## Chapter 7 I took a step back, an involuntary reaction to the boy’s presence. I had never laid eyes on him before, yet there was something in the depths of his gaze and the defined contours of his face that stirred a flicker of familiarity within me. "What do we have here?" he drawled, a lazy grin spreading across his lips. "A half eager to make my acquaintance?" He glanced at the girl standing behind him, then returned his gaze to me, teasing amusement dancing in his eyes. “Oh, well… I thought you were someone else. Sorry,” I stuttered, somewhat flustered. His smile widened, amusement flickering in those striking eyes. “I guess I was being presumptuous, wasn’t I?” I couldn’t hold back a grin. “Yes, you were.” "But weren't you being presumptuous by assuming I was someone else? Does it really matter?" he countered, a playful challenge lacing his tone. I shook my head, feeling the bizarre chemistry between us. “Well, I should introduce myself.” He took a step closer, making an exaggerated show of bowing—literally bending at the waist with flourish. “I’m Deacon St. Delphi, and you are?” My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Of course, I should have known the minute our eyes met. Those eyes were almost identical to Aiden’s. Deacon’s lips curled into that smug grin of his. “I see you’ve heard of me.” “Yeah, I know your brother,” I replied, my heart quickening. His eyebrows shot up. “My perfect brother knows a half-blood? Interesting. What’s your name?” Clearly perturbed by the lack of attention, the girl behind him huffed and sidled past us. I followed her gaze momentarily, but Deacon didn’t spare her a glance. “My name’s Alexandria Andros, but—” “But everyone calls you Alex,” he interjected, and I could hear the faint hint of recognition in his voice. “Yes, I’ve heard of you too.” I took a sip of my drink, eyeing him carefully over the rim of the cup. “Well, then. I’m afraid to ask.” He strolled over to the counter, picked up a bottle, and took a hearty swig, leaning casually against the edge. “You’re the one my brother spent months chasing after and is now stuck with for training.” My smile faltered at his words. “Stuck with?” He chuckled, dangling the bottle from his fingers like a toy. “Not that I’d mind being stuck with you, but my brother… well, he tends to enjoy very little in life. Take me, for example. He spends all his free time making sure I’m acting like a respectable pure instead of enjoying myself. Now… he’ll spend all his time making sure you behave.” That made little sense to me. “I don’t think your brother is very fond of me at the moment.” “I doubt that,” he said, offering me the bottle. I shook my head, declining his offer. He poured himself another drink instead, his smile bold and unrepentant. “I’m sure my brother is very fond of you.” “Why would you—” Setting the bottle aside, he lifted a glass and touched a finger to its rim. Instantly, flames danced around the glass before he blew them out and downed the drink in one go. Another firestarter; it was a trait I should have seen coming. Pure bloodlines tended to carry affinities toward certain elements. “Why would I think that?” he asked, leaning in a little closer, as if about to divulge a great secret. “Because I know my brother. He wouldn't volunteer to catch any old half-blood up to speed. He’s not the most patient of people.” I frowned, the unclouded image of Aiden entering my mind. “He’s pretty damn patient with me.” Except today, but that was a detail I would keep to myself. Deacon shot me a knowing look. “Need I say more?” “I guess not.” He found that equally amusing, wrapping one arm around my shoulders as he led me toward the porch, steering me directly into the path of Lea and Elena, the girl I had met in the lounge on my first day back. The sole reason I remembered Elena’s name was her extraordinarily short haircut. I sighed dramatically. Deacon glanced sideways at me. “Friends of yours?” “Not really,” I muttered, eyeing them warily. “Hey, redhead,” he teased as he passed by. “Looking good.” I had to admit, Lea looked stunning in her slinky red dress that clung to every curve. She was pure hotness—but her attitude? A complete and utter disaster. Her gaze skimmed over me before landing on Deacon’s arm, still draped over my shoulder. “Oh gods, please tell me you’ve spilled a drink on your shirt and are temporarily hiding the stain walking with her. Because Deacon, I’d rather floss my teeth with a daimon’s back hair than parade a growth like that around.” Deacon raised his brows knowingly. “Guess you were right about the ‘not really friends’ thing.” I shot him a flat look. He turned his dazzling smile on Lea, dimples ever so charming, which made me think Aiden would have looked the same if he ever truly smiled. “You have such a pretty mouth for such ugly words.” Lea flirted back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’ve never cared about how I’ve used my mouth before, Deacon.” I gaped at him, feeling my face heat at his audacity. “Oh… wow.” His lips curved into a half-smirk, yet he chose not to respond, much to my bewilderment. I slipped away from his proximity and tugged Caleb back onto the sprawling porch. Fortunately, it wasn't too crowded at that moment. