Tara blinked several times, forcing the tears wanting to fall to stay right where they were. She knew Carol cared for her and only wanted to see her thrive, but Tara wasn’t ready to go down this road. She was too raw from dealing with her emotions toward Elias. She couldn’t be stripped even more by talking about her parents. “Why does pain make them dilate?” When in need of a distraction, ask a question.

  Carol gave her hand one last pat and then released it. She took another spoonful of soup before answering. “It’s chemistry. When the body is in pain, physically or emotionally, it releases a hormone called adrenaline. And that hormone causes the eyes to dilate.”

  Of course, it was a hormone. Hormones were the curse of humanity. If the whole Garden of Eden thing were true and Adam and Eve were created by God and then screwed up and then were punished … hormones were that punishment.

  “Thank you so much for the meal,” Carol said as she finished her last bite. She stood up and gathered her plate, cup, and silverware. She paused and looked at Tara. “You have come so far from the little girl who sat on my porch all those years ago. And regardless of how much work there still may be left, don’t let it take away from what you’ve already accomplished.”

  “Have I really accomplished anything, though?” Tara asked before she could stop herself.

  Carol’s eyes softened. “You didn’t curl up in a ball and give up. After what you lost, I’d say that’s a huge accomplishment. And you haven’t killed Shelly. That’s also a huge accomplishment.”

  Tara’s heart lifted as she laughed at her foster mom’s words. In truth, though, it was more of an accomplishment that Shelly hadn’t killed Tara. And maybe that’s what made it so funny because Carol knew it, too.

  They rinsed their dishes in companionable silence and loaded the dishwasher. When they were done, Carol pulled Tara in for a quick hug and then released her.

  “I hate to say good night when I’ve only just gotten home—”

  Tara held up her hand and gently interrupted. “You do not have to ever apologize to me for needing rest. You work too much.”

  Carol sighed. “But I still feel bad that you’re alone so much.”

  “I’m fine, Carol. And that’s all because of you. Now go sleep. I’ve got some homework to do and then I’m going to get some sleep, too.”

  “All right then, sweet girl.” Carol started off toward her room but then stopped and held up a finger. “Oh, wait. How did the dress shopping go?”

  Tara felt her lips turn up in a grin. “I got a black dress.”

  Carol chuckled. “Really? I was thinking you’d go with something more along the lines of peach.”

  “Har, har,” she deadpanned. “I swear you and Shelly are in cahoots with one another.”

  “Naw,” Carol said shaking her head as she continued toward her bedroom. “We just know you. Sleep tight. Love you.”

  “Good night, Carol. Love you, too.” Tara headed for her own room. Her feet dragged as she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Her eyes immediately homed in on the cell phone lying on her bed. The stupid thing was mocking her, she was sure of it. After simply staring at it for a couple of minutes, she let out a huff and walked over to the bed. She picked up the device and watched the screen come to life from the movement.

  She had three text notifications. The first two were from Elias, and the third was from Shelly.

  * * *

  Elias: Not going to lie, luv, the jealousy is alive and well over here. Right or wrong, I can’t stand the idea of you with him. Please, promise me you will be careful.

  * * *

  Elias: And don’t let him touch you.

  * * *

  Shelly: Either you’re busy or you haven't heard from Elias. Or I guess you could be lying on the floor in your house because a light fixture fell on your cranium and knocked you unconscious. If so, when you come to, please text me and let me know how your curious cat responded to your declaration … oh, and probably you should ice your head.

  * * *

  Tara rolled her eyes at her phone and sent her friend a text.

  I love that in the whole light-fixture -hitting-my-head scenario, you didn’t bother to ask me to let you know if I was okay.

  * * *

  The response from her BFFF was swift.

  * * *

  Because once you texted me what Elias’s response was without prefacing it with “I’m in an ambulance” or “I’m at the hospital.” then I knew I would know that you were just fine. WHAT DID HE SAY?

  * * *

  Your logic is disturbing.

  * * *

  He responded to you by saying your logic was disturbing???

  * * *

  No, you dork! I’m saying your logic is disturbing in regard to me. Tara pinched the bridge of her nose and then added to the text before she hit send. He said he was jealous and asked me to be careful and to not let Tucker touch me.

  * * *

  The typing bubble appeared and then a few seconds later, Shelly’s text.

  * * *

  Possessive. Yummy. Okay, now I can go to sleep. Shopping wears me out. See you when I see you.

  * * *

  Night.

  * * *

  Tara shook her head at her friend. It was only eight o’clock, and her normally crazy friend was going to bed because the shopping had worn her out. “What are you a toddler?” she muttered under her breath.

  Tara got her homework done so she wouldn’t have to worry about it for the rest of the weekend and then took a quick shower. When she climbed into bed, she decided she would return Elias’s texts.

