Synergy (See #3)(9)

“I don’t mean to interrupt this lovers’ quarrel, but we have a big day in front of us,” I said, looking across him at Madison.

“You guys need to go home and stay there,” Britain said tightly.

“What’s wrong, Britain? Are you worried that your BFF is stirring up trouble?” I taunted.

“No, I’m worried about your BFF, or whatever you call him. It’s obvious he’s on the hunt.”

“Who, Silas? Why should I be scared of him? You should be the one staying home.”

“It’s not him I’m worried about; it’s who he’s hunting. Others are coming for you.”

“You sound like Monroe.”

“Call me crazy, but if I had a seer in my corner, I’d listen to her,” Britain said sarcastically.

“We’re all seers,” Madison said as she opened the passenger door.

Britain closed his eyes as he leaned back against his headrest.

“If you know something, tell me. I don’t care about anyone who’s after whatever light I am. If I were, I wouldn’t be talking to you. I want Bianca. I want to figure out where Monroe’s dad is.”

He opened his eyes as a sly smile threatened to invade his lips. “You don’t want to know where her dad is because when you see him – you’ll already be in over your head.”

Was it the entire male races goal to tick me off today? “Already there,” I said as I pushed back from his car.

Madison had walked around to his window. As she leaned in and kissed his lips, he whispered something into her ear that made her smile. She then leaned back and nodded for him to go. He hesitated for a second before he drove away.

“Aren’t you guys the cute couple?” I mocked.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Not exactly. I got Aden’s text; I guess I wasn’t the only one that saw that light this morning. I’m not going to lie: it’s never been so loud that it hurt.”

“Nope. It’s quiet now, too.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Fighting with Draven,” I mumbled, hating that she always knew when something was bothering me. I purposely blocked out the fight so she couldn’t see it. It was becoming easy to block each other. All you really had to do was focus on the moment you were in if you didn’t want someone to see where you’ve been or what’s on your mind.

“Closed door, Charlie. I can’t help you if I can’t see it.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“What did he say?” she asked, instantly taking my side.

“We’ve been told to stay out of The Realm.”

“Well, that’s nothing new. Spill it. What’s going on?”

“Bianca has a new victim. They saw her take two guys.”

“Dammit. I knew that was going to happen. Screw them. We aren’t going to let her ruin someone else’s life.”

I was pretty sure that Bianca was working on ruining hers, but I couldn’t say that. “She didn’t ruin mine; this curse did.”

“She definitely didn’t help the trust issues you and Draven have.”

“Not you, too. I trust him. He trusts me. He just doesn’t trust himself.”

“Right. And Bianca and your phantom friend had nothing to do with that.”

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to talk about Silas. “We need to pick a target. It either has to be her or where Monroe’s dad is. I’m sick of running in circles. What did Britain say about all of this? Why is he so worried?”

“I bet if we find Bianca and whoever she has, Daddy Dearest won’t be far away.”

“You may be right. Quit avoiding the Britain question.”

Madison looked down. “He said if I was willing to give my light away, to give it to him, that he could stop himself before he hurt me.”

“How sick is that?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. I couldn’t stand how Britain and the others referred to themselves, like they were predators and we were the main course.

I’d offended her. Which told me she cared more about Britain than she was letting on. “If Britain knows how to stop, then he can teach Draven.”

“Draven can’t stand him; he’s not going to take advice from him.”

“But he will take advice from Grayson and Winston? They haven’t been tested yet. I don’t care who their parents are or where – they haven’t seen or felt what Draven is going through. I’m trying to help you. Britain might be your only way for now.”

“Listen, I don’t care that you’re falling for him, but I would think that you’d make sure his intentions are genuine before you give your heart away.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I told you my heart is mine, and until I figure out The Realm, understand what it is, if it’s hiding something, what we are – I’m not falling for anyone.”

“You can’t tell your heart who to fall for and when.”

“What are you saying, Charlie? Is your heart falling for someone else?”

“NO! Seriously, don’t go there with me. I wasn’t even talking about me. I was referring to you.”

“What about me?” she asked defensively.

“That guy in your dreams. The one you sketch at least three times a day – what’s that about? Is that love?”