Kinda. His papers were spread out on the coffee table in front of him, and the TV was on, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was staring out the window overlooking Dolinska, his chin resting on his fist. He was kinda pale.
I gathered my nerves and strode across the Rec Room. At this time of day, most people were either outside, playing in the snow, or they were enjoying the Christmas festivities in Dolinska. Nobody else was here. Ethan couldn’t use other people as an excuse for not telling me the truth.
I sat directly across from him. “We need to talk.” I didn’t give any other greeting.
“Hey, Em.” Ethan winced and shifted in his seat, like he was uncomfortable. “What is it?”
I took a deep breath and tried coming up with ways to phrase it.Look, buddy. I know you’re the Phantom. We nearly kissed the other day. I probably would’ve screwed you in that cabin if that broken window hadn’t stopped me. I am one-hundred percent sure at this point you’re a superhero. So just admit it, so we can become mates and I can get some of that big dick energy you’ve got going on.
It was a bad idea to say all of that. I resolved to get to the point.Ethan, you’re the Phantom. I won’t tell anybody. Just spit it out already.
But as I opened my mouth, a flashing alert came across the TV screen and halted the program that was on. “We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special news bulletin.” A newscaster came on screen, looking deadly serious. “We currently have live footage of the vigilante known as the Phantom as he terrorizes the city. The Arcanea Alliance is now in pursuit.”
What the fuck? No way. The screen changed to show a man in a cape and a white wolf mask leaping from building to building as the police gave chase. Dragons, griffins, and alicorns flew after the Phantom and cast magic at him while wolvens circled in on the ground, but they missed their target every time. Even when they got close, the Phantom managed to slip away.
Confusion hurtled through me like a hurricane. It was early morning. The Phantom had never been seen before in the daytime. He always came out at night.
I watched the figure jump from rooftop to rooftop as the camera panned after him. Eventually, he slipped out of sight as he dove into an alleyway. Police pursued him and vanished from sight as well.
Ethan’s eyes were pinned to the screen, just like mine. The police swarmed the area, but their expressions became clueless. It was like the Phantom had vanished out of thin air.
“It seems like the Arcanea Alliance has lost the trail yet again.” The newscaster sounded disappointed. “The identity of the Phantom will continue to remain a mystery.”
My thoughts became a puzzle that I had no hope of solving. I was pretty sure Ethan was the Phantom— but Ethan was right here with me, as I was watching live footage of the vigilante being chased through town.
There was only one explanation. Ethan couldn’t be the Phantom. There was just no way— not unless he had the ability to be in two places at once.
“What was it you wanted to ask me?” Ethan said as the alert ended.
“Um… I just need help with my paper for Lucien’s class,” I lied. I’d already finished the paper, but I had to tell Ethan something, right?
“We can work on it tomorrow. I haven’t started mine yet.” Ethan got to his feet. I jumped right up, too, though it was weird and I didn’t know why.
Suddenly, Ethan staggered forward. He probably would’ve dropped to his knees if I hadn’t been there at the last minute to hold him up. He looked like he was gonna puke.
“Oh my gosh! Ethan, are you okay?” I asked.
“I think I’m getting sick,” Ethan mumbled. He pushed me away and began shuffling forward. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I can study today. I’d better go lie down.”
“I’ll get your stuff for you.” I collected Ethan’s things as he stumbled into his dorm. When I got there, he was already lying in bed, face-down on the pillows. I put his papers on his desk. If Ethan was getting sick, it was dangerous for me to be around him. I couldn’t catch what he had and risk my health. But I didn’t care. I just wanted to make sure he was okay.
“Do you need anything?” I asked, but I didn’t get a response. He was already sleeping. I figured it was best not to disturb him and turned off the light, shutting the door behind me.
There were so many emotions raging through me I didn’t know what to do with them. Ethan and the Phantom were two different people, which meant that I had to make a choice. Ethan, or the Phantom. I couldn’t have both.
The Phantom was supposed to be my mate, so he should’ve been the obvious choice. But I felt such a strong connection between Ethan and I. It was so powerful. Not something I could easily deny. I didn’t think I could give that up for a man that I shared a bond with, yet didn’t know personally.
When I left Ethan’s room I saw Odette, Kiara, and Delmare in the hallway. All of them were bundled up for the outdoors, snow melting on their shoulders.
“Oh my goodness!” Odette covered her mouth as she watched me close the door. “Emma! You’resleepingwith the prince?”
“Hey, can’t say we didn’t see it coming,” Delmare said, and she laughed.
“What? No. Ethan’s just sick,” I said. “I was lending a hand.”
“Oh, you were lending a hand, all right,” Delmare snickered. She made a motion like she was jerking someone off, and Odette giggled.
I rolled my eyes. “Calm down, guys. I’ve never seen Ethan’s dick.”
