My heart hammered against my rib cage. “We do.”
“Exactly.” He straightened, and I could breathe again. “I thought we might do something about that.”
“Like what?” I watched his neck and shoulders tighten and almost shivered. He’s nervous. What has the power to make Ren nervous?
“Like spend more time together. Get the pack’s loyalty transferred to us instead of the elders,” he said. “Maybe convince our friends to stop hating each other. Could make the Keepers relax, lay off a bit.”
I pulled my lip between my teeth as I considered his words. “You want to start moving toward the union now?”
He nodded. “Ease in. It will make the adjustment easier for everyone instead of going cold turkey in October. I thought we could hang out.”
“Hang out? Together?” I bit my lip hard so I wouldn’t laugh.
“Couldn’t hurt,” he said quietly.
The laugh died in my belly when I realized how serious he was. Unless they rip each other’s throats out.
“It’s risky,” I said.
“Are you saying you can’t control your Nightshades?”
“No. Of course not.” I glared at him. “If I say so, they’ll toe the line.”
“Then it shouldn’t be a problem. Should it?”
I sighed. “The Keepers have been on you too?”
Ren pulled his gaze from mine. “Efron expressed some concerns about my . . . habits. Worried that you’d be unhappy or concerned about fidelity.” He chewed on the last word like a piece of gristle.
I doubled over laughing. For a minute he looked chagrined.
“Serves you right, Romeo.” I aimed my fingers at his chest, miming a cocked pistol. “If you weren’t Emile’s son, your pelt would already be nailed over a fireplace belonging to the father of some brokenhearted girl.”
Ren flashed a wicked smile. “You’re not wrong.” He put his hand against the locker just above my shoulder. “Efron has visited our house once a week for the last month.” His grin didn’t fade, but his eyes looked troubled.
Fear curled my fingers around his shirt, pulling him closer. “Every week?” I whispered.
He nodded, passing a hand through his espresso dark hair. “Don’t be surprised if he’s packing a shotgun at the union.”
I smiled, but my breath caught in my throat as he leaned down. His lips brushed against my ear. I pulled away. The Keepers took this purity thing seriously, even if he didn’t.
“I think they’re worried the next generation might not fall into line. But I’d never leave you at the altar, Lily.”
I punched him in the stomach and instantly regretted it. Ren’s abdomen was rock hard. I shook my aching hand as I drew it back.
He braceleted my wrist in a fierce grip. His smile didn’t fade.
“Nice hook.”
“Thanks for noticing.” I tried to pull my arm away, but his lock on my wrist remained firm.
“So what do you think?”
“About hanging out?” I couldn’t meet his eyes. He was much too close. I could feel the heat of his body, and it was making my own temperature rise.
“Yes.” His face was inches from my own. He smelled like leather and sandalwood.
“It might work,” I said, certain I’d melt into the locker at any second. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” He pulled back and dropped my wrist. “See ya, Lily.”
He danced out of reach. I could hear him laughing as he disappeared into the crowd of students.
FOUR
I BOLTED FOR MY DESK AS THE FIRST BELL rang. From the desk behind mine Bryn clucked her tongue. “Spill.”
“It was interesting,” I said, sliding into my seat.
Mr. Graham cleared his throat. “Ladies, gentlemen. A moment of your precious time.”
I gasped as Bryn’s hand shot out, fingernails digging into my forearm. “Bryn, what?”
Her eyes were locked on the front of the classroom. The roar of student chatter faded.
“Much obliged.” Mr. Graham’s raspy tone wafted through the room. “We have a new student matriculating at the Mountain School today.”
I began to turn in my chair and winced, certain that I’d lost some skin to Bryn’s claw-like grip. Then I froze, catching the scent of a spring breeze full of sunlight. No, it can’t be. But it was.
Standing in an uneasy pose next to Mr. Graham’s desk was the hiker I’d saved not twenty-four hours earlier.
“This is Seamus Doran,” our teacher continued, beaming at the boy, who looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“It’s Shay. I go by Shay,” he said quietly.
“Welcome then, Shay.” Mr. Graham’s eyes cast about the room. My heart dropped when I saw his gaze fix on the empty seat to my right. “There’s a seat for you next to Miss Tor.”
Bryn kicked the back of my chair insistently.
“Knock it off,” I snapped, half turning toward her. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Something.” Her voice was low but alarmed.
I was trapped between being thrilled and horrified to see him again. Even if I couldn’t sort out my muddle of feelings, I still knew that when he recognized me, it would be disastrous. I pulled my hair forward in an attempt to veil my face.
Where is my hoodie when I need it?