I just hoped Dom would be able to talk to them soon and explain all the craziness, and without anyone from the outside finding out. I hoped Lucifer didn’t really have the threat of eyes and ears everywhere, like he threatened me with. I was afraid one of his goons would hear about my trip to Midway. All I could do was pray it would all blow over soon.
AFTER LUNCH, KADE WALKED ME back upstairs. “What are your plans? Not that there’s tons to do.”
“I actually promised to watch a movie with Courtney. Wanna come?” I asked, batting my eyes.
“No, thanks. I’ll pass,” he said, scrunching his nose and running his fingers through his hair. I didn’t blame him. “I’ll probably head over to the cabin and play some chess with the guys. It seems Samuel is the reigning King and needs to be dethroned.” He smiled, making my heart pitter-patter.
“Alright, Mr. Dethroner. I’ll see you later.”
I smiled at him, he smiled back, and the world seemed to pause around us. No one made a move; no one took a first step. We just stood there, frozen, staring at each other. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his. The color was like none I’d ever seen before. He was wearing black, which seemed to make them pop even more. Specks of yellow swirled within the blue and green. It was mesmerizing.
“Awkward,” Caleb exasperated, as he passed by us. We were so into each other we didn’t even notice him leave his room.
I laughed and blushed, then looked down to break the connection.
“Since we can’t leave the house, how about I show something you haven’t seen before? Alaine would want you to know anyway. It’s a secret tunnel that leads through the house. Maybe we can get lost for a bit,” he said softly, his fingers brushing lightly across my hand.
“I’d like that,” I said, not able to turn him down.
“Alright, after dinner,” he said with a crooked grin.
“Wait.” A thought of fear shot through me. “The Darkling can’t get into this secret tunnel, can they?”
“No. It’s completely Darkling and Fallen safe. You’ll see.” He winked, making my knees weak.
“Good to know.” I exhaled in relief. I knew I shouldn’t be putting myself in a position of getting any closer to him, but I couldn’t resist. There was no way for me to say no. Not to him.
Plus, we were prisoners here, housed under the same roof. How the hell were we supposed to stay away from each other when his room was less than a football field away from me?
Yeah. Impossible.
“Alright, dinner and a tour,” he said, turning and walking away.
“I’ll be there!” I said, on my way up to my room. As soon as I took the turn, Courtney’s head was peering at me from her room down the hall.
“Are you coming?” she asked.
“Aren’t you hungry? I didn’t see you at lunch.”
“That’s because I went down earlier and raided the kitchen. Miss Lily gave me food and snacks.”
“Sounds great. Let me go and change into something a little more comfortable and I’ll be right over.”
“Alright. You don’t have to knock. Just come in,” she said, disappearing into her room.
I ducked into my room and headed for my dresser. It was a little chilly inside, so I decided to put on some sweat pants and a sweatshirt. When I opened my drawer, I noticed there were a few new hoodies. They must have been from Alaine. I pulled the first one out. It was grey with Hidden Wings written in a fancy font with feathers falling around it. It was so cool, and totally true for the new world I was living in. All the angels and Fallen did have hidden wings. I wondered if it was a premonition. Would I have hidden wings one day? I guess I’d have to wait five months to find out.
I took in a deep breath and exhaled. The thought was ridiculous.
Slipping into my sweatpants and new hoodie, I headed toward Courtney’s room and pushed the door open. The floor was covered with pillows, popcorn, licorice, gummy bears, lemon heads, peppermints, and even an apple.
She smiled as my eyes caught sight of the apple. “That’s in case you get another healthy craving. I wouldn’t want you to leave and get lost on your way to the kitchen again. See, I thought of everything,” she said slyly.
I laughed. “Yes, you have. But…I don’t know. That apple I came back with the last time was pretty darn sweet,” I grinned.
She rolled her eyes. “Should I go ask the sweet apple if he wants to come join us?”
“I already did and he politely declined. He needs to dethrone the King chess player in the cottage.”
“Wha—?” she asked with a scrunched up nose.