Allison is sitting at the end of her bed when I storm into our dorm room less than fifteen minutes later. I throw my bag down and take a deep breath before facing her. Her eyes widen in what looks like apprehension.
“Why did you lie to me?” I ask in a calm tone. I’m trying to allow her a chance to explain before I get angry. I don’t want to be mad at my best friend.
She shakes her head. “What?”
“Dating Oliver isn’t against the rules. There isn’t a rule about fae dating humans.”
She looks away. “I didn’t lie—I can’t—I just didn’t correct you when you assumed that Oliver was my indiscretion.”
My eyes widen. “What the hell? Care to explain what actually happened?”
She sighs. “Okay. This is going to sound terrible, and you’ll probably hate me, but please let me explain before you decide to never speak to me again.”
I stare at her. “Tell me.”
“I cheated on Oliver. Well, sort of. It was mutual.”
I open and close my mouth twice before I can form words. And then I manage to say, “What?”
“Oliver doesn’t love me.” Her voice is light, as if she isn’t upset by what she’s telling me, whereas I’m freaking out on the inside. God, why did Max have to open his mouth and screw things up? Why did Allison keep this from me?
“Are you kidding? Of course he does.”
“Not romantically. He loves me like he loves you. Platonically.”
“But you guys have been together for years,” I say. I’m more upset about this than she is.
“I know.” She folds her hands in her lap. “We started off as a genuine couple, but since the beginning of the summer, we haven’t been together.”
I think about the dates I tagged along for over the years. I don’t understand what she’s saying. “You need to keep talking.” There’s an edge to my voice.
“We aren’t together anymore,” she repeats. “We’re keeping up the ruse for Oliver’s sake.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because he doesn’t want to come out in college. He feels strongly that just because he likes guys it doesn’t mean he should have to tell the world.”
I understand what she’s saying and why Oliver feels that way, and I agree. “It’s his thing to share, but I talked to him about it. He said it was okay for me to tell you. We don’t want you in the dark anymore, and now I can explain why I didn’t tell you what’s been going on.” That makes it sound like she was planning on telling me the truth before Max sold her out to me. Knowing that makes me feel a bit better, but the fact she kept it from me to begin with still stings.
“What does Oliver being gay have to do with the fae?”
“It doesn’t, exactly. Oliver doesn’t know, but he wasn’t the only one using our relationship as a cover.”
My brows tug together. “Are you telling me you’re gay? Fae aren’t allowed to be gay?”
She laughs, but it’s uneven, different from her normal laugh. “No, I’m not gay. I don’t think the fae care about that. Love is love.”
“Okay. What did you need the relationship to hide?”
She hesitates. “The guy I am seeing,” she says in a timid voice.
“Who are you seeing, Allison?” I press.
“His name is Evan. He’s a fourth year, like us, and he’s fae.”
I’m missing something. So far, her explanation has yet to provide a real reason for her getting into trouble with Tristan.
“I still don’t see the problem—other than the fact that the guy you loved realized he doesn’t like girls. I can’t imagine how that made you feel.”
She shrugs. “It hurt at first, but I get it, and I don’t blame him. He didn’t do it to hurt me. He didn’t know what he wanted at that point. We’ve gotten past the awkwardness, obviously, considering what we’re doing for each other now.”
“Now you’re going to tell me what the problem is with you dating Evan, right?”
She wraps her arms around herself. “Well, Evan is light fae . . . and pretty close to their leader, Jules, who is Tristan’s enemy.”
A weight settles in my stomach. “This sounds more dangerous than you’re making it out to be.” I’m sure she can feel the concern pouring off of me by now.
She sighs. “We care about each other, Aurora. I tried to explain that to Tristan, but you know him well enough now to know how that went. There’s a chance, if I refuse to walk away from Evan, that’ll I’ll be incarcerated for treason.”
My stomach drops. Do the fae have their own type of prison in the human world? “What? No. I’m not going to let that happen to you.”
She almost smiles. “Thanks, but there’s not much you, or even I, can do. I understand the rules. They are in place to keep our people safe.” She blinks a few times. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispers.
I run my fingers through my hair and let out a slow breath, trying to ground myself so I can think about this situation rationally. “Is it worth it?” She looks offended by the question. “I’m just saying, this could cause a lot of trouble for you. Tristan won’t accept that you’re—for lack of a better phrase—sleeping with the enemy. I don’t know much about the whole thing, but I know that it’s serious.” Tristan’s unease during the phone call this morning, and his responses during the conversation we had afterward tell me enough to make that statement.
“I know that,” she mumbles. “I don’t want to lose him.”
“Tristan said light fae are killing dark fae. What if you become a target?” I grab her hands and squeeze them gently. “I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt.”
“I . . .” She looks away. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Did you know he was light fae?”
“I did,” she says. “And before you ask, yes, he knew I wasn’t, but we decided that it didn’t matter.”
“I think it matters more than you want to admit.” Everything I’ve heard about the light fae urges me to be wary of them. Especially when my best friend is involved.
She scowls, pulling her hands from mine. “How the hell would you know?” My eyes widen at her sudden sharp tone. That went from zero to one hundred way too fast.
