Throwing Stones in Glass Houses (Tentatively Ongoing)

Chapter 17: Into the Dark

Thank you so much for everyone who has read, voted and commented on Chapter 16, and for all the new readers. *waves* Hi! I appreciate you all for joining me or sticking with me on this journey. This is a short chapter (for me!), but I'll update again soon to make up for it. There was just too much plot for one chapter, and the next part wasn't perfect yet.

P.S. As you read, just remember, everything is intentional. I'm starting to gear up for the end now, so keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Shit's about to hit the proverbial fan, if you will...

"What did Master B want to talk to you about?"

I tugged my borrowed jacket—a blue one of Gabriel's, since he'd been the first to offer—tighter around my chest as I walked and dug my face into the soft material, before turning to look at Kota. His expression was guarded, carefully neutral in the way only a soldier could be, but his slightly pinched brows gave away his curiosity. He wasn't going to beg me for details. He was too well trained for that, but I could tell he wanted the truth from me.

"Nothing much," I told him. I had no reason to lie, but there were several aspects of our conversation that I still wanted to keep to myself. "He just wanted to tell me that he found some new information about my patron."

All that business about shining, glowing and darkness, for example, felt too fresh to share. I still didn't know what to make of most of what Master Blackbourne had told me—frankly, my feelings around the man were confused enough right now—but I didn't want to talk about it with the boys just yet. Not even the strong, stoic Kota Lee.

I tucked my chin into my collarbone, scanning my body surreptitiously as we passed beneath the towering columns that lined the walkway snaking out from the centre of campus. I couldn't see anything, but then again, I didn't expect to. I was starting to think I was losing it. People just didn't glow!

"Nothing else?" Kota asked, stepping closer to me and wrapping a casual arm around my shoulders. It was a cool morning, accompanied by a gentle breeze, and the sun hadn't yet cleared the tallest of the buildings on either side of us. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, even through the thin fleece that shielded my skin, and I was grateful for the small amount of warmth. Even at our brisk pace, I just couldn't seem to stave off the cold. My new inner fire, bright as it might have been with Gabriel back at their building, was apparently no match for the elements.

"Not really," I hedged evasively. I really didn't want to lie, but this boy was altogether too perceptive.

"Not even about McCoy?" I jumped, almost dislodging Kota's arm, as Gabriel practically skipped into eye line. His bright, live-wire smile was far too exuberant for the early hour, but his energy never failed to make me smile.

"What about him?" Silas asked, comfortably filling the remaining space between Kota and the wall. I shifted to give him my full attention but, as I turned, I caught the change in Gabriel's now strained expression.

"What's wrong, Gabe?" Kota asked. Apparently, I wasn't the only one to interpret the subtle signs of distress from his brother.

"What are you doing, Trouble?" I frowned. I wasn't doing anything. "You did it before," he continued, "in the sanctuary, but I didn't think anything of it then."

"Did what?" Silas asked the question before I could speak. It didn't matter. I'd been about to ask the same thing.

"That!" He slid around Kota, who dropped his arm and stepped back to give us space. Lifting a hand, he pointed at my face. No, not at my face, I realised. At a spot just below my right ear, towards the edge of my hairline...