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The sound of the coffee maker catches my attention, and I glance toward the kitchen to find Kade leaning against the counter watching me.
“Where did everyone go?” I ask, walking into the kitchen.
“Lex and Atlas left while you were in the shower.” He hands me a steaming cup of coffee, and I take it, wrapping my fingers around the warmth.
“Thanks,” I murmur, taking a small sip. “Where did they go?”
He grabs another mug from the cupboard above his head and sets it under the spout of the coffee maker. “They’ll explain when they return.”
I set my coffee on the counter. “Or you could just tell me now.” There’s an edge to my voice that isn’t lost on Kade.
His expression is serious when he turns back to me. “I could,” he says, “but I’m not going to.”
My jaw clenches. “Why not?” I push. “Does this have something to do with Dante?” Gabriel has said it didn’t, but that seems unlikely now that Atlas and Lex have taken off. “I deserve to know if something—”
“It has nothing to do with that,” he cuts me off, removing his mug from the machine and adding an obscene amount of sugar and a splash of cream. “We’re monitoring that situation, and once there’s something to know, you’ll know it.”
“Fine,” I huff out, tracing the rim of my mug with my finger. “Then what’s this about?”
“Atlas will explain when he returns,” Kade repeats.
I narrow my eyes. “And when will that be?”
He shrugs. “Tomorrow maybe.”
“Maybe?” I echo, shaking my head and prompting him to offer a more certain answer.
“Hmm.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “Don’t you have homework or something you should be doing?”
My brows raise. “What are you, my dad?”
He smirks. “Didn’t realize you had a daddy kink, Calla. Good to know.”
Heat flares in my cheeks. “I don’t,” I rush to say.
“Hey, I’m not judging. There’s no shame in it. A lot of people with strained parental relationships later experience—”
“Please stop talking.” I close my eyes, pressing my fingers against my temples in an attempt to ease the tension there.
Kade chuckles. “Lighten up, Calla. I’m just teasing.” He reaches over and taps the tip of my nose with his finger. I attempt to bat his hand away, but it’s already back at his side before I can catch it.Stupid vampire speed.
* * *
The next morning, Lex and Atlas haven’t returned.
I get ready for class as normal despite the pit in my stomach and meet Brighton for brunch at our regular spot. Kade doesn’t accompany me to class but assured me before I left the house that I was safe, that they have people looking out for me.
I sit at the back of the lecture hall and try to focus, but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to see the importance of this class when my life seems more and more like a rollercoaster I’ll never be able to get off.
Gabriel has gone to work when I return to the house later in the afternoon. I wander around until I find myself standing in Kade’s doorway. He’s laying on top of the black sheets on his massive bed, his head near the end, with his eyes closed. His expression is soft, peaceful. I can’t stop looking at him like this. The sight of him so relaxed eases the tension in my chest ever so slightly. If he’s not concerned about everything going on, that should make me feel better, right?
“Are you going to continue to stand there staring at me, or would you like to come in?” he asks without looking my way or even opening his eyes.
I chew my bottom lip, stepping into his bedroom after a moment of hesitation. Glancing around, surprise flickers through me, though I’m not sure why. I guess I didn’t expect his room to be so… neat and tidy? Kade has always given off a bit of chaotic energy, so I kind of figured his personal space would reflect that. But nope, the walls are a neutral taupe with long, dark curtains covering the windows across the room. There are small round tables on either side of the bed with matching, exposed bulb lamps. On the other side of the room, twin doors lead to what I imagine are a bathroom and closet, and that’s the extent of Kade’s bedroom. No art on the walls or decor around the room. It’s… I don’t know, a little sad? It makes me want to drag his ass to Target and spruce the space up.
“Everything okay?” I ask, slowly approaching the bed.
His chest rises and falls deeply as he exhales a heavy breath. “Just peachy. How was class?”
