.
I eased down on my side. My stomach rarely ached, but Id grown accustomed to being careful. You know it.
Aiden laughed as he thrummed his fingers on the strings lightly. After a few more moments of adjusting the tone, he started playing. The song was as haunting as it was soft, pitching high for a few strands, and then his fingers slipped down the chords. My suspicious were confirmed. Aiden could play. There wasnt one wrong slip or falter.
It entranced me.
Resting my head on the throw pillow, I curled up and closed my eyes, letting the melody filling the room drift over me. Whatever he was thrumming on the guitar was soothing, like the perfect lullaby. A smile pulled at my lips. I could totally see him sitting in front of a packed bar, playing tunes that enchanted everyone in the room.
When the song ended, I opened my eyes. He was staring back at me, eyes so soft, so deep, that I never wanted to look away. That was beautiful.
Aiden shrugged and gently placed the guitar beside him. He reached up, carefully taking the barely-touched glass of wine from my fingertips. His eyes watched me as he took a sip, and then he set the glass aside, too. Minutes couldve passed as we stared at each other, neither of us talking.
I didnt know what came over me, but I reached out and placed a hand on his chest, beside his heart. Under my right hand, there was something hard and teardrop-shaped tucked under his shirt. Id felt the necklace before and never really paid it much attention, but now there was something familiar about it.
I sucked in a sharp gasp as comprehension shot through me. Aiden stared back, his eyes incredibly bright. A shiver ran down my spine, spreading across my skin with dizzying speed. I reached up, sliding my fingers under the thin chain.