all covens to retreat back to their dorms for the night. Security had increased and everyone was on high alert, especially at night. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t thought about it sooner, but everyone seemed more relaxed during the day. Then, it dawned on me. Trackers have spies and sources to watch us. They are too smart to attack when everyone is awake and on high alert.
Once everyone was nestled in their rooms for the night, and all the sounds of voices had faded away, I slowly opened my bedroom door and peeked out into the common area. It was empty.
Tiptoeing, I slowly made my way to the french doors leading out to the balcony. I had dressed in a large, gray sweater and tight jeans. It had been cool the previous night, and I could only assume it would be the same tonight.
As I opened the doors, I did a double check behind to make sure no one else saw me. When I realized the coast was clear, I stepped out onto the balcony. I couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit of excitement. Meeting Ace out here was wrong, but, oh, so right.
As I looked around, I caught a glimpse of Ace leaning against the balcony, arms crossed, and a smug grin across his face. “So, you finally came,” he said.
I gently closed the door behind me and stepped closer to where he stood. “I had to wait until everyone was sleeping,” I said.
“I wasn’t sure you would come,” he admitted.
“Why not?” I asked, pushing him to give me more information
Ace looked conflicted as he watched me. “Brie, you know this is wrong, right? Us meeting like this. I could get into serious trouble if Electra or the other professors learned that I was meeting with you at night.” I saw anger flare up in his features. “I can’t stop thinking about how you could possibly be my mate. I know it’s against the rules, but I know you share that familiar spark that connects us.”
“Then why did you ask me to meet you?” I asked, my voice tainted with frustration. He was so hot and cold and I just couldn’t read him. Had I been wrong yesterday when I thought that maybe he had feelings for me, too?
Ace reached for my hands, then hesitated. He let out a deep breath as he reached for me again. This time, lacing our fingers together as he pulled me closer to him. “I asked you to meet me here because I can’t seem to stay away from you. Right or wrong, you have this magnetic pull that I can’t seem to fight. Brie, you make me want to tell you everything I know. You make me want to forget the rules and security we have spent our entire lives creating, just to keep you safe. You make me want to be near you,” he said, his words reaching deep down into my soul. “We have this devastating loss that joins us. I know that sounds terrible, but no other two people here can say they have lost their parents to Trackers. And, with our magic and help, no two people here will be able to say they helped destroy the Trackers.”
For the first time in my life, I found myself speechless. I didn’t have some witty comeback or sarcastic remark prepared. My heart fluttered and danced around in my chest, and my head swam with possibilities of what could be.
“Ace,” I finally managed to breathe.
“If I am being inappropriate, just tell me to stop and I will do my best,” he stated; however, his eyes pleaded with me to listen to him.
Shaking my head, I offered a slight smile. “You are not being inappropriate. It’s just… you can be very confusing at times. One moment I think you hate me and then the next, you profess feelings for me. What do you want?” I ask.
“I want you. I always have,” Ace sighs. Words evaded me as I stood. Ace’s hands held onto me like a life raft, and my heart was pounding wildly inside of me.
“Say something,” Ace urged, breaking me from my internal turmoil and thoughts.
“But it’s against the rules. And, Finn and I…” my words trailed off.
I had never been attracted to two guys at the same time before, and now, I was fighting my feelings for two guys. How has my life become this complicated?
“Don’t you think I know that?” he roared. “The consequences of what I am doing could be brutal, but I have to follow my heart and soul. And Finn…” He seemed to seethe with anger as Finn’s name slipped past his lips. “Finn isn’t the guy you think he is. I’ve always disliked him. He is arrogant and mysterious.”
My heart and mind were at war. I wanted to trust Ace, but I couldn’t ignore my feelings for Finn, too.
”Is it possible?” I ask, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.
”Is what possible?” he asks.
“Me and you destroying the Trackers and…” I let the words trail off as I find them too difficult to say aloud.
Maybe I am embarrassed by the thought and realization that I find it difficult for people to care for me. Maybe I am angered at never knowing the truth behind who and what I really am. It all seems so monumental now and with the knowledge being placed right before me.
“Nothing will be hidden from us again,” Ace states firmly. “I have spoken with the professors and leaders of the Woodsong Academy and told them that we are no longer going to sit and wait for the Trackers to attack. It’s time the students take charge.”
I feel my bottom lip tremble as emotions rush over me. I want to cry and hug him all at the same time. There is an overpowering and overwhelming sense of need for Ace that I can’t comprehend. He has also given me answers to my past and holds the knowledge of my future and what is to come. He also has a smile that captivates me and a swagger that pulls me to him like a tidal wave.
Before I know what is happening, Ace pulls my body close to his and my trembling lips are now mere inches from his. I can feel his warm breath tickling my cheek as he continues to stare at me like I am some glorious anonymity. “Let me protect you. Let me have you,” Ace says, before he leans down and crushes his lips against mine.
The world around me stops spinning as his hands find my hips and he pulls me closer to him. I reach for his arms and feel his strong muscles under my touch. My legs shake and I fear for a moment they may give out on me. Sparks are ignited inside of me and I feel myself floating with Ace in my arms. My wings have sprouted and I am holding us in the air. He lets out a howl and I can sense his inner wolf about to take charge.
After a few minutes, I pull away, breaking the kiss and trying desperately to breathe again.
We stare deeply into one another’s eyes. Just as Ace opens his mouth to speak, another loud wailing Siren rings through the school. Just like the last time…
When someone was killed.