Michael was looking at him a little too intensely. “And what did you do last night?”

For a second, Gabriel wondered what his brother would think if he told him the truth.

He wondered how much Michael had guessed already.

“Cut the crap, Michael. What do you want?”

“I want to know if you’re starting these fires.”

The words hit Gabriel like a fist to the face.

That’s what his brother thought? That Gabriel was out deliberately setting fires, purposely killing people?

He almost couldn’t breathe for a second, the feeling of betrayal hit so hard. Just like last night, when Nick had stolen his air. Only Nick hadn’t been accusing him of murder.

That moment of brotherly camaraderie earlier in the evening was completely gone. He’d been so stupid to think Michael could ever be a friend. Gabriel clenched his jaw and moved to walk past him up the steps. “Fuck you.”

His brother caught his arm. “Are you doing this to get back at Becca’s father? Do you want the Guides coming here? Tell me.”

Not just a murderer, but someone who would turn on his family. Gabriel jerked free and shoved him away in one motion.

Michael caught him and spun him around before he could make it through the door. “You were pretty upset when you ran out of here last night. Where did you go?”

Gabriel tried to yank his arm free again, but Michael was working a death grip.

“Let go of me.”

“Damn it, I can’t help you if you won’t talk to me.”

“Help me? Help me?” Gabriel hit him with his free hand, getting in a solid punch before Michael wrestled him against the siding of the house to pin him there.

“Yeah,” Michael said, and his voice was tired. “Help you.”

Gabriel glared at him, struggling, but his brother had six years and a good twenty pounds on him, plus leverage to boot. Gabriel ground words out. “I’m not doing anything.”

“You don’t sound like you’re not doing anything.”

Life would be so much easier if Michael was an idiot.

Michael narrowed his eyes. “Why are you hanging out with Hunter all of a sudden?”

“What difference does it make?” Gabriel heaved against his brother’s hands, throwing his weight into it.

Michael slammed him back into the house. His head cracked against the siding. Hard.

The porch light sizzled and flared for a brief moment. Gabriel heard his brother’s breath catch.

The sound filled Gabriel with shame and pride all at the same time, a sickening euphoric feeling that gripped his chest and churned his stomach, but let him meet his brother’s eyes.

He gave the electricity a tiny push, making it flare again. “Don’t screw with me, Michael.”

Michael didn’t move. They stood frozen for an eternal second, until the front door flew open.