He looks up and removes his glasses, then rubs his nose. "But that's exactly why, because it’s worse here! Everywhere you go shit happens to you all. I want to take my chances somewhere else in case I get caught in the crossfire. If you want to come with me, I can help you too."
I perch on the cold brick beside him. "We went through this. I'm not going anywhere. You've seen I belong with the guys."
"You all keep saying this, but the whole set up is weird, Vee. I'm scared for you. The things they do, and the way they share you, and—"
"Whoa. Stop there. Nobody ‘shares’ me. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm the one who calls the shots. None of them would touch me without consent."
"Even my dickhead chaperone?" He places his glasses back on. "I said right from the start, I don't trust him. He's violent. Volatile."
"Xander or Ewan?" I say.
"Both. And that ‘Four Horsemen’ crap they spout. I don't know how they kill as efficiently as they do, but it's not magic. It's dangerous."
I cross my legs and look across the fields to the dimly lit buildings nearby, the sounds from the party distant in the building behind. The naked sky offers no protection against the cold, and the moon shines bright. How would I expect my logical friend to do anything apart from look for scientific answers?
"You saw the demons," I say. "You know something attacked you that wasn't human."
He sits up and looks at the sky. "I don't know what to think. I'm leaning towards military weapons, robotics, that shit."
"Which is as far-fetched as vampires and demons, really. Why believe one and not the other?"
Seth hiccups. "Okay. Whatever. But do you trust them?"
"Yes."
"And they trust you? Because I don't think they do. I've heard them talk about you."
I straighten. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I don't understand a lot of what they discuss. The hacker guy. He keeps his distance, doesn't he? I know why."
My stomach lurches. "Why? What did he say?"
"Him and Xander. I heard them talking about the trouble you cause, and how they're worried you'll destroy them."
"They wouldn't say that!" But my mind harks back to Xander's accusation on the night he discovered the secrets I kept about the Warehouse. Is he still harbouring that?
I lower my voice. "Who said I'd destroy them?"
"They both did. They want to test you, but I didn't catch how. Vee, seriously, don't trust them. What if they hurt you?"
"They can't. They won't."
"Just saying. Be careful. I know you have the measure of Xander, but Ewan... he's weirder."
I laugh lightly. "They're all weird."
"Yeah, but the things he said about you..." Seth trails off.
"What?" I demand. "What did he say?"
Seth wrings his hands together and stares into the snow stretching across the front lawns, face impassive.
“Seth?”
"That he wouldn't allow you to destroy them all; that he'd destroy you first." Seth's voice is low, and his hands shake. "Now do you understand why I'm scared for you? For us?"
I run both hands across my head, heart racing as I deny his words. This isn't true. It can't be. I would pick up from Ewan if he felt that about me.
But doubt creeps in. I can’t detect any lies from Seth. Not one word.
"Xander feels he's lost against you, because you've trapped him somehow, and Ewan doesn’t want to give you the chance. Seriously, these guys aren't normal."
"We know that," I snap, "and I think you misheard. The guys want us all united—to be stronger together."
"Please think about what I'm saying," says Seth. "Open your eyes."
"You're drunk," I reply. "Why cause trouble?"
Seth stands, unsteady on his feet. "I'm not trying to cause trouble. I’m trying to persuade you why we should leave. We can take one of their cars. Go now. Vee, please." He takes my hand between his cool ones. "I've watched people I know die. I don't want to see you hurt."
"I won't get hurt.”
"How can you be so sure?" He looks back, unblinking. "How do you know?"
I pull my hands away and stand. "Seth. Stop this."
Footsteps approach along the stone path behind, and I glance around. A couple, hand in hand, pass by. I flinch in surprise as he puts both hands on my face, his voice and look earnest. "Vee. Please listen to me. Help me. Help us."
“Seth! Stop this!” My voice projects around us, and from the corner of my eye, I see a figure dressed in a dark coloured suit emerge from the shadows. Ewan seizes Seth's arm and drags him away.
"You okay, Vee?" Ewan asks, Seth's arm in a firm grip. "What's he doing?"
"He's drunk," I reply.
"And hitting on you? Not a smart move, dude." Ewan's voice drops to a growl.
"Why? Because you all own her?" laughs out Seth.
"Ewan!" I shout as I sense a flood of anger heading through him. "And Seth, I think you've said enough."
Ewan shoves Seth away from him, and Seth brushes at his suit sleeves.
"I think I need to sleep," Seth mumbles.
"This is a fucking joke," snaps Ewan. "We're here to watch what's happening. There’s bloody demons here, and a possible fae plot, and we spend time chasing after the moronic human."
"Take him back to the rooms," I suggest.
"He's supposed to stay with us. Xander wants—"
"Xander,” interrupts Seth as he walks off with a slight stagger. “Why do you all listen to him? Don't you ever think for yourselves?"
Ewan snaps his head around and calls, "If I don't agree with him, yes."
"The guy calls the shots, and you all do what he says. ‘Yes, Xander. No, Xander. Whatever you say, psycho Xander.’"
Seth, shut up.
Ewan strides to catch up with Seth. "Yeah? Why don't you tell me more about Casey? And your friends? Why didn't whoever killed them also kill you?"
Seth stops and tips his head to look at Ewan. "Thanks. That's just the reminder I need. I can be frogmarched around by a bunch of murderous mad men, or risk life on my own running from a different bunch of maniacs. Awesome."
Seth turns towards the coach house building again and forges forward with a drunken gait.
"He's the most ungrateful arsehole," mutters Ewan.
My system remains filled with confusion and anger at Seth's words. Why would Ewan say those things about me? "I'll go back with him."
Ewan grabs my wrist as I make to follow. "We both will. I'm not leaving you on your own with him."
"I won't be with him, just in the same building. Go back to Joss."
"No fucking way. Come on." Ewan stomps ahead, and I grit my teeth.
Seth wants to leave, but I doubt he'd stagger drunk through a Scottish estate, miles from the nearest town, in freezing November temperatures. I don't rate his survivalist skills.
21
VEE
I walk after the two guys, skin covered in goose bumps. Bloody good thing we're halfway there because I'm losing sensation in my hands. Seth heads straight for his room and slams the door before either of us can follow him.
Ewan stares as the wood almost hits his face.
"Are you going to stand outside as his sentry?" I ask as I unlock the door to my room.
Ewan looks between the two rooms and pushes hair from his face. "What are you doing?"
"Heading to bed. Why? Do you think you need to guard me too?"
"Huh?"