Hunting Shadows (Shadows 3)

I could only imagine what her vardoger had influenced her to do without her being aware, such as sharpening her saber. I needed her to stop asking questions so I looked at Ryan pointedly. “Why don’t you take her to the health center to make sure she’s okay?”

The corners of his mouth turned down but he nodded and turned to Britney. “Let’s g

o. I just hope it’s open.”

Despite Britney’s disappointment with Ryan’s reason for calling her, she didn’t refuse. I hesitated as they were leaving and then called out her name.

“What?” she asked as she turned around, looking disgruntled.

“You just look…” I trailed off and then forced myself to start again. I needed to know why her body looked so dramatically different in one area. “You look completely different. Your chest, that is.”

Britney flushed beet red, shooting me a death glare. “What’s your problem? You’ve never heard of a padded bra?” Her glare turned even fiercer. “You’re such a bitch.”

Ryan looking highly amused but he pulled her arm and led her out. I sighed deeply when they were gone. “I don’t blame her for getting upset. It was a pretty insulting question.”

Simon grinned and pulled me close. “You were just trying to understand why she looked so different in your vision.”

He kept me close as we walked home and the morning air felt invigorating as dawn broke and the sun peeked out of the horizon. It felt good to know that I had succeeded in destroying a vardoger, that I was fulfilling my role as a seer. I also realized how nice it was to have Simon by my side and I wondered if we would spend the rest of our lives together like this. I could think of nothing I wanted more.

Chapter Thirteen

The next few days settled into somewhat of a normal routine, although the presence of Ryan always reminded me that everything was far from normal. Simon and I both started attending classes again. At first he had been reluctant to let me out of his sights but slowly he was beginning to realize that I could take care of myself. Classes were a way to occupy my time while I waited for more visions, but it was also a reminder that despite accepting my calling as a seer, I needed a way to financially support myself. A college degree wouldn’t hurt in getting a job.

I was happy when the Henchmen started practicing again because I knew Simon truly enjoyed playing music. It was often hard to remember that he was a vardoger because he was so human in so many ways. Even Sarah and Grant seemed to become more comfortable around him. It was also a relief to be able to envelop Marcus and Jenny back into our lives. I had missed them both and tried to make up for shutting them out previously, even if it had been for their own good.

It was Saturday and the night of the Henchmen’s first performance at the East End since everything had happened. Everyone was over at the apartment for dinner before the show and I felt a true sense of contentment as I listened to the happy chatter around me. I leaned back in the recliner and looked up when Simon casually ran a hand through my hair. I smiled up at him, his warm expression of affection sending tingles down my spine and reminding me how easily he could affect me with just a look or a touch.

When I turned away, I caught Ryan watching us and I swallowed. The one thorn in my side during these few days of contentment had been Ryan and my feelings for him. As close as I felt to Simon, I still felt a pull towards Ryan. I tried to tell myself it was just because I felt a connection to him as a seer, but I knew it was more than that. Somewhere along the way I had developed feelings for him. I just didn’t know how deep they went.

I never would have imagined it was possible to have feelings for someone else when I was so in love with Simon, but I couldn’t deny the situation or my emotions. I just hoped they would pass with time because there was no way I was going to act on them.

Grant, Marcus and Simon left early to prepare for the show and I started clearing away the food.

“Do you think my top looks weird?” Jenny asked as she stood to help clean up. “It makes me look pregnant the way it blouses out in the front.”

“You’re crazy. There’s no way you look pregnant,” Sarah said, picking up empty glasses and carrying them into the kitchen. She popped her head back out immediately, her eyes narrowed. “Unless there’s something you’re not telling us.”

“Of course not!” Jenny shrieked with a horrified laugh. “Don’t even say that!”

I saw Ryan smiling to himself as he picked up the salad bowl. “Here, I’ll take that,” I said, taking it from him. “Don’t worry about cleaning up.”

I was aware of Ryan watching me but I made a point to not make eye contact and hurried into the kitchen where Sarah and Jenny were still discussing the merits of her top.

“I still think you look cute in your top but you can borrow something if you want,” Sarah offered.

Jenny eagerly took her up on her offer and they disappeared into Sarah’s bedroom. I stood in the kitchen for a few minutes, feeling foolish that I was hesitating in going back into the living room. I had been alone with Ryan plenty of times, but now that I had finally admitted to myself that I had feelings for him, I wanted to avoid being left alone with him.

I wasn’t given a choice in the matter when Ryan walked into the kitchen with a couple of dirty plates. I automatically reached for them with a quick smile that I hoped looked genuine. “Thanks.”

I jerked back abruptly when, instead of releasing the dishes, Ryan gently but firmly took hold of one of my wrists. I tugged my arm but I was unable to break his grip.

“Look at me,” he said in a grim voice. I looked up, not wanting him to think he was affecting me. My rapidly beating heart said otherwise.

“What?” I said shortly, trying to sound annoyed.

“What’s the problem?”

I frowned at him. “I don’t understand what you mean.”