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“Wow, that sounds intense.”
“Yep,” I drag out the word, running my fingers through my hair as I walk back and forth across the patio.
“Keep me posted. We need to meet up once the dust settles. You know I'm here for you but I don't get involved with vampire business. Not when I can help it.”
I press my lips together, my stomach sinking a little. I don't know if part of me was hoping that she'd offer to come help, but this fight isn't hers and she was already a huge help when it came to Selene. “Yeah, of course. I understand. So, you got my update. Do you want to talk about what's going on at your end?”
There are several beats of silence before she offers a humorless laugh. “I’m sort of caught in the middle of two guys, and that’s, uh, putting it mildly.”
I stop pacing for a moment. “Why get caught in the middle when you can have both?”
Tessa groans. “I have no idea. Handling one of them is tricky enough, but the other…” She trails off. “I don't know. It would be a lot easier to explain if you knew them. Hell, I still feel likeI’mgetting to know them some days. One of them, I trust with my life, but I can’t… I mean, people would lose their shit if they knew about us.”
“Why’s that?”
“He’s older and holds a position of power here.”
“Sounds hot,” I say. “So what? We like powerful men. Is that a crime?”
“Not a crime, per se, but it’s against the rules.”
My brows scrunch together. “Wait, really?” I’m missing something. I must be.
“Hmm, yeah. He’s also sort of a mentor at the academy.”
Realization hits me, and I can’t help but laugh. “Hot for teacher, huh?” I tease.
Tessa groans. “It’s not funny!”
“Sorry. I’m sorry. You’re right. That sounds intense.”
She sighs. “That’s one word for it.”
I tap my fingers against my thigh, getting momentarily distracted by the sound of a bird singing in the line of trees along the back of the yard. The tune is pitchy and annoying and it’s filling my head like nails on a chalkboard, making me cringe. I manage to pull my attention away and focus on the sound of Tessa’s breathing through the phone. Which, sure, it’s a little weird, but it’s a better alternative than climbing into the tree and ripping the head off that damn bird. “Tell me about the other guy.”
“He is the worst person I’ve ever met and I’m pretty sure I hate him.”
“Sounds romantic,” I remark dryly.
“I told you it was complicated.” There’s a knock on her end, and she sighs again. “I should get that. We’ll chat soon, though.”
“Of course. I need to hear more about these guys. I'll have to meet them when I visit you this summer,” I tell her.
“I look forward to it and I hope everything goes well with the hunters. It’d be monumental if vampires and humans stopped trying to kill each other all the time.”
“Yeah,” I say, “that would be ideal.”
After we say our goodbyes and end the call, I slide my phone back into my pocket, tipping my head back to enjoy the lingering warmth against my face.
I plop down into one of the lounge chairs on the patio and enjoy the soft pink and orange sunset.
The back door opens, and Gabriel slips out, taking the chair next to me. I glance over at him and smile.
He returns it, his eyes bouncing between mine. “I came to check on you,” he says.
“Thanks, Gabe. I know I should be in there and I want to be a part of the conversation. I just, um, had a bit of a panic attack.”
He nods thoughtfully. “That's understandable. You're going through a lot and should take as much time as you need to adjust to all the changes happening in your life.”
