Page 47 of Twilight of Embers
I picked at my meal. “I want to help people,” I told him honestly.
“It’s more than that,” Cillian challenged.
I met his stare, refusing to back down. “Everyone has a story.”
“And yours is?” he pressed.
“You haven’t earned it yet.”
Cillian’s green eyes heated. “Little Flame…”
My belly dipped and rolled as I tried to remind myself that this man was likely a drug dealer.
Instead, I focused on my meal. I ate as quickly as possible, only answering questions when I absolutely had to. As soon as we were finished eating, I pushed back from the table. “I’m sorry. I really need to get back to the dorms so that I can get my homework done.”
Maddox nodded, seeming relieved. “Of course. Knox will take you.”
“You could study here,” Cáel suggested hopefully.
I shook my head. “I don’t have any of my books.”
His shoulders slumped, and I felt instantly guilty. “Knox and I are going to study in the library this weekend if you want to join.”
He brightened at that, nodding and pulling me into a hug. “Stay safe.”
My muscles sang at the contact. “You, too.”
He simply grunted.
Cillian watched me as if I were a puzzle and he was putting together the pieces. “See you soon, Hayden.”
It felt like both a promise and a threat.
I made a noncommittal noise and headed for the door, hoping Knox would follow.
“Thank you for dinner,” I called without looking back, grabbing my jacket on the way out.
The X5 beeped as I strode toward it, and I climbed inside.
Knox was quiet as we drove back to school, not even looking at me. By the time he parked in the quad, my stomach was in knots.
“I’m sorry about East,” he said quietly.
I studied the man next to me. His typically easy-going expression had gone stormy, and I couldn’t resist reaching for his hand.
“His actions aren’t on you,” I assured him.
Knox lifted his gaze to mine, so much pain there. “He’s decided that all relationships are doomed.”
I frowned. “He obviously has a relationship with all of you.”
“Not those kinds of relationships, romantic ones.”
“Oh.” My mind spun with a million questions, but I kept coming back to one. “Why?”
Knox was quiet for a long moment, and then he spoke. “Our brother was married. So in love. I’ve never seen another person happier.”
Dread pooled in my belly.
