Page 206 of The Curse Trilogy

“Did you see Araya Crush come through here?” he asks in his husky tone.

“Araya Crush? I believe she has already checked in. Is there anything I can help you with?” Hale asks with coy innocence, and I breathe out a sigh of relief.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

“I’m looking for my son, and I’m sure he’s around here somewhere chasing after that damn girl. I know I saw her. Are you sure you haven’t seen her?” Miles asks suspiciously.

“As I said, Sir, she has already checked in. Perhaps she went on to the auditorium. That’s where we’ll be meeting at.”

“Do you know where I can find Captain Brazen Mordel?” Miles huffs.

“He should either be at his room, which is on the second floor, or he’ll be in front of the auditorium checking in the full bloods.”

“My son is rather established. I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but he’s being considered for a very prominent position.”

Great. Now Miles is going to take a minute to boast.

“I’ve heard,” Hale chirps sweetly, and then my eavesdropping is distracted when I see a picture perched by the doorway.

It’s me curled up in Hale’s lap asleep, and his arms are draped over me protectively as he sleeps too. I’m not sure who took this picture, but I assume it was Clay. This is recent. It’s before he broke my heart the second time.

Why put this here?

He confesses his cheating indiscretions, and then he tells me he never loved me. Why put this picture here if he doesn’t give a damn?

I hold it in my hand, and my finger strolls over his body that seems so at peace next to mine. I feel the tears trying to surface, but I hold them back. I refuse to let him hurt me even when he’s not trying to.

“The coast is clear,” he jokes as he opens the door, and then his smile fades instantly when he sees the sentimental photo clutched in my hands.

“Why do you have this?” I strain out through my choking tone.

“It’s a great photo. I never said I didn’t care about you, Araya. I just told you I couldn’t be who you wanted me to be. You can come out now,” he says while clearing his throat.

I set the picture down while continuing to fight the tears begging to parade themselves on my cheeks. I refuse to look into his eyes as I walk out, and then I stop in my tracks when I see Brazen’s mother stalking toward me. I squeal as I run back behind Hale who has just walked back out, and I grip onto the back of his shirt. I’m praying she didn’t see me, and I start squirming when his delicious scent rushes me.

His body shakes lightly as he suppresses his laughter, and I hear the clanking of the full blooded bitch’s heels as they click more distinguishably with every nearing step.

“Araya, child. Come out from behind that boy. I’ve already seen you,” she huffs.

Child? Well… I am hiding like one right now.

I huff as I continue to cling to Hale’s shirt, and I just barely move to be visible to her pale, cold eyes.

“Hello Mrs. Mordel.”

“Why in heaven’s name did you drag my son here? And why on earth are you hiding from me?”

Hmm… could it be because you told me I was hybrid filth the last time you met me? Crazy bitch.

“I don’t exactly remember being your favorite person the last time I saw you, and I didn’t drag Brazen out here. He came on his own accord. I didn’t ask him to follow me,” I grumble while looking anywhere but at her

Her sassy bobbed yellow hair gleams in the tinted sun. Her death-stalking heels are what catch my eyes though. They look like they could stab a man through the heart. I can smell the uranium tipped stilettos from here. I don’t trust her enough to move out any further into view.

“You can let that boy go,” she exasperates. “I’m not going to bite.”

Real funny.

I release my secure grip on Hale, and he stifles his grin while walking back into his room.