"And now she's paying the price," Aspen said. "We're in a good mood today, right?"
Torian just lifted a brow. "Oh, is that what we are?"
"And it's more fun to share."
Finally, the brooding boy relaxed, a hint of an honest smile on his lips. "I heard there's a Burst down here now."
"Oh!" Aspen said, jumping up to her feet. "Come!" She turned, gesturing for Keir and me to get up and follow her. "You want to see this one. Rain loves it. C'mon. Tor, tell Wilder and Hawke to come too. There's a nice place back there where no one will bother us."
We all stood, and Aspen hurried over to grab her brother's hand. Keir just bent, whispering in my ear, "Make sure Poppy's ok? Since you know where this plant is?"
"I'll meet you there," I agreed, dawdling long enough for the three of them to make it around a few bushes.
Then I headed towards Poppy, Nevaeh, and three other faelings I didn't really know. Poppy had an arm around Nevaeh, and the girl was shaking her head. The other three had leaned in, so none of them saw me coming. Trying not to be rude, I cleared my voice.
"Hey, I'm sorry about him," I said.
Nevaeh looked up. "Keep your damned dog on a leash, Rain!"
"No," Poppy said, "we don't want to pick a fight with her. Nevaeh, I am trying to help you, but you have to do some helping too."
"I didn't do anything wrong!" she insisted.
I huffed. "Really?"
"Ihadto help my cousin! Harper's the only reason I got in here, and Ms. Valentina is hoping I'll be able to get her back in."
"How's that working out?" I asked. "Because if she comes at me now, I will kill her, Nevaeh. I'll kill anyone who attacks me. Do you hear me?"
"Rain?" Poppy said, her voice gentle and soothing. "Nevaeh had to."
"What?"
"She made a deal with Harper's mother." The girl rubbed Nevaeh's shoulder, then turned to face me. "In order to get into Silver Oaks, Nevaeh had to agree to owe Ms. Valentina a favor. That favor was to take care of Harper."
"To have her back," Nevaeh corrected.
"So she hadnoother option. For the fae, our word is our bond."
"Yeah," I breathed, "and often a magical one. So you know, it stilldoesn't make it ok, but I'll keep Torian off you - unless you screw up again. We all make mistakes, but this time, Nevaeh, I think you have the right friends."
"Real friends, " Nevaeh agreed. "And I've been trying to make them leave Torian alone. They don't know how dangerous he really is."
"I don't think anyone does," I admitted, turning towards the other side of the atrium.
Chapter Forty-Six
RAIN
Ifelt like things had finally gone back to normal. Sunday night, I fell asleep curled up against Aspen's back. She was hugging my arm up against her chest, holding it tightly. This was my last thought as sleep took over. Monday morning classes would come too soon, too fast, but at least I had this.
"Hunt!"
Jack's voice was so loud. Jerking awake, I opened my eyes to find myself sitting up.
"Hunt!" he screamed again. "Hunt, Hunt, Hunt!"
It was dark in my room, so my eyes immediately jumped to the clock: 3:12 a.m. It took me far too long to realize the meaning of this. It was the middle of the night, so what was Jack going on about?
