Chapter 18 #2
“Tell me what you know,” he said. “Then I’ll fill in some of the blanks.”
“Some, but not all of them?” I asked.
“Some things I don’t think you’d understand.”
I started to protest when he held a finger to my lips.
“Let me explain before you get upset,” he said.
“It’s like with the insulin. I told you what I knew, that your medicine wasn’t insulin, but you didn’t believe me.
I’m not sure you would have even considered the possibility if Adan hadn’t also talked to you.
You had to find out for yourself to believe it. ”
That was because we’d barely known each other.
At the time, I wouldn’t take his word over my own mother’s.
Now, I probably would. “Okay,” I said, trying to organize my thoughts.
“Let’s start with that. We know my daily injections aren’t insulin.
You said you don’t know exactly what it is, but you do know one of the ingredients? The one you smelled?”
“Correct. When we tested what was in the vial, we tested to see if it was insulin. It wasn’t. Then we tested to see if that ingredient was in it. It was.”
“And what is that one ingredient?”
“It’s a natural plant that potentially can be used to suppress a gene.”
“So, in theory, if I stop taking my injections, this gene that is supposedly being suppressed will do what to me?” I asked, afraid. My mom had engineered and given me this medicine for a reason. I didn’t think she was the enemy here. I believed she wanted me safe from whatever this was.
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “You’ve been taking it so long, I don’t know how your body will react. Which is why I suggest that you keep taking it until we know more.”
“Should I see a doctor?” One besides my father. Which meant my father had to know and was in on this with my mother.
“No,” he answered. “A doctor won’t be able to help you.”
Because I wasn’t fully human. “Who will be able to help me?”
Rowan hesitated. “My family might be able to help. My dad is aware of the situation and is looking into it. We’ve never come across this before, so we’re not entirely sure what to do.”
“But you won’t tell me what the plant is?”
“I will when it makes sense. It won’t mean anything to you right now.”
Well, that was frustrating. Moving on. “Why is my DNA different? Why does it say I’m not fully human?” This was the one I had no ideas about. I wasn’t an alien. I looked human, felt human, acted human. So why didn’t my DNA reveal that?
“Because you are different,” Rowan said.
“Am I like you?” I had a feeling Rowan was different.
“Not quite.”
“What does that mean?’
“You’re part human and part me.”
I could feel his arms shaking slightly as he told me this. Whatever it was, it was huge. Monumental. And he wasn’t used to talking to anyone about it.
“Are the other guys in this house like you?”
“Yes. We’re the same. The guys and me.”
“But I’m only sort of like you?”
“You’re half like me.” He chuckled. “I’m sorry if this all sounds crazy. We’re not allowed to talk about this to anyone who isn’t the same as us. But since you’re sort of like us, I think it’s okay.”
“Why don’t I know what I am?”
“I’m not sure why no one told you.”
“My mother knows, doesn’t she? Is she like me?” When I’d looked at her DNA sample, I didn’t recall seeing any unknown sequences in it.
“Your mom is fully human, but I believe she knows what you are, since she’s the one making and administering your injections.”
If I wanted to know what I was, I needed to confront my mom. And if I wanted to stop taking the injections, I had to discuss it with her. There was no way she’d be giving me something without fully understanding it, so she had to know what would happen once I stopped taking it.
“What did the DNA results reveal?” Rowan asked.
I’d forgotten I hadn’t shared them with him. “That my dad isn’t my dad.” I felt him take a sharp breath with the news. “Does that surprise you?”
“No, not really. It just confirms my suspicions.” His free hand withdrew his phone from his pocket, setting it on the nightstand. “Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“What happened in the parking lot? Who’s following me? Am I in danger?”
He rubbed his face. “Those are a lot of questions.”
“Start answering.” I patted his chest.
He sighed. “Basically, there are some people who are like me who are interested in you because you’re different.” His arms tightened around me. “I think they want to get rid of you, since you’re not fully human, but you’re not fully like me.”
The room seemed unusually quiet as I processed this information. “When you say get rid of me, do you mean kill me?” My heartbeat picked up with the prospect of people wanting me dead.
“Yes.”
I exhaled, my breath shaky. “So I’m in danger?” I had no idea how to protect myself from people who wanted me dead. And as to why they wanted to kill me, I didn’t understand that either. I blinked several times, trying to hold back the tears.
“I’m not sure if you’re still in danger,” Rowan admitted. “We talked with them. We told them you’re not a threat and to leave you alone. My father spoke with them. They said they were leaving, but we can’t be sure.”
“Until we’re certain they’re gone, what should I do to protect myself?”
“We’ve got your back. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
“Who’s we?”
“Everyone here in this house and my father.”
I recalled my first week here at Stonemore and how several of the rugby players had asked if I knew the Wards. “Is your dad important? Famous?” I remembered meeting him and hadn’t recognized him.
“Sort of.”
He wasn’t very forthcoming with the details, but at least he was answering my questions.
“What about this weird attraction between us?” I asked. “Does that have anything to do with what I am?” Because I felt more in tune to Rowan than I had with anyone else. Ever.
He chuckled. “I just think we’re attracted to one another.”
I twisted so I could look into his eyes. “You’re attracted to me?”
“I thought it was obvious.”
I shook my head. “I mean, I knew we had some sort of connection, but I always got the impression that you don’t want it.”
“It’s not that I don’t want it; you just took me by surprise. The moment I saw you, I knew I had to have you.”
His words sent a thrill through my body. “I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” I admitted.
“Me neither.” He reached up, pushing my hair behind my ear. “The thing is, we’re not exactly alike. While you’re part of what I am, you’re not fully what I am. Because of that, we shouldn’t be together.”
His words felt like a knife stabbing my heart. “Oh.” I started to scoot away from him.
He held me firm. “Just because we shouldn’t doesn’t mean I don’t want to.” His fingers wrapped around my wrists, trapping me. “I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.” He leaned forward, his nose trailing up the side of my cheek, inhaling me.
“It’s hard for me to know what to say or how to feel when I don’t fully understand. How can we be together if I don’t know what you are?” If I didn’t know what I was?
“I’ve been thinking about that,” he whispered, his mouth moving to my neck where he kissed me, sending a jolt of warmth through my body. “I promise I’ll come up with a solution.” He kissed along my jawline, setting my body on fire.
I wanted every inch of Rowan.
He released my left wrist, his hand trailing up the side of my body and to my back.
His lips moved to mine. His tongue slid inside my mouth, making me feel as if I would explode from the pleasure coursing through me.
He released my other wrist, his hands coming up on either side of my face. He deepened the kiss. Our tongues slid against each other. Heat shot through me.
I couldn’t get enough of him. I wound my fingers in his hair, holding his head in place, afraid he’d move away. I always wanted to be here, in Rowan’s arms. This was where I belonged. I knew it in my bones.
He twisted, his body pushing mine down onto the bed. He lay on top of me, his arms supporting just enough of his weight so he didn’t crush me. I felt the entire length of his body against mine.
His hand slid under my shirt, gliding up to just below my breast. His thumb grazed over my bra as his mouth moved to my neck.
A knock resounded on the door.
“Go away,” Rowan shouted between kisses.
“Wish I could,” Danny replied. “But I need to speak with you. Now.”
Rowan groaned. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, looking into my eyes. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He got up and went to the door, opening it a couple of inches.
“You’re needed downstairs in the kitchen,” Danny said.
Rowan glanced at me. “I’ll be right back. Do you want anything while I’m downstairs?”
I shook my head, unable to form a single word.