I scrunched up my nose. “Okay, but be easy on him.”
“I will. The club will most likely be dead. No one seems to be in the partying mood, but I know Jace and Nick will go if I tell them I am.” She held her arms out. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful. Devon will lose his mind.”
“I know,” she said and laughed. “He really will.” She headed to the door but paused and turned back toward me. “Dez, I’m happy you found Reese. It’s amazing, considering you two are the only ones of your kind. But, just be careful.” Her eyebrows pinched together. “I know he’s not a full Narco…but he was still raised by them.”
I smiled, knowing she was just looking out for me. “Thanks, Lane. I will. He’s a little hot-tempered, but he’s harmless.”
Her face brightened. “All right. Love ya. See you at curfew.” She closed the door behind her.
I shook my head, thinking about what she’d said. There were still so many prejudices to overcome, even from my best friend. I was happy she cared for me so much, but I knew it would take time to accept Reese and me being together. Even for her. And the state of the Councils weren’t helping our case. Though, the Shythe Council was as much to blame for that as the Narcolym.
Fifteen minutes before I’d planned to meet Reese, I couldn’t take waiting anymore. I had to get out of the stuffy unit. Maybe he’s already in the courtyard.
I bounced down the stairs toward the lobby. Pushing through the doors, I entered the moonlit courtyard. Soft light bathed the ground, illuminating the stone walkway in an eerie glow. I glanced around, but didn’t find Reese. Gooseflesh prickled my skin as the chilled night air crept over me. Where was he?
Come on.
I sat down on the stone bench and swung my legs underneath. Finally, someone coming from the opposite entrance caught my eye. Reese. He hurried over to me.
“Hey,” I said. “So? Did you talk to someone, find anything out?” I studied his face. Worry lines creased between his eyebrows.
He cupped my shoulders. “I didn’t get to talk to a Council member, but I did talk to my commander.”
I widened my eyes. “Your commander?” I shook my head. “Oh right, I keep forgetting you’re part of the guard now.”
“Yes, and he says that the Councils are going to be calling in students one by one over the next week.”
“What—why?” I asked.
“They’re looking for something.” Reese sat on the bench and faced me. “I know they’re serious about the union between the races. They’re definitely looking for a way to free us as guardians. It’s their main goal.” His features hardened into a serious expression. “But it sounds to me like they’re still looking for something else, too.”
“What?” I searched his glowing eyes. “What else could they be searching for?”
He gave me a solemn look. “You.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“ME?” I SWALLOWED HARD. “But my mom…I mean, she disappeared. How do they…”
“Dez, your mom ran, yes. But I’m assuming they knew there was a chance her child survived.” He furrowed his brow. “I think before they move forward with the union, they want to wrap up loose ends.”
“Wrap up. Kill me, you mean.” I stood up and turned my head toward the dark courtyard.
Reese stood, walked up behind me, and enfolded me into his arms. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” He held me tighter. “There’s no way for them to prove who you are. After you pass all the tests, they’ll assume the missing child didn’t survive.” His warm breath fanned the top of my head. “You can go on living as Shythe.”
“Tests?” I turned in his arms and stared into his red eyes. “What tests?”
“That’s what the meetings are for,” he said. “They want students to perform a test using their power.” He shook his head. “It’s so obvious to me what they’re looking for. But everyone will just think it’s a part of their matching system for those who don’t choose a mate.”
I bowed my head and shuddered before meeting his eyes again.
“You really think they’re looking for me?”
Reese frowned. “Honestly, I can’t say. But I think it’s better to assume they are and be prepared.”
When everything he’d said hit me, I realized he wasn’t safe, either. “What about you?”