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It was too late to try and figure this out. Tomorrow I would meet Aunt Brenda and get the answers I needed. It would all be clearer tomorrow.
"Simon, I'm sorry I said those things." Despite knowing we had no future, I still didn't want him to think I really meant the things I said to him. "I'm exhausted. I just need to go back to sleep."
"Okay." Simon looked down at the bedcover and then looked up, his blue eyes hopeful. "Do you want me to stay with you?"
I shook my head but gentled the refusal with my words. "That's okay. And I didn't mean to imply earlier that you were some pervert. I know you were just worried."
Simon nodded, looking glum as he stood up. "Okay. Well, I'll be down the hall in my room if you need anything."
He looked so forlorn that I couldn't help reaching out, grasping his hand. "Thanks Simon. I appreciate your concern. Really."
Simon smiled, looking relieved. "It seems like I spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about you. It's a good thing I'm okay with it."
He leaned down and gave me a kiss on the forehead and left the room, shutting the door gently behind him.
I scrambled out of bed as soon as the door closed and ran to my suitcase, where I had stowed my iridium necklace. I immediately felt reassured when my hands closed around the cool metal. I couldn't risk taking it off again. I quickly clasped it around my neck and crawled back into bed, leaving the light on. There was no way I was going back to sleep tonight so I just stared at the ceiling, reliving the vision over and over again. Wondering what the change in the vision meant.
**********
It took a long time for morning to come, but I didn't want to go downstairs for breakfast and face everyone. Sarah knocked on my door around nine o'clock and popped her head in but I pretended to still be asleep. It was a cowardly move, but I didn't think I could face even her.
Simon didn't come to my door. I wondered if he was hesitant after what happened last night, especially since I had berated him for coming into my room without an invitation.
I finally dragged myself out of bed at ten-thirty and took a shower, throwing on a t-shirt and jeans and running a brush through my wet hair. I had a momentary thought that I should put more effort into my appearance since I would be meeting my aunt for the first time. At least the first time that I could remember. But I figured that was the least of my worries.
I headed down the stairs and Simon popped into the foyer, as if he had been listening for my footsteps. He gave me a tentative smile when he saw me.
"Good morning, sleepyhead. I was starting to think you would never wake up."
I gave Simon a small smile. "Yeah, I was really knocked out. Sorry."
"It's okay. Sarah said that you were still asleep when she checked on you. I didn't want to wake you since you...probably didn't get too much sleep last night."
Simon met me at the foot of the stairs and gave me a soft kiss. I felt the familiar stirrings of desire but pushed them aside. "Should we head out?"
Simon studied me for a moment and then nodded. "Sure. But don't you want something to eat first? There's still plenty of food in the kitchen."
I shook my head. The thought of eating right now made my stomach roil. I was too tense and anxious about what had happened between Simon and I last night. About meeting my aunt and finding out more about vardogers. Who could eat when you were about to find out whether you were going to spend the rest of your life chasing shadows?
"I'm not hungry. Let's just get going."
"Sure. We can just grab lunch afterwards."
I hesitated, wondering if I should check on Sarah first. "How did Sarah seem? Is she okay?"
"She seemed fine. She's with my sister right now in the theater room watching some man-bashing movie. Last time I checked they were laughing at some poor guy trying to learn how to pick up girls and discussing which ice cream flavor to eat first."
I laughed despite everything going on. It sounded like Sarah was right on track for post-breakup wallowing.
The drive to Aunt Brenda's took only fifteen minutes and for some reason it unnerved me that Simon lived so close to her. The drive was silent as we were lost in our own thoughts.
Simon pulled up to a ranch style house. It was small but tidy and well kept with shrubs in the front.
"526 Guardian Way," he said, double checking the piece of paper where I had scribbled the address. "This is it."
I took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to open the car door and walk up to the house. I had been so eager to meet Aunt Brenda and get some answers but now I was scared. Scared that those answers would irrevocably change my life. And not for the better.
"Are you okay? Are you sure you don't want me to go in with you? I can just stay quiet. Maybe that will make your aunt more comfortable."
