Page 60 of Echoes

"He's never punished like this before," Ashwood chimes in. "What's the deal?"

I take a deep breath. "Avery's the deal. He's trying to overpower everyone."

"Right," he replies slowly, contemplating my words. "I assume because ofyou."

The way he says it, I know he's referring to us as a whole, rather than just me. Still, I'm tempted to inflict harm again, so I do the only reasonable thing.

I walk away from him, over to Avery, pulling her into my chest for a hug. She relaxes against me as I breathe in her scent, letting her presence control my temper.

Also, it's an added bonus to get to rub it into Ashwood's face.

"It's not like that," Avery tells him, resting her cheek on my arm to look at him. "I'm okay though."

"Have you eaten?" I ask her.

She nods. "Damon and I swung by the kitchen."

My eyebrows raise as I rest my chin on her head. Thankfully, she can't see my expression. The plan was to get Avery away from Whittingham and back to me. I knew I would need toorganize food based on Arthur's history, but that was all Damon. We never discussed that.

"Good," I reply, letting her go. "Now, there's only one thing left to do."

"Oh?" she asks, looking over at Ashwood. She looks like she wants to go to him and the thought kills me. But against my better judgment, I give her back a little nudge, pushing her in his direction.

Her feet shuffle along the ground on their own accord before she takes control, walking over to Ashwood to embrace him in a hug.

I watch them, his hands curling around her back as he holds her tight. Waves of emotion hit me—too many to singularly focus on. Anger, betrayal, hurt. A tiny voice inside mimics my father's voice screaming that she's a cheater. But I know better. I'm stronger than he was.

Slowly, I observe them, fighting back the jealousy. Avery glances over to me, a smile appearing on her face. It's the brightest one I've seen in a while from her… and it's aimed atme.

She's happy.

And I did that.

Conflict tears at me, but seeing her look at me with that usual loving gaze while holding him, starts to build those bricks that were knocked down.

She's still looking at me the same.

She's at peace.

And as much as I hate it, Ashwood is right. He was there for her. He's protected her on more than one occasion, especially when I couldn't.

I hate these unfamiliar feelings but I hold onto that look on her face right now, letting it ground me.

"The only thing left to do," I start, smiling at her. "Is to invite Theo to the meeting tonight."

Chapter 21

Avery

The three of us head back upstairs, joining the tail end of the crowd as guards start leading everyone away to classes.

People glance back at us, me flanked by Theo on one side and Grey on the other—disbelief, confusion and fucking dumbfounded expressions on their faces.

"Someone will come fetch you this evening," I hear Grey say to Theo as we're separated by the guards.

"See you later, Avery," he says to me, ignoring Grey, giving my hand a quick squeeze.

I watch as a dozen students head into a nearby classroom with Theo while Grey stays by my side quietly.

---