“Yes.” I bit down on my lip. “He’s hurt and angry, but he’s still Jace. I trust him.”
“Are you going to tell Lana?”
I blew out a long breath. “I guess it’s time. But I’m still worried that this information will endanger her.”
“Jace knows. You’re not worried about that with him.”
“God, you’re infuriating.” I smiled, my heart feeling a little lighter. “Why are you being Mr. Logical right now?” I thought for a moment. “But I won’t tell Nick. Lana needs to know, but Nick doesn’t have to. I feel bad, but really, it’s for his own good.”
Reese hugged me closer to him. “Makes sense.” He rested his lips against my forehead. “And, Dez, Jace will get past this.” His breath fanned my hair as he thought. “What about that crazy power? I’d never seen anything like it. Where did it come from?”
I buried my head in his chest, inhaling him. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“Or, how about nothing.” Reese inched down, his face close to mine.
I traced my thumb over his cheek, staring into his violet eyes. I allowed mine to fade to purple, as well. He smiled and brushed his lips against mine. All my worries paled as he deepened the kiss. Whatever we had to face, I knew we could. We belonged together. And I wouldn’t have to be apart from him again. I latched onto him, bringing him closer. I was home.
After I felt I could face the world again, Reese walked me to the girls’ wing. I’d stayed until curfew. Reese had wanted me to stay the night, but I couldn’t. Not because I feared we’d get caught, but because I didn’t want additional questions from Lana.
When I got back to my unit, Lana was loosening her corset. “Hey,” she said halfheartedly as I entered.
“Hey.” I closed the door and plunked down on my bed.
She looked over at me. “Where were you? And don’t say your mom’s. I know better.”
I took a deep breath. “No. I wasn’t there. Sorry I lied.” I glanced at the floor. “I have something to tell you. I didn’t want to get into it over the communicator, so I just said that.”
She nodded. “Okay, shoot. What’s up?” She finished dressing for bed and then sat across from me.
I took another deep breath and dove in. I told her about the Council’s trial repopulation test, about my father being Narcolym, and about how I’d hidden my identity. I told her everything, baring my soul, right down to the last minutes I’d spent with Reese. By the time the room fell silent, after I’d spilled everything, her mouth hung agape. Her eyes stared through me—not seeing me.
“Lane?” I snapped my fingers in front of her face. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Oh. My. God.” She jumped up and stared at me. “You’re serious. I knew it!”
I squinted. “What do you mean, you ‘knew it’?”
“I just did. After your change, somehow I sensed something was off about you, but I couldn’t place it. And your power, it’s way stronger than ours.” She smiled. “I mean, I could never have put this crazy scenario together, but somehow, I’d been trying to figure out what was going on.”
I tilted my head. “You’re not freaked about me being half Narco?” I studied her. She seemed to be taking it well—extremely well—compared to Jace.
She waved her hand through the air. “It’s not like you chose this. But regardless, this is something that’s a part of you. And besides, the only reason I don’t want to bond with a Narco is because I’m in love with Devon. That whole rebel thing is Jace’s deal.” Her eyes became wide. “Oh, Jace. What—”
“He kind of walked in on Reese and me today.” I bowed my head. I’d skimmed over the details of that part. “We were making up, sort of, and Jace saw.” I looked up quickly and watched Lana’s face fall.
“Oh.” She kept her mouth a perfect “O.” Then she sat down next to me. “You should have told me sooner. I could have talked with him. Crap, I should’ve never told him it was a go with you.” She slapped her forehead.
“Lane, it’s not your responsibly to handle Jace. It’s mine. And I messed up big time.”
“We can fix this. I know my brother. He’s definitely stewing right now, but we can make him understand what happened. And I know he’ll get past the half Narco thing. We can—”
“Leave him alone for a while?”
She lowered her eyes. “Yeah, probably a good idea.”
“Thank you, Lane.” I took her hand. “I know you want to fix this for me, but just having you accept it, that’s more than enough.” I shook my head lightly. “I was scared of losing you, or of endangering you.”
“No way. I love you no matter what. And I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.” She winked and wrapped her arm around me. “Now tell me about Reese. I can’t believe it’s him. He was such a hothead.”