Jason sat on his bed, waiting for Cecilia to arrive. She called him up a little while after Selene’s visit. Cecilia sounded like she was out on her ConEx. What struck him the most about the call was how annoyed she sounded. That only made matters worse. He expected this attitude from Miranda, who wasn’t returning his calls or messages. She had left him one, though, certainly telling him off, leaving him unsure if they were still together.

Thinking back on it, he couldn’t say he was upset. He had loved Miranda and always wanted to be with her, but lately, he was seeing her in a different light. Miranda didn’t have many friends.

At first, he didn’t understand; she was pretty, sweet, and intelligent. Soon, though, he figured out the problem. Not only was she Touched Born, which made people prejudge her, but those who gave her a chance quickly regretted it. She was an Aura Seer. People had secrets, and they liked their secrets. Some people had personal problems and didn’t want to discuss them.

But Miranda was Miranda and was forever persistent. He understood her need; it made sense. To see one’s aura and those colors swirl and reveal oneself was such an insight. But a lie or something bothering you bothered her. She alienated herself, but she had never alienated herself from him. Not until lately did he begin hiding something from her. It made him feel both a little guilty and confused.

A knock sounded at his door, and he knew it was Cecilia. He was shocked to see how angry she looked as she stormed into his apartment.

“You idiotic fool!”

“Nice to see you too,” he said, closing the door before following her to the living room.

“Oh no! Do not take that stupid tone with me. When I saw ‘Anita,’” she began making air quotes as she spoke, “I thought she looked familiar, too familiar.” Cecilia bent down and picked up the stack of papers. “And then when she told me she had not one, but eight runes, well, that certainly rang a bell.” Cecilia threw the papers at his face.

“That girl’s name is not Anita. She is Selene Sintas, and I saw her today with the Hunters when I visited my brother at the crime scene. Oh, and that guy Ettore, that was not her brother. He wasn’t a Witch, and I’m willing to bet he isn’t a Vampyre either.

“I saw her there with her brother, her real brother. He has a temper. Now, sit down and tell me what the hell is going on!”

Jason stared at his friend. Was it worth even trying to lie to her? Cecilia always knew too much. Jason sighed and took a seat.

“Yes, Selene Sintas is Anita. Four months ago, Selene attacked me and planned on feeding on me, on my thoughts, not my blood. But when she attacked, my gift prevented her from taking my thoughts, taking her by surprise. She couldn’t steal them and thought I was Pietro. After that, we just sort of kept in touch.”

“And Ettore?” Her foot began to tap against his wood floors impatiently.

“A Shadowling, a companion of hers.”

“You’re insane.”

“Oh really? Cause I thought hanging out with a Shadowling and a Vampire who may want to kill me was the best decision in my life.”

“Don’t be sarcastic.” Cecilia looked at him as though he was a child playing with fire. “I like her and can see why you like her too.”

“Actually,” he interrupted, “I’m not sure how I feel.”

“Awesome, well you better figure out soon along with where you stand with Miranda.” Cecilia sat down next to him. “Jason, Selene is a Vampyre. This, you being involved with her, is dangerous, even if it’s innocent. I don’t need to be an Aura Seer to know you deeply care about her. In the name of the Gods, even Nicholas noticed, and he’s oblivious to anything that doesn’t have breasts or a pretty face.”

Jason laughed and watched her face break into a smile. “Yes, yes, but all humor aside, you do know it’s against the Vampyre Doctrine for her to even talk with you, right?”

Jason furrowed his brow and stared at her, confused. “No.”

“Obviously, you aren’t taking the same courses as me. Look, it’s one of their rules that they are supposed to live separately from us. They’re not allowed to form relationships of any sort. It creates complications. Only a select few and only with the authorities.”

“What happens if the coven master finds out?”

“After a first offense? Nothing. After a second offense, they are reported to the Vampyre King. He decides their fate. If they survive to make the mistake a third time, they are sentenced to death.”

“Death?” Cecilia nodded. Selene was risking her life, and with how she spoke of her brother, he was sure Eris would probably kill her without sending word to the Vampyre King.

Cecilia looked at him, confused. “She really didn’t tell?”

“She told me other things,” he said, looking away.

“Like what?”

Jason took a deep breath, thinking about the way grief filled her eyes. “When Pietro died, Selene said she went mad with grief. We know what she did. She said her brother would kill me to save her from that grief again. I see the look in her eyes. I think she believes he would kill her, too. I see the look in the eyes of her Shadowling friend as well. Eris has gone mad, and even Selene fears it.”

“So you’ve put your life in danger, huh? My Gods, you love her!”

Jason shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

“Oh, but you do, you idiot. You just don’t see it.”

Jason glared at her. “Have you heard from Miranda,” he asked, changing the subject.

“She called. She hates you but still loves you and wants to know what’s going on with you. She wants to know if this relationship is even worth repairing. Is it Jason?”

Jason looked away from her penetrating gaze. “I care about her, I do, but…she doesn’t let anything go. She doesn’t just separate herself from her gift. She doesn’t even try.”

“How do you know if that’s even possible? How do you know she hasn’t tried?”

Jason arched his brow and gave her a knowing look. “One, she’s Miranda, and two, all Touched Borns can control their gift; they can shut them off. I can read thoughts but I’m not always digging through people’s heads. She could choose not to see auras.”

Cecilia shrugged. “Well, I’m not a Touched Born, so I don’t know how it all works.”

“I’ll talk to her. This can be repaired, but she needs to give a little, not just me.”

“Miranda’s always been a bit selfish.”

“Only girl who turns Nicholas off,” joked Jason. Cecilia slapped his arm before she burst out into laughter. Jason was glad that the dark mood was lifted.