The Locket

He smiled gently, eyes bright amber and folded my hands in his.

“I know you do, Claire. I can feel it when you’re near me.”

“I think it’s our seals. That is one of the things I want to ask Omni about,” I said, looking down at our joined hands. It felt like I was doing something wrong. I instantly regretted my decision to come here without Brent.

“I don’t need Omni to tell me, Claire. I know how I feel about you.”

Before I could protest, Logan was kissing me and I was kissing him back. It was soft, sweet, and I enjoyed it. What I didn’t expect was the complete lack of excitement. He didn’t take my body hostage the way Brent did. There was no raging desire to have more of him, and I knew immediately that while I cared deeply for Logan, he was not matched to me completely the way Brent was. Oh my God, Brent. I made a huge mistake. I left him again and he would be hurting.

Logan pulled away, looking at me benevolently. He knew as I did. “It’s not you.”

“No, it’s not. I do love you, Logan, but I’m sealed to Brent. I belong to him.” He nodded. “But, I know who you’ll end up with.”

Placing my head on his, I showed him Layken’s beautiful smile just before he put his lips on hers. As the image panned out, it revealed a crowded church. The two of them stood before everyone as Mr. and Mrs. Marshall. They held hands weeping joyful tears, before the vision came to an end.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“He’s the reason you’ve been shutting me out?” The broken words sliced through my heart as easily as scissors through paper. How long had he been watching us?

Logan stood up quickly. “It’s not what you think, Brent,” he defended, while I sat on the bed frozen, gaping at the two of them.

Brent must have used his ability to jump to get here so quickly. Or, Logan woke him when he left. He had probably seen everything, thinking I betrayed him.

“No offense, Logan, but you should stay the hell out of it,” Brent roared. He looked so irate, like he did the day in the hall when Logan shoved me.

“You’re probably right, but I care about her too,” Logan argued insistently.

“Obviously,” Brent agreed vociferously, scowling at Logan.

Speak before they kill each other.

I rose from the bed, still unsure of what I wanted to say.

I shot Brent a disgusted look. “Don’t speak to him like that, Brent, he didn’t do anything wrong.” I felt guilty the second the words left my mouth. Brent didn’t do anything wrong either, I did. He loved me and I had hurt him.

Brent came closer to me. His face was warped with betrayal. Feeling his heart breaking was excruciating.

“Is that what he told you? That he wasn’t doing anything wrong. How could you trust him enough to come with you, but not me, after everything he’s done to you?” Brent asked, his words digging deep, making me feel even guiltier.

“He followed me here, Brent. I didn’t ask him to come.”

Brent turned, glowering at Logan. “Did you tell her, Logan?” Brent asked. “Did you tell her you read all of her thoughts, just as I did? Did you tell her you knew she believed you could also be her Paramour?”

The room was silent for a moment as Logan and I exchanged glances before Brent continued.

“It looks like you made your choice, Claire.” Brent’s voice was hoarse.

“What are you talking about, Brent?”

“Exactly what I said, Claire. We both knew you thought you had two Paramours. Logan jumped at the chance to prove you right. And it looks like he did. I hope you’re both very happy together,” he said, the hurt in his voice clear.

They both knew the entire time.

I felt regret in my chest as I tried to breathe, a surprise, as I expected anger for their intrusiveness. Brent knew I was conflicted about the role the two of them had in my life and I had been shutting him out to explore those feelings. Then he walked into this room to find me in Logan’s arms. What did I do? I wished Maggie was home. I wanted to run into her room and cry on her shoulder. My inexperience with love and trust was catching up to me.

I turned to Logan.

“You knew before you got here?” I asked, disappointed he hadn’t been completely honest with me.