Page 43 of The Alien in the Archive

Riley shakes his head, pacing now. “And what does he get out of this, huh? You think he’s just helping you because he’s nice? Because I’ve got news for you, Page; nobody does that. You and I are both well aware of that fact.”

I flinch at his words, the truth of them hitting too close to home. I would be lying to myself if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind—that maybe Thorne’s kindness is a mask, that he has a darker agenda. But every time I see him, feel his presence, it’s soothing.

“I don’t know, Riley.” I rake my fingers through my hair. “It’s reckless, yeah…but I trust him.”

Riley pauses mid-pace, turning to stare at me. “You trust him,” he repeats, his tone flat.

“Yes,” I say, more firmly than I feel. “He’s the only one who understands what I’m going through. I can feel it when we talk, Riley. He’s not just teaching me—he’s…” I trail off, searching for the right words.

“He’s what?” Riley presses, his eyes narrowing. “Because if you say hot, I swear to God?—”

“Fuck off,” I laugh.NowI do the shot, because maybe Riley’s not totally off the mark. “I can’t explain it. It’s like he knows exactly how to guide me through this. He’s been through things I can’t even imagine, and he’s willing to share that knowledge with me.”

Riley snorts. “Yeah, because sharing ancient alien secrets is definitely something people do out of the goodness of their hearts. Totally no strings attached.”

I groan. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re reckless,” he snaps back. “Page, you’ve been through enough. You’re smart—smarter than me, that’s for damn sure. But this? This is insane. An immortal alien teaching you to harness psychic powers? It sounds like a setup.”

“Maybe it does,” I say, meeting his gaze. “But what choice do I have? My powers are getting stronger, Riley. I can’t ignore them, and I sure as hell can’t go to anyone else. What am I supposed to do, just wait until I lose control and hurt someone?”

His expression softens, and he looks away. “No,” he mutters. “You’re right. You can’t let it get out of control.”

I sigh, walking over to the couch and slumping to a seat. I close my eyes, reaching up to rub my temples. After a moment, Riley sits down across from me, setting his shot glass on the coffee table.

“Okay,” he says, his voice calmer. “If you trust this guy, I’ll trust you. But I want to meet him.”

I blink, taken aback. “You…want to meet Thorne?”

“Yeah,” Riley says, crossing his arms. “If he’s as great as you say, he can handle a little interrogation from your overprotective brother.”

I can’t help but laugh despite the weight of the conversation. “You? Interrogate an immortal alien?”

“Damn right,” Riley smirks. “Someone’s gotta make sure he’s not leading you down some dark, creepy path to galactic domination.”

I roll my eyes, but there’s a warmth in my chest that I wasn’t expecting. Riley might be a pain in the ass, but he’s still my brother—and he’s trying, in his own chaotic way, to look out for me.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I say, shaking my head.

“You better,” he replies. “And Page?”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful.” He’s serious now, looking me in the eye. “I mean it.”

“I will,” I promise.

I’m not sure how I’ll be able to keep to it though…because Thorne is both more dangerous and more appealing now than ever.

17

THORNE

Ididn’t expect her to come back.

After last night, I thought she’d need time—time to process, to question, to doubt. Page is a smart girl, and she should be doubting me; I’ve given her every reason to.

And yet, here she is—at the same time as usual, when most researchers would leave the Obscuary for the day.

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