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Lea and Deacon retreating further into the room. “Okay. Did I miss something while I was gone?” I asked Caleb, intrigued. His expression scrunched up as he contemplated my words. “What are you talking about?” “Are Lea and Deacon messing around?” He burst out laughing, the kind of laughter that clanged in my ears. “No, but they like to talk a lot of smack.” “Don’t laugh at me. What if people thought they were? Lea could get into some serious trouble.” “They’re not messing around, Alex. Lea’s stupid, but not that stupid. Even with all their attempts to change the Breed Order laws, no half here is willingly going to fool around with a pure.” “They’re changing the Breed Order?” I echoed, biting back my excitement. “Trying is the key word. Succeeding is a totally different story.” Caleb’s wide-eyed expression met another unexpected voice from behind us, making both of us jump. Kain Poros sat casually on the edge of the railing, clad in Covenant fatigues. “What are you doing here?” “Babysitting,” Kain grumbled, looking overly rugged and rough. “And I don't care what you’re drinking, so stop looking for a place to dump your cup.” After I got over the shock of his nonchalant attitude towards underage drinking, I grinned. “So they’re trying to change the Breed Order, huh?” “Yep, but it’s meeting a lot of resistance.” Kain’s gaze narrowed on a half-blood getting a tad too close to the bonfire someone decided to ignite. “Hey! Yes! You! Get the hell back now.” Caleb discreetly placed his cup down behind my back, and I rolled my eyes. “I hate that they even call it the Breed Order. It sounds so ridiculous.” “I have to agree,” Kain affirmed. “But that’s what they’ve always called it.” A small crowd started to gather around us, undoubtedly intrigued by our conversation. “Will someone please fill me in on what the hell they’re trying to change?” I pressed. “A petition to remove the order against the two breeds mixing,” a boy with closely cropped brown hair chimed in, smirking as if this whole idea was the dumbest thing he ever heard. “A petition to allow halfs and pures to mix?” My eyes widened in disbelief. “What brought this on?” He snorted dismissively. “Don’t look too hopeful there. It’s not just allowing halfs and pures to mix they’re pushing for. The Council isn’t going to go against the gods, and they sure as hell aren’t going to allow halfs on the Council. It’s nothing to get excited about.” The desire to hurl my drink at his face simmered under my skin, but I knew Kain wouldn’t support that. “Who are you?” I demanded, my irritation rising. His sharp gaze hardened on me. “Shouldn't I be asking that question, half-blood?” Caleb intervened before I could respond. “His name is Cody Hale.” Ignoring Caleb, I scowled at the pure before me. “Should I know who you are?” “Knock it off, Alex.” Kain nudged me, effectively reminding me of my low status in this hierarchy. If Cody said jump, I’d have to ask how high. Mouthing off at a pure was never a good idea. “Anyway, I overheard Council members discussing this. The halfs from the Tennessee Covenant have a strong following. They’re petitioning to be on the Council.” “I doubt they’ll get anywhere,” Caleb remarked, crossing his arms. “We don’t know,” Kain replied with a hint of optimism. “There’s a good chance the Council will hear them in November, and maybe even agree.” My brows shot up. “When did this all come about?” “About a year ago,” Kain said with a casual shrug. “It’s been picking up momentum. Even the South Dakota Covenant is getting involved. It’s about time, too.” “What about here and New York?” I pressed, hoping for any signs of change. Caleb chuckled dryly. “Alex, the North Carolina branch still exits in ancient Greek times. With the main Council located in New York, they’re going to cling to the old rules and rites. Upstate is an entirely different world. It’s brutal there.” “If there’s such a huge movement, why are Hector and Kelia in so much trouble?” I frowned, recalling Caleb’s earlier words about their plight. “Because nothing has passed, and I think our Ministers are looking to make an example out of them.” Kain’s jaw tightened heavily, a storm of emotions flickering