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Chapter 33
Margo
Victor looked Emma over with suspicious eyes. “I haven’t noticed anything strange. Nobody’s trying to hurt you. There haven’t even been any fires. Nothing’s happened.”
Emma was cradling her bandaged arm while sitting at Dorian’s kitchen table. “Why are you acting like it’s my fault?”
“Maybe whoever’s doing this didn’t mean to hurt you,” Chloe said. “How could they predict the candle would explode like that?”
“Why do it at all?” Alison mused aloud. She had been talking more lately. Dorian was going to be so surprised to see how comfortable his friends were with mine.
“Things have been out of control for a while,” I said. “Why would a mini candle explosion scare off an arsonist?”
“Unless it was a prank and has nothing to do with the fires,” Chloe said, sounding exhausted. “I don’t know.”
“I’m scared,” Emma said in a small voice. “People whisper whenever I walk by, my parents can’t stand to be in the same room as me, and everyone acts like I did this to myself.” She held out her injured arm in disgust. “Why would I do this to myself? I like me.”
“People are talking a lot,” Victor said. “Seems like everyone’s happy to believe she’s to blame.”
“It’s so stupid.” I had heard the same talk at school. “Why does everyone have to take the easy option instead of actually figuring it all out?”
Victor met my gaze, and I knew we were both thinking about Dominic. We had been suspected for arbitrary reasons. Then again, we both suspected each other, too.
“The police have no evidence, at least,” Chloe said, half to herself. “They need proof, or they can’t do much, right?”
“Hopefully,” I said. My phone buzzed with a message. I checked it then almost dropped the phone from my hands. “They’re coming home tomorrow.”
“Who?” Emma asked.
“Oh.” I shook my head, dazed. “Dorian’s coming home.”
“Great,” she said, cheering up. “He’ll help me. He always does.”
He did have a bit of a reputation for getting in the middle of things.
Victor nudged me then spoke under his breath. “Any other news?”
“Just that they’re bringing help,” I murmured. “Whatever that means.” I raised my voice. “I’m a little tired. I think I’m going to head home early. Sorry.”
“I need some ice cream or a hot chocolate or both,” Emma announced. “Anyone want to come with? Be prepared. I’m about to eat my feelings. It won’t be pretty.”
Alison and Chloe both agreed to go with her, but Victor said he would walk me home instead.
“You don’t have to walk me,” I said when we separated from the others. Though I was glad of the company in case I bumped into any angry pack members or found myself drawn to yet another fire.
“Are you worried?” he asked. “About Dorian coming back?”
“I’m a little nervous,” I admitted. “I wish I knew what happened out there.”
“You said they’re bringing help. Think that means they met the harbingers?”
I shrugged. “Who knows? They could have found anything out there. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel.”
“Emma’s right though. Having Dorian around will help a lot. He’s a good tracker.”
“You used to act like you hated him,” I said. “Why?”
He looked surprised. “I never hated him. He’s pack. It’s hard sometimes. It’s stressful. Things don’t always feel right. We can’t be next to the alpha all of the time, so when we’re fending for ourselves, it doesn’t always work. I can’t relax, can’t seem to…” He shook his head. “I don’t know how to explain it.”