I stand there for several beats. Allison never snaps at me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her raise her voice at anyone. It’s clear she’s not about to apologize for it. “You’re right, I don’t know everything about the fae, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure you’re okay. Even if you’re pissed at me now, you’d do the same for me.”
She blinks a few times, her expression softening. “I would and I love you for caring so much, I do, but I need to figure this one out on my own. I’ll be careful, I promise, but please don’t be mad at me for this.”
I don’t want to be angry, but it takes some effort to push those feelings down. Maybe I’ll feel better about the situation once I’ve met the guy. I decide to reserve my judgment until then.
“Okay,” I say. “I need a coffee. You want to join?”
Her shoulders easing, she smiles. “Thank you. I’ve got to head to class, but I’ll catch you later?”
I nod, leaning over to hug her. “Sure.”
At the cafeteria, I’m standing at the self-serve station putting a lid on my cup when Oliver walks over with his own. By the looks of his eyes and messy hair, it isn’t his first. You can always tell when it’s midterms around here. Hell, I’m surprised he’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt instead of pajamas. I would be if I hadn’t been at the hotel this morning.
Oliver blows out a breath. “It’s just after noon, and I’m ready for bed.”
“Do you have time for a break?”
His eyes widen. “Break? You’ll have to explain that foreign concept to me.”
I giggle. “Well, we can sit and talk about something that has nothing to do with study cards or assignments. I’ve heard it’s enjoyable.”
“Let’s give it a go,” he says.
We pay for our coffee and find a quiet spot in the corner of the lounge attached to the cafeteria.
“Listen, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now.” He fidgets with his hands in his lap. “Did Allison talk to you?”
I smile. “She did. I understand why you guys kept it from me. I’m not mad.” I’m a bit upset with the whole situation, but that’s my issue to deal with.
He nods. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’ve felt so terrible about it, especially for Allison. I never meant to hurt her. She’s been so amazing about all of it.”
“Don’t apologize, Oliver. You shouldn’t have to say anything. In my mind, you dating guys is no different than you dating girls.”
His face relaxes. “Thanks for being cool about this.”
“Of course.” I give his shoulder a gentle punch. “So, are you seeing anyone?”
He scratches his head. “Not officially. I’m not broadcasting my relationship status publically, but I’m sort of hanging with someone on and off.”
I press my lips together, hesitating before I ask, “Do your parents know?”
He offers a weak smile, and my chest tightens.
I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. “I’m sorry.”
He drags a hand down his face before taking a sip of his coffee. “It’s okay. There’s a good chance I’m going to move into an apartment in Rockdale after graduation. I figure one day I’ll bring my boyfriend to meet them without saying anything.”
Oliver’s parents are the perfect picture of conservatives. I can imagine how well that surprise would go over.
“We can get a place together,” I say, only half joking. I’ll most likely stick around Rockdale after graduation, and having a roommate would make rent easier to pay.
“Yeah?” The corner of his mouth quirks. “I’ll keep that in mind. Unless, of course, I’m living with my theoretical super-hot boyfriend by then.”
I laugh. “Right, of course.”
Oliver gives me a bear hug before he heads upstairs. I grab my textbook and join a few of the girls from my program who are there with their books already open, chatting about the upcoming test. I hurry over and sit, cracking my book open to join in the discussion.
We’re all scribbling away when Danielle walks in with drink trays in her hands.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” We set a meeting time in the group chat for a reason. “I brought caffeine!” Danielle sets the drinks down on the counter and throws her brown curls into a messy bun before passing them out. She sits next to me and hands me a cup before taking a sip from her own.
“Thanks,” I say with a smile, and tip the cup to my lips.
“My pleasure.” She returns the smile and opens her book, glancing over at mine to find her place. I’ve got respect for this girl. She can party, as she did at the first kegger of the semester, but when it counts, she can focus on school.
I take another sip before returning my attention to my textbook.
“So, are we all ready for this test?” Danielle asks.
A collective groan sounds around the room.
Hours later, I’m shuffling down the hallway, headed for bed with a unsettled stomach, an all too familiar sign I’ve consumed too much caffeine today. My eyes burn—it’s a struggle to keep them open. A constant side effect of college life. I even missed the Halloween party one of Oliver’s friends threw last week, needing to catch up on sleep instead.
Allison is asleep in our room when I close the door and drop my bag at my desk before crawling under the sheets. I can’t be bothered to change out of my clothes; I imagine it’s unnatural how fast sleep pulls me under.
I don’t know how long I’m asleep before my eyes shoot open and an agony-filled scream tears its way up my throat. I clutch my chest as it burns with such a fierce pain I think I’m going to faint.
Allison is at my side in a second, having thrown herself out of bed when I started screaming.
“Aurora.” She tries to grab my wrists and pry them away from my chest, but I hold strong, groaning in pain. “What’s happening?” Her tone is frantic, but I can’t do anything. I can’t speak, not that it would matter—I have no idea what’s wrong with me.
I cry out as the sharpness claws deeper, and Allison’s eyes widen. I thrash against the sheets, and the moment my arms slip away from my chest, Allison pushes my shirt out of the way to look. When she curses, I know it’s bad.
