A big problem.
I just wish I knew why.
Even Flint, who has never reacted to Jaxon in the past, turns a little sickly looking. And that’s before Jaxon, in the coldest, most reasonable voice imaginable, asks him, “What the hell did you think you were doing?”
It’s the tone even more than the look that has me moving, a frisson of fear working its way down my spine as I position myself between him and Flint before an all-out brawl can take place. I may not understand all the nuances of what’s happening here, but it’s obvious that Jaxon is livid—and more than ready to take it out on Flint. Which makes no sense, considering, “I fell, Jaxon. Flint saved me.”
For the first time, he turns those cold eyes on me. “Did he?”
“Yes! The wind kicked up, and I lost my balance. I fell out of the tree, and Flint jumped after me.” I shoot Flint a stare, telling him to back me up, but he’s not looking at me.
He’s not looking at Jaxon, either. Instead, he’s gazing off into the distance, jaw and fists clenched.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, reaching out to touch his shoulder. “Are you hurt after all?”
A fine tremor runs through the earth, a tiny little earthquake that rattles the tree branches a bit but doesn’t do anything else. I’ve heard Alaska has them, so it doesn’t surprise me when no one reacts. Even I don’t get too excited. In San Diego, we’d have one or two of these tiny ones every couple of months. Flint doesn’t even notice. He’s too busy shrugging off my hand. “I’m fine, Grace.”
“Then what’s wrong?” I look back and forth between him and Jaxon. “I don’t understand what’s happening here.”
Neither of them answers me, so I look to Macy for an explanation beyond my working hypothesis that Alaska brings out the worst in people. But she looks as confused as I do—and about a hundred times more terrified.
As for everybody else…they’re riveted by the drama, eyes glued to Jaxon as he continues to watch Flint who continues to very obviously not watch him back. It’s not the first time I’ve thought of Jaxon as a hunter, but it is the first time I’ve thought of Flint as prey. Other members of his group must agree, because in seconds they’re moving, guys and girls alike, to flank him on either side.
Their obvious support of Flint only ups the tension between him and Jaxon, whose face has grown even more coldly amused.
I’m trying desperately to figure out how to break things up without bloodshed when Macy suddenly snaps out of whatever stupor she’s been in and says, “We should go back to the room, Grace. Make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her. Like I’m going to leave Jaxon out here when he looks like he wants to rip Flint’s throat out just for breathing. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Actually, that’s the best idea I’ve heard all afternoon.” Jaxon takes a step closer until he’s right behind me. He doesn’t touch me, doesn’t even brush against me, but he’s close enough that that doesn’t matter. I can feel him. “I’ll walk you back to your room.”
The crowd recoils at this. Like, I actually see people drawing back, eyes wide, mouths open, faces slack with shock. I can’t figure out what the big deal is unless it’s that Jaxon is breaking up the showdown between the two most popular guys in school before it even begins. Not that it’s even a real showdown, considering the way Flint’s taken himself out of the whole thing by refusing to so much as acknowledge Jaxon’s existence.
It’s that uncharacteristic behavior more than anything else that has me stepping away from Jaxon and saying, “I need to stay with Flint. Make sure he’s really—”
“I’m fine, Grace,” Flint grates out from between clenched teeth. “Just go.”
“Are you sure?” I reach out a hand to touch his shoulder again, but suddenly Jaxon’s there between us, preventing my hand from landing. Then he’s stepping forward, moving me slowly, inexorably away from Flint and back toward school.
It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. Definitely the strangest thing I’ve ever been a part of.
And still, I let it happen. Because this is Jaxon, and I can’t seem to help myself.
“Come on, Macy,” I say quietly to my cousin and reach for her hand. “Let’s go.”
She nods, and then we’re walking back toward the castle—Macy, Jaxon, and me. I half expect the other members of the Order to join us, but a quick glance behind me shows that they aren’t moving.