Page 18 of Origins

I knew I shouldn’t worry so much, especially not about Sulien, but the nagging voice in the back of my mind wouldn’t stop. So, I swallowed my pride and texted him first.

"Good morning! I missed you last night. Any chance I can come over today?"

I sent the message before I could think twice, holding the phone to my chest to avoid secondhand embarrassment from my own desperation. Our wholerelationship could have been a social experiment on how quickly humans grow attached to each other when placed in contact with a stranger.

I tried to remain calm, but despite my best efforts, I found myself anxiously tapping on my cherry-covered phone case. My mind raced with possibilities, some more far-fetched than others.

Even heroes needed a day off, and Sulien was probably just tired from work and school. He probably turned his alarm off and let himself sleep in, and he wasn’t ignoring me because I was annoying, too clingy, or because he was screwing his roommates.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jack finally wander out of his room. I shook my head, trying to dispel all the intrusive thoughts.

“Good morning,” he yawned, walking past me into the kitchen.

I quickly scrambled to my feet, following at my brother’s heels. I knew he didn’t like Sulien, but he had class with him yesterday. Maybe he could tell me something I didn’t already know, and if Jack didn’t willingly provide the information, I could poke around in his brain a bit.

“Morning! Hey, how was class yesterday?” I tried to sound way more chill than I felt.

Jack cast me a sideways glance as he made his way to the Keurig. He plucked one of the plastic cups off the rack and placed it in the top before selecting his mug.

“Fine,” Jack mumbled, putting a white mug under the coffee spout before turning the machine on.

It growled to life as it began spewing a solid line of black coffee and steam.

“Yesterday, Sulien mentioned that you guys were getting partners for the yearly showcase. Who did youget?”

Jack’s jaw tightened as he tapped his fingers on the counter. I peeked into his thoughts for just a moment, catching the frustration flickering through his mind.

“Sulien,” he growled as the machine finished brewing his coffee.

Maybe that’s why Sulien isn’t talking to me.

Jack grabbed the cup as he headed toward the fridge. I stayed close beside him, finding a safe vantage point to watch Jack add milk to his coffee.

“You don’t sound happy about that,” I ventured.

Jack shot me a look as he grabbed a spoon from a nearby drawer.

“Let me strap a ticking time bomb to your chest, and you tell me how you feel,” he grumbled, stirring his drink with more force than necessary.

I worried a lip through my teeth as a sinking feeling filled my stomach.

“Sulien’s not a time bomb… Mom says he’s the most promising student at Vanguard.”

Jack looked at me like I was dumb, and his thoughts were in line with that sentiment.

“Callie, his father is Necro. You know, our dad’s nemesis, the man who almost killed him like ten times?” Jack laughed, placing his mug on the counter. “Sulien has evil in his DNA, and you don’t see it, but I can tell it’s there.”

My brow furrowed as I tried to reconcile Sulien, the man who wouldn’t let me cross a parking lot alone, with the image of someone evil. Sure, his living situation was odd, but outside of sex, I’d never caught as much as a mean thought crossing Sulien’s mind. He wanted to be a hero; he wanted to prove he was good, but more than that, he wanted to protect those around him.

“I don’t think you know him like I do,” I argued.

Jack snorted. “What, just because he’s your little boyfriend, you think you know him?”

Heat flared in my cheeks as I looked down before mumbling, “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Just because you’re not allowed to date him doesn’t mean you’re not.” Jack lectured. “I’ve seen you two in the halls, and it’s the talk of the whole fucking school.”

An icy feeling of dread ran down my back. “Don’t tell Dad.”

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