behind his eyes. “Yeah, a way to remind us of where we belong and what happens when we don’t follow the rules.” Jackson propelled himself through the growing crowd, flashing a grin, even though his words were laced with a grim reality. “For the love of the gods,” Kain snapped, twisting around. He strode off the porch as two halfs huddled together, tinkering with a dune buggy. “You two better not even be within a mile of that thing by the time I get over there.” Our earlier chat about the petition dwindled, laughter replacing it as more plastic cups circulated through the gathering. Apparently, political discussions were only socially acceptable before the third cup. I still mulled over the implications of the Breed Order when Jackson dropped onto the swing next to me. I tilted my head back, loving the warm breeze that coaxed my cheeks. “Hey,” I greeted him with a smile. “Have you seen Lea?” he questioned, his demeanor charming. “Who hasn’t?” I giggled, finding amusement in the ridiculousness of it all. He didn’t share in the humor; instead, the slight shift in his posture caught me off guard, prompting a flash of warmth down my arm as he gently brushed his finger against my skin. “What’s going on between you two, anyways?” It was complicated. Lea and I had always been like oil and water; aggressive, confrontational, and undeniably awesome. But there was something deeper I couldn’t quite grasp. I shrugged, playing it cool. “Who knows?” Zarak finally made an appearance, practically glowing with excitement at seeing me. Thanks to him and Cody, everyone suddenly buzzed with a new idea: using mommy and daddy’s Porsches to head down to Myrtle Beach. I’d lost track of Caleb while wrapped up in Jackson's presence, and discreetly tucked my nearly empty plastic cup behind the swing. I was in the throes of a merry buzz but could easily tip over into complete drunkenness if I wasn't careful. “Are you going with them?” Jackson’s grin was infectious as he leaned in even closer. Frowning slightly, I glanced over at him, curiosity evident in my voice. “Huh?” He leaned in closer, so his lips grazed my ear as he spoke, “Going to Myrtle?” “Oh,” I mused, swinging my feet back and forth. “I don’t know, but it does sound fun.” Seizing the moment, Jackson grabbed my hands, pulling me up to my feet. “Zarak’s leaving! We can catch a ride with him!” I must’ve missed the point when he and I morphed into a “we,” but I didn’t object as he guided me down the steps and across the beach. Shadows cast by the moon danced on the shore, and I spotted Lea sliding into the back seat with Deacon. I was oblivious to Kain’s whereabouts; I hadn’t seen him since the dune buggy debacle. Zarak slid into the driver’s seat of the only other vehicle left. At least he didn’t have that look in his eye that screamed he shouldn’t be behind the wheel. The girl I’d seen earlier with Deacon was still deciding which car was the cooler option. Growing uninterested, I leaned against the side of the house while the girl chatted with Lea. Jackson leaned next to me, his presence undoubtedly magnetic. I tilted my head back, immersed in the comforting caress of the warm breeze. “Shouldn’t you be going with her?” I ventured, glancing sideways. He hesitated, peering back over his shoulder. “She obviously has other plans.” “But she’s staring at you,” I pointed out, noticing the way her face was pressed to the window. “Let her look,” he replied smoothly, shifting closer, flashing a wicked grin. “She’s made her call, hasn’t she?” “Guess so.” “I’ve made mine.” Jackson leaned in, intent on kissing me. Even though I’d secretly love to witness Lea’s reaction when Jackson and I kissed, I dodged to the side, determined to keep my distance. Jackson was known for being an equal opportunity player, and that was one game I was in no mood to partake in. He chuckled, making a playful attempt to grab me again. “You gonna make me chase you?” The happy buzz I felt threatened to turn dark if I kept entertaining this. I yanked my arm free, forcing a smile. “You’d better get going. Zarak’s going to leave you.” He made another attempt to grab onto me, but I sidestepped him, feeling particularly saucy. “Aren’t you going?” I shook my head. “Nah, I think I’m going to call it a night.” “I can keep you company if that’s what you want. We can move the party back to my dorm or Zarak’s room.” He began to walk backward toward the car, eyebrows playfully raised. “I don’t think he’d mind. Last call, Alex.” It took all I had not to burst into laughter. With exaggerated feigned resolve, I shook my head and stepped back. “Maybe next time.” Slowly, I turned away, not allowing Jackson to convince me any further. As I made my way back across the beach, a question bubbled