puzzle piece slipped into place. “You want an alliance with me.”
“Bravo.” Kristen dropped the backpack, clapping softly. “My terms. A truce between you and I, uncontestable as of this moment. If Madeline makes a move against mine, you will come to my aid. You’re the only threat to their eternity. Plus,” Kristen said with a smile, “you’re on my side! Oh, I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.”
“So you’re just gonna blame Eden, then? For Erin?” There was a protective edge to Adam’s voice that hadn’t been there before. Kristen snorted.
“If I know my dear Maddy, she’ll pull her spoiled-brat pout for a bit and move on to a new BFF. Eden here has more pressing threats than Madeline.” She turned to Eden. “Don’t you?” Kristen’s face went solemn. “In exchange, I give you my guarantee Madeline will not be a problem for you, regarding said pressing threats. Your talent is not something They will find amusing.”
“If I agree to this alliance thing, you’ll just let us go?” She heard Adam suck in a breath.
“Us?” Kristen asked.
“Adam comes with me, or the deal is off.”
“Agreed. With a talent like yours, you’ll be found eventually. You’re going to need backup.”
“And another thing. You don’t tell…” Eden glanced toward Adam as she reached forward, took the backpack from Kristen. He doesn’t know about the Bound or the Fallen, she thought. “You tell no one where I’ve gone, should anyone ask.”
“The city is large enough to get lost in. Keep a low profile and stay off the radar.” She held out a gloved hand. “Are we agreed?”
Eden shook her hand, throwing the backpack over her shoulder. “Where do I go? Once I get to Manhattan?”
“Not my problem.” Kristen shook her head, smiling. “And not something you should want me to know.” She spun on her heel. “You’re nothing but a rumor now.”
CHAPTER 18
(Two Months Later)
Eden reached blindly for her phone and shut off her alarm as she crawled out of bed. The curtains covering the window blocked the morning light, but she crossed to the door without turning on the lamp. She’d memorized her room enough to make her way.
The apartment was quiet. Adam slouched on the couch. He glanced up as she entered and nodded hello before lowering the monitor of the laptop balanced on his legs.
“Scoot,” Eden mumbled, still half asleep. He threw himself over a few feet on the beat-up couch, pulling the blanket with him, not even offering a corner. Apparently, mornings weren’t for sharing.
“Asshole.” She ran the zipper up on her hooded sweatshirt and plopped down. “Anybody else up?” she asked, combing the tangles out of her hair with her fingers. The door to the boys’ room was closed. A two-bedroom apartment had been more than enough for just her and Adam. Then Jarrod and Adam had shared. No one had objected when she’d pulled the girl card and insisted on her own space. Two weeks ago, when they’d added James to the mix, things had moved from crowded to crash pad. The whole hallway smelled like a dorm room.
“You know Jarrod. He’s either up by seven or comatose till noon. James wasn’t moving around yet when I came out here.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, obviously, he needs the sleep. Hissy fits burn up a lot of energy.”
“Don’t do that.”
Eden yanked at a chunk of her bangs, separating one of the hot pink highlights. She still wasn’t used to the cut, the strands tapering off near her ears.
“What do you want me to do, just stand by and watch him suffer? He looks like a fucking zombie half the time.” James had passed the easy stage, where Touch only had to be passed once or twice a day. By now, he should have been hitting up at least five. Instead he was being a child. Refusing.
“Look, he’s rough. No denying that. I’m surprised he’s been able to resist spreading it this long. But he’s a kid, Eden. Eventually, he’s gonna break. He’ll start passing, get used to it. He’ll be fine. Besides, it’s not like you can force him.”
Eden yanked herself up off the couch and headed for the door. What to do with James? The question plaguing them all week.
“I’ll be back in half an hour. Wake him up and tell him to get his ass ready. He’s passing today.”
She shrugged on her black peacoat as she took the stairs. Peering through the little window beside the security door, she kept herself just out