The Scarlet Dagger (The Red Sector Chronicles, #1)

Chapter 28

When Monday came, I returned to the academy. Angel looked visibly relieved to see me.

"Did you go?" she hissed to me during calculus.

"Yeah." I gave her a small smile. "Thanks for covering for me. The camera thing was great."

She waved my praise away. "And?"

I sighed. "I said goodbye."

"Oh. Good, then."

And that was that. She didn't bring it up the rest of the day, bless her. I guess I really did look that sullen, trying to push Leo from my mind.

Following Aden's suggestion, I'd thrown the chip away. Seeing as I'd only been gone one night – and since the chip apparently really was dead – no one had noticed anything out of the ordinary. I tried really hard to banish my memories of Leo, to forget about the kiss we had shared and what that meant. My biggest regret was never seeing him again. How could I ever face him? The kiss made things twice as bad.

It doesn't matter. You're never going back there. This is where you belong now.

I spent a lot of time worrying about the virus and wondering when they would unleash it. I wanted to stop it down here, to head it off before it ever had a chance of reaching the surface, but I had no idea how I was going to go about doing that. Despite that dilemma, I felt marginally better after warning Leo. At least someone up there knew what the vampires were planning, and I prayed Leo would heed my premonition before it was too late. That somewhat eased my guilt, knowing I had possibly saved his life. I could forgive myself if he lived.

Word had spread about my fight with Rook, and the other vampires more or less started to accept me as one of their own. Some of the other soldiers – mostly my classmates, the ones who were there to see the fight – even started treating me with respect. I was thankful for the acceptance, as it meant I didn't have to worry about trying to constantly tune out everyone's hatred and anger. Though I kept my mental block up, I still stayed alert for any "warning signs," like the one I received at the arcade right before the shooter fired. But life remained blissfully dull, and I preferred it that way. It made it easier to settle into a routine.

Before I knew it, three whole weeks had flown by, and we were less than seven days away from Christmas. It didn't feel like it, being underground. Festive wreaths and twinkling white lights had been hung along the walls and doors and from the ceiling, cheering up the base a bit. Aden said it was a way for us to hold on to our humanity.

I noticed a definite change in the air as Christmas Eve approached. Everyone seemed more excited, and I couldn't blame them. Somehow, I still managed to feel a bit melancholy, though I tried not to let it show. No use in bringing down everyone else's spirits.

"So," Angel piped up one day.

"So what?" We were walking down the hall together toward the mess hall.

She looked so excited, she could hardly control herself. "Has Aden asked you yet?"

My eyes narrowed. "Asked me what?"

"Oh, that's right. It's your first year here. It's still somewhat of a new tradition, as we only started this last year. On Christmas Eve, we hold a Holiday Ball, right here at the base. It's glorious!"

I blanched at the thought of dancing. "Thanks, but I think I'll pass."

"No!" Angel tugged on my arm, pouting. "Please come! It'll be a lot of fun, I swear!" She blushed, looking uncharacteristically shy. "I'm going with Rook."

"Shut up! You are not."

She nodded, grinning ear to ear. "He asked me last week. I thought, you know, we could all go together."

I sighed. "Angel, I can't dance. Besides, I don't have anything to wear."

Though I had gotten my first paycheck, they'd taken out a big chunk for court costs and hospital bills, which I thought was totally unfair. What little Krillion I had left in my account had to last me through the next month, as I'd still need to buy groceries or have enough to cover a meal at the base. Right now, food definitely trumped a fancy dress.

"Oh, leave that to me." Her eyes glittered mischievously. "I'm sure we can find you a dress."

I hoped she didn't mean my borrowing her clothes. Somehow, I thought I'd never be able to get anything of hers to fit since she was so petite.

"But I don't have a date," I argued.

She winked. "Yet."

Angel looked past my shoulder, and I turned around to see Aden walking up to us. She started slipping away. "I'm going to go see if I can find Rook. See you inside."

I tried to grab her, suddenly freaked out to be left alone with Aden, but Angel just gave me a knowing smile and disappeared through the doors.

"Hey," Aden said, sounding a bit out of breath. "I thought I was going to miss you. I got tied up with my last class."

I folded my arms, feeling very exposed, and shrugged. "Angel and I are just getting here ourselves. Class ran over a bit."

Aden nodded, and we stood there while other personnel and students passed us. I looked anywhere but at him. Now that Angel had mentioned it, they all seemed to be talking about the approaching ball. I supposed I was too wrapped up in thwarting the virus and thinking about Leo to notice much of the gossip going on around me.

"Sloane," Aden said, and my head snapped forward.

"Yes?"

He smiled. "There's this event coming up –"

"The Holiday Ball?"

He nodded. "Angel told you, I see."

"Are you surprised?"

He laughed. "No." His eyes turned smoldering. "I don't suppose she also told you I was planning on asking you to be my date?"

My heart trembled, and I cleared my throat. "Um, yeah, she, uh, might have mentioned it."

"So will you go? With me?"

I searched his eyes, my mouth hanging open. After an awkward silence, I found my voice. "Yeah, sure. It sounds like fun."

Aden's entire face lit up. "Great. I'll fill you in on the details when it gets a bit closer."

"Cool. Sounds good."

We stared at each other a few seconds longer before Aden gestured toward the doors. "Ready to eat?"

"Absolutely. Starved." I wanted to smack myself. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I think of anything to say other than disjointed words?

Aden opened the door for me and we entered the hall. His hand brushed against mine, and I tried to deny the warmth spreading through me at his proximity.

Somehow, against my will, I had started to fallfor Aden Knight.