Forbidden by James Syrie & James Ryan M

Author:James, Syrie & James, Ryan M. [James, Ryan M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2012-01-24T05:00:00+00:00

twenty

“Are you okay?” Alec regarded Claire with concern as they paused on her threshold.

“Not really,” Claire replied honestly.

She felt overwhelmed, both mentally and physically—and as if she were a completely different person than she had been the day before. But in fact, she reminded herself, she was not a person at all. She was this paranormal … being … who shouldn’t even exist.

Nothing was simple anymore. Her relationship with Alec was illegal. Her birth—her very life—was illegal. Some supernatural police force she’d never known existed might decide to imprison or execute her the minute they found her—just because her father was an angel.

“It’s a lot to digest,” she added, “and it’s all … terrifying.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I still have a lot of questions. Like, who is Helena? If she’s a Grigori and she knows who I am, isn’t she supposed to turn me in? Do you think she already has? But if so, why send me all those warnings?”

“I don’t know. But unless she contacts you again and gives you more information, there’s nothing we can do about it. Meanwhile, you’re exhausted and so am I. Right now I think we should get some sleep.”

“I hope I can sleep. Two weeks ago, my biggest concern was how to fit in, how to be normal. Now I know that’s never going to happen and instead I’m afraid for my life.”

“Normal is overrated, Claire. And as for your life… I swear, I won’t let anything happen to you.” A weighty pause followed and then a gentle smile lit his handsome face. “After all, I don’t want to sing at the Homecoming assembly all by myself, do I?”

Claire could tell that behind Alec’s smile he was still very worried about her—but the affection in his voice, and the way he was looking at her, made her heart skip a beat. She matched his playful tone, hoping to ease some of his concern. “I forgot all about that. I owe you a rehearsal.”

“How about tomorrow, after school? In the music room?”

“Deal,” she answered, realizing she was looking forward to it.

He fell silent. Claire glanced up at him, catching a sudden, uncertain look in his eyes. She wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was. Here they were, standing just a few feet apart, at her front door. Were they supposed to kiss good-bye?

Remembering their kiss yesterday—at least before it turned disastrous—made her tingle in anticipation. But, she reminded herself, she wasn’t just a girl with a crush, and Alec wasn’t just a boy she had a crush on. There were bigger things at stake now. Did she dare kiss him again, knowing what might happen? And of far greater consequence: If their entire relationship was against Grigori law, what would happen if they pursued it?

“Alec, even if you can convince them that I’m not a threat,” she whispered, her heart seizing, “what would they do if they found out about … us?”

“I don’t know,” he answered, staring at his shoes. “At the very least, I imagine they’d sever all ties between us and send me away.

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