Chapter 18: The Return of Isach Zoya

Despite Sean’s disapproving frown, I skipped my morning classes. After the way Chloe stormed off yesterday, I couldn’t face her today. Or rather, I couldn’t face more of her rejection. As my soulmate, all I wanted was to be near her, but that’s not what she wanted, and I was helpless to do anything but give her exactly what she wanted.

Jax was all too eager to skip classes, too, and we took off early that morning to hunt. Then we spent a couple hours on the couch playing video games. But by the time lunch rolled around, I was too anxious to stay inside. I needed to see Chloe again, to gauge how she’d react to me now that she’d had another day to come to terms with the truth of who and what I was. I only hoped she didn’t push me away again.

“Where are you going?” Jax asked. He strolled out of the kitchen with a triple decker sandwich, a bag of chips, and a two-liter of soda.

“School.”

He laughed. “She’s not even your girlfriend, and she’s got you wrapped so tight around her finger.” He shook his head. “The big, bad vampire’s been tamed by a sweet little human girl.”

I flipped him off and strode out of the house, his laughter filtering through the closed door. My brother was a jerk, but my smile couldn’t be contained as I climbed into my truck. As much as I hated how he teased me about Chloe, Jax was absolutely right. Whether she knew it or not, Chloe had me wrapped around her finger, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else. Here was hoping she didn’t cut me loose.

I made the drive to school in record time and arrived just as the bell rang to dismiss lunch. The hallways were more crowded than usual and getting to my locker was a test in patience as I waited for students to move out of the way. I could have made them move, but I didn’t want to accidentally kill any of them with my strength. That wouldn’t win me any favor with Chloe.

When I finally reached the hall where my locker was, I caught sight of Chloe. She was walking away with a guy who was about my height, solid build, though a tad less muscular, and light-colored hair. She hadn’t wasted any time moving on, had she?

I curled my hands into fists and clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to punch a hole through my locker door. Was she really that disgusted by me that she’d so easily become involved with another guy? That didn’t seem like something she’d do, but she’d been pretty clear about her feelings toward me.

Chloe pointed at our World History class and smiled at the guy. I watched through narrowed eyes, debating how I’d kill him and if I’d make it quick and painless or slow and torturous. What would Jax do? Definitely slow and torturous.

Unable to watch her with him a second longer, I headed into class and took my seat. Part of me wanted to pretend I hadn’t seen anything, to simply ignore Chloe and see if she’d talk to me on her own. But the second she walked into the room, everything inside of me softened, and all I could do was think of all the things I wanted to say to her.

As soon as she sat in her chair, I turned toward her. “Who was that guy you were talking to in the hallway?” I demanded. Yeah, that was real smooth.

She dropped her bag to the floor. “What?”

I rolled my eyes. “That guy in the hallway? Who is he?” I bit off each word. The memory of her smiling at him hit me hard in the gut, and I wanted to break something. Preferably that guy’s face.

“Wait.” She turned in her seat to face me. “You skip classes all morning so you don’t have to see me, and the first thing you do say is to demand to know who I’m talking to?” She turned back in her seat, so she was facing forward. “I don’t think so, Trent. That’s not how this works.”

So she’d realized that, huh? Maybe she wasn’t quite as aloof toward me as I’d thought. I rubbed the back of my neck. What was I supposed to tell her? That she was right? That I was a coward and too afraid she’d reject me again, so I stayed home to nurse my fragile ego?

“I wasn’t skipping classes so I wouldn’t have to see you. I had something to take care of,” I said quietly. “And that guy… he’s new around here. I was just wondering his name.”

“Then why don’t you ask him.” She nodded toward the front of the room where the guy now stood. “I’m sure he could use a friend or two.”

I jerked my head up at her words. Familiar striking green eyes surveyed the room, and my instincts flared with warning. There was only one family I knew that had eyes that shade of green—it was their distinguishing trait. My jaw tightened, my eyes narrowed, and my knuckles turned white with how hard I clutched the edge of the desk.

What the hell was Isach Zoya doing here?

He held my gaze as he moved farther into the room, breaking the contact long enough to smile at Chloe. I was going to kill him, and I didn’t care if I started a war with the Zoya. He had no business inserting himself into Chloe’s life, and I’d do whatever was necessary to keep him as far away from her as possible.

“Trent,” Chloe whispered harshly and reached for my arm.

Before I could answer, Mr. Patterson clapped his hands to get our attention. “All right. For the next thirty minutes, I want you quietly working on your final projects while I bring our newest student up to speed on the class.”

Beside me, Chloe took several deep breaths. “Trent?” Her voice trembled.

The faint scent of sweat and bile permeated the air between us as I leaned closer. Something had upset her. But what? Me? Or Isach?

“What?” I asked, and she gasped. Then she leaned closer and inhaled deeply. My lips twitched with a barely contained grin. “Can you stop sniffing me long enough to tell me what has you so upset?”

