Chapter 2 #3
“River lied,” Avery seemed to spit out the words.
“Bullshit,” Gina snapped back.
“He lied,” Avery insisted. “I don’t know about what, but when I asked about the girl’s affinities–”
“Not this again,” Gina hissed. Her chair scraped against the floor as she jumped to her feet. Her boots clacked on the hardwood as she began to pace. “Now you’re lying to me.”
“I’m not,” Avery said, suddenly calm.
“You told me the Phantom was a boy,” Gina spat. “Now you tell me it’s a woman? You’re lying to me. I think you want her. I’m no longer enough for you.”
“No,” Avery said, still patient even as my hackles rose at her tone. “It’s not like that.”
Gina scoffed, her pacing growing faster as she became more agitated. Shadows moved across the doorway, and I peered out the bay window in the main room with a gulp. Clouds were gathering, trees swaying in the breeze as leaves blew across the snow.
“You’ve never been satisfied with me. You’ll never be happy until you’re the Key,” Gina went on. “You’re lying.”
“What could I possibly be lying about?” Avery asked, sounding exasperated.
“Is she your Key?” Gina snapped. “This Phantom?”
My jaw almost dropped.
Silence wafted from the open door.
“No,” Avery said quietly. “And…you know that, don’t you?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Gina asked darkly.
Clouds swirled outside, snow fell from tree branches as they began to sway harder.
Fucking Avery needed to fix this, and fast.
“You know exactly what I mean,” Avery replied. “Don’t you, Regina?”
Holy shit, he was making it worse.
On impulse, I walked into the office, pausing when I saw Gina, since that was my normal reaction to seeing her without having been warned of her presence. I looked back and forth between them quickly.
Gina had her hands fisted at her sides, looking like she was ready to swing on him, which, admittedly, would’ve been cool. Avery was sitting at his desk, his hands gripping the sides so hard his fingers had gone white.
“Hello,” I said, dragging the word out. “Am I…interrupting something?”
“Not at all,” Gina’s face and voice instantly brightened when she saw me. She clasped her hands in front of her. “River, how are you?”
“Fine,” I said flatly, since that’s how I usually responded to her. I looked to Avery, deciding to ignore how he’d been acting more insane than usual not thirty minutes ago. “How long was I out?”
Gina dipped her chin to her chest, blinking fast to probably keep tears from falling. Avery, surprisingly, ignored her. He must’ve really been upset with her for…whatever that was.
“I’ve only been back since about two,” Avery said. “You were already asleep when I got here. I’m not sure when you got back.”
I shrugged. “I don’t have a clock in my room.”
“We’ll fix that,” Gina said quickly. “The room should’ve been fully stocked.” She sent Avery a vicious glare, but he only gave her a blank look in return.
I stuffed my hands into my hoodie pocket, still not looking at Gina.
“Did she say anything when I left?” Avery asked, referencing the Seer.
I shook my head. “Just the same shit.”
“She’s proving herself to be a waste,” Gina said, crossing her arms. “How many times has she even been correct?”
Once.
“Twice,” Avery replied.
I furrowed my brow, meeting his eye with confusion. He only gave me a pointed look, like I was supposed to know what he meant.
I didn’t.
Were we lying to Gina, now?
I could probably get behind that, but what was the point?
Gina’s pacing drew my attention, because pacing was not a good sign.
“She was wrong about Alaska, wrong about the Gulf, wrong about my womb.”
My heart leapt. “The Gulf? What happened in the Gulf?”
Gina stopped abruptly, looking to Avery with obvious alarm. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“We have some captives from the Gulf. The Seer told me there was a rare affinate there, but neither one is really showing any promise.”
“Pity,” I replied flatly.
Avery sighed deeply. “Did I wake you? You can probably get another nap in before lunch.”
My stomach growled, not loud enough to be heard. I was hungry now, damnit.
“Okay.”
The crisis had been averted, so I turned to leave.
“River, have you taken your medicine today?” Avery’s voice came from behind me.
“Medicine? You’re having headaches again?” Gina sounded worried.
“I’ll take it now,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Good,” Avery replied. “The Seer said he’s been having headaches again.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Gina actually sounded like there were tears in her eyes.
I continued staring at the door.
“Stop it, sunshine, you’re embarrassing him.” Avery sighed. “River, go take a nap.”
My eyes widened, and before I could turn to glare at him, my limbs locked up. I stood frozen, staring at the open door as my bones began to burn.
“He’s so tired, lately,” Avery explained to Gina. “Go on, River.”
I stormed down the hall, then slammed down onto my mattress, my eyes stinging as I once again found myself staring at the curtains. Once again wondering if I’d ever get the fuck out of this place. I was stronger now, but still not strong enough.
The reminder only made me hate myself more.