Page 111 of This Blood That Breaks Us
“Well, you’re wrong about one thing,” I said.
“And that is?”
“I might trust The Legion again if you’re in it, as long as you have a say next time.”
That made him smile, and we continued our task. I’d listen every once in a while to see if someone was coming. Ezra would be pissed if he knew I was dirtying my suit helping Thane and Will with chores, not to mention Sirius.
“I keep waiting for Sirius to pop up in the hedges and kill me for this.”
“Oh, he’s busy, I think. She lied, you know? They’ve definitely been seeing each other in the past couple days, when he was supposed to be banned. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where he is right now.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Do you mean what I think you mean?”
“Oh yeah, She keeps Ezra and Sirius plenty of company.”
“No. I mean. You’re saying She lied?”
“Definitely. I’ve seen them talking with my own eyes.”
Something thick caught in my throat. Anger. She’d put on a show for the others that day in the atrium, but why? They were playing more mind games, only this one I hadn’t caught on to. Was this their plan? Getting Luke and me into a vulnerable state to make us think She tried to save us. Was anything Sirius said true? What else were they doing and saying that I wasn’t in on?
We continued into the maze until the heavy gray clouds above unleashed rain.
Thirty-Four
Luke
With the bustle of the castle, I decided it would be safer for Her inside. Ezra let me make decisions like that now. I’d come in the early morning and stayed all afternoon. Her room was quiet and calm compared to outside. Everyone was full of excitementfor Ascension, and I wanted to hide. She provided me shelter in that way and didn’t mention the night before, for which I was thankful. I remembered it all, even if it was fuzzy.
The smell of parchment was strong, and dust clung to my fingertips as I turned another page ofThe Aeneid.She let me read to Her. I sat with my head resting against the headboard of the bed while She rested Her head on my shoulder.
I wondered if She was listening. Her fingers were wrapped in my other hand, and She traced along my fingers as I read. I had a hunch She knew I needed the distraction, but I hoped we could make a habit of it.
The scent of the fresh flowers on Her nightstand transported me to a memory.
Knocking had sounded at Sarah’s door. A bouquet of flowers was in my hand on a hot summer day, back when my world was bathed in sunlight.
“Luke?”Her hair had been pinned up in a white ribbon.
“I thought about what you said . . . about what I wanted. And I was thinking, I think it’s about time I took you on that date. Our first.”
She smiled.“I have to tell my dad where I’m going.”
“I told him. He gave me twenty to buy these.”
With not even a moment of hesitation, she grabbed her purse from beside the door and followed me to the car. I took her to a drive-in movie. I couldn’t forget Sarah or the life she was supposed to have and the life I wanted us to have together. She was made for me. What a lie. Sarah was meant for more, and all I ever did was drag her down with me.
“My Love . . . ” She rubbed my chest before I could even feel sad. “Why did you stop?”
“I’m sorry. I remembered something.”
“I like your voice. It’s calming.”
“I’m glad. How are you feeling with the solar eclipse coming?”
“I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been.”
“And you want to sit with me all day?”
