Page 108 of Fallen Gods

I hate the feeling that I may not know him as well as I think I do.

We all have our secrets, and I can’t sit on my high horse and say I don’t have mine. I’ve left out a lot of details when giving Rowen intel.

We’re all just trying to survive, right?

I eye Reeve making his way back down the hall toward Aric’s room. Didn’t he just leave?

“I don’t suppose you feel like beingmybodyguard tonight, in case that one flies off the rails?” I ask her.

“No can do.” Ziva does a little dance in front of me. “I have a date tonight. He’s a freshman, a Virgo, likes board games, and plays a mean game of frisbee golf. We might go to a poetry slam, or I might stick my tongue down his throat to forget about all the losers I’ve already kissed in my life. Oh, hey, Reeve.”

He stops in front of my door. “I’ve been standing here at least five seconds and heard every word, you know.”

She shrugs. “Whoops?”

He mimics her innocent stance, then stares me down. “Sorry about the door. Too bad the whole ‘die bitch die’ thing didn’twork out.”

Wow, someone’s in a mood. What did Aric tell him?

“I bet you are.”

“There’s always next time, eh?” His eyes flash like he wants to fight me.

I flinch. “That’s low, even for an Erikson.”

We’re chest to chest when Ziva moves between us. “Guys, stop, you’re ruining my pre-date buzz.”

“Right, sorry.” Reeve runs his hands through his hair. “I’m tired. Sorry, Rey.” He turns on his heel and starts walking away, lights flickering overhead. “I’ll call maintenance again.”

Ziva stares after him. “He’s acting weirder than usual.”

He and Aric fought. I know it.

Guilt assaults me.

It wasn’t supposed to be this hard.

Aric was supposed to be so hateful I’d smile while drawing blood—but he’s not. The game’s changed, and I barely recognize my place in it.

Ziva’s checking the time on her phone. “Gotta run. Stay safe, maybe indoors for the rest of the night?”

Message received. “Yeah, I’m tired anyway.” I groan, unlock my door, and stumble in.

“You’ve been busy today.” Rowen’s voice comes from a corner of the room, causing me to jump about a mile.

“What the hell, Rowen! Did you sneak in here through my window?”

“You know, you really should be more careful with how blatant you are when you leave campus with Aric,” he continues, ignoring my question. “That is, unless your plan was for the entire school to think you’re dating and have the information reach Odin. Risky, even for you.”

I flop onto my bed. “Are you here to remind me that my father’s going to kill both me and Laufey if I don’t wake up Aric and findthe damn hammer, or was there something else? Because I’m not being careless. I’m getting close to the enemy based onhisinstructions.”

“Right.” Rowen lets out a sigh. “But it’s my job to tell him when I think you’re in too deep, and I think screwing him for sport probably wasn’t on your dad’s list of bright ideas.”

I jolt up. “Are you kidding me right now? First of all, what right do you have to even assume that? And second of all, even if I was, who cares? It’s just a job.”

Even I don’t believe my own lies anymore.

He sighs. I know he doesn’t want to argue any more than I do. “I see the way Aric looks at you, and I can tell he’s already partially awake. The guy’s terrible at hiding the frost. Plus, I know you well—you know exactly how to finish the job, don’t you?”