Page 117 of Stone Cold Touch

What felt like ropes circled my chest. “How c-can they not?”

“Because they know you like I know you, that’s why.” The intensity to his words was compelling. “What you are doesn’t change who you are.”

I nodded.

His eyes searched mine and then he slid his arms around me, letting the towel he held fall to the floor. I folded into his tight embrace, soaking up his warmth and his acceptance. It seemed faulty, his belief in me, when I wasn’t sure it was warranted.

But I needed to pull it together, because Stacey and Sam were waiting for us, and I couldn’t hide in the bathroom half-naked with Zayne forever.

“I’m ready,” I said, and my heart dipped a little as I pulled free and stood.

Zayne retrieved the clothes Stacey had left outside the bathroom. I changed into the sweats and sweater and then forced myself out of the room. He’d been leaning against the wall, waiting for me, eyes focused wearily on the ceiling. When he pushed off the wall and stepped in front of me, I wanted to push a rewind button on today.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he assured me.

I wasn’t that hopeful.

Stacey and Sam were in the living room downstairs. She stood as we entered the room, her normally dark complexion pale. Sam turned to us, his expression expectant.

“Okay,” she said, clasping her hands together. “Before we talk about anything, are you okay?”

I nodded. My skin was a deeper pink than normal and a bit raw to the touch, but by tomorrow morning it would be fine. “I’m okay.”

She closed her eyes and breathed out a deep sigh. “You really scared us—scared me. I thought he’d thrown acid on you or something, but I know...that’s not it. First off, you didn’t go to the hospital and your skin hasn’t peeled off your face.”

My brows rose.

“And the water hit Stacey,” Sam pointed out, head cocked to the side as he studied me. Not like he would if he was afraid, but more like he was genuinely curious. “Nothing happened to her.”

“But something happened to you,” she said, drawing in another deep breath. “Something really strange happened. I saw smoke coming off your skin.”

Well, that would definitely tell someone something was up. I glanced at Zayne and he nodded as he sat on the arm of a chair. “I don’t know where to even start.”

“How about with the truth?” Sam said.

That statement stung and rightfully so. “I’m sorry that I haven’t been completely honest with you two, but there are things—rules—that have prevented me from doing so.”

“Are you like Zayne?” Stacey asked, looking at him. “Because if so, I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“I am kind of like Zayne. I’m part Warden.” Hearing myself say these words to my friends was strange. I sat in the chair Zayne was perched on. “But I’m not like him. Not really. I... I’m also part demon. That’s why the water did what it did. It was seriously holy water.”

Stacey opened her mouth and she blinked once, then twice. Then she laughed as she dropped in the seat next to Sam. “Okay, Layla, don’t bullshit me.”

“I’m not.”

“Demons don’t exist,” she said, rolling her eyes. “That guy at the theater was crazy.”

“Gargoyles don’t exist either,” Zayne said gently. “Right?”

Stacey shook her head. “But that’s different. You guys are just another species, right? Kind of like Big Foot. You’re not this biblical mythical creature.”

“But our kind was considered mythical at one time.” Zayne leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. “Layla is telling you the truth. She’s part demon.”

“Demons can’t be real. They just can’t be.”

“Do you believe in angels?” Sam asked, watching me. “Because if you do, how can you not believe in demons? After all, weren’t most of them angels at one time?”

Part of me wasn’t surprised Sam was handling this so well, but I was shocked that he wasn’t up and poking me like a science experiment.

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