“Why?”
“So no one can spy on us,” he admits.
My eyes widen further at the realization that this is some serious business. “Who would want to do that?” I ask, and he grimaces.
“You'd be surprised.”
Now I'm curious as hell, but there's enough going on to halt my further questioning. My heart races as we hover by the door, and I feel Sax’s hand at my back supporting me without a single word.
I should step away from him, his brother’s words from last night threatening to plague my thoughts, but I find myself rooted to the spot. I already feel broken enough as it is; I don’t need to shatter any further. Which is the exact same reason I convince myself to trust in him, just a little.
Rolling my shoulders back, I exhale slowly, and with one single nod from me, Sax uses his free hand to open the door and usher me into the meeting.
There's no turning back now, especially not when my eyes lock on Francesca.
It takes an intense millisecond for her head to snap down and her spine to stiffen as a snarl bites across her lip.
“What did you say? I didn't quite hear you.” Teddy's tone promises a warning.
Turning my attention to my left in search of him, my hands clench at my sides, matching his white knuckles as he presses them against the table, glowering at the girl in question.
“Fuck you,” she bites from further down the long table that forms the shape of aU.
“Don't make me follow through on my promise, Francesca,” he snaps, and my pulse quickens in my ears as I glance between them.
“What's going on?” I ask as Sax nudges me farther into the room, and despite the other eyes I can see staring at me, I’m fixated on the Water Protector who seems intent on defending me at every turn.
“She can't look at you,” Teddy states, shrugging his shoulders like it's as simple as that.
“Why?” I push, my pulse getting louder in my ears as I await his reply.
“Because I said so,” he offers, running his tongue along his lip as he cocks his head to the side. “You said we couldn't kill them.You didn't mention anything about this,” he adds, and it's my turn to scoff this time.
“Technically, you saidIcouldn't kill them.”
My gaze snaps to Odesa, who sits further around the table beside someone I believe is the lead Protector from her sodality.
“It seems we have a few new additions tonight,” Professor Viola declares, clapping her hands together, cutting through the stare off, and prompting Sax to guide me to the closest chair wedged between him and Baron.
Nerves flood my system as I take my seat, but I refuse to let it show, remaining composed and alert as I allow my gaze to fall to Bonnie sitting on the other side of Odesa. Each of them has their heads down, as if Francesca wasn't the only one to receive Teddy's warning.
Wetting my lips, I lean back in my chair, trying to remain as calm and content as possible, all while my gaze drags across everybody in the room.
Professor Viola stands at the head of the table, dead center in theU, with professors flanking her on either side, except for one empty space. What seems to be a collection of staff, rebellion leaders, protector leaders, and select students fill the rest of the space.
The door bursts open, garnering everyone's attention, and I startle when I see Silas stepping into the room.
Of course he’s here.
His mouth sets into a thin line as his eyes narrow at me before glaring at my mates and turning his attention to Professor Viola.
“Why are we forcing her to attend? That's not right.”
My jaw tics as I clear my throat. “I’m not being forced to do anything. I'm here by choice,” I declare, speaking for myself, earning a huff from the man in question as he stalks around the room and takes a seat beside Francesca.
His nostrils flare as he clenches his hands on top of the table, ignoring my presence.
Unease grows around me, linking heavily to him. I take a deep breath and convince myself I'm simply overthinking it because of last night's pissing contest he failed at winning.
