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It had almost been a relief, another fire occurring while Gabriel had a rock-solid alibi. But if Nick was involved that feeling of anxiety turned into a noose. He couldn’t breathe around it. Had Layne’s father known? “Where is he?”
“In the hospital,” said Chris.
“He was with Quinn,” said Becca. “The fire was set at her house.”
“Nick’s okay,” said Michael. “They wanted to keep him overnight for observation, and they won’t let him leave without someone to sign him out. I asked Layne’s father not to tell you.”
“Quinn’s okay, too,” said Becca. “Nick got her out, then went back in for her little brother.”
Gabriel remembered telling Nick about the fires, and his twin’s comment about not being strong enough to go along.
Had Nick taken a risk just to prove himself?
Gabriel stared across at his older brother, feeling guilt and contempt steal some of the anxiety but choking him just the same. “And you just left him in the hospital. Alone.”
“What the hell did you want me to do?” Michael suddenly looked like he wanted to hit something, and his words slammed into Gabriel like a fist. “You were at the police station and Nick was in the hospital and I couldn’t help either of you, because the police were here all night, searching the house. I’ve spent weeks trying to help you, and you won’t tell me the truth about what you’re doing. Layne’s father keeps you out of jail, and instead of trying to figure out how to repay him, you tell him off on the side of the road. We’re all in danger here, and you’re bringing it right to our doorstep. And you’re going to get pissed at me?”
Gabriel flinched.
“I told you,” Bill snapped. “I told you this would happen if you didn’t keep your abilities in check ”
“We didn’t start those fires,” said Hunter. “We helped. People would have died otherwise.” For the first time, Gabriel thought he understood the guilt in his expression.
It loosened something in Gabriel’s chest, to know he wasn’t alone here, that someone could carry the guilt along with him.
Then Becca’s father said, “People will die. Everyone in this room. When the Guides find out ”
“They might already know,” said Gabriel.
When everyone turned to him, he said, “When the police questioned me, they asked me about the pentagrams in the burned houses.”
Hunter’s eyebrows went up. “Pentagrams? You never said you saw ”
“I didn’t.”
Bill turned to face Hunter, his expression fierce. “You told me you wanted to honor your father’s position. You told me you wanted to know what to do.”
Gabriel glanced at Hunter. His friend had never mentioned Becca’s father, had never mentioned any discussion following their meeting in the food court.
Bill continued. “You wanted to prove yourself am I right?
And I said watch Gabriel Merrick, and you ”
Hunter was out of his chair. “That’s exactly what I was doing!”
“What did you just say?” said Gabriel. A new feeling was coiling in his chest, something bitter and frightening.
But the room had fallen into a stricken silence.
Gabriel stared at Hunter. “That’s why you were following me that night.”
“Nice,” said Becca. She was glaring at Hunter, too. “So you misled everyone around you, huh?”
Hunter shook his head. “No, it’s not it wasn’t ”
But Gabriel was already storming back down the hallway, heading for the front door.
Michael caught him, grabbing him by the arm and shoving him up against the door before he could open it. “You are not leaving.”
