Page 73 of The Stone Secret
Shar looked confused. “You’re not coming?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yarrow thinks it would be best if Derek had that time to himself, away from my influence so he can…grow.”
Shar pressed her lips together. “I don’t think you’re the reason he hasn’t grown.”
“Agreed,” Touron said. “That’s bullshit.”
“He adores you,” Palia added.
The soft spot Yarrow’s words had left in my chest throbbed. “I know he does, and I love him too, but Yarrow seems to know what he’s talking about. I want Derek to get the most out of the training. If it means my stepping back, then so be it.”
“And how does Derek feel about all this?” Ginia asked. “Or isn’t Yarrow going to bother asking?”
“Good point,” Touron said.
“Everyone, please take your seats,” Yarrow called out.
“I have to go. Shar, will you—”
“I’ll stay with Derek,” Shar said, her attention on Yarrow.
“Thanks. I’ll catch you guys at supper then.”
* * *
I’d dressedin training clothes in preparation for my later session with the elites, but I hadn’t brought my gym bag that carried my water bottle and towel. The thought of going back to the observatory to get it made my stomach hurt. I didn’t want to see Serath. Not yet. I needed time away from him before I was forced to be in his vicinity again.
Logically, I had no right to feel so betrayed. We weren’t together. But my instincts, my beast, everything primitive in me was wounded by his actions.
I couldn’t see him again yet.
I’d make do without a towel. They had paper towels at the gym anyway and a water dispenser.
That would do.
At this time of the afternoon, the gym would probably be empty. Most goyles would be in class, which suited me fine. I’d put on some tunes and rage out with some weights.
I shoved open the doors, already in an iron pumping mood, to find Levi doing chin-ups.
He froze for a moment before dropping to his feet, hands loose at his sides, expression earnest. The kind that said,We need to talk.
Nope.
I made to duck out.
“Cameron, don’t!”
Dammit. “What? I have places to be.”
“Um…didn’t you mean to come in here?”
“Whatever.” I turned to go.
“Wait. I’m sorry. Please. Let’s not make this awkward. Stay.”
The rage toward Serath that had nowhere to go sat up and peered at its new target. “Awkward? You mean like how awkward it was for my boyfriend to get questioned by a tutor on his relationship with me?”
Levi growled softly in exasperation. It was the first time I’d heard him make such a sound, a sound that was totally gargoyle, because he was goyle. He was one of us, and he’d hidden it just like I had. There was common ground between us. Memories. Love. But because of who he was, because of his relation to Ulrickson, we couldn’t even be friends.
