“Yes. We should,” Addi retorted. She glared at Nev and then nodded at Wyatt before heading out through the bedroom door.
Nev, with her fists clenched, watched her leave. She felt Wyatt grab each of her hands with his own and gently uncurl her anger clamped fingers.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay. I do need you to stay in here until I come back, though. Alright?” Wyatt pleaded gently.
Nev shook her head and argued back, “There is no time for this. The prowler could be right behind us.”
Wyatt tenderly toucher her cheek near where the prowler had cut it. “I know. We won’t stay too long, but I need to talk with Addi. I also need to take care of that wound,” he countered softly, pulling his sash from his belt before gently pressing it to her cheek for a moment.
Nev knew his requests were reasonable. Plus, even if they left right now, she had no idea where they would go. She peered down at the amulet and was comforted to see it had stopped glowing for now. Maybe Sagrine would not know where they had gone. Perhaps they had stolen a few moments to catch their breath. “Alright,” she relented, albeit a bit reluctantly.
Wyatt kissed her forehead and handed her his sash. “I won’t be too long. Keep my sash for now. I will patch you up when I get back,” he promised.
Nev sighed and nodded, staring at his purple sash and the small stains of fresh blood that dotted it.
“Hey, look at it this way. I got to see your bedroom, dig a hole in the floor and find some hidden treasure. The least I could do is let you dig through my drawers, try on some of my clothes and jump on my bed, right?” he laughed.
Nev gave him a half-smile.
Wyatt kissed her forehead again and then left through the door, closing it snugly behind him.
Addi, pacing outside in the main living area and mumbling to herself, let out a heavy sigh when she heard Wyatt’s door close. “You. Talk. When I heard about the explosion in Serenity Falls and your ledger,” she insisted, before her voice trailed off.
Wyatt put his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry I made you worry,” he offered softly.
“Worry? I thought you were dead! And then I hear the wind howling and you… you just materialize in your bedroom! And with some… some woman!” she snapped, shoving his hands off her shoulders.
Wyatt sighed and sat down in a chair. He ran his hands through his hair and tried to find the right words to help Addi understand. “Look, I am sorry. Things happened really quickly, but I have been trying to reach Birclan. Trying to reach you, ever since I left Serenity Falls,” he apologized, filled with remorse.
Addi pulled a chair out and sat directly across from Wyatt, placing her hands on his knees and gently squeezing them. “I am glad you are okay, I really am,” she stressed softly before leaning forward until their heads touched.
Wyatt took in a deep breath. “Me too. Although I almost really wasn’t. That woman in there, she is the reason I’m still standing,” he acknowledged, lifting his head and looking at Addi.
Addi sat back, studying his face closely. “Right, but something tells me she is also the reason you needed saving,” she countered, raising an eyebrow and sounding cynical.
Nodding, Wyatt replied, “Partly, but it isn’t her fault.”
“Oh Wyatt, when are you going to grow up and be more sensible,” Addi rebutted, feeling discouraged. “Let me guess, a strange woman shows up in your life, turns your world upside down, gets you into all kinds of trouble, and now she needs your help to get out of said trouble. That about sum it up?”
Wyatt laughed a bit and conceded, “I suppose it does. Although, you forgot the part where I drowned, and she revived me. Also, the bit where she is being hunted by the same prowler that took you.” Wyatt paused and stared at his sister as his expression suddenly became more sincere. “Oh, and the fact that I love her.”
Addi shook her head in disbelief. “Love, Wyatt? Really? Whatever happened in Serenity Falls, it happened just a little over a week ago. And now you are in love?” she asked incredulously.
“That is the part that bothers you?” he teased, raising an eyebrow and chuckling softly.
“It all bothers me,” she stressed with a heavy sigh. “I hate the idea of you being hurt… or worse. And I really hate the idea of that prowler taking an interest in you. Again. It is why I… well, why I did what I did. Wyatt, he is beyond dangerous. He is evil.”
Wyatt brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and said, “Believe me, I have had him in my head twice now. I know he is dangerous. I’ll always remember what you sacrificed for me, Addi. I know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t volunteered to be tested and receive your mark. They would have followed the rumors surrounding our house and taken me away forever. You showed me that sometimes we have to risk everything because it is the right thing to do. Or because we are trying to protect someone we love.”
Addi let out a long sigh and studied Wyatt’s face closely. “You are my brother, taking a risk for you made sense and it still makes sense. But why her? Why risk anything… everything for her?” she questioned.
Wyatt smiled and shook his head. “Because she is special. Because I made a promise to her. Because, even though it may seem crazy, I do love her. And because… well, because she is worth it,” he pronounced sincerely.
Addi drummed her fingers on her knees and stared at him for a minute. “Alright. I know there is something else you are not telling me, like how you just appeared in