Panic clamps down on my burning chest as I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Aurora, this is bad.” She shakes her head, her eyes flicking over my face. “I have to call him. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Don’t,” I bite out through clenched teeth. “I’m . . . fine.”
“You’re not fine,” she snaps. “You have fae poison coursing through you.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “I’ll be right back.”
My breaths are quick and short as I try to fight through the pain. My vision blurs, ebbing in and out, and I know that isn’t a good sign. I should be freaking out, but I don’t feel anything.
I close my eyes for a second; I think. They snap open when cool hands grip my shoulders, shaking gently. Tristan is kneeling at the side of my bed.
“Aurora.” His voice is soft, urgent. “You need to keep your eyes open for me, sweetheart.”
I think I manage to nod as my eyes drift shut again. Did he call me sweetheart? Maybe it’s because I feel like I’m dying, but I like the sound of it.
“Aurora,” he repeats, sharper this time, as he tilts my chin up.
Blinking a few times, I try to focus on his face. The pain in my chest is spreading.
“Are you going to help her?” I hear Allison ask.
I watch his face as his jaw tightens, and my heart sinks when he says, “I can’t.” He glances over his shoulder at her. “Not here.”
“Tristan, please.” She says in a small voice. “Whatever it takes. Please.”
I try to swallow, but my throat is too dry. He drops his hands and scoops me into his arms without any effort. His eyes meet mine for a brief moment before the room around me shifts.
I’m still shivering when Tristan’s bedroom materializes, and I grip his wrists, struggling to breathe as the weight of the situation tugs at me. He peers at me and frowns, his eyes wild and his mouth set in a thin line. He cradles me in his arms and walks over to the large four-poster bed I woke up on in my dream. When he sets me on the black silk sheets, I want to close my eyes.
Yeah, this isn’t looking good.
“Do you remember what you told me when we met?” he asks.
His question surprises me, but I try to recall that day. After thinking about it, I lift my eyes to meet his and nod.
“Tell me.”
My jaw is clenched against the pain; I don’t think I can speak. If I open my mouth, I’m afraid I’ll scream again.
“Aurora,” he says. “Tell me.”
I close my eyes and force my jaw to unclench. “I told you I wasn’t going to die here,” I say, the words slow to come out.
“And you’re not.”
My eyes open at the sound of his voice. “How?” I whisper, and my voice cracks. He sounds so sure, and yet I feel as though I’m breaking apart in front of him.
He lifts his hand and brushes the hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “I’m going to fix this. I’m going to make it better.”
I manage to nod. “Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeats.
His expression focuses as he lifts my shirt over my head. I try not to wince, but the pain is excruciating. I suck in a sharp breath when I see my chest. Black veins run under my skin, circling my stomach and disappearing under my bra, which Tristan makes no move to take off.
He presses his palm flat against my skin above my belly button, and I hold my breath, my lips pressed together. “I need you to breathe, sweetheart,” he murmurs.
Letting out a slow breath, I watch his hand shift upward. The pain fades eventually, and so do the shivers, but the black veins running under my skin remain.
“You can close your eyes now,” Tristan says in a gentle tone as he stands. “I’ll be right back.”
I watch him leave the room and wait, eyes open, until he returns to my side.
He kneels and looks at me, his expression soft. “Close your eyes.”
I shake my head. “What are you going to do?” It comes out as more of a whisper, but he hears me.
He leans forward and lifts my chin with two fingers. “I’m going to heal you. You don’t need to watch.”
My eyes narrow. “Tristan . . .”
He huffs out a breath. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He pulls out a syringe, and my entire body stiffens. “Relax. I’m saving your life.”
I watch his every move as he shrugs off his jacket and uncaps the needle. I look away as he slips the needle into his arm and fills it with his own blood.
“Aurora.”
I force myself to look at him and notice the needle is out of his arm. He holds it in his hand, waiting.
“This will cure you of the fae poison in your blood, but there could be unforeseen side effects.”
“Like?” I whisper.
“I’m not going to list them for you right now. You need this.” His voice is firm; he isn’t giving me a choice. Given the alternative involves me dying, I can’t find the will to be annoyed by that.
I close my eyes briefly before nodding. “All right,” I breathe.
He slips his free hand up my arm and grips it near my elbow. He turns it over so my palm is facing up, and when he lowers the needle, I look away again. As it pierces my skin, I flinch, and I swear I can feel his blood entering my system.
My entire body ignites with searing heat, but before I can react, the sensation is replaced by a calming, icy chill. Everything is too bright, so I close my eyes, and I shift as he withdraws the needle from my arm. Dizziness floods in, and I force my eyes open.
“It’s okay.” He sets the needle aside and faces me. “You can sleep now. This will take some time to work through your system.” He helps me back into my shirt and pulls the blankets around me.
“You keep saving me,” I mumble.
He chuckles, but it holds no amusement.
“It’s annoying.” I take a couple of deep breaths. “I don’t want to need saving.”
“Get some rest, sweetheart,” he murmurs.
Closing my eyes, I curl onto my side to get comfortable. Sleep drags me under before I can feel weird about being snuggled into Tristan’s bed.