in my mind: had Caleb decided to go to Myrtle? I passed by several tranquil beach homes, the scent of sea salt swirling around me—a comforting reminder of my childhood moments spent with Mom on the sand. My mind wandered, flowing through memories, until a sudden chill raced down my spine as I approached the bridge. The overgrown bushes and tall weeds swayed ominously in the cool breeze, almost unsettling after the earlier tranquility. I took a deliberate step forward, scanning the marsh as the moonlight painted shadows across the landscape. Darkness loomed over the bog, but one thick shadow flexed and shifted away from the rest, forming a solid presence as seconds ticked by. The wind carried a whisper I thought I could hardly hear. “Lexie…” A shiver ran through me. Only Mom called me Lexie; I must have been imagining things. Nothing could be out there. Yet, fear tightened my stomach like a vise. Without warning, strong hands clamped down on my shoulders, yanking me back. My heart stopped, panic rising in my chest. Instincts kicked in as I prepared to lash out, but as the familiar scent of soap and ocean embraced me, I relaxed into recognition. “Aiden.” “What are you doing?” His tone held an unyielding edge as he pulled me back, concern etched on his features. I twisted around to face him, the world momentarily fading away. “There’s something out there,” I stammered, caught off-guard by his presence. His hands slipped from my shoulders as he turned to where I pointed, but as expected, there was nothing but the usual shadows dancing in the moonlight. He looked back at me, steadying my frantic heart. “There’s nothing there. What are you doing out here alone? You aren’t allowed off the island without supervision, Alex. Never.” Yikes. One step backward felt necessary, as I scrambled for a response. Then he leaned close, almost inhaling the air around us. “You’ve been drinking.” “Have not.” My protest fell flat as his brows arched skeptically, lips pursed tightly in disapproval. “What are you doing outside the Covenant?” His voice held a commanding presence, daring me to deflect. I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, my head barely lifting. “I was… visiting friends, and as I recall, there was a little thing called ‘I’m not supposed to leave the island’. Technically, I’m still on Deity Island.” His head tilted, arms folding with a mixture of disapproval and curiosity. “I’m pretty certain that remaining within Covenant-controlled territory was the assumption.” “Well, you know what they say about assumptions.” “Alex.” His voice lowered into a serious warning that hinted I had better tread carefully. “What are you doing out here, creeping around in the dark like some kind of... creeper?” Once the words left my mouth, I regretted them, wishing I could take back the flippant tone. Aiden laughed incredulously. “Not that you need to know, but I was in the process of following a group of idiots to Myrtle Beach.” My jaw dropped in shock. "You were following them?" “Yes. A handful of us Sentinels were.” Aiden flashed a half-grin, eyebrows lifting with a hint of disbelief at my surprise. “What? You honestly thought we’d let a bunch of teenagers off this island unprotected? They might not even realize we’re always trailing them, but no one gets out of here without us knowing.” “Fantastic,” I murmured, realizing I had just gained a piece of information for later use. “So, why are you still here then?” He took a moment before answering, shuffling me back toward the bridge in a protective instinct. “I saw you didn’t go with them.” I stumbled a bit, trying to grasp the implications of his words. “What… exactly did you see?” His gaze flicked down to me, his eyebrows quirking slightly. “Enough.” Heat rushed to my cheeks, embarrassment flaring beneath the surface. Aiden chuckled gently, his breath steady, but my heart raced. “Why didn’t you go with them?” His question caught me in a web of uncertainty. I toyed with the idea of pointing out the glaringly obvious truth, but figured it was better to remain silent. “I… figured I’d engaged in enough stupidity for the night.” His laughter resonated deeper, a sound that filled me with unexpected warmth. “It’s good to hear you say that.” His compliment drifted between us, but my shoulders slumped as I sought the ground. “So how much trouble am I in?” Aiden paused, mulling my question, a serious air coming over him. “I’m not going to tell Marcus, if that’s what you’re hinting at.” Surprised, I looked up. “Thanks.” He turned away, shaking his head slightly. “Don’t thank me just yet.” Recalling what he’d said last time, my heart fluttered with a mix of gratitude and confusion. “But I don’t want to be caught with a drink in your presence