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I look at Kate with raised eyebrows because I have no doubts as far as that’s concerned. And that’s the main reason I assume they really are siblings: Kate has never been wrong before. Why should it be any different this time?
“I expect Noah will bring it up with his parents and insist on answers. If something doesn’t add up, he’ll notice.”
Kate’s about to say something when suddenly, we hear excited shouts. We’re near the entrance door, and dozens of students are streaming toward it. And I realize why even before I see who’s coming through the door.
“Ayden,” I mutter. “He’s been discharged.”
As he enters the building, the students swarm around him, patting him on the back or giving him quick hugs. Obviously, they’ve all heard the news about a fight against the Noctu in which the son of one of the most prominent Council families was killed. And Ayden was critically injured, so it makes sense that they’re greeting him so effusively – they’re just glad that he made it. But with me, they keep their distance. I guess they don’t understand how I could have gotten mixed up in a fight like that, especially since it’s not the first time. Plus, I’m no hunter, so I don’t have the same superstar status.
Ayden exchanges a few words with his friends while his father patiently stands off to the side. Then Mr. Collins lifts his head, looks across the crowd, and spots me. His expression suddenly becomes deadly serious, which tells me I have something else coming my way.
Ayden continues talking to the other students. Among them I see Brad and James, who Ayden hangs out with now and then. He laughs. It’s so heart-warming to see this that a smile steals across my face too. Right at that moment, his eyes wander in my direction, and their expression changes. It becomes darker, more intense. My pulse accelerates, and for a moment, that look in his eyes – which I feel even more than I see it – sweeps every other thought out of my head. When he excuses himself from the others and makes his way over to me, it sets off the perfect emotional storm.
“So you’ve been discharged,” I say unnecessarily.
“Yeah, finally. I couldn’t stand it in their much longer.”
“How do you feel?”
“Pretty good now,” he replies with a smile that I can’t quite interpret. “Thanks again for staying at my bedside for so long.”
“I was more than happy to. I was so scared for you, so I wouldn’t have had a moment of peace anyway,” I admit.
He’s still looking at me, and there’s something in his expression, something familiar but different. Determined, fierce.
“Yes, it was very good of you,” another voice chimes in, and that’s when I remember that Mr. Collins is standing a few feet away from us. “But it should never have come to this in the first place. One hunter critically injured and another one killed – the son of a prominent Council family. This fight urgently needs to be investigated. A few Council members will be gathering soon to conduct an interrogation. You’ll be expected to make a statement too,” he says in a somber tone that leaves no doubt that this is not a request. It’s an order, and I’m expected to follow it.
“I’ll be there,” says Ayden. “I was invited too.”
I guess the way he stresses the word means he wasn’t given a choice either. That reassures me that they’re not simply trying to pin Alessandro’s death on me.
“We did nothing wrong, so there’s nothing to worry about.” He flashes me a reassuring smile.
“Of course you didn’t,” says his father. “Nobody doubts your actions.”
His implied accusation regarding my involvement hangs in the air. And my momentary feeling of relief evaporates.
“Anyway,” Mr. Collins continues, “the interrogation will most likely take place tomorrow. Since there will be a number of Council members in attendance, we’ll hold it in one of the sports halls where there’s more space.”
I just nod. What choice do I have?
Mr. Collins’ expression is still severe. I have the feeling that for some reason, he blames me for Alessandro’s death and Ayden’s injuries.
“Well, now you know. See you tomorrow.”
Ayden shoots me a look of encouragement as he walks past me with his father.
It looks as if I have a long evening ahead of me, and probably a long night too, because I’m sure as hell not going into that situation unprepared.
It’s evening, and I’m sitting at my desk, thinking about tomorrow’s interrogation. I try to anticipate which questions the Council might put to me, note them down, and consider the best way to answer them. I have to keep Noah and Frances out of the equation because if I don’t, it’ll just make the whole situation worse for me and Ayden. Once again, I’m fabricating another web of lies, which I hope will stand up to the Council’s questioning.
There’s a knock at the door, and I turn around in surprise. It’s nine o’clock – too late for official visitors. Kate probably wants to talk to me again and give me some words of encouragement.
But when I open the door, I find myself face-to-face not with my best friend but with Ayden. I can’t disguise my surprise. I stare at him and probably look like a total moron. His amused smirk confirms this.
“I just wanted to see how you’re doing?” he says.
“Right now, I’m wrecking my head trying to predict what questions the Council will ask me tomorrow, and the best way to answer them.” I take a deep breath. “Has anyone told you who’s going to be there?”
