[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
have a chance to clear my head of him. 170 About a month ago. I tried to rub away the bumps on my arms and shifted uneasily. Why did he turn? Peter s furrowed deepened and his tone got even more confused. Why haven t you? There was an accident, and Milo was going to die, so Jack turned him, I explained hurriedly. And I had been waiting to turn until Milo was a bit older. Jack s always so eager to turn everything, Peter said more to himself than anyone else. Then he shook his head and looked past Milo at Mae. You haven t said hello. I haven t really had the chance. Mae forced a smile and finally released Milo, but she made no movement towards Peter, no attempt to hug him the way she hugged everyone else. As if on cue, the phone in my pocket started to playing Time Warp, and Peter shot me a knowing glare. Only one person had that ringtone, and it was apparent to everyone in the room who it was. They all waited with bated breath to see if I would answer it or not, but I didn t see that I really had a choice. If I didn t answer it, Jack would come here with guns blazing, and I d much rather try to keep this a civil affair. Hello? I answered quietly, and Peter scoffed and shook his head. Are you alright? Is everything okay? Jack spat hurriedly, and there was this instant swelling of relief. It had been so long since I d heard his voice, and I had to fight not to weep at the sound of it. Peter saw my reaction and made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. Yeah, I m fine. I pressed the phone close to my ear and turned my back on everyone, as if that would somehow make the conversation more private. I was standing in the middle of the kitchen with three vampires with superior hearing, and they were all waiting in silence to hear what Jack had to say. His reaction would be pivotal in how this whole thing turned out, and even Peter seemed aware of that. Is he there? Jack s tone had a bite to it now, and I heard Ezra say something to calm him in the background. Yeah, he is, but I m okay. Then I rather stupidly lowered my voice and added, He knows. Well, of course, I know! Peter rolled his eyes dramatically. Is that Peter? Jack got louder and angrier, and I couldn t imagine a meeting between them going well. Is Jack on his way? Peter asked, loud enough so Jack could hear me. I am on my way, and tell him he better watch his ass! Jack shouted, and I held the phone away from ear so it wouldn t damage my eardrums. Real mature, Jack, Peter scoffed. Why is he even there? Tell him to just go away! Jack suggested, and I could hear Ezra telling Jack to shut up and calm down or he was turning the car around. You know it s not really fun for me to have the two you talking through me, I pointed out dryly. 171 I have every right to be here! Peter insisted fiercely. This is my house too! This is more my family than it is his! I don t know why Jack thinks he can just claim everything! Jack, I don t know that you need to come here, I said softly. It would be much, much safer if they didn t interact, and we all knew that. I think we can handle it ourselves. No way. This is getting dealt with, once and for all, Jack told me firmly. I ll be there soon. Just stay safe. I ll try. I hung up the phone and started at the kitchen floor for a minute, trying to collect my thoughts. Jack was on his way, which definitely couldn t be a good thing. They were acting like children in a pissing contest, and I had no idea how to resolve the situation without violence. If Jack and Peter saw each other& Peter, maybe you should just go, Mae offered gently, and it was clear she was thinking the same thing I was. I know that you re not happy to see me, but that s not fair. Peter was genuinely hurt by her reaction, and Mae s eyes filled with soft tears. I haven t done anything wrong! Peter, you know that s not exactly true, Mae chastised him quietly. She kept her gaze on him, but nodded her head slightly to me, referencing the instance in which Peter nearly killed me. Look, I am not proud of that and I m not trying to justify it, but if& He bit his lip and shook his head. Jack overstepped his bounds on every measure of this, yet you re all continually on his side! She was meant for me, not him! And it shouldn t have mattered to any of you if she had died! Thanks, I mumbled, and I felt his eyes land apologetically on me. Alice, that s not what I meant. He made a move towards me, then dropped his hand. We re not on anyone s side, Mae insisted, and she rested a hand on Milo s arm, trying to keep him steady. Hearing Peter so casually talk about my death had left him fuming. Things are far more complicated than sides, and you know that. But Jack is wrong! Peter slammed his hand on the counter, and we all jumped. What gives him the right? He loves me, Peter, I told him timidly. He turned towards me, his eyes burning on me, and I felt myself try to shrink away. Milo hissed and Mae stepped forward, trying to block Milo from Peter. She knew, just as I did, that Peter had no intention of hurting me ever again. He was hurt, definitely, and vehement about something, but I didn t know what. And you think I don t? Peter moved so quickly, I almost didn t see it happen. His face was directly in front of me, and I was backed up against the wall, but he wasn t touching me at all. Milo was freaking out because of his sudden movement, and Mae was trying to push him into the other room so he could get a reign on his emotions. They re fine! He s just talking to her! Mae kept insisting. 172 Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her finally wrangle Milo into another room, but all I could really see were Peter s green eyes. He always looked at me is if he was trying to completely look through me and solve the great mystery of me. There wasn t one, though, and that left his eyes constantly searching [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |