I look back and forth between Derek—who's glaring—and Aiden, who seems almost lost. What just happened?
"But," Aiden's voice cracks. He clears his throat. "She needs a guide. I'm her guide."
"You should have thought of that before you brought her here without permission," Derek snaps with a glint of pleasure in his eyes. "I thought I made myself clear." He steps closer to Aiden--who doesn't shrink away, though I do even though it isn't me he's looking at. Derek points a finger right at Aiden's chest. "You join me at the center and help me carry the rites, or you leave here in a body-bag."
Aiden gives a single, tight nod, then turns to me.
But something comes off Derek in waves. Strong enough that my skin prickles. Suddenly, my chest heaves. My skull vibrates in time with my pulse. My head feels like it's splitting in two.
