She gave Izzy that book. Told me about Blood Companions. Allowed Izzy to meet with Grayson and Ethan.
What’s in it for her?
Soraya reaches across the table and places her hand over mine. I instantly go still as a horrible thought occurs to me.
What if she brought up Blood Companions because she thought that I was hers? Soraya’s beautiful, of course, but I’m not attracted to her at all. I’m not attracted to anyone but Izzy, and I can’t see that ever changing.
“Would you believe me if I said I’m doing it for you?” Soraya asks, frowning.
My heart sinks, and I withdraw my hand from underneath hers. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, Soraya, but I’m in love with Izzy.”
It’s the first time I’ve said those words out loud, and the rightness of that statement settles deep in the marrow of my bones.
I’m in love with Izzy.
I’m in love with Izzy.
I’m in fucking love with Izzy.
Soraya stares at me in confusion…and then horror. She pulls her hand back immediately and gawks at me.
“Oh no. Nooo.” She begins to shake her head adamantly. “You definitely misunderstand me.” A shudder works its way through her. “No offense, but yuck.”
“Ummm…none taken?”
Soraya’s eyes soften, and she reaches for me once more. “There’s actually something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about?—”
“Soraya!”
The raspy voice has Soraya jerking upright in her chair. She turns towards the doorway of the cafeteria, where the Crone stands, leaning heavily on a cane.
The haggard old bat turns a piercing glare onto me, and she curls her lip in a snarl. “We have a meeting, or did you forget?”
“Of course not, Crone,” Soraya says formally, moving to her feet. She smooths a hand down her sweater, straightening out imaginary wrinkles. “I’ll be right there.”
She slides her gaze in my direction, her expression once again impassive, before lifting her chin in the air and moving in the direction of the Crone.
I watch her go, an indefinable feeling arrowing through my chest.
What had she been about to tell me?
And what does it have to do with Izzy and why she’s been helping us?
But all thoughts of Soraya quickly dissipate as I replay our conversation over and over again.
Kiss Izzy.
All I have to do is kiss Izzy, and I’ll know for sure whether or not she’s…mine. I’m already hers, after all.
Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
Twenty-Five
IZZY
“Wait…what?” I blink at Grayson, certain I heard him wrong.
His voice is scratchier than normal, so maybe he said…something else. Anything else.
