A Touch Mortal

Chapter 28





The windows and doors were locked, the shades drawn long before the sun had set. That had been hours ago. Eden curled her whole body into the armchair, her legs numb beneath her.

Every minute or so, Adam stood and walked to the window, twisting his fingers between the blinds, staring out into the blackness. Jarrod hadn’t said much at all. None of them had.

Eden hadn’t unclenched her fists, whispers of James caught in her palms. Smears dulled her cheeks. She shifted in the chair, dimly aware of the ashes grinding into her clothes.

“What happened to him?” Libby sat on the floor, leaning against the couch, her shoulder almost brushing Jarrod’s leg. Eden jumped at her voice, suddenly there and blasphemous in what had been silence.

“We can’t die,” Jarrod said, almost to himself.

Adam’s breath condensed on the glass through the crack his fingers spread in the blinds. He withdrew from the window and wandered back to his spot near Eden’s chair.

Adam brushed aside his long brown bangs. “Do you have any ideas, anything?” His eyes burned into her, fear laced with resolve. Her mind went to the Fallen. Could an angel kill a Sider? If it had been only Adam and Jarrod, she might have told them everything, but even from across the room she felt Libby’s eyes on her.

Reaching into her lap, Adam uncurled her hands, taking them in his. She didn’t know why she let him. Her fingers actually creaked, stiff and sore from the relentless clenching.

Jarrod spoke up. “Eden, we need to be careful until we can figure out what’s going on, what happened. Just in case.” She shook her head, already knowing what was about to come, but he didn’t stop. “That means no more Milton’s. No more gathering Touch.” He paused. “We should stay low key.”

Eden stood, dropping her hands.

“F*ck you.”

“Eden…” Adam started.

“First it was you with your little protective thing.” She turned to concentrate her rage on Jarrod. “Now you’re using James’s death to get your way? That’s f*cking sick, Jarrod.” She saw a flicker cross his face, words he’d thought better of and swallowed.

She stood before he could change his mind, closing the door behind her once she was in her room. She climbed into her bed without turning on the light. A moment later the door opened again.

“I brought your phone,” Adam said, closing the door behind him and casting them into darkness.

She sighed, reaching out. Instead, he fumbled in the low light, setting her phone down on the nightstand, sinking into her bedspread as he sat.

“We’re not against you, you know.”

“No?” she challenged, crossing her arms. “Apparently you know what’s best for me.”

“Eden,” he said gently. “I just want you safe.”

Under the blanket, she moved her legs aside, giving him room as she pulled herself up against the headboard.

“I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

Eden was silent for a moment, remembering what Az had said on the balcony. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. “You need to stop this, Adam.”

“No,” he said resolutely. “I know you’ve been hurt before.”

“Az has nothing to do with this,” she lied.

His fingers traced a tentative line up her arm, up her shoulder.

“Adam…stop,” she whispered, her muscles tensing. But he didn’t stop, and when he reached her neck she tilted her head, leaning into the cup of his hand, drawing comfort from the warmth.

“Hold your breath. I’m going to kiss you,” he whispered. Her breath did stall, frozen in her throat as his lips found hers in the darkness. Her lips tingled as a bit of her Touch passed to him. Then he moved to her cheek, back down her neck, and away from the danger her mouth held.

“Adam. Please.” She tried to say it without emotion, but it didn’t come out as a thwart. It came out as a plea to keep going.

“Try to say it now,” he said, his lips at her ear. “Tell me there’s nothing here.”

Eden shivered, hesitating. His chest pressed against her as he took a breath, released it against her cheek, waiting for any sign to continue. Turn, she told herself. Just turn your head toward him. She almost did, fighting her desire, before she reached across him. Her fingers fumbled for the lamp.

He pulled back from her in the light; only the darkness was strong enough to kill consequences.

“I’m going to see Kristen,” she said, the words suddenly there.

“Kristen?” Adam stared at her, dumbfounded. Whatever had been between them was lost. “But why?”

“Something’s going on. If there’s any gossip out there, she’ll know it.”

He nodded once, as if trying to compose himself. “Okay. When are we going?”

“There is no ‘we,’” she said. “I’m going tonight, so I’m gonna need you to cover for me. Distract Jarrod. I don’t want him to know I’m leaving. He’ll be dead set against it, and I want to talk to Kristen alone.”

He leaned back, uncertain.

“Kristen’s smart. She’ll know something’s up if I’m coming to her. We need to figure out what’s going on, right?” Eden cocked her head.

“A night of Kristen’s creepy shit. That should be fun for you.” His words were sarcastic, though she heard the worry buried underneath. He stood, heading for the door.

“Adam,” she said, halting him. “This goes in the vault. Not a word. To anyone.” She hesitated. “Not just the Kristen thing.” She didn’t need to say Jarrod’s name.

“Understood.” He closed the door behind him.

Reaching across to her nightstand, she picked up her phone. A dull light illuminated the screen as she scrolled down the contact list. It was after midnight, but the hour worked in her favor. Kristen was practically nocturnal. On the second ring, the call connected.

“Well, if it isn’t the badass raver from the West,” said a voice dripping with honey. F*ck, Eden thought. Of course, Kristen would have caught the headline on her way to the obituaries. “Quite an interesting approach to keeping a low profile.”

“How’s my favorite wicked witch?” Eden replied, a mirror of condescending sweetness.

“Rather confused, actually.” Kristen paused. “Is there something you need? Aside from common sense.”

“A powwow,” Eden said. “Just us. Leave your little shadow at home.”

“Eden, honestly. If you’re going to name call, at least give Sebastian the dignity of something slightly more evil than ‘shadow.’”

“You’ll have to forgive me if I’m a bit off. I lost one of mine today.”

Kristen sighed, instantly losing interest. “If you’re calling to ask me to keep a lookout for one of your missing flock…”

“Not as in missing, lost as in ‘got himself perished,’” she said, quoting The Crow. Kristen would see the movie reference as a gift. “And it wasn’t me. Little more inclined to accept my invitation?”

“When did you want to meet?” Kristen asked.

“Tonight. As soon as possible.”

“I was supposed to go shopping tonight.” The silence spun out as Eden held her breath, waiting. “I don’t see why you can’t meet me there,” Kristen said finally. “Webster Avenue and East Two Hundred Thirty-third Street. Bronx. Two hours.”

“How will I find you?” Eden asked.

“Wander,” she replied before the call terminated.