He props his back pack against the wall and leans back. “Are you sure about that? Because if he is the one who was making us look dead, then maybe he did it to himself.”

I don’t answer, remember all the feelings I felt when I found out he was dead. But it was never really said if he was. Yes, Gabrielle implied it, but I never actually saw any proof. Why hadn’t I gotten proof, instead of just accepting?

“What would you do,” I say. “If I did turn into one of these half breeds? If I chose to die? Would you hate me?”

“You won’t,” he says with confidence. “I know you and I know you wouldn’t choose to be like them.”

“But what if I didn’t have a choice?” I’m not really talking about the half-breeds anymore, but about a Higher. “What if I turned into something horrible and I couldn’t help it? Would you hate me then?”

“As long as you don’t put the medicine into you, you’ll be fine.” He puts his arms behind his head and rest back against his bag. “We should try to get some rest. Do you want me to take first watch?”

“No, I got it,” I say, stirring the fire with the tip of my knife.

He yawns. “Are you sure? Because I can—”

“I’m fine,” I assure him. “I’m not even tired.”

It doesn’t take him long to doze off and I relax against the wall, letting the vampire screams drown out my thoughts.

Chapter 31

I don’t fall asleep. I stay up all night listening to the sounds of screams. At one point, I take the vial and stare at the black liquid, bubbling inside the glass. The only person I know of who could create such a medicine is Monarch. He had to be the one who gave them to The Gathering members—he just had to be. Maybe he did fake his own death for some reason. But then where is he now?

When Aiden starts to stir, I quickly shove the vial back into the bag.

He sits up, his eyes blurred over with early morning confusion. He stretches his legs, pops his neck, and glances around. “You let me sleep the whole night.” He yawns.

“I wasn’t tired.” I stand up and stretch. “Besides, it kept pretty quiet all night,” I lie.

He stands and kicks out his legs. “You know I can tell when you’re lying.”

“No, you can’t,” I argue. “And I’m not lying.”