Things That Should Stay Buried - Casey L. Bond Page 0,66

you doing here?”

Xavier scratched the back of his head. “I guess I’m living here now.”

“What?” I asked, mouth agape, before managing to recover. “I mean, that’s great and all, but how did that happen?”

“Well, your brother just came and got me. He said Aries said you could use –and I quote – a companion.”

I didn’t want to sound rude or ungrateful, but why was Aries doing this? I didn’t imagine the hunger in his kiss, and the night of my weird prom recreation he admitted pushing me toward Xavier, as though I’d somehow burrowed under his skin and driven him mad. But now he was pushing Xavier at me.

“There’s another Zodia here with him,” he whispered.

“Which one?” I asked, every muscle in my body taut.

“Virgo,” he answered.

I didn’t necessarily breathe a sigh of relief at the news, but I wasn’t overly worried. I was pretty sure she wasn’t going to try to shred me, but I still didn’t like her.

Xavier walked over to where I leaned against the balustrade and pulled a piece of paper from the inner pocket of his coat. The slip of torn, wide-ruled paper rattled in the wind as he held it out to me. Across it was printed: Somehow, we have to talk privately.

My heart dropped at the same time my hackles raised. I wondered what was going on and how we would possibly manage to evade the mass of Guardians long enough to speak.

“We’ll figure it out,” he said so quietly I almost didn’t hear him.

Our silence, as well as our whispers were bound to draw attention. “Was Kes upset when he came to get you?”

“He wasn’t thrilled, to say the least, but it didn’t seem like anyone had a say in it but Aries.” There was a sharp glint in his eye. I imagined a spark of hatred looked the same before it spread and consumed.

“So, where’s your room?” I asked, hoping to redirect the conversation away from the celestial beast upending our lives.

“Nowhere near yours,” he answered with a grin that quickly fell away. “He wants me close, but not too close.”

The multitude of questions swimming in his eyes nearly took me under. I knew I couldn’t answer them now, but then again, I wasn’t sure if I ever should. I trusted Kes and he looked out for me, which was why I needed to heed his guidance and not tell Xavier anything.

Was this a test to see if I was loyal, or was it exactly like Xavier said? Maybe Aries finally realized the pledge was making him crazy; that he shouldn’t waste his time personally guarding a girl he barely knew. Kes never specified that Aries had to be the one to watch over me. He just asked him to guard me and keep me safe above all others. I pinched my eyes closed, wishing he’d never said those words. If something happened to any of his people while he was busy trying to keep me safe, I’d never forgive myself.

“Do you want to go inside?” Xavier asked, hooking his thumb back toward the door. “You’re shivering.”

I hadn’t realized it until he pointed it out, but I was. “Yeah,” I agreed absently, following him to the door.

“There has to be something to do around here,” he mused.

As long as his search didn’t include dark lairs or beautiful libraries, we were safe.

So why did I have that dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach, the same staticky feel I got before the world fell apart and the Zodia awoke?

Kes appeared in my room as I was getting ready for a dinner to which Xavier and I had been summoned. I scraped hanger after hanger over the metal bar in the closet, unsure what to wear. My fingers fell over my prom dress and I quickly brushed it aside. I was never wearing it again.

He cleared his throat behind me.

My hand paused half-way across the closet bar. “I know you’re here.”

“Then why are you ignoring me?”

My hand tightened on a red sweater for a second before I pushed it aside. “Why didn’t you tell me Xavier was moving in?” I volleyed.

“I didn’t know until Aries gave the order to retrieve the boy and not tell you beforehand.”

I turned to face him. “Why would Aries care if I knew? I would obviously find out when he showed up anyway.”

Kes shrugged. “I have no idea, but I have to do what I’m told.”

“It must be exhausting.” I turned back to my clothes, angrily raking