Page 69 of Blood & Betrayals

Connor smirks. “I believe the favor was for me to get the word out, which I have.”

My lips tug up. “I’m changing the terms.”

Rafe drops his bag heavily onto the table, startling everyone. He sets his lunch down and sits, tension and restlessness radiating off him. Everyone stares at him, focused on the black and purple bruise under his right eye.

“What happened to you?” I ask when everyone else remains quiet.

Rafe picks up his sandwich and takes a bite. “Nothing.”

I glance at Connor. His gaze is locked on his younger brother, his eyes shimmering with concern. Luke shifts in his seat, turning toward Rafe, his hand already glowing with his healing magic.

“Just because the headmaster isn’t here doesn’t mean you won’t get in trouble, Rafe.” Connor’s voice is low. All signs of the relaxed happiness he was feeling moments ago are gone. This is the older brother, the protective angel.

Like he’s approaching a skittish animal, Luke slowly lifts his hand to Rafe’s face. I can tell this isn’t the first time this has happened. All the Morningstar brothers look tense, but none more so than Connor, who keeps his eyes locked on Rafe.

“You’re not my father,” Rafe snarls with such viciousness that Luke winces. Even the twins pale.

Connor stiffens beside me, a muscle in his jaw clenching. “I never said I was.”

I squeeze Connor’s thigh in a silent show of support. There’s a battle being fought with words in front of my eyes, and they are doing far more damage than swords ever could.

The glow from Luke’s hand dims, and he carefully pulls back. As the bruise fades, Rafe stands and storms away.

I look at Connor, and he squeezes my hand. His eyes locked on Rafe’s retreating back. “He’s fighting again,” he says after a moment.

“He’s not done that in a while,” Zane adds, all humor gone from his voice.

“Who’s he fighting?” Alice asks.

Connor shrugs. “There’s some kind of fight ring he’s a part of. We don’t know how he gets there or when he goes.”

The bell rings, and all the Morningstars gather their things and stand up. He kisses my cheek and smiles sadly at me before heading to class.

Alice nudges me when I don’t move. “Coming, Sum?”

“I’ll meet you there.”

29

Summer

Isearch for Rafe all over campus. Classes are over by the time I admit defeat and head home. The next day, Connor and his brothers aren’t at lunch. They are no doubt still out looking for Rafe or trying to help him. I don’t see or hear from him all day and refuse to admit how much I miss him. My phone rings just as I am climbing into bed, a photo of Connor’s face filling the screen. I answer the video chat and shift around in bed to get comfortable. Connor’s lips are pulled into a smile, but I can see how tired and worried he is. It is in the lines etched into his brow and the darkness shadowing the sky blue of his eyes.

“Hi, big guy,” I say, smiling at him.

“Hi, gorgeous.”

“How are you? How is Rafe?” I curl into my pillow, still holding my phone up.

Connor sighs and rubs his hand over his face, looking completely worn out. It’s strange to see him like this. He’s always the sunshine, and I’m always the rain. “I’m a terrible brother.”

I frown. How can he possibly think that? He is devoted to his family. Even when he’s rolling his eyes at their antics, he wouldn’t hesitate to lay down his life for them.

“Yesterday is a day that I… I usually spend the day with Rafe. Every single year. But this year, I forgot.” Connor’s face is drawn, his eyes sad, and my chest aches. He’s always so adaptable and positive. Seeing this warrior angel so defeated carves a few more inches from my walls.

“Connor…”

“I forgot,” he repeats, sighing heavily. His shoulders are hunched under the weight of the responsibilities he normally carries with such selfless ease.

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