Deity (Covenant #3)(31)

His head snapped up, eyes a furious shade of ocher. Like a lion that’d been cornered, caught between wanting to run and attack. “I missed you, Alex. That’s why. And I’m going to miss you. Did that ever cross your mind?”

Oh, oh gods. Guilt brought a hot flush to my face. That hadn’t even crossed my mind. I felt like the worst kind of bitch.

A moment passed and something flared in his eyes. “It’s Aiden, isn’t it?”

My heart tripped over itself. “What?”

“It’s always about Aiden.” He laughed, but there was no humor there.

This wasn’t about Aiden—had nothing to do with him. It was about Seth and me, but before I could even say a word, Seth looked away.

“I guess I’ll see you when I get back.” He started toward the doorway. “Just… just be careful.”

“Crap,” I muttered. I darted around the bed, blocking the door. “Seth—”

“Get out of the way, Alex.”

His words irked me, but I took a deep breath. “Look, this whole marking and Awakening thing freaks me out. You know that, but… but I shouldn’t have accused you.”

There was no change in his expression. “No, you shouldn’t have.”

“And this has nothing to do with Aiden.” It didn’t, or at least that’s what I kept telling myself as I grabbed his free hand, and he flinched. “I’m sorry, Seth.”

He stared behind me, lips thin.

“I really am sorry.” I let go of his hand and placed my head against his chest. Carefully, I wrapped my arms around him. “I just don’t want to become someone else.”

Seth inhaled sharply. “Alex…”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Bond or no bond, I did care about him. He was important to me and maybe there was more to how I felt about him than what the bond was making me feel. Maybe it was just that I cared for him like I’d cared for Caleb. Either way, I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

He dropped his shoes and swept his arms around me. “You drive me crazy.”

“I know.” I smiled. “The feeling is mutual.”

He laughed and then brushed his lips over my forehead. “Come on.” He started pulling me back to the bed.

I stalled a little. Not hurting his feelings did not equal me ending up with a mark on the back of my neck.

Seth dropped down, tugging me forward. “To sleep, Alex. Nothing more… unless…” His gaze dropped to my tank top. “You know, you should wear that more often. It leaves very little to the imagination, which is something I like.”

Flushing to the roots of my hair, I quickly climbed over him and pulled the covers up to my chin. Seth laughed as he lay down. He threw an arm around my waist, snuggling close. His breathing was steady. Nothing like mine, which seemed to be racing my heartbeat. And he was smiling easily, as if we hadn’t just argued.

“You’re such a perv,” I said for the hundredth time.

“You’ve called me worse.”

And I had a feeling I probably would in the future, too.

Chapter 9

“WOW. LOOK WHO’S SMILING. THE WORLD IS GOING TO end.” Two silvery eyes peeked out behind a mop of curly blond hair, and Deacon St. Delphi smirked as he dropped into the seat beside me. “How’s it going, my favorite half-blood?”

“Good.” I glanced down at my textbook, lips pursed. “Sorry I haven’t been real chatty.”

He leaned over, nudging me in the side. “I understand.”

Deacon did. That’s probably why he hadn’t pressured me into talking with him since I’d been back. He’d just sat beside me in class, not saying a word. I hadn’t realized he’d been waiting for me to come around.

I glanced at him again. That’s the thing about Deacon. Everyone, including Aiden, saw him as a lazy party-boy who didn’t pay attention to anything, but he was far more observant than anyone gave him credit for. He’d had a real hard time growing up without his parents, and I think he was finally coming out of the “party-boy who doesn’t care about anything” stage.

“Are you doing anything for winter break?”

He rolled his eyes. “That would require Aiden taking time off, since he won’t let me off this island without him. He’s been super-paranoid ever since the whole thing in the Catskills. I think he’s expecting daimons or furies to drop in here any minute.”

I cringed. “Sorry.”

“Whatever,” he replied. “It’s not your fault. So I’m not going to be doing anything exciting. I hear my esteemed older brother is playing guard for you.”

I rolled my eyes.

“You know, I overheard him and the Dean talking when he visited the house.”

“What house? Aiden’s cabin?”

Deacon arched a brow. “No, like the house.” He saw my dumbfounded look and took pity on me. “Our parents’ house? Well, it’s really Aiden’s house now. It’s on the other side of the Island, near Zarak’s.”

I had no idea that there was another house. I’d just assumed that Aiden had the cabin and Deacon stayed in the dorm. Come to think of it, why in the hell was Aiden living in that tiny shack if he owned one of those huge, opulent houses on the main island?