“Really?” He took a few steps in front of me toward the trees. “I don’t sense anything. Come on, let’s go grab food at the Student Center since we’re missing Chemistry.”
“Yeah, okay.” I hated ruining our moment, but the chill wasn’t going away.
We headed back to the Student Center, and inside, I found Coral and Amethyst at the table closest to the door. I headed straight to them.
“Hey, you two are always together.” It was worse than Beth and me.
“Yeah, we plan it that way. It’s a little unsettling being around so many …” Coral tapped her finger to her lips. “… normal people. We find it’s comforting to have each other.”
From what I’d heard about witches growing up, witches segregated themselves more from humans than shifters did.
Aidan nodded at them and pulled at his collar. “How are you two doing?’
He was so damn uncomfortable, but he was trying.
“Good, and you?” Amethyst took a sip of her coffee.
“Not bad at all.” He turned his body toward them, making it clear they had his full attention, and took my hand.
“They’re so cute.” Amethyst clapped her hands twice. “I told you it would all work out.”
“It’s only, like, day two.” Coral leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. “Let’s give it a week before you start saying you were right.”
“Oh, it’ll last. You know I can tell things.” Amethyst stared right into my eyes. “He’s in it for the long haul now.” She pointed at Aidan as she looked at Coral. “And he wants to make things right with us.”
Tensing, Aidan stepped back. “How the hell do you know that?”
“She’s an empath.” He hadn’t been around when she’d informed Beth and me of that. “So…”
“That’s damn unsettling.” He ran a hand through his hair and pulled at his ear. “I mean …”
“No, don’t worry.” Amethyst lifted a hand slowly and moved it side to side. “It’s unsettling at first.”
“At first?” Coral waved at her. “No, it’s always unsettling. She knows how I feel before I do most of the time.”
“I’m able to help you process it.” Amethyst placed a hand on her chest. “It’s sometimes a good thing.” She pointed at Coral. “She has a temper.”
Coral frowned. “As if they haven’t figured that out.”
The door opened, and the tingling feeling came over me again. I turned around and found someone who looked very similar to Aidan.
“So …this is why my little brother hasn’t finished his mission.” The guy’s voice was deep with disgust.
Aidan’s jaw clenched. “Why don’t we go outside to talk?”
“That suits me just fine.” His brother’s eyes were a dark gold, and a cruel smirk stretched across his face. “Why don’t you bring her with us?”
“No.” Aidan shook his head and touched my hand. “Stay here with them. I’ll be right back.” He stormed out the door, grabbing his brother’s arm and dragging him outside.
Something wasn’t right, and I had a feeling all of the secrets were about to be unburied.
Aidan
“What the hell are you doing here?” I wanted to mind speak with him, but humans were around, and we’d look weird.
“I got a call saying that my little brother might be thinking with something other than his head.” Bradley glanced back into the Student Center where Emma was. “I’m inclined to agree.”
“They’re just trying to start shit.” I had to find a way to make him go away, but I had no damn clue how.
Chapter Sixteen
Emma
I stayed back as requested, but something was wrong. I didn’t have to be an empath to figure that one out. Did they somehow know who I was?
“This isn’t good.” Amethyst’s words confirmed my fears. She took another sip of her coffee, and her hands shook.
“What do you mean?” Coral’s forehead creased as she followed Amethyst’s and my gaze. “It’s two brothers talking.”
“Fear is pouring off Aidan, and suspicion is pulsing off his brother.” Amethyst rubbed her hands together. “I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s not good.”
“Should I go out there?” If Aidan was scared, I needed to stand beside him.
“I don’t know.” Amethyst’s usual carefree demeanor wasn’t present.
It freaked me out. That was one of the attributes I loved best about her. There weren’t many people like her out there.
“Why don’t you give them a few minutes, and if they still appear standoffish, maybe go then.” Coral shrugged. “It probably didn’t help that his brother caught him talking to us.”
That was very true. If his brother took over the pack, that would include continuing the hatred of the witches and … well, hell, me.
“Yeah, and Aidan was caught by surprise. That was what he was feeling before fear took over.” Amethyst grabbed her coffee and took a larger sip.
“Then why would he show up here?” There had to be something we were missing.
“Girl, we know as much as you.” Coral pointed in their direction. “But I’d be going out there if I were you.”
I’d hate to make it worse, but knowing how he felt, I realized Coral was right. “I’ll be back.”
“Just holler if you need us,” Coral called after me while she held up her hands and wiggled her fingers.
As I neared the doors, I could hear them clear as day due to my wolf senses.
“I come here and see you hanging out with a Rogers pack member and two witches.” His brother’s voice was rough and full of disbelief. “What universe did I walk in on?”
“Look, you asked me to come here and scope it out.” Aidan lifted his hands in the air. “So I am. If I want real answers, I can’t come in here all Hallowed Guild.”
What in the hell was Hallowed Guild? I almost didn’t want to go outside now.
“That doesn’t mean you rub elbows with our sworn enemies, and you’re obviously close to the girl. So what’s the verdict?”
“Look, no one here is a risk,” Aidan said slowly.
His brother took a step in his direction. “That’s not what I asked.”
Yeah, it was time for me to intervene. I opened the door as loudly as possible so no one could accuse me of trying to sneak out.
Aidan stared his brother down, and after a few seconds, his brother turned toward me.
His face was softer than Aidan’s, and he even seemed less muscular. It surprised me since he was the alpha heir. Usually, they were bigger than anyone else in the pack. He must have been more cunning or ruthless.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to ask what you wanted from the coffee shop.” I smiled at Aidan and turned my attention to his brother. “Would you like something too?” I asked, hoping to play this right.