Jaded Jewels (The Coveted Saga 2)

In nothing but a towel, I feel all the more intimidated, but mostly I'm just confused.

"Why are you telling me this?" I gripped my towel tighter to my chest, acting as though it had a secret power that could save me if I needed it to.

He absently waved his hand around him.

"I'm telling you because I want Graven gone. I'm going to make a play for his throne—so to speak. As long as Graven rules, I'm just a shadow in the background. If he gets this power he seeks, I will never have my chance.

"He'll slaughter your family with ease. And mercy will be a fool's prayer. If the Coldwell Coven is gone, he'll be unstoppable. This is a courtesy and temporary alliance. I think you need to be aware that I won't be so gracious in the future. Use this information wisely and act before he finds his treasure."

He leaned over me quickly, breathing me in. The sick obsession with my scent was another thing that was growing old.

When he hovered too close, I knew he was going to steal my essence, despite his earlier denial of such intentions. I shut my eyes, cringing as I waited. Instead, he kissed my head—a chaste action that resembled affection one receives from family.

I could feel the heat of his breath, and chills spread throughout me. "You really should learn to trust people a little more, Aria. I told you I wouldn't hurt you."

My eyes fluttered open in time to see his wicked, taunting grin spread. He moved toward the window, opened it, and placed one leg over the edge.

He glanced towards my door briefly before winking at me. "I have to go now. Be careful, Aria. There's something special about you. I can tell."

Suddenly, a horizontal streak of lightning shot across the room, barely missing Lokan as he leapt from the window and disappeared into the night. Ayla stepped out from behind Jay as he lowered his hands, glaring at the window as though he could will the intruder back for round two.

Jay finally blurred to the window, as Ayla flashed to my side.

"Aria, are you okay?" Jay asked, his voice breaking on the last syllable.

"Yeah, I think." My whole body was shaking, betraying my lie. I was far from okay, even if I wasn't physically harmed.

My legs had the consistency of rubber, and they were unable to support my weight any longer. I collapsed into Jay's arms. Henry rushed into the room with a towel wrapped around his waist. Ash, Aster, and Chris joined him.

"What's going on?" Ash asked, panicked.

"There was dramian in here with Aria," Jay growled before turning to me. "What did he want? Who was he?"

Not answering right away, I stared at the floor, still trying to collect myself and process what just happened. He could have killed me so easily. My legs felt still felt rubbery, promising me I wouldn't be standing on my own any time soon.

My adrenaline had been pumping so high that now my body was having to come back down, and it was making me shake all over. I finally sat down and answered the question.

"He was certainly not a dramian. He hates Graven as much as we do. His name was Lokan. He wanted to give us some information. He wants us to stop Graven."

"Who is Lokan? I've never heard of him," Ayla added, sounding as worried as all of us.

Her close proximity to Jay left her vulnerable to such an emotion, something she wasn't accustomed to. It was notably overwhelming her.

"I know who he is," Henry said, venom seeping from his tone. As one, we all turned to face him. Pale, shaking with fury, and jaw clenched, Henry looked close to imploding as he continued with, "He's the one that killed my family."

A new sense of fear gathered amongst the room. He killed a bodyguard and a witch, not to mention the rest of the coven that was slaughtered. I shouldn't be alive right now.

Ayla was the first to break the new spell of silence. "We have to get everyone together right now."

Jay nodded in agreement, and everyone headed downstairs as I threw on some clothes and followed. I had to tell them every detail I just learned. The biggest thing I wanted to bring up was the fact security needed to be bumped up. I didn't ever want to find some stranger sitting on my bed that casually again.

Chapter 4

People Talk

How many times are you truly expected to take the high road when so many low blows keep coming your way?

Henry and I pulled up at school the morning after my nighttime visitor. After less than two hours of sleep, I was exhausted and he was refreshed. Immortals were quickly grating on my nerves.