Chapter 12 IVY'S INTERROGATION
Amara’s POV
I knocked on Ivy’s door and almost turned around.
My heart beat too fast. My hands felt warm. Everything felt too sharp, like the world had turned the volume up.
The door opened before I could escape.
"There you are," Ivy said. "I thought you were not coming."
"I almost did not," I replied.
She pulled me inside. The smell of food wrapped around me. Voices filled the room. Laughter. Music. Life.
I froze.
Too much. Too warm. Too happy.
"You okay?" Ivy asked, studying my face.
"I am fine," I said quickly.
She raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
I nodded and stepped further inside.
Her family greeted me kindly. Smiles. Plates offered. Questions asked. I answered automatically, but my mind drifted.
I felt different.
Lighter.
Like something heavy had been lifted off my chest.
Ivy noticed.
She always did.
We sat at the table. I picked at my food. Ivy kept watching me.
"You are quiet," she said.
"I am tired."
"You are smiling."
I frowned. "I am not."
She grinned. "You are. Just a little."
I looked down at my hands. The bracelet rested quietly on my wrist. It shimmered faintly, like it was breathing.
After dinner, Ivy dragged me into her room and shut the door.
"Okay," she said. "Talk."
"There is nothing to talk about."
"Do not lie," she replied. "You look like someone who just woke up from a long sleep."
I crossed my arms. "I have had a strange few days."
"I noticed," she said. "You almost died, got a mystery job, and suddenly you do not hate Christmas as much."
"I still hate it," I said.
She laughed. "No, you do not. Not the same way."
She sat on the bed and leaned forward. "Tell me about the job."
"It is just assistant work," I said. "Helping with research."
"For who?"
"A man."
She smirked. "What kind of man?"
I hesitated.
"Just a man," I said.
"Uh huh," Ivy replied. "Is he the one who paid your hospital bill?"
My stomach dropped. "How did you know?"
"I guessed," she said. "You have that look."
"What look?"
"The someone saved me look."
I groaned and rubbed my face. "It is not like that."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I am not blushing."
"You are definitely blushing."
I turned away. "His name is Noelle."
Her eyes widened. "Noelle? Like Christmas Noelle?"
"It is just a name."
"Is he handsome?" she asked.
I stayed quiet.
Ivy gasped. "Oh my God."
"He is just nice," I said quickly. "And kind. And strange."
"Strange how?"
I thought of glowing eyes. Healing warmth. Snow that danced.
"Just… different," I said.
"You like him," Ivy said.
"I do not."
"You do," she insisted. "You are actually smiling when you talk about him."
I opened my mouth to argue. Then closed it.
I hated that she was right.
"It is complicated," I said.
"It always is," Ivy replied gently. "Does he know what you have been through?"
"Some of it."
"And he still stayed?"
"Yes."
She studied my face. Her teasing faded.
"Amara," she said softly. "I am glad you feel better. Really. But I need you to be careful."
"I am always careful."
"No," she said. "You are always alone. That is different."
I looked at her.
"Men who seem too good to be true usually are," she continued. "And ones who show up exactly when you need saving?"
My chest tightened.
"Those are either genuine angels," she said slowly, "or very good liars."
The room went quiet.
My heart pounded.
"Ivy," I whispered.
She reached for my hand. "I am not saying he is bad. I am saying you should protect yourself."
I nodded, but my thoughts raced.
Angel.
Liar.
Noelle.
Later that night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
The house was quiet. Snow tapped softly against the window.
I touched the bracelet. It warmed under my fingers.
I thought of Noelle standing in the snow.
Of his voice.
Of the way my body healed when he touched me.
Of the nurses whispering.
Of the shadows watching.
Ivy’s words echoed in my head.
Angel. Or liar.
My phone buzzed.
A message lit up the screen.
Noelle: Are you safe?
My heart skipped.
I typed back slowly.
Amara: Yes.
Three dots appeared. Then disappeared.
Another message came.
Noelle: I will explain everything soon. I promise.
I stared at the screen.
Soon.
I turned onto my side and closed my eyes.
Sleep came slowly.
And when it did, I dreamed of snow falling upward, of glowing light, and of a boy standing at the edge of the world, watching over Christmas itself.
When I woke suddenly in the dark, my bracelet was glowing.
And somewhere outside, bells rang once.