Jared nodded, his eyes darkening again. “He’s noticed an increase in activity in the area.”

“What kind of activity?”

Jared swallowed and shifted closer to me on the bed, holding my hand tighter. “The Others don’t understand my draw to you…even with me being half-human. It’s interesting to them. So their visits here have increased.”

“But I haven’t…they haven’t bothered me.”

“They don’t engage us unless they have to.”

I swallowed. “So you’re saying when you’re near, they won’t hurt me?”

Jared’s eyes clouded over. “They don’t want to cross that line, trust me. They know better than to get too close to you when I’m near.”

“That’s why you had Claire sit with me the night you were with Mr. Dawson.”

He nodded. “I don’t want you to be afraid. It’s only an issue in my apartment; they’re drawn to the dwellings of Hybrids. Remember I told you that they’re attracted to those that are aware of them?” I nodded. “Claire, Bex and I, and those like us, are very aware of them. Our lineage enables us to see them even when you can’t. I’ve noticed more of their kind coming and going. They’re curious about you.”

I held his hand tight. “Should I be worried?”

Jared offered a comforting smile. “You let me do the worrying.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “What did Samuel tell you?”

“They’ve noticed…,” Jared rubbed the back of his neck, “they’ve noticed that we’re spending more time together. Both sides. The Archs are unhappy about it. It’s unusual—and heavily frowned upon—to become involved with one’s Taleh. It’s considered more of a taboo than falling in love with a human. Even though I’m half-human, they find it irresponsible. Samuel is concerned that the Archs won’t be inclined to help if things get messy.”

“Why would we need their help? I thought you said they wouldn’t come near me when you’re around?”

“I’m not talking about a dozen or so Others, Nina. Samuel wouldn’t be concerned if it wasn’t serious.”

“How serious is it?”

Jared sighed. All of his energy seemed to have been sucked from him. “Hell is familiar with our fathers. Being their children in addition to our unique circumstance…we’ve become people of interest, so to speak. The Others made a game of trying to catch my father off-guard. With me having a stronger reason to protect you…,” he choked off. He swallowed and then began again, “Samuel came to warn me.”

“Warn you,” I repeated. My head was swimming with confusion and the whiskey still saturating my system.