Seb got the hint that I really wanted the subject to change – like, yesterday. He nodded. “Yes, you’re right,” he said. “But first I think I should try one of these – see if there’s any orange in it.” Stretching across, he reached for the bag and helped himself to a few cookies.

He bit into one. There was a pause.

“Well?” I said finally.

“Maybe it’s all right,” he said with an uber-casual shrug. “I’ll have to try again to make sure.” He took another bite, chewing slowly. “Hmm. No, it’s hard to tell.”

My embarrassment faded a little. “Yeah, you big phoney,” I said. “You just won’t admit you like them.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “You need to be careful, you know,” he said mildly. He gave me a warning glance as he licked a crumb from his finger. “I saw from your hand that you’re very ticklish.”

“Oh, now that is just completely unfair. I didn’t get any of your weaknesses.”

Seb looked smug. “Maybe you’ll find out someday.” And as he popped the rest of the cookie into his mouth, my tension melted away at his teasing look. It was what he’d been trying to do, I realized – make me see it was all right; that he wasn’t going to pressure me, not ever. No matter what else he might hope for, Seb was my friend. He’d told me that before, and he really meant it.

“Thanks,” I said, before I could stop myself.

He didn’t ask what for, though I knew he knew – he just tsked and shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll thank me when you see what a tough teacher I am.”

“Are you?” I said with a smile.

“Oh, yes. Very strict.” Seb sat up, brushing his hands off. “Okay – let’s get started.”

That night I lay in bed in the darkness, listening to the soft sounds of sleep around me. Even with the worry about the Council, I felt happier than I’d been in a long time. I could trust my angel again; it was just me inside of me after all. And even better, earlier that night Alex and I had slipped away to his room for half an hour and the world had fallen away into nothingness. I let out a shivering breath, hugging myself under the covers, and wished I was with him right now; that I could sleep wrapped up in his arms all night. But meanwhile, just having been close to him for a little while, without the gut-wrenching anxiety that had been chewing me up inside...well, it wasn’t enough, but it was still pretty amazing.