“You don’t have to sneak out. My dad already left for work,” Sailor says from behind me.
Dammit.
I turn around and she’s propped up on one elbow smiling at me. Her face is still heavy with sleep and she has a crease down one cheek where her face was lying, but she looks more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.
I never want to leave Sailor, but I know I shouldn’t have stayed. I’m risking too much and I need to get better control of myself. If I was risking my own life, I’d be with Sailor and take my chances, but I can’t risk her losing the only family she has left. I can’t be that selfish.
“Rye? Are you alright?” Sailor asks.
I nod my head.
“Yeah I’m fine,” I say, forcing a smile. “You should get ready or we’ll be late for school.”
She laughs softly, a sound that makes my heart race.
“I didn’t realize school was so important to you,” she teases me, but she starts moving.
I sit down on the end of her bed when she goes to use the bathroom. I run my hands over my face. I should just tell her what we’re risking by being together, but if I do, she’ll never forgive me for kissing her, for holding her all night. As much as I tell myself it would be easier to stay away from Sailor if she hated me, I can’t bear the thought of it.
She comes back into the room wearing a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a black shirt. Her hair has been brushed out and she’s put a slick of mascara on.
“Ready.” She smiles.
We leave the house and head toward school. We’re almost there when Sailor tries to take my hand and I pull it away, pretending to dig into my pocket for something. She’s not that easily fooled and she frowns at me.
“Okay. What’s going on, Rye?” she demands.
“You asked me to fight for you, Sailor,” I say. “And believe me when I tell you I would fight the entire world to keep you safe. But we can’t be together. Not because you’re not worth it, but because you’re worth the world to me. The consequences, Sailor; I’m sorry, but I’m not willing to risk them. And you shouldn’t be either.”
“I’m willing to take my chances,” she says.
I almost blurt out the truth then, but before I can, the rest of the team comes to join us.
“Well look at the two lovebirds.” Jinx grins. “Clearly you two had a better night than the rest of us.”
“Shut up, Jinx,” I growl.
“Actually I had an awful night,” Sailor says. “I had the pleasure of meeting Raven, remember? Turns out it’s only Ms. Price.”
“Ms. Price the history teacher?” Sunday asks.
Sailor nods.
“Yup. So now I get to see her every damn day at school. And when she does that thing she does where she stands there telling her class about the fantastic date she had and all that, I get to know she’s talking about my dad.”
A shiver runs through her as she speaks.
“I take it dinner didn’t go well?” Mel says.
Sailor shakes her head.
“No. She was really rude and when I snapped back at her, my dad took her side. It’s strange though because obviously I hate her, but beneath it, there’s…something else. Like I feel like I know her from somewhere. Somewhere other than school. Does anyone else get a weird feeling around her?”
“No, but I bet I know where you know her from,” Ya-Ya says. “She used to be a famous model. She came to Whisper because she wanted a quiet life.”
“A model?” Sailor says.
“Oh come on, Sailor, you might hate her but you can’t seriously say you haven’t noticed she’s smoking hot,” Jinx says.
“And her fashion sense is to die for,” Ya-Ya adds. “Have you seen her skin? She’s forty-five you know and she looks so young. Now she’s practically your mom, do you think you could ask her about her skin care routine, Sailor?”
“She’s not practically my mom,” Sailor snaps.
“Sorry,” Ya-Ya says, blushing furiously. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant it might be a way for you to get to know her a bit better. Honestly, Sailor, she seems really nice.”
“Yeah, I like her,” Mel says.
“I’d give her one,” Jinx adds.
“Enough,” I bellow.
Sailor gives me a warning look, and Sunday takes hold of my elbow and leads me away from the group.
“I don’t need a lecture, Sunday,” I say. “You know Jinx always goes too far.”
“I know. He needed telling. That’s not what this is about. Rye, I saw the fiery ending to your dream last night. You’re getting too close to her. When are you going to tell her what she’s risking by letting you in?”
“Never. Because I’m not getting close to her. I’ve told her I’m not willing to risk the consequences.”
“But—”
“No buts. Just stay out of my business and stay out of my fucking head.”
“I wish I could.”
I shake my head and walk away. I don’t need anyone trying to make me feel worse about this than I already do. Like I could feel any worse if I tried. I put my head down and hurry toward the school, ignoring the shouts from the team behind me. I turn a corner and almost collide with Grace.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you,” she says.
“I don’t need another lecture, Grace,” I snap.
“Your attitude suggests otherwise,” Grace says coolly. “I have some information you need to know.”
“Shit, Grace, I’m sorry. It’s been one of those mornings and it’s not even nine yet. What do you have?”
“The exploration of the cave area we did last night pretty much confirmed we have the right location. The area was crawling with demons, so we couldn’t get as close as I would have liked, but the dark energy in the place convinces me we have the right location. Rye, we