  * * *

  Both you and Tucker are my friends. There isn't anything for either of you to be jealous about.

  * * *

  To her surprise, the text bubble immediately appeared on her screen indicating he was replying.

  * * *

  So, he’s jealous of me?

  * * *

  How was it possible for a text message to sound pleased?

  * * *

  No. I don’t talk to him about you. I don't really talk to him at all.

  * * *

  Hmm, I like that last part. Can I at least get a picture of you in your dress?

  * * *

  Tara smiled to herself. Maybe Tucker wasn't going to be the only one appreciating the view on dance night after all.

  * * *

  Maybe.

  * * *

  You’re a cruel woman, and yet I just want more of you. What does that say about me?

  * * *

  I make it a point not to psychoanalyze my friends. It’s disturbing and only confirms what I already know. People are nutters. Seen any wood nymphs lately?

  * * *

  He responded with a meme of a person rolling on the floor laughing. And then added,I just spit coffee all over Jax. He might actually try and kill me. It was nice knowing you, luv.

  * * *

  Tara was grinning like a fool as she read his message. She wondered what was different about tonight from other nights that he was able to take some time and respond to her texts.

  * * *

  Has the emergency been resolved?

  * * *

  There was a long pause before she saw the text bubble appear, and even after it appeared, it was at least two minutes before any text came through.

  * * *

  Not exactly.

  * * *

  Tara felt like there was a world of meaning in those two words. She responded with, That sounds ominous.

  * * *

  You have no idea. I’ve got to go. Sleep sweet, princess. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.

  * * *

  Stay safe.

  * * *

  Tara set her phone on the bedside table as her final text ran through her mind. She didn’t know what Elias did for TGTE. But whatever it was, she got the feeling safety wasn’t something he had a lot of control over.

  Chapter 19

  Elias scrolled through his text messages until he found the one from Tara that explained that she’d been asked by Tucker to attend a school dance. There was no real reason to read it again. It hadn’t changed from the first fifty times he’d read it, and it wasn’t going to change no matter how many more times he read it.

  “You ready?” Aston asked as a gentle breeze nudged at Elias’s back. He knew his friend wasn’t using his power on purpose. Aston was so in touch with his ability to manipulate air that it often reacted to his intentions.

  “I’m ready,” Elias said as he slipped the phone into a pocket on his cargo pants.

  Jax walked over and looked him in the eye. “Are you good?”

  He knew his mentor was really asking was if he was about to go postal over his soul bonded. Elias nodded. “I’m all right, mate.” He was a bloody liar because he was feeling everything but all right.

  “Zuri said everything has been quiet,” Jax reminded him.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m good.”

  “He’s not good,” Liam said. “He’s pacing like a druggie looking for his next fix. Have any of you seen him sleep?”

  “How the bloody hell would you see me sleep if you’re sleeping?” Elias bit out.

  “We take turns watching you,” Liam said, his usual sly smirk in place.

  “Enough!” Jax’s deep voice boomed. “You”—he turned to Elias—“will tell me if you start to feel out of control. And you”—he pointed at Liam—“will stop poking him every five minutes. You couldn’t be more obvious about wanting an ass kicking if you sent an engraved invitation.”

  Liam shrugged. “He’s never been this easy to rile up before. I can’t help myself.”

  Elias knew that Liam didn’t really want an arse kicking. Well, that wasn’t true. He’d probably love to spar with Elias in his current mood, but like Aston and Ra, Liam was practically a brother to Elias. Liam was poking, as Jax put it, because he was concerned. Then again, brothers needed their arses kicked every now and then.

  “I can’t believe the dance is tonight,” Shelly said for the seventh time that day. Tara knew because she’d been counting.

  “You’ve already said that,” Tara pointed out.

  “And you’ve already said that, but you don’t hear me complaining.” Shelly shut her locker and turned to face Tara.

  “You literally just complained.”

  “Only because I had to in order to make my point.”

  “And by doing so, you made your point moot.”

  Shelly let out a low growl as she headed for the doors. The school day had dragged. Everyone was excited about the prom and unable to focus. Three of her classes had ended up with the teachers just telling them to use the time as a study hall. Not that anyone actually studied.

  “Are you walking or riding?” Shelly asked.

  Tara looked up at the sky. It was partly cloudy, but they were the white, fluffy clouds. So unless there was some fluke storm like she and Elias had experienced in the woods, she should be good. “I’ll walk,” she finally answered.

  “I’ll be by at seven thirty to pick you up tonight.”

  “Doesn’t the dance start at seven?”

  Shelly nodded. “But we have to be fashionably late.”