again.” I rolled my eyes, grinning. “Jeez, there you go, sounding like a dad again. You should start acting your age.” He ignored my jab, nodding at the Guards on watch at the opposite end of the bridge. “It’s bad enough I have to chase down my brother. Please don’t add to my troubles.” I risked a glance at him, my heart fluttering at the tension in his jaw. “Yeah… he seems like a handful.” “And then some,” Aiden agreed, his tone dipping with exasperation. I recalled Deacon’s words about Aiden keeping an eye on me. “I’m… sorry. I don’t want you to feel like… you have to babysit me.” Aiden shot me a sharp look, but it softened quickly. “Well… thank you.” Fidgeting, I twisted my fingers together, the weight of silence hanging between us. “It must’ve been hard raising him, practically alone.” He let out a rough snort. “You have no idea.” I really didn’t. Imagining having a brother or sister to protect made me uneasy. I wouldn’t even know how to navigate that kind of responsibility. As the minutes trickled by, I found the courage to ask, “How… did you do it?” “Do what, Alex?” We passed the bridge, and the Covenant loomed closer, the end of our conversation in sight. I slowed my pace, contemplating my next words. “How did you take care of Deacon after… something so terrible happened?” A tense smile slipped across his lips. “I had no other choice. I refused to allow Deacon to be handed over to another family. I believe my parents would’ve wanted me to be the one to raise him.” “But that’s a lot of responsibility. How did you manage it all while in school? Hell, while training?” My realization struck me. Graduating from the Covenant didn’t mean training ended for a Sentinel. The first year on the job was notoriously fierce. It demanded you split time between shadowing trained Sentinels and furthering training in high-impact martial arts. His hands slipped into the deep pockets of his Covenant-issued uniform. “There were times when I thought about doing what my family would’ve wanted. Going to college, coming back, engaging with the politics of our world. I know my parents would’ve wanted me to take care of Deacon, but they would never have chosen for me to become a Sentinel. They never understood… this kind of life.” Most purists didn’t, and I realized I’d barely grasped the full extent until I witnessed my mother being attacked. Pushing those troubling thoughts aside, my curiosity about his parents sharpened. “They were on the Council, right?” I ventured, trying to form an image of them in my mind. He nodded slowly. “But after their deaths, becoming a Sentinel was what I wanted.” “Something you needed,” I corrected gently, my heart swelling with understanding. His step faltered, surprise flickering across his face. “You’re right. Becoming a Sentinel was something I needed—I still do.” He paused for another moment, eyes glazing over. “You would know. It’s what you need.” “Yeah.” “How did you survive?” Aiden turned the question back on me, the weight of it sending tremors through me. Growing uncomfortable, I focused on the moonlight reflected on the surface of the ocean. At nighttime, under the glow of the moon, it looked as thick and impenetrable as oil. “I don’t know.” “You had no other choice, Alex.” I shrugged. “I guess so.” “You don’t like talking about it, do you?” I bit my lip, realizing how glaringly obvious it was. “Is it that obvious?” We paused at the pathway split between the dorms, a heavy silence quickly settling over us. “You don’t think it’s a good idea for you to talk about it?” His seriousness weighed me down. “Just because we have a mission doesn’t mean I’m the only one who carries it.” He had that look on his face—the one that reminded me it was late, well past my curfew, and that I wasn’t getting off easy for tonight. “I expect to see you in the gym tomorrow by eight.” “What?” I exclaimed, stunned by his insistence as the implications of his order sank in. I thought I would have the weekend to myself! He simply raised his eyebrows, that stern expression settling in. “Do I need to list the rules you broke?” I wanted to remind him I wasn’t the only one breaking rules that night, but I bit my tongue, realizing it wouldn’t be wise to mention other offenders. This was a battle I didn’t want to fight. Nodding in reluctant agreement, I began ascending the path to my dormitory. “Alex?” I turned back, expecting him to change his mind about my impending punishment but greeted by his serious face. “Yeah?” He brushed a lock of dark hair off his forehead and flashed that lopsided smile that stole my breath. “I remember you.” I scrunched my face in confusion. “What?” The grin widened into a full smile, and suddenly, the air around us thickened. “I remember you, too.”