She abruptly pulled away. “It’s him.” She subtly inclined her head toward the front of the room where Isach stood with Mr. Patterson. “He’s the guy I saw at the funeral right before…”

My entire body tensed. Isach had made her hallucinate that I was a vampire? Why had he done that? Granted, our families were mortal enemies, but by playing tricks with Chloe’s mind, Isach had broken our cardinal rule. He’d outed me to a human. He’d broken the ultimate vow of secrecy. That alone was bad enough, but that meant I could kill him and not start a way. Not technically, anyway, when he’d essentially fired the first shot. Sean and Jax were going to be pissed when they found out about this.

After several moments, I said, “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“You need to stay away from him.” I faced her, and my eyes were darkening by the second.

She sucked in a sharp breath.

“Promise me, Chloe.”

“Yeah, of course.” She paused. “Your eyes,” she whispered.

I blinked, and my eyes shifted back to their normal blue. “Sorry,” I said. “That happens when I feel threatened, or when someone I care about is threatened.”

She didn’t respond to my comment about caring for her, and I wasn’t sure if she was just in shock over seeing the guy who’d made her hallucinate in a cemetery full of people, or if she simply didn’t want to hurt my feelings by telling me she didn’t reciprocate my feelings. Either way, the situation wasn’t good, and I needed to do some serious damage control.

For the remainder of the day I stayed as close to Chloe as she’d allow, and when school was over, I hung around until I saw her get into Abby’s car and drive off. Isach didn’t try to get near her again, but I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t try when I wasn’t around. I rushed home and barged through the front door, pure adrenaline fueling my movements.

“Who set your ass on fire?” Jax asked from where he sat on the couch. Had he moved at all today?

“Isach Zoya.” I snarled.

Jax was off the couch in a flash, and a second later, Sean emerged from the basement. “What did you say?” Sean asked, an edge to his tone.

“Isach Zoya is back in town. He was in school today.” I crossed my arms and shifted my weight, but nothing eased the rage pouring through me.

“If he’s here, then his father and the rest of the coven aren’t far behind.” Sean sighed, then uttered a string of curses. “Why now?”

“No idea, but Isach broke the vow of secrecy,” I said.

“What?” Jax’s tone was icy.

“How do you know that?” Sean asked.

“Right before Chloe freaked out at the cemetery, she saw Isach. He was staring at her and whispering something. He made her hallucinate that I was a vampire.” I raked my fingers through my hair and blew out a breath. “He outed me. Us.” I waved my arms around to indicate they were victims, too.

“Good.” Jax gave a hard nod, his lips set in a firm line. “Then we can kill him, and it will be justified. If he started this, we’ll damn well finish it.”

“Absolutely not,” Sean snapped. “If you two kill Isach, his father will see that as an act of war.”

“So what’re we supposed to do then? Just stand around and watch while he wreaks havoc?” I shook my head with disgust. “Sorry, Dad, but I can’t do that. Not when Chloe is caught in the crossfire.”

“Maybe it’s time to leave.” Sean sighed.

I scowled. “Then you’ll be leaving without me.”

Jax’s eyes widened. “You’d really stay here for a girl who doesn’t even want you?”

“Watch yourself, Jaxon,” I warned.

Chloe may not want me around right this second, but she wasn’t completely pushing me away, and as long as there was a slight chance she might change her mind, I needed to be around. And even if she didn’t want me in her life, no way was I leaving now. Not when Isach Zoya was in town screwing with her mind. I wouldn’t leave her defenseless against him. I was the only one who could protect her.

“I’m not leaving you behind,” Sean said.

“And I’m not leaving.” I crossed my arms again and glared at him.

I loved my father and brother with every breath in my body, but I loved Chloe just as much, and if it really came to a choice between her and them, I’d choose her. Every single time.

“Okay, so leaving isn’t an option.” Sean paced toward the front window. “You need to warn Chloe that Isach isn’t someone she should be around.”

“I already did.” Though I had my suspicions she didn’t take my warning seriously. I’d have to try again tomorrow.

“Good. In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye out to make sure no other Zoya are arriving in town.” Sean continued to pace—something he only ever did when he was on edge and couldn’t find a solution to whatever problem was plaguing him. He stopped and turned to face us. “You two keep an eye on Chloe, make sure she’s safe. And watch Isach to make sure he’s not causing any more trouble.”

I nodded.

“But do not lay a hand on him.” Sean pointed at each of us in turn. “Rector already blames me for the death of his first child. I will not take another from him.” Guilt and shame hung from his every word.

“You didn’t kill Annmarie’s child,” I said softly.

“No, but I did kill her, and that’s why we’re in this position today.” Without another word, Sean spun on his heel and disappeared back downstairs.

I hung my head. When would he stop blaming himself for what happened all those years ago? Better yet, when would the past stop dictating our future?

Jax rested his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll do whatever I can to make sure Chloe stays safe.”

Despite how much Jax loved to harass me, he was always there when I needed him the most, and with his help, I knew Chloe would be safe. Right now, that was my top priority.