Page 79 of Shadows of Nightshade
“What rules?” I asked. It was the only part of his tirade I was certain I picked up correctly.
He glanced at me, and his furious expression faded. “The ones about dating,” he answered. And when I only blinked at him, he added, slowly, and much more distinguishably. “The ones that say that the Xing aren’t allowed to be in relationships.”
My tight breath released. That… was actually really reassuring.
And it explained Damen’s reaction earlier.
But did it make me a bad person that I liked this rule?
“Sorry.” Miles rubbed his jaw. “It’s easy to forget that you were raised differently.” He touched my elbow, and with that small gesture, the wall between us vanished.
We’d made it down the hill and to the parking lot behind the library. Few vehicles remained as afternoon classes had already ended.
Hopefully, Damen would be waiting.
“We can’t have serious relationships or have children,” Miles explained.
“Oh.” I squeezed my fists and looked away. Why was my face hot?
“Our only priority in life should be our positions as spiritual leaders,” Miles continued. “Anything outside of that is a distraction and a weakness. It’s our job to protect everyone from the negative aspects that exist within the paranormal, and we must focus on our mission without worldly ties. Does that make sense?”
I nodded. It made perfect sense. Of course, their priority should be the ultimate good. It was kind of cool.
I’d never thought my best friends would be celibate, crime-fighting, paranormal monks, but it made sense why I’d felt at ease with them. Plus, they were safe to be around and very strong. It wasn’t every day that a girl could be so honored.
The nervous tension released from my shoulders.
“I get it,” I answered. It was freeing not to have that concern. I had four new friends, a fresh outlook on a new life, and a mystery to solve. Who cared if everyone else hated me?
I really was the luckiest girl in the world.
19
The visitto Professor Hamway’s house went without incident, and since the ghost seemed to be hiding, we’d even lingered a little while to clean.
I wanted to be assured there was no trace of myself or my visitors in case she returned.
Miles told me I worried too much, which was not encouraging coming from a man who jumped at the slightest provocation and the sound of the house settling. And Damen was useless, as he much preferred lounging to work. Although he did enjoy commenting on the value of my professor’s antiques. I was honestly worried that he might try to nab something.
They were—at least some of them—the worst paranormal warriors ever.
Then we returned to Damen’s house. Miles left to cook dinner, while Damen disappeared into his room. I had nothing else to do while we waited for Titus, so I grabbed my biology book and entered the living room.
There was a fire burning in the hearth, and the soft lightilluminated the space. A welcoming burgundy couch sat empty in front of the fireplace, and I’d taken a cashmere cream blanket from Damen’s linen closet.
I was ready to study.
It wasn’t until the heavy door closed behind me that I spotted Julian sitting at the furthest corner of the room. He’d been reading but stopped at my entrance.
“Hello,” he greeted, and suddenly, I was shy.
“H-hello,” I said. Had I interrupted him? “I was going to study, but I can go somewhere else.”
“No,” he replied. “You’re fine. I’m studying too.”
I glanced at the round table beside him and at the stack of ancient-looking texts perched precariously close to the edge. I stayed still, hugging the folded blanket in one arm and my biology text in the other, and felt out of place. Older books were sometimes hard for me to understand—he must be really smart.
Julian was still watching me, and my skin began to hum. “Are you sure?” I asked.
