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I heard such sadness in his voice. How many generations of McClouds had lived and died while he still walked. I asked quietly, “Is Skye a lot like this?”
“Greener. It’s spectacular. It’s rocky and cold and beautiful. ”
I reached out and slipped my hand in his, needing to touch him, to take away that melancholy. “Is that where you learned to climb?”
“Aye, I learned on the Black Cuillin, climbing cliffs when I was just a lad. ”
We were cresting the top of the hillside, back to the point where the trail had dropped off so suddenly. He wrapped his hands about my waist, helping me up, making my ascent effortless.
His touch on my body made me breathless. I caught his gaze and held it, fantasizing that we weren’t returning to campus. That instead we were running away into the sunset. He could return home, and I would go with him.
His eyes narrowed on mine, focusing as though he’d guessed my thoughts. Carden leaned down to steal a breathtaking kiss, and when he pulled away, his voice was a raspy whisper. “Someday, mo chridhe. ”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I rolled over, blinking sleep from my eyes. Faraway shouts had woken me. I eased up onto an elbow, trying to get my bearings.
Mei was wide-awake and sitting cross-legged on her bed. She held a book in her hands, but had a distant look in her eyes, listening.
“What’s going on?” I mumbled, tuning in to the distant hubbub.
She put her book down. “Good morning, Acari Drew. ”
“I told you to—” I began to insist she call me Drew, but seeing the humorous light in her eye, I grinned right back. “Okay, okay. Good morning to you, too, Acari Ho. ”
I swung my legs out of bed. The floor was frigid, but I didn’t care. I didn’t even feel it. I was bulletproof again. I’d fed from Carden. I wasn’t thirsty or jittery or achy. I was just happy. “God, I slept great. ”
And I was in a brilliant mood. Not only was I physically sated, but I was nursing a big old crush. I smiled to myself as I dressed, thinking of Carden. Already I’d thought of more things I wanted to ask him. More I wanted to tell him.
He’d snuck me back in the dorm before dawn, where I’d grabbed what I estimated was a few solid hours of sleep. I’d woken up hungry, only this time it was for food, not blood. It felt fantastic.
I patted my belly, thinking of the omelet I’d have, and some warm, buttery toast to push it around. I’d maybe even add a glop of marmalade. I’d have a yogurt, too, with fruit if they had any, which they probably wouldn’t, but this morning I’d settle for the dried stuff, dates and tiny shriveled berries stirred in. “What time is it? I’m starved. ”
“You slept through breakfast. ”
“What?” I hunched, pouting. “Why’d you let me sleep?”
“Let you? I tried to wake you. ” The shouting was getting closer. There were lots of voices now, calling out. Mei-Ling shoved aside her book and stood. “What do you think is happening?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll take it. ” Something was definitely going on, and after days of lockdown, I welcomed the excitement. I finished pulling on my uniform as quickly as I could. Food would have to wait. “This is better than Christmas morning. ”
It sounded like people were gathering in the common area, and Mei was halfway out the door when I told her, “Meet you there. ”
By the time I ducked into the bathroom and jogged down the hall to join her, everyone had assembled.
“Come on, girls,” Kenzie said sharply. “Let’s get this show on the road. I know a bunch of teachers anxious to kick all your butts back int
o gear, so I’ll make this quick. Lockdown’s over. ”
Chatter exploded in the small space. “It’s over?”
“If you shut up, I’ll tell you. ” Kenzie glared at us, her arms clasped at her chest—ever the charmer. But it shut us up all right. “Listen up, because this affects some of you personally. ” Her eyes landed on me and flitted away again. “There was another murder. Tracer Judge is dead. They found the killer. Master McCloud has been taken into custody. He’ll be staked. I don’t know when. ”
There was another burst of questions as she strode to the front of the room. “You know everything I do,” she shouted over the din. “Get to class. I’ll keep you posted. I’m sure they’ll want us at the staking. ”
That was it. She left.
I reeled.
