16. Liam
Chapter 16
Liam
I watch Selene carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. Her eyes darken with anger, but there’s something else there, too. Something deeper, more profound.
Hurt?
Pain?
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it unsettles me.
“Why are you so sure my family did it?” I ask, my voice softening slightly. “Who is your father?”
She clenches her jaw, refusing to meet my gaze. “It doesn’t matter,” she mutters, her voice barely above a whisper.
I feel a surge of frustration coursing through me. “Of course, it matters,” I insist, my voice rising with frustration. “You’re accusing my family of killing your father. I think I have a right to know who he is.”
She meets my gaze, her eyes flashing with anger. “You don’t fucking understand,” she snaps, her voice filled with bitterness. “You couldn’t possibly understand.”
I take a step towards her, my frustration mounting. “Then help me understand,” I implore. “Tell me who your father is.”
She shakes her head, her expression guarded. “It’s not important,” she says, her voice barely audible now.
I feel a surge of anger bubbling up inside me. “Damn it, Selene. Stop being so damn vague. You brought it up. Tell me who your father is.”
She meets my gaze defiantly, her jaw clenched with determination. “No,” she says, her voice firm and unwavering.
I grit my teeth. “Fine,” I growl. “Be that way. But don’t expect me to just sit back and let you accuse my family of something they didn’t do. Or, in that case, let you get anywhere close to my brother.”
She raises an eyebrow, her expression mocking. “And what are you going to do about it?” she challenges. “Choke me again? Do you get off wrapping your hand around my throat?”
Her voice is lower now, a little sultry and I hate how that unnerves me.
“I am serious. I let you live this long. Trust me, the moment I can prove that you are the monster I know you to be, I am going to drive the stake through your heart myself.”
“Liam! I thought you knew. Staking us is so last year. It seems you all have upgraded to straight-up beheading us now.”
I flinch at that, and she continues.
“You know where to find me when you are ready to kill me, but I built my life here. I am not going to let you run me off.”
She smells faintly of blood and of something else.
Something potent and dangerous.
Why are my eyes roaming over her high cheekbones and her lips? What would it be like to bite on them?
Would she bleed for me?
Where the hell did that thought come from?
I take a step towards her, my eyes blazing with intensity. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family.”
She meets my gaze and retorts bitterly. “Good luck with that.”
I shake my head. “You’re impossible.”
She smirks. “You’re not exactly a walk in the park yourself,” she quips.
I feel a surge of irritation bubbling up inside me. “You know what? Forget it. I’m done with this conversation. Stay the fuck away from my brother.”
I turn on my heel, storming out of the room with a sense of frustration burning in my chest.
This was not at all how I saw this going.
If she did not kill those two people, maybe her counterpart did.
Or maybe she’s a fucking liar.
Despite everything, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to Selene than meets the eye.
I approach the car and find Grayson waiting, his face hidden behind headphones. I can tell he’s upset, but I have to ask anyway.
“Hey, Gray, everything okay?”
He doesn’t even glance my way. “Fine,” he mutters curtly.
I sigh inwardly, feeling a pang of guilt. This is what I get for trying to protect him.
He doesn’t understand how dangerous it is to be that close to her, and he is too young for me to explain.
We drive to Mom and Dad’s house in a tense silence. My mind is consumed with thoughts of Selene, her image haunting me.
My hand around her throat.
Her eyes rolling back slightly…
Why is she so beautiful? And why does it feel like I can’t shake the thought of her?
When we arrive, I help Grayson get his things from the car, but he’s still fuming. He grabs his stuff and makes a move to leave, but I stop him.
“Hey, Gray,” I say. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of your teacher. I was just trying to protect you.”
He looks at me, his eyes flashing with anger. “From what?” he demands.
I hesitate, knowing I can’t tell him the truth about the supernatural world. “It’s council business,” I explain lamely. “But I’ve talked to Selene, and we’ve agreed that you will find a different tutor.”
He scoffs, shaking his head. “I’m not a kid anymore, Liam,” he says resentfully. “It’s time you realized that.”
With that, he turns and walks towards the front door, leaving me standing alone by the car.
I watch him disappear into the house, feeling a sense of frustration gnawing at me.
Should I go to the restaurant or just head home?
I’m torn, unsure of what to do next.