Ordinaries

Chapter 25

Walking up the lengthy stretch of asphalt that led up to the mansion was more like wading through a river than traversing a street. My boots were soaked within minutes, and my clothes stuck to my body like wet, cold spandex. Thankfully, though, I didn't have to carry Lindsey's weight for long; she returned to a good level of cognizance quickly, and by the time we reached the end of the street, Adriana had explained everything that had happened. Lindsey still seemed pretty shaken up afterwards.

Our group rendezvoused in the driveway in front of the mansion. No cars were actually parked in it; people had turned it into more exterior dancing space. Everyone was initially confused upon seeing Adriana, but quickly became intrigued when she explained what she'd told me to them.

Unfortunately, none of us had found Roberto, and that meant there was only one place left where he could be. We were climbing the hill that led to the mansion, and for the first time I was able to see the enormous house in all of its glory. The architecture was gothic, all dark grey brickwork and emotionless statues and arching windows with intricate carvings along their frames.

Noah put his arms around my waist as we walked and whispered in my ear. "Big house, huh? Plenty of rooms to get lost in, I'm sure."

"Love, we talked about this," I said, although I didn't remove his arms. "We can't do this here."

"Says who?" He moved from standing behind me to beside me, and gestured out to the crowds in the street. "Do you know how many guys I saw kissing guys out there? Girls and girls, too. And besides, I don't care. Everyone here's too drunk to notice."

"What? That doesn't make sense, Extraordinaries don't—oh." I stopped talking as Adriana slipped me a sly smile. "I think Adriana may have slipped her concoctions to more than just that one house."

"Let's use it to our advantage then," he murmured, moving his hands south. He stopped when he reached my waist. "Oh? What's this?" He pulled Yasmine's flask out of my jeans and sniffed its contents before smirking. "Tequila?"

"Thank Yasmine," I laughed. I met his chocolate eyes and he slid his hand into mine, and blood roared in my ears as I brushed his wet, warm torso. I gave in. "Fine. The affection restriction is lifted. Happy?"

"Very," he leered. "So like I was saying..."

"Rooms to get lost in," I said. "I know. Patience is key."

When we reached the door of the house, Lindsey informed us in an uncharacteristically authoritative voice that she would look for Roberto alone. Everyone nodded, not daring to argue with her tone, but I saw Jade's concern in her eyes. Lindsey headed into the house, and my friends and I followed—but Jade grabbed my wrist as I reached the threshold, holding me back.

"Is Lindsey okay?" Her tone was concerned, rather than insecure, telling me she wasn't looking for reassurance in herself. A far cry from the girl I'd first met over a year ago in Ether, but it was about time Jade stopped looking for flaws in herself.

"She is," I assured her. "You remember what the C.D. drug was like. She just needs time." I almost laughed as I repeated the very words Adriana had advised me with less than an hour ago.

Jade decompressed immediately and grimaced. "Yes, I do. Did she tell you anything about it?"

Once again, I flashed back to the conversation Lindsey and I had had outside of Yasmine's sorority. I had a very good idea of what Lindsey had probably experienced under the C.D. drug based off of that conversation, but that wasn't my story to tell; it was hers. I just hoped Jade would understand it when Lindsey decided to share it.