Neither of us moved as Seb changed his aura over and over. Almost without realizing, I began to echo his sense of relaxed detachment, so that after a while I was practically losing myself in my own aura: whispers of silver and lavender trailing over my skin, gleaming with emotion.

“I think I get it,” I said softly. “I’ve been trying too hard, right?”

Seb nodded, propping himself back on one hand. His hazel eyes were teasing. “Perhaps just a little, querida.”

“Don’t call me querida,” I said automatically. “Okay, let me see if I can do it now.”

Closing my eyes, I merged dreamily back into my aura’s glow. Don’t force it, I cautioned myself. When I felt ready, I mentally stroked its shimmering lights and imagined them turning blue.

I caught my breath as my aura wavered and gave a flicker. Close, but no cigar. My heart started beating more quickly. No, don’t get excited – stay detached. It was easier said than done, though; when I tried again, my life energy didn’t even flutter. Or the next two times I tried. In my mind’s eye, I stared at the silvery glow in frustration. Oh god, I had to get this. How was I supposed to be there for the Council attack if I didn’t?

There was a ripple of emotion from Seb...and when I opened my eyes, he was watching me very steadily, all trace of humour gone. With one of those undercurrents that happened more and more often between us now, I knew he’d heard my thought – and that he hated the idea of me taking part in the attack every bit as much as Alex would. Just the thought of me being hurt made him turn as fierce as those months when he was thirteen, so that he’d do whatever it took to protect me.

We each knew what the other was thinking. A little shaken by the depth of his feelings, I started to say something, then stopped. There was no point in arguing. I’d learn how to change my aura in time, and I’d be there when the team confronted the Twelve – that was all there was to it.

I could tell Seb had picked up the gist of that, and was letting it go for now – though from the tension around his mouth, he wasn’t happy. “Do you want to try again?” he asked finally.

And for then, that was all either of us said about it.

Chapter Seventeen

HAVING SEB IN THE HOUSE changed everything for me.