I closed my messages app without replying. According to my notifications, I had ten missed calls—half of them from Lindsey—and a dozen text messages from other members of the pack.
Even Emma, who barely knew how to operate her cell phone, had tried calling me.
I sat there for a long time, staring at the wall. The hurt in Harris’s eyes played in my mind, over and over. I was numb now, but I wouldn’t be for long.
Before I could get off the cot to go make more bad choices, my phone rang.
Jeremy.
My thumb hovered over the decline button.
I hadn’t talked to him in months. Not since his wedding. Things had been strange between us ever since he’d turned into whatever the hell he was now—something not quite vampire and not quite wolf.
Before I consciously decided what I was going to do, I swiped to answer. I lifted the phone to my ear.
“Reed?” Jeremy’s voice was exactly the same as I remembered—familiar and alive, despite the fact that his heart didn’t beat anymore. “Lindsey told me what happened. I thought you could use a friend.” He paused. “You doing okay?”
“No,” I said honestly. My throat was dry and my voice came out hollow and scratchy. “I’m really fucking not.”
A pause. Then Jeremy said gently, “I heard what went down last night with the portal. And with Harris. You made him leave, didn’t you?”
Of course Lindsey had told him everything. Jeremy was her brother. And she was clearly worried about me.
“He almost died,” I said, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “The Algea got him. If Simone hadn’t been there, if she hadn’t given him her blood, he’d be dead right now. And I couldn’t do anything. I was paralyzed by the venom.” I drew in a shuddering breath. “I was fucking useless.”
“But he’snotdead,” Jeremy pointed out.
“Not this time.”
“Reed—”
“You’re right. I ended it. I told him to leave. That being with him was a mistake.”
Dead silence.
Then, “Well, that’s shitty. Go after him and tell him you didn’t mean it.”
“He’s human!” The words came out sounding scraped-thin and too loud. “He’s fragile and he’s mortal and he keeps throwing himself into danger without thinking twice! And I can’tprotect him, Jeremy. I’m not strong enough! Last night proved that.”
“No. Last night proved that Harris is brave,” Jeremy said quietly. “From the way Lindsey described it, he saved Sally’s life.”
“That’s true,” I admitted.
“Nicolas won’t shut up about him, you know.”
I snorted. “Wait, the vampire actuallylikeshim?”
Jeremy chuckled. “Harris is the first friend he’s had in eight centuries. Nicolas is just shy of weaving him a goddamn friendship bracelet.” Then he paused. “Harris is a fighter, Reed. He always has been.”
“He could still die.”
“So could you,” Jeremy shot back. “So could anyone. That’s part of being alive. You can’t protect him from everything.”
“I told him he was a liability. That he was going to get someone in my pack killed.”
Jeremy was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “Well, it’s official. You’re an idiot.”
“Gee, thanks,” I muttered.
