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He shakes his head. “My father is following the Council’s rules to the letter, and with these kinds of interrogations, nobody involved is allowed to share any information. Not even about the number of interrogators.”
“Great,” I mutter. “Anyway, I guess at least some of the Fabricis will be there.”
“We can assume so,” Ayden agrees. “And if the Fabricis are there, then the Montrells will insist on being present too. They’re always competing with each other. Those families never miss the opportunity to gain an advantage over the other.”
“For example, exposing the fact that one of the Fabrici sons has been organizing illegal key spirit fights and using other people’s spirits to enhance his own spirit’s powers?”
There’s that incredibly attractive smile again. Ayden leans in the doorway. I ask myself honestly, how can that pose look so sexy? And at the same time, I warn myself to banish that thought as fast as possible.
“They’ll question us together,” he continues. “So I’ll be with you the whole time. I won’t leave you alone.”
My heart starts hammering, especially when I see the fiery look in his eyes. My mouth is dry, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at him. Apparently, it’s the same for him. His lips part slightly, as if he’s about to say something, and I can’t tear my eyes off them. I’m reminded of how those lips feel, how they taste.
“I’ll be fine,” I babble, trying to redirect my attention. “They can’t hold us responsible for Alessandro’s death. They have no proof that our story’s not true.” At least, that’s the hope that I’m clinging to.
Ayden nods, and it feels like he’s moved a little closer to me. I can feel his body heat, and I get a whiff of his scent. So alluring and familiar.
Suddenly, he flinches, and his expression changes. It’s as if he’s just woken from a dream. “Uh… I guess I should be going. See you tomorrow,” he says, avoiding my eye and returning to his room. Bemused, I watch him go, and then I’m jolted back to reality by my phone ringing.
It’s Noah. I’m so happy to hear from him again. “Hey, thanks for calling. How are you doing?”
“That’s what I was about to ask you,” he replies. “Any news?”
“I’m trying to settle back into my school routine. But it’s not easy. A few things are giving me headaches right now: Kate’s prophecy, our search for the library. And what was the deal with Patricia and my great aunt? Then there’s Ayden – worrying about him has taken up most of my headspace lately. He was discharged today, and he’s back on his feet. But now I have this pending interrogation by the Council, and I have a bad feeling about it. I don’t know, I can’t put my finger on it.”
“So Ayden’s back in school,” Noah echoes. “Have you talked to him?”
I take a deep breath and consider how to answer this. “We talked, but it’s not how you think. Sure, part of me still needs to let go of him, but it’s over between us. He already made that pretty clear, and his recent brush with death didn’t change that. I want to try and make a fresh start, and I guess you’re right – I just need time.”
“If you say so,” Noah says doubtfully. “I think you’re underestimating his feelings for you. But that’s your business.” His voice sounds a little sharp, or am I imagining it? Anyway, I’ve never heard him use this tone before.
“That comb you found at Alessandro’s – we should look into that next. It’s time we made some progress with the whole library mystery.”
“Yeah, we should focus on that in the next few days. The interrogation is tomorrow, but I can make time after that.”
“I doubt the Fabricis will want this investigated too thoroughly,” says Noah. “They’ll be trying to preserve their reputation. Although it wouldn’t surprise me if they try to pin the blame on someone. You’d make a good scapegoat.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Do you seriously think I’d let that happen?”
He sighs. “I know you can defend yourself. But you have some powerful enemies. If they want to pin something on you, they will.”
“They have no proof.”
“They don’t need any,” Noah points out.
“I don’t think much of the Council, but some of its members are kind and trustworthy, like Mr. Cunningham. Although I don’t blame you for not trusting any of them…”
“And neither should you,” he interrupts angrily. “You have no idea what they’re capable of.”
“Uh, and it’s different with the Noctu or what?” I ask.
“They wouldn’t do a thing like that. They’d have your back.”
“The way they did with Frances’ brother, who ended up as an ovlem condemned to wander the Odyss alone? His family disowned their own son, and that’s the reason Frances had to go to such extremes. She died because her parents only cared about their reputation. Sound familiar? The Tempes and the Noctu aren’t so different.”
“Sure, they made a mistake…”
“Are you seriously defending them?”
