The Sound of a Siren's Call

33.) Sweet Lips and Sweet Dreams

Castor wasn't amused when I pulled him into a back alley. He was slightly placated when I had a note from Juniper. When I didn't leave he seemed worried.

"Read it. Then we need to talk."

He nodded slowly. He read the letter and I stared at him the whole time. His face was either deathly pale or black, blue, and swollen. He moved as though every breath hurt. I didn't ask how he was doing. It was obvious.

He didn't ask how I was doing either. Maybe he assumed I'd tell him or maybe it slipped his mind.

He finished reading the letter and he clutched it in his left hand.

"We needed to talk?"

I nodded. "There's a plan, Castor. Tonight at dinner, watch our table. If anyone does anything out of the ordinary, get ready to cover your ears."

"Why?"

"There may or may not be a rebellion. Just promise you'll do it."

He nodded. "And Juniper. Does she know?"

"Yes. She'll be alright."

He nodded. "And you?"

"I don't know. I don't know anything anymore."

"What don't you know?"

"Up from down. Right from wrong."

"Did you ever know right from wrong?"

I smiled to myself. "Better than I do now."

"Not everything's black and white, you know. It's possible you're not right or wrong."

I nodded. "Stay safe, Castor."

"Thank you. For everything."

I just nodded, but I didn't turn to walk away.

"How do you know when you're in love with someone?"

He looked taken aback. "I don't know. You just do."

I nodded. "Okay."

"Why?"

"If I am making a mistake, I want to at least know why."

He looked even more confused, but I didn't elaborate. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to go back to Ryan. I didn't want to look at her again and have all my reason leave me. I didn't want to think of the way our hands were intertwined that night or how her face had been inches away from mine.

"They're going to N-O-T-I-C-E we're G-O-N-E."

I signed the two words for him, but neither of us moved.

"I have to go. Thanks for the W-A-R-N-I-N-G."

I signed the word for him and then I was alone. I turned to go back. Now he knew. There was nothing more I could do. Still, there was a feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I was too deep in to back out, and I wasn't sure I wanted to back out. But the feeling was still there and it wouldn't go away.

Ryan smiled at me when I got back. I smiled at her, but it felt hollow.

"What's wrong? Seriously?"

"Just nerves."

Ryan nodded sympathetically. My attention was on her all day.

You just do. I'd just know.

I knew. My heart fluttered when she met my eye. When it was finally time to go, her hand intertwined with mine. It was like we were back in the dark, the stars shining down on us.