“These arms are yours, and hugs will always be free.” His crooked grin made my heart swell.
“Well, that’s a good thing because I think I’ll need a lot more of them in the near future.”
“Just speak the word, and I’ll be there,” he said, then placed his fingers on my chin and steadied our eyes on each other. “And if you ever need me, don’t hesitate to ask. Alright?”
“Alright,” I answered.
“Sleep sweet, my Emma,” he breathed, kissing my forehead before letting me go.
“Sleep sweet,” I returned.
Thomas walked me back to my room, and put a movie on the laptop as he made his bed on the floor. I rolled up the super suit as I was getting ready to shower, tucking it into my pajamas before I carried it into the bathroom. Thankfully, Thomas was too preoccupied to notice.
I stood in the shower, letting the hot water pound down on top of my head, hoping it would numb the growing pain.
Am I doing the right thing going with Ethon?
If I didn’t go, it was possible things could quickly turn south. Lucifer had to believe that no one knew about his plan. I still didn’t know how connected Ethon really was with his father, and really didn’t want to find out.
I needed Ethon and Lucifer to believe I was still going ahead with the plan, and was intent to seal the bond between us. If either of them found out anyone knew about the plan, it would mean the deal was off. Then I, along with everyone in this house, was as good as dead. It terrified me, and was why I needed to see him. I wasn’t going to risk any lives in this house.
AFTER MY SHOWER, I SLIPPED into the super suit and then threw on my pajamas. The top part of the suit was sticking out from the collar, but I doubted Thomas would notice. Just to be sure, I brushed my long, damp hair over it.
When I exited the bathroom, he was lying on the ground half-asleep, watching some movie I’d never seen.
“Do you mind if I turn in early?” I asked.
It was actually already ten, and not very early. But this way I had two hours for him to fall asleep.
“Not at all. I was just about to crash. Don’t forget your earplugs.”
I pulled open the drawer and reached in. “Got them,” I said, waving them in the air.
“Perfect. And don’t worry, I’ve got mine… just in case,” he winked.
“Good night, Thomas,” I said, then clicked off the light.
“Good night, Emma,” he answered.
I rolled over and pulled the blanket over me, pretending to go to sleep. My stomach twisted, and my pulse raced as I watched the clock, trying to lay as still as possible. It took an hour and twenty-two minutes before Thomas fell asleep. I knew because his breathing became heavy and loud. He didn’t snore, but I could tell he wasn’t awake.
When the clock turned to 11:50pm, I slowly pushed the blanket off and sat up. The bed creaked, making Thomas snort, but he rolled over and quickly fell back to sleep.
Slowly, I stood from the bed trying to keep my breath even and my legs from shaking. I quietly tiptoed past him and he didn’t move.
I had this.
I was a few steps from the door when something grabbed my leg. I threw my hand over my mouth and screamed.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Thomas,” I quietly scolded, then sighed.
Dammit. He was good.
“Where?” he questioned again with a look of exasperation.
“Thomas, listen to me. I need to leave for a bit, but I’ll be back.”
“Where?” he pressed in a deeper, non-friendly tone. His hand was still locked tightly around my ankle.
“I have to talk to Ethon,” I finally sighed.
“Oh, hell no,” he said, sitting up. “You are not leaving this house, especially with that demon.”
“I have to. I need to find answers only he can give, and if I don’t talk to him and make him believe I’m still moving forward with our bonding, bad things will happen to everyone here,” I whispered.
“It’s too dangerous. Why do you think Alaine wanted you protected at all times? They all know you’re going to transform soon. They’re watching and waiting.”
“That’s exactly why I need to go. We’ve been bonded, so you know he won’t hurt me. He wants to protect me too, and you know he can outrun any of the Fallen.”
“I will be tortured and killed by Alaine if she ever finds out you left—”
“She won’t,” I cut in. “I promise. I’ll be back before anyone wakes up. Please, Thomas. It’s imperative I talk to him. Like a matter of life or death. It’s for all of us.”
“I don’t like this, Emma.”
“Thomas, you have to trust me.”