Page 61 of Secret Gifts
I smile lightly, and then I nod in agreement before he kisses me again. He offers me a wink before disappearing out the door on his way to be Mr. Responsible.
I slip into my clothes, and I tune out the animal sounds coming from the bathroom when I pop in my ear buds and crank up my music. I scroll down the screen to find the loudest, most adrenaline-filled song I can, and then I let it carry me outside of my world for a minute as I finish getting my stuff together.
I squeal when I turn around and Aunt Angelica is in the bedroom with me. She shoves a brown bag in my hand, ignoring the fact she just scared the hell out of me. Her eyes dart from side to side like this is some sort of drug deal, which I find humorous, especially when I check the contents to see two vials of a foggy liquid.
“What’s this?” I ask while disengaging from my music, turning it off.
“Contraceptive,” she whispers in a way that makes it sound blasphemous.
I laugh lightly while shaking my head, and then I roll my eyes while dropping the bag to the bed.
“Aria, you have to take this seriously. You’re dating a full blood. It’s illegal for a hybrid to fall pregnant to one.”
“It’s also illegal for an emergent’s daughter to live and have a child of her own,” I whisper back, and her eyes burn their scolding into mine.
“I’m serious. If you-”
“Chill, Auntie. I’ve been on birth control for centuries now,” I chuckle out. “I don’t want to fall pregnant to anyone. Besides, he’s not the first full blood I’ve ever been with. Why the sudden panic attack?”
“Because everyone is talking about the two of you. I somehow missed the little show you put on the other night, but it’s a big deal. I just wanted to make sure you were covered. In the past, I always assumed we could lie our way out of it and keep the child a secret if such a thing happened. This is too public though.”
I smile at her genuine concern, and then I loop my arm through hers.
“It’s crazy, you know? All the laws we have. No hybrids and humans are allowed to conceive together, and no full bloods and hybrids are allowed to conceive together. We’re so scared of evolution that we’re going to the extreme to prevent it.”
“Just be thankful hybrids are allowed to reproduce. Thank goodness for Clay bullying the damn council on that one.”
I smile as I think back to my sweet uncle. Then I shrug.
“I think it’s all ridiculous. You should be allowed to love and have a child with whoever you choose.”
“You’re right, you should be, but we’re not allowed to. Just be careful and inject yourself monthly like you’re supposed to.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say while saluting, and she groans while walking with me out of the bedroom.
The screaming moans exuding from the bathroom start making the bile rise to my throat, and Aunt Angelica twists her head in confusion.
“Who the heck is that?”
“Rex and Melania,” I grumble, and she turns puce the moment she realizes it’s her nephew in there.
“Oh good grief,” she gags out, and I laugh as we both hastily retreat the room of horrors.
“At least now I know why your ears were plugged,” she huffs, her sweet, angelic cheeks burning a crimson hue.
“If you’re referring to my sister and Rex, I’ll send someone else in to get my stuff,” Jase gripes as his cool hands slide around my waist in the hotel hallway.
I laugh lightly, and then I hand him his bag.
“I thought I’d save you the torture,” I murmur against his lips that have found mine.
“Oh you’re incredible,” he says with such relieved exasperation while kissing the top of my head.
You’re the one who’s incredible.
He smiles as if he heard my little endearment, and then he kisses my forehead before taking my bag in his hand and throwing it over his shoulder with his as his free arm snakes around my waist.
“So you’re going on this detail as well?” my aunt asks, her eyes smiling pleasantly but secretively at him.
