“Where are they going? Please tell me what’s going on,” I say while lightly pushing him back.
He runs a hand through his hair - a classic Brazen stalling technique.
“Angelica hasn’t been dealing with her change very well, and today she had a breakthrough. Hale is just taking them back to speak with Nicholas. She and her father haven’t been speaking at all.”
“Did she say why?” I lead.
“There were more tears than talk, but I think she’ll be okay soon. She and Grayson are going to move in with Hale for a while, and they’re talking about returning to the Seminole with him when he leaves.”
I push him off me harder as my eyes glaze over with fury.
“What? They can’t do that. I promised Nicholas I would keep her here. He hasn’t done a damn thing wrong. I know hybrids seek the solace of other hybrids directly after their change, but her father shouldn’t be punished just because he’s a full blood. That spoiled little brat has no idea what the rest of us would have done to have a parent,” I growl, and then I barge past him to start following the retreating trio.
“Araya,” Brazen grumbles while pulling me back toward him. “I think she’s right about this. Just let her be the decider in this matter. Just because one has a parent doesn’t mean their life is perfect. This is her problem to solve for now,” he mumbles, and the contents seem so suspicious.
“What-the-fuck-ever,” I grumble, and then I start walking away again.
I head to the outside, and I see Nicholas sitting on the bench beside the wall. His despair is evident, and it’s rather obvious the heartless trio aren’t going to find him in his apartment. I guess Brazen has been spending too much time around Hale since he’s starting to act like him now. Jackasses. All of them are jerks.
I walk over to him, and I quickly obtain the seat next to him. Brazen walks out, and his jaw tenses when he sees me. It’s not like him to be jealous of anyone other than Hale, but Nicholas is just my friend. He’s the one being hurt, not the bratty girl who doesn’t know how fucking lucky she is. I can’t believe Hale is going along with this.
“I spoke to Commander Jude. He said your follow up blood tests still showed no signs of infection,” he breathes out in relief.
I smile as I pat his arm and murmur, “Worried?”
“I have been very worried. This is the first time we’ve ever had the possibility of an outbreak that infects hybrids and full bloods. Commander Jude is testing the virus against my kind’s blood. I’m just so thankful you’re okay,” he utters so sincerely, his soul sounding to be as broken as his heart.
Brazen walks over to a man who has called his attention, and occasionally his eyes shift toward me. I don’t know what his problem is. Nicholas has been incredible to me, and I have a home again because of him.
“I’m perfectly fine. Can we talk about Angelica and why she’s acting so bizarre?” I almost blurt out, and his eyes drop to the ground immediately as if he’s ashamed.
“It’s my fault,” he almost whispers.
“What happened?” I ask with bemusement.
“Araya, there’s so much I need to tell you, and I don’t even know where to begin. My life as a captain started because of a sacrifice I made so, so, so long ago. I’ve done things I can never justify and there will never be enough penance for my sins. Angelica has recently learned some of my covered secrets that have haunted me for longer than I care to admit. You’ll hate me if I tell you right now,” he murmurs softly.
“I don’t hate people for making mistakes in the past. I hate people for not changing, which is something you’ve very obviously done,” I comfort.
“I wish it were that simple, Araya. I really do.”
His eyes beg to tell me something, but fear stalls his lips. I can’t imagine this incredible man has ever done anything so wrong to deserve the self-loathing I see in his soul. No matter what he has done, Angelica shouldn’t be punishing him for the sins of his distant past. He has been nothing but a doting father to her, an incredible captain for his people, and an example for all full bloods.
“Captain!” a man screams from the wall’s lookout station.
“Yes?” Nicholas chirps.
“There’s a problem in the Shantkin Valley. The scouts just called to say it looks like a blood run deal gone bad, and they need help to apprehend the suspects.”
“I’ll send my men,” Nicholas grumbles, and he pulls out his phone to start texting.
“I’ll go too. I could use a minute outside the walls,” I murmur while standing.
“I’ll go, you stay,” Brazen says as he interrupts out of nowhere.
“Excuse me? The last I checked you weren’t my captain,” I snark.
“I don’t want you going either,” Nicholas mumbles, and then Hale runs out to where we are.
