I chewed my lip. Of course I thought Cyrus would be of use to us. Oh, I had doubts he was involved with his father, but he'd told me himself that he'd been seeing Dahlia. And if there was one thing Dahlia wanted, it was the kind of power the Soul Eater could offer her. If I had to use Cyrus to get to her, I would. "I think you're right. I think we should go back."

Later that evening, when Nathan, Bella, Max and I had done the requisite cell number confirmations and synchronizing of watches—okay, not really, but at times the three can lapse into their Movement regiment training—Nathan went to load up the van and Bella went with him to make sure she hadn't left anything behind. Max and I were left to our own devices in the foyer.

It only took a couple seconds before the realization that we'd been alone in this very room not long ago crashed through my brain like a rampaging wildebeest. At the exact same time, I saw an uncharacteristic flush color Max's face.

"So. This is weird." It was all I could think of to break the silence.

Max didn't appreciate it. "You know, sometimes it's better just not to talk."

I frowned at him. "Hey, so we made a mistake. It's not a big deal. At least, not a big enough one to ruin our friendship over."

"I know, I know." He went to the plastic console beside the door, which looked painfully anachronistic among the antique furnishings, and flipped it open. "But it wasn't a mistake. It's just that… "

"You've never had anyone you've gotten physical with stay in your life before," I finished for him.

He gave me an exasperated look, the one he often gives me when I'm a hundred percent sure I'm right. Turning back to the alarm console, he sighed. "And now I have two of them."

"Well, you'll only be saddled with one of them for the next couple of weeks, if that's any consolation." It was certainly better than having him shut up here any longer. All the memories of his late sire brought out a morose side of Max I'd never seen before and certainly didn't like. I wasn't sure it would do him any good to be stuck with Bella for an extended period of time—their mutual attraction was equaled only by their mutual desire to drive each other insane with rage—but at least the object of his unrequited love would be a living and breathing person.

"When we're talking about her, could you refrain from using words like saddle?" He punched in a few more codes and a loud, electronic beep sounded. "We're locked in."

I laughed. "Oh, good."

"It is good. It will buy us some time before she gets back, so you can give me some advice." Max motioned for me to follow him to the couch.