Torn by Christine Hughes Page B

this?” Ethan’s voice was shaky with fear. I could hear him pacing the floor and was sure he was wearing a path in the hardwood.
    “Ethan, we knew this was a possibility. With her family history and all, we know her line has spent the majority of their time following the Exiled. All we can do is inform her and educate her about the Faithful and hope she makes the right decision.”
    “I don’t like it. You should’ve seen her when I walked in. She was saying ‘no’ but her body was casting a shadow. The air around her was humming. I think it’s time we moved her. I think it’s time we join the others. Maybe they can help. If we surround ourselves with them, maybe she won’t be so impressionable.” He sighed and I could picture him rubbing his hands over his face, exasperated.
    “You might be right. Her father’s protection is wearing off. She’s been training and learning faster than we could’ve hoped but she still has difficulty controlling her gifts. She seems to still be controlled by her emotions. Now that we know what she can do, the others might be able to help us. But, honestly, Sebastian and his followers shouldn’t be able to interfere as much as they have been. She should be protected more than this.”
    “Then let’s go! Let’s take her from here and go to Jesse where she can be protected in numbers. Where she can be trained by all of us. I feel like at any minute, she’s going to slip away and there’s nothing any of us can do.”
    Their voices were muffled by the creaking floorboards of the old house as they continued to pace. I slowly cracked open my door so I could hear them better.
    “Ethan, you’re going to have to hide your feelings a little better from now on.”
    “What feelings? What’re you talking about?”
    “I’m your brother. I know what she means to you. But you can’t let that cloud your thinking. One slip and it could all be over.”
    What was he talking about? What feelings? Could Ethan really have feelings for me? That vibe I’d been feeling wasn’t just a one-sided hope? My heart jumped at the thought but the poison in Ethan’s response interrupted my fantasy.
    “You should talk, brother . I see the way you look at her. Like you’re hungry. The way you’re always around her. Always trying to soothe her. Secretly watching her when you think no one is looking.”
    “Someone has to. Let’s just remember whose side you’re on. You know it would never work.”
    Could Lucas see the tension between us?
    There was silence for a minute. I didn’t want to hear the rest but I was rooted to the floor. Then the air was filled with anger as Ethan spoke again.
    “I was brought to your family as a child, Lucas. I may have been born into darkness but all I’ve ever known is light. I’ve been one of the Faithful ever since your father agreed to take me in. I’ve more than proved myself to you, to everyone. I’m tired of constantly having to show everyone which side I’m on. I’ve been more of an ally to both of you than you’ve ever known. Don’t you dare throw circumstances that have always been out of my control in my face again. ”
    What? Did I hear that right? I was frozen by Ethan’s cold and deliberate words and a cloud of confusion shrouded me. Ethan and Lucas weren’t actually brothers? What the hell was going on? Ethan was born an Exiled? What other secrets had they been keeping from me?
    “Or what, Ethan?”
    “Lucas, use your head. You’ve no idea what you’re insinuating.”
    “Yeah, well, I just think it’s funny how they’re getting closer to her. They’re getting inside her head, and you never seem to be able to do anything about it when the shit goes down. You don’t seem to know how to do your job.”
    “What’re you saying, Lucas?”
    “Nothing. Nothing.” Exasperation filled Lucas’ words. “You’re right. Let’s just get her out of here.” He sighed. “This arrangement isn’t working. We need to go and be with the others.