CASSIE
It waslike listening to them through a wall, their voices seeming to come from another room.
That had been the biggest surprise about being blind: books and movies always made it seem like blind people had superhuman hearing, like their other senses were heightened because of their lack of sight.
But I’d spent the last three days feeling like I was removed from everyone else, like we existed in separate apartments and I could only guess what they were doing upstairs from the sound of their footsteps walking in the kitchen, the water running for a bath.
Now I was suddenly alert, the tension palpable as Bram squared off with Hawk while Maeve moved the brush through my hair.
“It’s not for you to decide,” Bram said. “You’ve had your fun. This is serious.”
“All due respect,” Vigo’s sounded distracted, and I wondered what he was doing when I heard the rustle of fabric coming from the direction of his voice, “we found Cassie. We saw the car. We know it’s serious.”
“You couldn’t findseriouswith both hands and a flashlight,” Bram growled.
“You don’t know us.” Jagger’s voice was controlled, with an underlying anger that made me realize he was on edge.
“I know enough,” Bram said.
The conversation seemed apart from me, like they were talking about someone else. Not being able to see made me feel helpless, a leaf on the wind of everyone else’s desires and conversation.
“Cassie’s only been with us a month,” Hawk said.
Was I imagining the hint of desperation in his voice?
“If you think the Hunt means shit right now you’ve got another think coming,” Bram growled.
I closed my eyes, sinking into the sensation of Maeve separating my hair into sections.
“It’s not just about the Hunt. You know that, right Cass?” I felt Jagger’s gaze on my face. “You know we want you with us?”
I opened my eyes in surprise even though it didn’t change the view. I’d spent the last three days completely numb, adrift in constant darkness. The Hawks had given me a new phone (mine had been shattered in the accident), but I had no interest in talking to Daisy or Sarai, no interest even in the coffee shop and how Kaylee and Drew were faring without me.
Now I felt the first flutter of emotion in my chest, a sign of life.
The Hawks wanted me with them? Even now?
Bram broke in before I could answer Jagger’s question.
“It doesn’t matter what you want. You’re not equipped to take care of her.”
“We’re not idiots,” Hawk said. “We’re no less equipped than you.”
“You’re all missing the point.” Maeve’s voice was close behind me, her hands working quickly to plait my long hair.
“What’s the point?” Vigo asked.
“The point is, it’s not for any of you to decide,” Maeve said.
“Exactly.” Jagger sounded satisfied. “It’s Cassie’s decision.”
“Cass…” Bram said, “you know you should be with me. We’re family.”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard Bram plead, but he was pleading now.
And yet… I didn’t love the idea of moving into the loft with him, Maeve, Poe, and Remy. I would feel like a fifth wheel, like a guest.
An inconvenient guest.