  “Don’t people have to care that we’re coming in order for our lateness to be considered fashionable?” Tara could feel the ire radiating off her best friend. She should probably ease up because Shelly was really excited about going to the prom, even if they didn’t have dates.

  “Don’t get hit by a car on your way home. I’ll be ticked off if I have to go to the dance alone and depressed because my BFFF who I thought was indestructible dies.”

  “Love you too, Shells,” Tara said as she headed off down the sidewalk while Shelly went in the opposite direction to the student parking lot.

  Tara was a little over halfway home when the back of her neck tingled. She stumbled as she came to a halt. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning the trees, houses, and streets around her. Tara refused to even think of the name of the person she knew she was looking for … hoping for. There was no reason for him to be hiding out behind a tree watching her. That would be creepy. What did it make her that she actually hoped to find him hiding out behind a tree watching her? Creepy squared, that’s what. She shook her head at herself. “Shame your weirdness later,” she muttered under her breath.

  Why do I feel like I’m being watched? No, not watched, stalked. Tara could almost see something out there dogging her steps, something more dangerous than herself. Not that she was really dangerous at all. Her only superpower was the inability to get hurt. So, basically an assailant could beat the crap out of her … repeatedly. When she didn’t find a creepy Elias lurking, or a creepy anyone else for that matter, she pushed the feeling away and continued on her way. The faster she got home, the faster she could get herself safely behind a locked door.

  When she finally made it to her driveway, Tara hurried to the front door, slipped her key in, and quickly opened and shut the door behind her, immediately turning the deadbolt. She tossed her bag and then went to the kitchen and made herself a quick snack. If she was going to have to endure Shelly’s perkiness and Tucker’s attention, she was going to need a long, hot bath beforehand. She was headed for her room when her phone rang. She considered ignoring it, thinking it might be Shelly, but decided to at least check the caller ID. Tara pulled the phone from her pocket and felt her stomach flip as she saw Elias’s nickname, given by the aforementioned best friend, pop up. She hadn’t talked to him in three weeks, not since he’d left. And even though they’d been texting daily, she was suddenly nervous at the idea of actually speaking with him.

  She stared at the screen and finally tapped it to answer the call.

  “Hello?”

  “Bloody hell, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice.” Elias’s deep voice filled her ear and warmed the cold places inside of her.

  Tara sighed. It felt like she’d been holding her breath for the entire three weeks they’d been apart.

  “Luv? You there?”

  She nodded and then remembered he couldn’t see her. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m here.”

  “How are you?”

  “I’m good,” she said. I am so, so much better now that I can hear your voice and know you’re not this elaborate figment of my imagination that I’ve convinced myself is texting me. “How are you?” Tara asked him after she’d had her inner freak out.

  “I was shite until I heard your sweet voice,” he said without any sound of shame. “Now, I feel like I can breathe again.”

  Tara’s mouth dropped open. It was like he could hear what she was thinking. Her eyes widened. Surely he couldn’t hear her thoughts. Right? But just to be sure she thought, I think you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, and I miss the way you smell. She waited to see if he would respond to her ridiculous thoughts.

  “Are you excited about the prom?” Elias asked, sounding a little less enthusiastic than he had when she’d first answered.

  “I guess,” she answered honestly. “It’s not on my bucket list or anything.” Okay, so he can’t hear my thoughts. Good to know.

  Elias laughed. “Not big on dancing?”

  “Just not big on dresses,” she admitted.

  “That’s a right shame, princess. I have a feeling you’re breathtaking in a dress.”

  Tara felt her cheeks warm. “Um, so, how are things going with the top-secret environmental emergency?”

  He groaned. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve kept things very lock and key.”

  “It’s not a big deal. We’re just friends, Elias. You aren’t required to share every detail of your life with me.” Tara didn’t want him to tell her things just because he thought she was upset. She wanted him to share things with her because he wanted to.

  “You know I want us to be more than friends,” Elias said. “I don’t want to hinder that from happening by making you think I’m keeping things from you or don’t want to share things about my life with you.”

  Tara forced herself not to do some stupid little giddy dance over hearing him tell her he wanted them to be more than friends. And then failed because she totally did a stupid little girly dance. “So, what I’m hearing you say is that you want to tell me about what’s going on, but you can’t?”

  “That about sums it up. There’s more than meets the eye to our company. Nothing illegal or nefarious or anything, just confidential. All secrets you will be privy to if you come work for TGTE.”

  “I guess every company has trade secrets,” she said. Maybe that was why they had such a strange personality test for their potential new hires, because of the type of information they would be trusted with.

  “I would imagine so,” Elias agreed. “But what TGTE does is all good. Secrets often have a bad connotation. I don’t want you to think we are some kind of evil shadow corporation or something.”