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I glance toward the bed, kicking off my Docs near the door before I get into it. The sheets are so soft it makes me angry. I’m aware the feeling is a little ridiculous, but I can’t shake it. I don’t want to feel comfortable here—I want to leave.
With a heavy sigh, I lean against the massive collection of pillows at the headboard and pull out my textbooks. I toss the empty bag to the end of the bed and sigh to the empty room before cracking open my sociology book. I’m probably not in the right headspace to study, but at this point, I’ll try just about anything to keep my mind off my very fucked up reality—for as long as I can.
5
By mid-afternoon, I’m tired of being cooped up in the bedroom—as fancy as it is—so I take my textbook outside and sit by the pool.
Being the beginning of March means the air is still cold, but I don’t mind it. The sky is clear and the sun is shining, reflecting some heat off the pool, while the breeze is clearing my head and, surprisingly, allowing me to focus on the words in front of me. I can pretend, at least for a few fleeting moments, that I’m not a prisoner here.
I uncap my pen and underline a section of the text, jotting down a quick note in the margin.
My gaze lifts when Gabriel walks around the side of the house from the front. I press my lips together as I take him in, dressed impeccably in a navy suit, though his tie is pulled away from the collar of his white dress shirt and he’s carrying the jacket over his arm. His copper hair gleams in the sun as he approaches, offering me a smile, and lowers himself onto the lounge chair next to me.
“How’s it going?” He glances at the textbook in my lap. “Doing a little light reading, I see.”
“Studying,” I tell him, though he probably guessed that. “How was work? You’re not secretly the President or something, are you?”
Gabriel laughs. “Where did you get that idea?”
I shrug, clicking my pen. “We are in Washington, and look at you.”
“A lot of people wear suits here,” he points out. “You’re right in that I do work in politics.”
“Do you work for the White House?”
His silver eyes sparkle with amusement. “I can’t talk a lot about what I do for security reasons, but no, I don’t work at the White House.”
“That’s a shame. I bingedScandalfor a third time last semester. It’s one of my favorites.”
He nods as if he’s following along, but then says, “That’s a television show?”
I bite my tongue to keep from spilling about the entire show because we’d be sitting here all day, and instead say, “Uh, yeah.”
Gabriel seems to pick up that I’m not going to elaborate and looks back at my textbook, tilting his head to read the cover. “Are you enjoying your program?”
“Some of it is pretty dry, but overall I am. My gut tells me I made the right choice going into sociology. Not that I have any idea of what I’ll do when I graduate.” My chest tightens at the thought. I don’t even know what’s going to happen tomorrow let alone two years from now.If I’ll even make it to graduation.
“What made you pick Georgetown?”
“Honestly, the city. My mom took me on a trip here when I was in high school, and I sort of fell in love with it. So when it came time to start applying to schools, Georgetown was my top pick. I knew I couldn’t stay in New York”—I also knew it wouldn’t have mattered where I went, they would have tracked me down—“and I’m happy this is where I ended up.” I frown. “I mean Washington, notherespecifically.”
He smiles faintly. “I knew what you meant, angel.”
I nod, then take the lull in conversation to change the topic. “You know, the others aren’t very forthcoming with information,” I tell him, glancing at my lap. “You all know everything about me, but the moment I start asking questions…” I shake my head and turn toward him. “I don’t want to be here. That isn’t news. But the least you could do is tell me what’s going to happen to me andwhyI’m here, because the fact that you all own me isn’t an explanation.”
“I understand you want to know, and there will be a time when things will become clear and make sense.” Thebut not right nowis left unsaid, which almost makes it worse.
“I’m not a pet, Gabriel,” I snap. “I’m not just along for the ride. I have a life and friends, and I’m not going to just fall in line and play house with a bunch of vampires.” My pulse ticks faster as I catch my breath from that little outburst.
He nods, standing from the lounge chair. “I’ll speak with the others.” He steps back, but before walking away he drapes his jacket over my shoulders.
I open my mouth, but no words come out. I’m overwhelmed by a woodsy citrus scent with a hint of fabric softener. My lips start to form a smile before I can stop myself, so it’s a good thing Gabriel is already walking through the door to the house.
I finish reading and annotating one chapter and yawn. I close the cover and set it on the end of the lounge chair before swinging my legs over the side to stand. The super-fancy coffee maker in the kitchen is calling my name like a siren; I could use a boost of caffeine.
The door to the house opens before I can get up, and Kade walks out—in bright red swim shorts.
I arch a brow at him as he approaches, his bare feet soundless against the concrete. “You’re not…” I trail off, glancing toward the pool. “It’s March! You’re going to freeze.”
