People would want to study me. Tabby’s coven already did. I’d be different... and not in a good way to some. Instead of being hated for my family, I’d be feared and hated for what I was. Some might even see me as dangerous.
“Jack? Princess?” Tate murmured, lifting my chin with his finger. “Talk to me. Your heart is racing.”
“I just...” I swallowed, trying to suck in air. I couldn’t breathe. The possibilities of what this could mean was just too much for me to bear. I’d spent all my life telling my mom I wanted to be a human servant, too, or even a vampire, and now I might be both and neither.
I just... I needed a minute. I needed space.
“Jack?” Tate reached out for me and I snapped.
“Stop!”
Then just like the crows, Tate froze, his eyes wide. I could still hear his heart beating in his chest, but his entire body had frozen in place. His hand was still up as if to reach for me.
If there was any question that I was responsible for the crows before, it was completely gone now.
I stumbled to my feet, my eyes burning my chest aching. I shook my head, hands over my mouth.
“I... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to... I can’t... I have to...”
Not waiting to see how long my command would last, I ran. My feet pounded on the stone pathway as I raced through the hallways. I shoved past students not caring if they were looking at me.
I just needed to get away. To be alone. Where I couldn’t hurt anyone else.
Chapter 22
Julian
I hesitated to leave my apartment the rest of the day. Not because I was afraid of running into Jack’s dads again, but because they had given me a lot to think about. Besides, I had work to do and a coven to find.
Which I still wasn’t having any luck finding.
Giving up for now, I changed into my workout clothing and went through my paces. I did push-ups, sit-ups, and was in the middle of a set of jumping jacks when there was a knock on my door.
Stopping mid-jump, I groaned. What now?
I’d never been this popular back at the guild. Hunters knew how important our downtime was. No one just knocked on my door in the middle of the day. They’d at least call or text first.
Grabbing the towel I had off to the side, I wiped the sweat off my brow as I padded over to the door. This time, I paused at the side table and grabbed my gun, holding it in one hand while I turned the knob.
Pulling it open, the last person I’d ever expected was standing at my door.
“Hey.” Tate heaved in air, his hands on either side of my door. “Is Jack here?”
My brows furrowed. “I... what? No. What are you doing here?”
Once he caught his breath, Tate pushed past me into my apartment.
“Please by all means, come in.” I sighed and followed after him into the living room where Tate looked around the room, sniffing the air. “She’s not here.”
“I can see that.” His dark gaze turned to linger on me, taking in my low hanging sweatpants and sweat covered chest. “Working out?”
“Yeah.” I threw the towel over my shoulder, not putting my gun down as I crossed my arms over my chest. “Didn’t particularly feel like going to the gym today. A lot of testosterone there I’d rather avoid.”
Tate ignored the pointed look I sent his way. Either he didn’t care about the insult I threw his way or his mind was on something else.
“Look, I need to find Jack. Have you seen her?”
I frowned, finally hearing the desperation in his voice. “Not since last night. What is it? What’s wrong? Is she hurt?”
