The expression on Alex’s face made me feel like I was being battered inside. To keep myself from throwing my arms around him and taking it all back, I reached up and gripped Seb’s hand as hard as I could. “We...found the information about the Council’s visit,” I said shakily. “It’s in that file.” I nodded at the table.

Alex didn’t look at it. He put his hand over his face, rubbing at his temples. “Get out, both of you,” he said finally.

I licked dry lips. “But what about the Council? We still want to help; you’ll need everyone you can get—”

Alex dropped his hand, and my chest clenched at the utter hatred in his eyes. “You have got to be kidding me,” he hissed. “Do you think you’re actually going to stay here in this house and still be part of the team? I’ve got news for you; the team doesn’t trust you, neither of you. And you know what? I don’t trust you now, either. Just get out – get your things and get the hell out. I never want to see you again, Willow.” His gaze fell on Seb. “And if I ever see you again, I swear to god I’ll kill you.”

He turned and left the room. I stood motionless, staring after him, taking in his dark hair; the firm line of his shoulders. The way he moved. Alex. Alex.

Seb gave me a quick shake. “Hold yourself together,” he ordered, letting go of me. “I’ll get our things.”

I shook my head, stunned. Somehow, I hadn’t expected this. “But Seb, we can’t actually leave,” I said in a small voice. “What about the attack?”

“We’ve seen all the information,” he said. “We can go there, we can still help them. But for now—” His mouth twisted grimly as he glanced in the direction Alex had gone. “I think he means what he says.”

The world was crashing in my ears. “All right,” I said after a pause. “I’ll get my own things.”

No one was in the girls’ dorm; it was a relief. I changed out of Liz’s clothes and sandals, leaving them neatly on her bed – she’d probably burn them or something, once she heard what had happened – and pulled on a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, my hooded sweatshirt. My purple Converse sneakers. I remembered buying them with Alex; the way he’d grinned and said, This is a girl thing, isn’t it?

No. Don’t think about it.