Caleb snorted. “Alex, the North Carolina branch stil exists in the Greek times and with the main Council being located in New York, they’re going to hold onto al the old rules and rites. Upstate is a total y different world. It’s brutal there.”
“If there’s such a huge movement then why are Hector and Kelia in so much trouble?” I frowned, remembering Caleb tel ing me their story.
“Because nothing has passed, and I think our Ministers are looking to make an example out of them.” Kain’s mouth tightened.
“Yeah, a way of reminding us of where we belong and what happens when we don’t fol ow the rules.” Jackson pushed through the little group, smiling in spite of how depressing his words were.
“Oh, for the love of the gods,” Kain snapped. Twisting around, he loped off the porch. Two halfs were trying to get a dune buggy started. “You two better not even be within a mile of that thing by the time I get over there. Yes! You two!”
Talk about the petition dwindled off as more plastic cups were passed around. Apparently, political discussion was only social y acceptable before the third cup. I was stil mul ing over the Breed Order and what it could mean when Jackson sat down on the swing next to me.
I glanced up, smiling. “Hey.”
He flashed a charming smile. “Have you seen Lea?”
“Who hasn’t?” I giggled.
He didn’t find that nearly as funny as I did, but my catty remark served two purposes. Jackson glued himself to my hip the rest of the evening, and when Lea reappeared, her face turned a mottled shade of red when she saw how close Jackson and I were. And we were real y super-close on the porch swing. I was practical y in his lap.
I tipped my cup at her.
The narrow-eyed look she sent my way said it al .
Pleased with myself, I turned back to Jackson with a smug smile. “Your girlfriend doesn’t look too happy.”
“She hasn’t been since you got back.” He ran a finger down my arm. “What’s going on between you two, anyways?”
Lea and I had always been like this. I imagined it had a lot to do with the fact both of us were aggressive, confrontational, and pretty damn awesome. But there was more; I just couldn’t remember it. I shrugged. “Who knows?”
Zarak final y appeared and was most happy to see me.
Thanks to him and Cody, everyone was keen on the idea of moving the party elsewhere by taking mommy and daddy’s Porsches down to Myrtle.
Since I had my hands ful with Jackson, I’d lost track of Caleb at some point, and I hid my half ful plastic cup behind the swing. I was okay with the happy buzz, but I was only a few sips away from a dizzy, fal -on-my-face buzz.
“You going with them?”
Frowning, I glanced over at Jackson. “Huh?”
He grinned, leaning in so that his lips almost brushed my ear when he spoke. “Going to Myrtle?”
“Oh,” I swung my feet back and forth. “I don’t know, but it sounds like fun.”
Jackson grabbed my hands, hauling me to my feet.
“Zarak’s leaving. We can catch a ride with him.”
I must’ve missed the part when he and I had turned into
“we,” but I didn’t protest when he led me down the steps and across the beach. Several of the kids had left already, and I caught a quick glimpse of Lea sliding into the back seat with Deacon. I had no idea where Kain was; I hadn’t seen him since the dune buggy incident.
Zarak slid into the driver’s seat of the only other car left—
at least he seemed okay enough to be behind a wheel. The girl I’d seen earlier with Deacon was taking her sweet time deciding which car was the cooler one.
Growing bored, I leaned against the side of the house while the girl chatted with Lea. Jackson propped himself beside me.
I tipped my head back, loving the way the warm breeze caressed my cheeks. “Shouldn’t you be going with her?”
He paused, looking over his shoulder. “She obviously has other plans.”
“But she’s staring at you,” I pointed out. She had her face planted against the window.
“Let her look.” He shifted closer, flashing a wicked grin.
“She’s made her cal , hasn’t she?”
“Guess so.”
“I’ve made mine.” Jackson leaned in to kiss me.
Even though I would’ve loved to see Lea’s face in the aftermath of kissing Jackson, I darted to the side. Jackson was an equal opportunity player and that kind of game I didn’t real y feel like joining.
He chuckled and made a playful grab for me. He got a good hold on my arm and pul ed me back. “You gonna make me chase you?”
My happy buzz had the potential of becoming a very bad one if I kept this crap up. Pul ing my arm free, I forced a smile. “You’d better get going. Zarak’s going to leave you.”
He reached for me again, but I dodged those too-friendly hands. “Aren’t you going?”
I shook my head. “Nah. I think I’m going to cal it a night.”
“I can keep your company if that’s what you want. We can take the party back to my dorm or Zarak’s room.” He started walking backward, toward the car. “I don’t think he’d mind. Last chance, Alex.”
It took every ounce of my self-control not to laugh. I shook my head and backed off, knowing I looked like a total tease. “Maybe next time.” Then I turned around, not giving Jackson another moment to sway me into that car.
Wondering if Caleb had gone to Myrtle, I made my way back across the beach and toward the bridge, passing several silent beach homes. The air around me smel ed of sea salt. I loved that smel . It reminded me of Mom and the days we used to spend hanging out on the sand. So caught up in the memories, I only snapped back to reality when a fine shiver coursed down my spine as I neared the bridge.
The scraggly bushes and tal weeds swayed in the cool breeze. Odd since the breeze had been pleasant only minutes before. I took a step forward, scanning the marsh.
Gloom covered the bog, but a thicker shadow pul ed away from the rest, becoming more solid as the seconds passed.
The wind carried a whisper. “Lexie… .”
I had to be hearing things. Only Mom had cal ed me Lexie, nothing could be out there, but fear stil coiled like tight springs in my stomach.
Without warning, strong hands gripped my shoulders and pul ed me back. My heart stopped, and for a moment, I didn’t know who’d grabbed me from behind. Instinct to lash out kicked into gear, but then I caught the familiar scent of soap and ocean.
Aiden.
“What are you doing?” His voice held a demanding edge.
I twisted around and stared up at him. His eyes were thin slits. Seeing him rendered me speechless for a second.
“I… there’s something out there.”
Aiden’s hands slipped from my shoulders as he turned to where I pointed. Natural y, there was nothing there but the normal shadows the moon cast across the marshland. He faced me. “There’s nothing there. What are you doing out here by yourself? You aren’t al owed off the island without supervision, Alex. Never.”
Yikes. I took a step back, unsure how to respond.
Then he leaned over, sniffing the air. “You’ve been drinking.”
“Have not.”
His brows rose, lips pursed. “What are you doing outside the Covenant?”
I fidgeted with the edge of my shirt. “I was… visiting friends, and as I recal , I was told I couldn’t leave the island.
Technical y, I’m stil on Deity Island.”
He tipped his head to the side, folding his arms. “I’m pretty certain that remaining on the Covenant-control ed island was assumed.”
“Wel , you know what they say about assuming things.”
“Alex.” His voice lowered in warning.
“What are you doing out here, creeping around in the dark like some kind of… creeper?” Once that last little bit left my mouth, I kind of wanted to slap myself.