“He’s kind of…weird, right?”
Quilliyn shoots a look over his shoulder and sighs. “I think he is complicated.” That’s probably a good word for it. “Did he say something unkind?”
I don’t want to answer that. I don’t want to hurt Quilliyn’s feelings. “Not worse than other people have said.”
Quilliyn shoots me a knowing look, then lets out the smallest sigh. It sounds a bit like a hum. “I think there are people worth putting in an effort for. And there are others who are not. I think Zane is worth the patience.”
“Is that why Everest is still his friend? Because the shit he talked about Rathyn?—”
Quilliyn laughs and nods. “Yes. I think that must be it. Rathyn is difficult, even for a Vyastil. But Everest is stubborn. And he is good.”
I can’t disagree. I tap the counter and push back. “Alright, if you say so. I should get dressed. I have an appointment before work.”
“Let me know if you wish to discuss more about Vyastil and sex,” Quilliyn calls after me as I walk away.
“You know it,” I call back. “Come by the shop sometime if you feel up for it!” Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Zane shooting a dark look from Quilliyn to me, but I ignore it and wave at my brother. ‘Shower. Leave soon?’
Luca nods and goes back to his run. I’ll probably have to call a ride because he doesn’t look anywhere near done, but that’s fine. I feel a bit better, even if I’ve made zero progress on how I’m feeling about Cielo.
fifteen
DANTE
The last thing I want to do is head down to the clinic and let another Vyastil touch me. Revulsion washes through me as I think about what I have to do, and I’m not sure I’m going to get through this without losing it. It’s a good thing that I’ll be strapped down because with my hands free, I might do something that would get me arrested. I’m not sure I’ll be able to help it. This feeling in me is almost animalistic, and I don’t know how I can make it stop. For the first time, I feel loathing toward these compulsory donations. I will never understand the bigoted hate toward the Vyastil, but right now, I see their point. There should be a way to opt out—at least, a better way than the flimsy reasons the clinic allows.
The reasons they usually ignore.
I think about getting coffee or breakfast on the way, but my stomach gives me a violent warning that if I try to consume anything, I’ll regret it. I breathe through a wave of nausea and step outside the gym, my attention on my phone as I order a car, only I immediately smack into my brother.
He lets out a noise of surprise as he steadies me, hands on my shoulders, gaze searching my face. ‘You okay?’
I nod. ‘You? You done working out already?’
He nods, then bites his lip. ‘Your friend in there. Zane,’ he spells slowly.
‘Everest’s friend,’ I correct.
Luca makes an understanding, peh-peh motion with his lips. ‘You know him very well?’
‘No. Why? Did he say something rude?’
‘He was asking me a lot of questions about the Vyastil we know,’ he tells me. ‘About Cielo.’
I immediately bristle. ‘What did you tell him?’
‘Nothing. But he was persistent. It was weird. It made me worried he might be up to something.’
Possible, but Quilliyn said Zane was complicated, so maybe that’s just how he comes off. God knows there are people who think I’m a raging weirdo, and not because I wear mesh crop tops and have pink hair. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing.’
He doesn’t look convinced.
‘He’s Everest’s best friend,’ I remind him. ‘Trust me, Everest wouldn’t be friends with a guy if he’s actually a creep.’
Luca sighs, then he gives me a slow up and down look and shakes his head. His Deaf eyes have always been too good at reading me. ‘What’s wrong? You’re more tense than usual.’
I take a deep breath. There’s no point in trying to lie to him a second time. ‘I have to go to the clinic.’
He looks confused as to why that would upset me. He never did have to serve at the clinic. Deaf Gain, he’d signed while laughing in my face. But he was always supportive whenever I talked about it, and I never minded before now.
