arguing. I’m not going to let you risk your life.”
“We take risks like all the time. This isn’t any different.”
“Taking on”—he lowers his voice as he slips his hand into his pocket, retrieving his phone—“Anastasiya … You’ll get yourself killed.” He punches a few buttons on his phone. “We’ll find another way to keep you from moving, okay?”
So much for proving I’m a badass. Texting for backup means a ton of Keepers are going to show up soon and take over the situation.
“They’ll still let you help,” he tries to reassure me.
I force a smile. “Yeah, maybe.”
He’s wrong, though. Since my parents hold high status in the Keepers’ circle, everyone knows me, knows that I don’t have my mark yet, and I’m not supposed to be working any jobs.
He stuffs the phone into his back pocket of his pants. “They’re on their way. I have to stick around until they get here … Do you want to go home?”
I shake my head as we start to dance again. “No, but are my parents included in the ‘they’?”
He stares at something over my shoulder. “I don’t think so.”
“I hope not or my ass is going to get grounded. Then I won’t get to see you before I move away.” I swallow the lump wedged in my throat.
I know I’m acting like a baby, but the idea of moving away from my family, from Jayse, from the life I’ve always known is killing me. I thought tonight would at least give me a chance at being able to stay. Now that chance is rapidly slipping away from me.
Tonight wasn’t supposed to go down like this. Usually, Jayse goes along with my plans, even if they’re dangerous. Lately, though, he’s acting more responsibly. I blame it on the mark. It changed him, made him like every other Keeper.
The day he got his mark, I felt like I lost my best friend. Sure, I still love Jayse to death and I’d do anything for him, but I can feel a wall between us, dividing how we view situations.
I miss my old best friend who said to hell with everything and held my hand as we jumped blindly into danger.
If only the stupid mark would just appear! Then shit could go back to normal.
As if reading my mind, the back of my neck begins to burn, like a tattoo needle buzzing away, inking my flesh. This has to be it—my mark appearing! Of course, I need to go check before I declare it since I’ve had more than a handful of false alarms.
“I have to go to the bathroom!” I shout to Jayse over the music.
He glances at the clock then shoots me a dubious look. “It’s almost midnight. Are you sure you’re not just trying to sneak off to the roof?”
I press my hand to my chest, mocking offense. “You think I’d lie to my best friend?”
He gives me a blank stare. “Do I really need to answer that?”
“Oh, fine, but I only lie to you when I’m trying to protect you.” I back away from him with my elbows out, making a path through the throng. “I’m not lying, though. I really do need to pee.” I smile sweetly at a guy with glittery gold hair who shoots me a disgusted look. “What? Don’t pretend like you don’t do it, too.”
He actually might not, depending on what he is. With the crazy hair and shimmering skin, my bet is a Pixie.
The Pixie in question rolls his eyes then turns back to the woman with snow-white hair that he’s dancing with.
I smile proudly at Jayse. “See? I know how to ease over situations.”
He fights back a grin. “Go to the bathroom and meet me at the bar when you’re done.”
I spin around and squeeze through the sweaty bodies, making my way to the back of the club. As I pass by a freakishly tall, very well built guy with jet-black hair, he grabs my waist and tries to grind himself all up in my business. The skin-to-skin contact from his palm creeping up the front of my shirt makes me gag.
I push him away, jabbing my shoulder into his chest. “Dude, I’m not into vampires. Sorry.”
He flashes me his fangs. “I bet I can change your mind,”
“We take risks like all the time. This isn’t any different.”
“Taking on”—he lowers his voice as he slips his hand into his pocket, retrieving his phone—“Anastasiya … You’ll get yourself killed.” He punches a few buttons on his phone. “We’ll find another way to keep you from moving, okay?”
So much for proving I’m a badass. Texting for backup means a ton of Keepers are going to show up soon and take over the situation.
“They’ll still let you help,” he tries to reassure me.
I force a smile. “Yeah, maybe.”
He’s wrong, though. Since my parents hold high status in the Keepers’ circle, everyone knows me, knows that I don’t have my mark yet, and I’m not supposed to be working any jobs.
He stuffs the phone into his back pocket of his pants. “They’re on their way. I have to stick around until they get here … Do you want to go home?”
I shake my head as we start to dance again. “No, but are my parents included in the ‘they’?”
He stares at something over my shoulder. “I don’t think so.”
“I hope not or my ass is going to get grounded. Then I won’t get to see you before I move away.” I swallow the lump wedged in my throat.
I know I’m acting like a baby, but the idea of moving away from my family, from Jayse, from the life I’ve always known is killing me. I thought tonight would at least give me a chance at being able to stay. Now that chance is rapidly slipping away from me.
Tonight wasn’t supposed to go down like this. Usually, Jayse goes along with my plans, even if they’re dangerous. Lately, though, he’s acting more responsibly. I blame it on the mark. It changed him, made him like every other Keeper.
The day he got his mark, I felt like I lost my best friend. Sure, I still love Jayse to death and I’d do anything for him, but I can feel a wall between us, dividing how we view situations.
I miss my old best friend who said to hell with everything and held my hand as we jumped blindly into danger.
If only the stupid mark would just appear! Then shit could go back to normal.
As if reading my mind, the back of my neck begins to burn, like a tattoo needle buzzing away, inking my flesh. This has to be it—my mark appearing! Of course, I need to go check before I declare it since I’ve had more than a handful of false alarms.
“I have to go to the bathroom!” I shout to Jayse over the music.
He glances at the clock then shoots me a dubious look. “It’s almost midnight. Are you sure you’re not just trying to sneak off to the roof?”
I press my hand to my chest, mocking offense. “You think I’d lie to my best friend?”
He gives me a blank stare. “Do I really need to answer that?”
“Oh, fine, but I only lie to you when I’m trying to protect you.” I back away from him with my elbows out, making a path through the throng. “I’m not lying, though. I really do need to pee.” I smile sweetly at a guy with glittery gold hair who shoots me a disgusted look. “What? Don’t pretend like you don’t do it, too.”
He actually might not, depending on what he is. With the crazy hair and shimmering skin, my bet is a Pixie.
The Pixie in question rolls his eyes then turns back to the woman with snow-white hair that he’s dancing with.
I smile proudly at Jayse. “See? I know how to ease over situations.”
He fights back a grin. “Go to the bathroom and meet me at the bar when you’re done.”
I spin around and squeeze through the sweaty bodies, making my way to the back of the club. As I pass by a freakishly tall, very well built guy with jet-black hair, he grabs my waist and tries to grind himself all up in my business. The skin-to-skin contact from his palm creeping up the front of my shirt makes me gag.
I push him away, jabbing my shoulder into his chest. “Dude, I’m not into vampires. Sorry.”
He flashes me his fangs. “I bet I can change your mind,”
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