“Coach,” Rafe said, trying to stifle a chuckle. “Stop antagonizing him. What do you want from us?”
“I’m not lying. I like Aria. I even like Brandt. I don’t like your father, and Earl had told me about the creepy meeting they had last term. He didn’t like the way Alex was looking at Skye. I think that’s why he’s gone.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, silently praying Rafe didn’t punch my fucking wall. Although, I’d just splattered coffee everywhere, so…
“Alright, I’ll allow it.” Rafe said, straightening. “You’ll report to either me or Wyatt with any pertinent information related to Skye or my father, or the two together.”
Coach raised a bushy eyebrow. “That an order?”
“Yes,” Rafe replied brightly. “Furthermore, you’ll keep an ear outwith the rest of the students and staff. Find out if anyone knew anything about the attack beforehand. Any weird, anti-loyalist language needs to be reported to me. Anything cultish in nature–”
“Cultish?” Coach squawked.
“Yes,” Rafe said, not skipping a beat. “I do believe that’s what I said. This attack was related to the Pilgrims.”
Coach went still, and then spoke very carefully. “Listen, kid. I know your history with the Pilgrims, but–”
“But nothing,” Rafe snapped. “You’re a combat and affinity coach, not a psychologist. I get enough shit from Wyatt, I don’t need it from you, too. I am not projecting my fears onto this situation. I saw the symbols on their chests clear as day. It. Was. The Pilgrims.”
Coach sighed. “I did see the symbol.” He lifted his ballcap and ran a hand over his bald head. “I’ll let you know what I hear. Make sure that girl understands how serious this is.”
“I’m sure she does,” I couldn’t help but sneer. Skye had lost her parents in the Gulf Capitol Massacre, orchestrated by the pseudo-religious terror group known as the Pilgrims. She understood better than anyonehow seriousthis was.
“Maybe,” Coach said cryptically. “But something tells me the clock is ticking on her fight or flight response. Pretty soon, here, we’re going to see how it really looks when she stops running.”
Chapter 6
Aiden
I wokeup in Skye’s bed alone, but I wasn’t anxious. Laying in her bed was like laying in a huge fluffy nest of Skye.
I rolled over with a groan. My hands were still a little sore from being healed, and my body felt like I’d been hit by a bus. I couldn’t remember a time when I’d used my affinity so much. I’d played around with it a lot as a kid, but once I got older I mainly used it as a built-in lighter so I could smoke.
That was sad.
More than sad. It waswrong. I should’ve had more education, more support. Especially since I came from a long line of fire affinates.
I’d spent way too much of my time over the past two days lamenting about things thatshould have been.
The door clicked, and I turned back over to find Skye slipping into the room. The curtains were still closed, only a small beam of light spilling through a gap in the center. Skye crossed the room silently before climbing onto the bed and flopping down beside me.
“Hey, baby.” My voice was raspy from sleep. Skye snuggled up next to me –whichstillmade my heart pound– and she mumbled good morning to me before brushing her lips against mine.
I groaned, wrapping my arms around her and holding her close.She squirmed against me, trying to move away, but I didn’t let her. I hooked one of my legs around hers, then flipped us so that I could climb on top of her. Skye yelped, then laughed.
“It’s gonna be a really good morning,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows.
“But I had plans for us,” Skye pouted.
I blinked.
She’d never pouted at me before.
It was so fuckingcute.
“What are your plans, baby?” I asked. Skye licked her lips, and I dove forward, trying to catch her tongue with my own.
Skye squealed, pushing me away and then pulling me down for a real kiss.
