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“Aiden?” Quinn walks into my room. “Oh, good. You’re here. Your sister didn’t know but let me in anyway.”
“Do you need something?” I slam the book closed.
“Am I interrupting you?”
“Nope, just doing some reading about ... never mind.” I slide the spine away from Quinn’s view. “What’s up?”
“I ran into Zoe at Coffee Grind and then decided to spend the day at the beach with her.”
I nod for her to continue.
“We went to Kieran’s house after.” My body involuntarily flinches at his name. I hope she doesn’t notice. “Zoe said that you were the one who held her captive. I didn’t believe her of course. But why would she lie about something like that?”
I motion for her to sit on my bed, but she remains pacing the room.
“She would know who held her prisoner, right? Well, she said it was you. I just can’t believe that. You wouldn’t do anything like that. Would you?”
“How could I have done something as horrible as taking someone against their will? You’ve been with me on most days.”
“That’s what I told her, too. I know you. You aren’t that kind of a person.”
“Come here and sit.” I take her hand and guide her to the bed, trying to calm her down. “Quinn.” My fingers lock with hers. “You do know me, and I would never hurt anyone.” She nods. Her body is tense, and tears run down her cheeks. “Stop crying. I didn’t do what she’s accusing me of.”
“I know.”
“What did she say exactly?”
“She didn’t go into detail about her captivity.” Quinn wipes her face. “But she’s now off on some mission trying to find a sword. Kieran and Sidelle went with her to Europe to look for one.”
“I see.”
“Do you know anything about that?”
“Not a clue.” My thumb rubs the top of her hand in a soothing pattern.
“I hope she finds what she’s looking for. Stella said that a great battle is coming soon.” Quinn moves her body to face me. “Did you hear about that? Is that the mission you were going to tell me about?”
“Ah, well, the cat is out of the bag now. Yes, there is a fight coming. No one knows exactly when, but I have a feeling it’ll be in a couple of weeks. Maybe less.”
“That’s what all the training was for?”
“Yes, to prepare us to win against the opposing side. I assume that Zoe or her friends told you who we would be battling?”
“Someone named Sammael, but, come to think of it, no one ever said who he is. They wanted to know what I’ve been doing with you.”
“Did you tell them?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I? We haven’t done anything wrong. I told them that you have been training me to use my Nephilim skills.”
“Are you going to meet up with her again? After she comes back from Europe?”
“Not sure. We didn’t make any plans or anything.”
“Well.” I shrug. “If you do see her, could you find out if she finds a sword or not?”
“Sure.” Quinn’s voice is hesitant.
“I’m just curious if she does. It’d be cool because then we all have swords for battle.” I lean against the headboard, trying to act casual. “Did you have a chance to show her yours?”
“No, they needed to hurry and then off they went. But yeah, okay. I’ll pop over to Kieran’s tomorrow and find out.”
“Great. They’ll be prepared for the upcoming fight then, too.” I move Quinn closer to me. “So tell me more about Zoe’s sister.”
“Kieran said that she’s a Vate and can see the future. No one seemed to know anything more than that.”
Interesting. I check my phone for the time. “I’m sorry to do this to you, but I have an appointment to be at so no training today.” Quinn doesn’t need to know she has helped me enact my plan. Now, I have to get the fourth part of it going.
Me: Will you meet me for coffee?
I eagerly wait for Morgan’s response. Quinn left a couple minutes ago. That was a close call, but I think she was satisfied with my answers.
Morgan: Time?
Me: 10 minutes
Morgan: What’s so urgent?
Me: Are you going to meet or not?
Morgan: Fine
Of course she will meet me. I dropped her like a bad habit, and she didn’t like that very much. She’s only good for kicks. Well, she does have some redeeming qualities, like ... hmm, I can’t think of anything. She does give Zoe grief that no one else can do, which I do like.
Driving to Coffee Grind—the only shop that serves a good cup of Joe around this quaint town—doesn’t take long. I don’t have to wait for Morgan; she’s already sitting on one of the high back chairs. The place is rather busy for a late Friday evening. It is one of the few places for all walks of life to hang out without driving into the Cities.
I swagger past Morgan, faking that I don’t see her. She needs to get my attention. I feel her gaze on me, but she doesn’t call my name. The place isn’t big, so a few steps later I’m nearing the back wall. Turning, I spot her and she waves.
“Oh, there you are,” I say. “I didn’t see you sitting there. You’re more gorgeous than I remember. Did you change your hair?” Her eyes cut into mine. “Thank you for meeting me. I wanted to apologize for our breakup. I know you took it pretty hard.”
“Are you trying to get back into my good graces?” Morgan crosses her long legs. “Your new fling cut you loose?”
“No, it wasn’t like that.”
“Then you’re not seeing Quinn?”
“Not in the way you think.”
“Always so cryptic with you. So, you want to get back together with me? When did you realize that I’m exactly what you’re looking for?”
“I’ve always known you were meant to be with me.” I give her my most dazzling smile, the one that melts souls. “Besides, you and I are one in the same.” She motions for me to sit on the loveseat. I snag her hand and pull her body closer to me as we crash onto the cushions. “Will you take me back?” My breath tickles her ears. “Please?”
“I should let you suffer more.”
“But you won’t, will you? Say you’ll be mine again.” I squeeze her hand and trace along her jaw line with my other. She’s thawing; her body is giving her away. “As a celebration of us getting back together, I thought we could reacquaint ourselves. A nice road trip so we can talk and then when we get to our destination, we can do other things to reconnect.”
“Oh, I love where this is going.”
Of course she does.
“What do you say? Next weekend we go someplace special.”
“All right, but this better not be a trick or anything.”
“It’s not.” I seal our bargain with a scorching kiss. The only way Morgan will know I’m serious.