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I can barely follow the conversation when the words escaping him are so confusing. Does he really think I have a lineup of suitors? Is he truly so blind that he can’t see Theo and Raphael are the only friends I have outside of Dina?
“Is this really what you want to talk to me about, Ezekiel? Why don’t we just get to the point so we can go back to you ignoring me.”
His eyes flash a little when I say his full name, but after treating me like shit, we aren’t friends. His friends call him Zeke, and I no longer have a seat at that table.
“They’re just using you, Hayliel. Don’t you see that? It’s what they do. A Pure could never actually fall for someone like us, not truly. If you’re not careful, they’ll stomp all over your heart and leave you to pick up the pieces alone.”
For a second, I think he’s going to go on. He speaks like he’s experienced the very thing he’s warning me of, but that can’t be true, can it? Can his entire asshole demeanor only stem from his own pain?
The words escape me before I can stop them. “Is that what happened to you?”
Something flashes across his face. Surprise, maybe, or regret? “We aren’t fucking talking about me. I know how those Pure assholes work. When they discard you, and they will, don’t come crying to me about it.”
I can’t help but laugh. Is he for real? “We aren’t friends, Ezekiel. You made damn sure of that. Since the first day of class, you’ve either ignored me or glared at me. You don’t get to dictate who I spend my time with, and frankly, even if they do discard me, there’s no goddamn way in hell I’d be coming to you about anything.”
I grab a few more books and turn my back on him, more than done with this conversation. Another thought strikes me then, one I try not to let sink in. In some roundabout way, is he just trying to protect me? I brush it off because even if he is, there are far better ways to go about it.
I only take two steps before I turn around, keeping my voice low. “If you want to spend time with me — without being an ass — you know where to find me.”
Once I’m back with Theo, I drop the books onto the table with a loudthunk. I can’t tell if he overheard us or not, but he doesn’t make me wait too long to find out.
“Was that your grumpy house leader?”
“Yup,” I reply.
“Want me to kick his ass?”
“Oh, hell no. Stay away from him, Theo. He’s a year ahead of us and trained by the Guild. Besides, he’s just pissed off at the world and wants to punish me. It’s nothing.” My heart hammers in my chest at the thought of Theo and Zeke fighting. Theo might be taller, but Zeke has more bulk than even Raphael does. I never want to see them fight.
Instead of saying anything more, he reaches out and grabs my hand, just like I did for him at the assembly. His sweet, minty scent washes over me, smoothing the frayed edges of my mind.
We stay like this for a while, holding hands across the table while we flip through the books I brought over. Neither of us speaks of Zeke again, and as time passes, I feel the weight of that argument slip off my shoulders.
His hands are warm and soft, less calloused than Raphael’s, but they still make my blood heat. Thoughts flash through my mind of the two of them. Best friends before I came along, and now I’m drawn to them both.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
23
Snacks?Check.
Sparkling juice? Check.
Opening my slate, I replay the voice message from Dina.
“I’m tired of schooling. Let’s just people watch, eat bad food, and gossip today. Meet me in front of the Tower. And bitch, you better not be late.”
I laugh at the stern note in her voice. She’s been on me all week about how I need to stop stressing about all my problems and just be in the moment. Of course, I told her I would … once midterms are over.
It’s clear she knows me enough to see through my bullshit.
Stuffing everything in my bag, I fly out to meet her. October is finally here, and with it, the crisp scent of fall. Our seasons aren’t the same as on Earth. We barely get snow or rain, and our temperatures don’t fluctuate, but we still see the leaves turn color and experience a mild shift. Part of me wishes I could steal away down to Earth for a year, just to get the full seasonal experience, but the Archangels only allow a select few to visit, and mostly just to steal their ideas.
“Cutting it awfully close, Hayles,” Dina scolds as I land.
“Once you see my snack collection, I think you’ll forgive me,” I tease. “So, where are we going?”
Dina points up, and I follow the line of her finger until I notice the balcony near the very top of the tower.
