“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you’re hurting, but you need to let Jess go.”

“You’re sorry? If you were sorry, you’d have come back to me sooner. If you were sorry, you would have given me what I needed when I saw you. You’re not sorry, but it’s okay. I know you love me, and I want us enough for both of us. I’ll remind you of how good we are together. It’s only going to take one night. One night of being with me as I really am and you’ll forget all about him. I’m stronger than him, I have more to give. I’ll make you feel ten times better than he ever could. You won’t be able to walk after a night with me transformed.”

“Is that supposed to be a good thing?”

“What part?”

“The not being able to walk after a night with you?”

Anne started cracking up.

“Is someone with you?”

“No…”

“Wait a second. It wasn’t even you texting me, was it? Damn it, Allie.”

“Toby—”

“And for the record, it is a good thing. If you can’t imagine that then clearly you haven’t had the right Pteron experience yet.”

“Ugh.” I hung up and threw my phone.

“I don’t even know where to start.” Hailey got up and started pacing around the room.

“Hmm, let’s start with how she likes to have sex when she knows she might get caught.” Anne laughed.

“None of this is funny!” I wrung my hands.

Hailey tried to hide a smile but failed miserably. “That part is. I so never imagined you were like that. Does Levi know that’s a turn on?”

“It’s not. I don’t need that kind of thing with Levi.”

Anne raised an eyebrow. “Ohhhh. Levi’s good enough that you don’t need to ratchet up the heat to get off?”

“Stop it, both of you!”

“I don’t think that’s really you,” Tiffany said softly.

“Thanks. I appreciate someone coming to my defense.”

“I mean, so much of this is supernatural.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I don’t get all the details, but it sounds like there’s something about you that attracts these Pterons and you’re supposed to figure out which one to choose?”

“Yes. To choose the next king.”

“Then it’s going to be affecting your body. The needing more with Toby was probably the supernatural power’s way of telling you he wasn’t the right one…”

I smiled. “You’re right. You’re right. Oh my god, I think you’re a genius. I just have to find a way to let that supernatural power know I already picked Levi.”

“You guys do realize how ridiculous this sounds, right?” Anne asked.

“Yes, but I’m kind of ready to accept it.”

Anne stood up. “So what now? What’s our plan?”

“I have no clue. We wait for Toby and come up with a way to get Jess.”

“Without losing you…” Hailey had stopped laughing.

“Let’s hope.”

“No hoping. You’re not going to the Blackwells. Put aside personal issues, you just admitted that you know Levi is the right choice. Going to Toby could seriously mess things up for The Society. You have to have this power for a reason.” Hailey was probably right, but she was also extremely biased.

“You’re right. I just need to get some fresh air. Anyone want to go for a walk in Audubon Park?”

“Sure. Let me get a coat,” Tiffany offered.

“I’ll come.” Hailey slipped on sneakers.

“You don’t have to.”

“I kind of do, but I want to anyway.”

“You sure? Maybe once we figure this out, you’ll be done babysitting.”

“I’m not babysitting, we both know that.”

“I feel gross.” Images of Levi’s face swam through my mind. If he only knew what I’d been doing.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. You couldn’t even flirt with Toby. Take it as a sign that you are definitely ready for a monogamous relationship with Levi.” Anne opened the door.

“Yeah…a monogamous, never-ending relationship.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Hey, it’s me. When you finish your meeting, can you meet me at the house? I love you.” I left my third voicemail on Levi’s phone. I usually wasn’t like that. I left one and waited, but I needed to see him. Talking to Toby had messed with me. Even a walk in the park didn’t help. We’d all come back to the new house, but everyone left because I made them. I knew there was a Pteron watching from outside, but I at least felt like I was alone. My head pounded and all I wanted to do was curl up with Levi. I hated feeling so needy. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to, and it wasn’t one I liked.

My life was a mess. I’d known it for months but it was only getting worse. I shouldn’t have been feeling bad for myself considering Jess was being held captive, but I couldn’t help it. I felt useless. All I wanted to do was find her. I’d have done it by myself if I thought it were remotely possible. I would have traded places with her, if I thought it was that simple. I just had this ugly feeling that she knew too much. Something might happen to her once they got me. What if she became expendable? I had to use my head, but I didn’t even know what to think anymore.

My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it. The text had to be from Levi. It wasn’t.

When you’re done being someone’s plaything, I’m here. I didn’t mean to leave things like that. I love you, baby. Don’t forget it over the next few weeks. After that, I’ll show you every day.

A few weeks? Is that all the time I had? I turned over my phone. I couldn’t even handle seeing his name on the screen. If it came down to getting back with Toby or letting Jess die, I knew what the answer would be. It didn’t matter that every inch of me rebelled against the thought of anyone but Levi touching me ever again.

I tried to distract myself. I took a bath, using the lilac bubble bath I found under the sink. Twenty minutes later, I got out and tried Levi again. Nothing. What could possibly be more important than making sure I was okay after I left four messages? The only person he wouldn’t leave a meeting with was his dad. Then a horrible thought hit me. What if his dad told him what I was, and he was angry for falling for me—angry that it wasn’t real love.

I lay down on the bed without bothering to get dressed. It didn’t seem worth the effort. I felt horrible.