Had she done something wrong?
After a few minutes of frustrating thoughts, Scarlet decided to let it go. If Gabriel didn’t want to tell her what the symbol meant, then she’d ask someone else, like Tristan or Nate, in the morning.
She laid back against the pillows, her heart sad.
So much for a hot night with Gabriel.
60
Tristan stood in front of one of his bookshelves in the basement, looking for something he hadn’t already read a thousand times.
He really needed to get some new books.
“What did you do?” Gabriel’s hard voice came from behind him.
Tristan turned around to find his brother glaring at him with clenched fists. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you know what I just saw?”
Tristan raised his brows in question.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “I just saw a very intricate, very perfect design on Scarlet’s hip.”
Tristan said nothing.
He knew this would happen. Why had Scarlet gone and drawn on herself?
Gabriel shrugged. “Are you gonna tell me what happened while I was gone?”
“Nothing happened while you were gone, I swear. I didn’t touch her.”
At least, not on purpose.
Although I wanted to….
“Then how do you explain the design?”
Tristan sighed. “She’s seen it before, Gabe. We all have.” He shrugged, hoping Gabriel would let it go.
He didn’t.
Gabriel nodded with a tight jaw. “Yeah, but she’s seen the bottom of the design. A part that I’ve never seen. A part only select people could have seen.”
Tristan inhaled deeply and kept his mouth shut.
“What? No comments? No denying?” Gabriel’s eyes were full of rage—something Tristan hadn’t seen in years.
It was kinda cool.
Except for the fact that his rage was directed at Tristan.
Tristan kept his voice steady. “You have nothing to worry about.”
Gabriel clenched his hands as he took a step closer and, for a moment, Tristan thought he was going to punch him. “Stay away from her.”
Tristan narrowed his eyes in return. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do. Remember?”
Gabriel lowered his voice. “If she dies because of you,” he took another step closer, his eyes boring into Tristan, “I will hate you forever.”
They stared at each other for a moment, tension filling the room, before Gabriel turned and left the basement.
It was only a matter of time before Scarlet remembered what the design was.
He needed to die.
61
The next day, Scarlet’s interaction with Gabriel was tense, at best. He was still rattled about her temporary tattoo, but he refused to talk about it.
Which upset her.
It wasn’t fair for him to keep information from her. She didn’t know what the symbol meant—she had amnesia, for crying out loud. She deserved some answers.
But none came.
And she was too nervous to ask Nate or Tristan about it.
She and Gabriel spent most of the day talking about finding the fountain but Gabriel rarely made eye-contact with her. Which made her feel weird.
Like maybe he was planning on breaking up with her.
The hours ticked by slow and awkward, and all Scarlet wanted to do was go home.
So, when Heather started texting Gabriel in a panic because she couldn’t reach Scarlet’s cell phone—thanks a lot, Tristan—Scarlet practically tripped over herself to get to the phone.
Heather’s vacation had been cut short, which was a bummer for her, but great news for Scarlet.
Because Scarlet didn’t want to stay one more minute in a cabin with her upset boyfriend, his moody brother, and a nerd who spent two hours “defeating the iron dragon”.
She used Heather’s early homecoming as a chance to suggest a new keep-Scarlet-safe plan: Heather would stay at Scarlet’s house with her and the boys could take turns on night watch.
Problem solved.
Of course, everyone threw a big fit about Scarlet being “in danger” and all the guys tried to convince her to stay. But she eventually won.
When Gabriel drove her back home, she felt as though he was almost…relieved to get her away from the cabin.
Which didn’t do much for her nervous Gabriel’s-going-to-dump-me thoughts.
Scarlet tried to process how she felt about the possibility of losing Gabriel. He had come into her life and given her comfort and normalcy. He made her laugh. He made her feel safe.
He made her feel loved.
She didn’t want to lose him.
After making sure her house was secure, Gabriel kissed Scarlet goodbye—awkwardly and with less passion than a bird kissing a fish—and left to be on night watch.
The boys didn’t feel comfortable with Scarlet and Heather alone in the house, so they were going to take turns standing guard. It was a little weird to think some guy would be watching over her every night while she slept, but it was better than feeling trapped in the Archer’s cabin.
Especially when she didn’t understand why Gabriel was so unhappy with her.
Scarlet’s heart quivered as she watched him walk away from her house and post up across the street.
It’s like he’s not even mine.
Ten minutes later, Heather was at her door, packed and ready to stay for the rest of fall break.
Scarlet let Heather in and listened as she complained.
Scarlet let her friend in and listened as Heather complained.
“Can I just say hurricanes suck? My vacation was totally ruined! And to think, I spent two paychecks on beach-specific attire that I won’t be able to wear now. Unless, of course, I want frostbite. I am so glad you suggested this getaway at your house. I could really use some Scarlet time.” Heather paused as she looked Scarlet up and down.
Here we go.
“O-M-G. Have you had those pajamas on for,” she sniffed Scarlet’s chest, “three days? Do I need to buy you new sleepwear?”
Scarlet laughed. She honestly laughed as she hugged Heather tightly.
Heather’s obsession with fashion was annoying, but it was hilarious when compared to Scarlet’s impending death.
“Heather, I love you. Have I told you how great you are lately? You’re great. And yes, I’ve had these pajamas on for too long. How about I get changed and you can unpack?”
“Fantastic,” Heather said, pushing away from Scarlet with a smile. “Now, stop hugging me with your gross, pajama-laden arms so we can get this party started. I’m going to go put on my swimsuit and turn the heater up.”
Scarlet raised a brow.
“What?” Heather looked innocent. “If I can’t sport my new bikini on the beach, then you’d better believe I’m gonna wear it around the house.”
Scarlet opened her mouth, but decided against arguing.
Because it sorta sounded fun. And not curse-related at all.
“Maybe I’ll put my swimsuit on, too.” Scarlet shrugged.
“Thatta girl!”
Ten minutes later, the girls sat on Scarlet’s bedroom floor, going through a giant pile of loose socks and matching up pairs.
While wearing bikinis.
Heather liked to organize Scarlet’s clothes. And shoes. And jewelry.
It was weird.
“So, what did you do while I was gone? Did you and lover boy elope or anything? I know he’s kinda marriage-prone.” Heather dug through the sock pile.
“Uh, no.” Not even close. “Gabriel was gone most of the weekend, so I stayed at the cabin with Tristan.”