Gryphon can’t stop staring between the two brothers, his eyes darting between them as he assesses what’s going on. I’m sure there’s a level of mental communication going on that I can’t hear, but whatever it is, he doesn’t look happy about it.
I don't need to look to know that both Atlas and Gabe are staring at me. I feel their eyes on me well enough.
I guess this explains why I've been waking up tired.
Gryphon's eyes flick back to me and he says out loud, “Yes, that would explain why you wake up tired, Bonded. When did you find out that their bonds were separate beings inside them like yours is?”
I shrug and reply, “I kind of assumed, the same way I assumed that everybody knew. I've spoken to North’s bond before. I'm not scared of it, if that's what you're worried about.”
Gryphon's head tilts to the side a little. “I wasn't expecting you to be scared of it. His bond belongs to you. Just because it’s a living thing inside of him doesn't mean that there's something to be afraid of.”
Atlas chips in, “Oli just thinks that way because her bond has such a vicious demeanor most of the time.”
Gabe reaches behind me to punch Atlas in the shoulder, as though I'm going to be insulted that he's pointed out that my bond is a cantankerous murderous bitch. But there isn't really any arguing with that point.
“Did you know?” North finally speaks, ignoring the rest of us and staying transfixed completely on his brother.
Nox doesn't say a word, just brings his burger up to his mouth and takes another bite as though none of the outrage is happening around him.
“Answer me, Nox. Did you know?”
I don't feel as though I should be here for this. It very much feels like a conversation between two brothers that I shouldn’t be present for, but when I flick my eyes back to Gryphon, he shakes his head at me.
“No, we are absolutely going to sit here as a group and have this discussion. Because this is big. The fact that these two have been lying to us about their bonds is a very big deal, and the fact that Nox has been a threat to you from the moment you have returned to us and then risked your life with his bond—”
Nox finally speaks, cutting Gryphon off. “If North's bond isn't a threat, then why is mine?”
He might as well have placed a grenade on the table and pulled the pin.
“Because you're a fucking psychopath,” snaps Atlas at the same time as Gabe drawls, “Well, if you're not happy about Oli being your Bond, then what's to say your bond feels any fucking different?”
North loses his cool and snaps, “We know better than to trust them! We have experienced what happens when you trust them, Nox. Don’t pretend this isn’t an issue.”
What the fuck does that mean?
Gabe tenses a little and puts his hand on my knee underneath the table, squeezing it gently in a silent show of support. Atlas is practically vibrating with his own pent-up anger at what’s happening here, but he keeps his mouth pressed firmly shut, which is progress.
A lot of progress.
Nox takes another bite out of his burger, the picture of nonchalance, and then picks up the small whiskey glass from in front of him as though all of this is incredibly boring. “You experienced it, brother. I have not experienced anything of the sort. My shadow creatures listen to my every command.”
North squints at him and then a slow smirk stretches over his lips. Again, it’s another action I do not ever see him directing towards his brother. “Do they, though? Because I'm pretty sure Brutus wouldn't still be with Oleander if you had complete control over him. You would never give one of your shadows away. Especially not to the Bond that you are so certain is a threat to you.”
This feels dangerous to me. It feels as though we're standing on the edge of Nox’s issues, and any little movement is going to set him off again, the way that my snide comments had unintentionally triggered him at dinner weeks ago.
“My bond gave her the shadow. If you're so concerned that my bond is going to attack her or hurt her in any way, then know that it gave her the creature. When she comes to sleep in my room at night, which all of you insisted on, even though I’d rather not have her there and I have fought from word go, my bond is the one who stays with her. My bond does not wish her any harm. I might, but the bond doesn't. If you have concerns, it should be about me, not it.”
Is it weird that those words all seem like a romantic gesture to me?
I've always found North's bond alluring, like a beacon calling out to me, and the thought that Nox’s bond might treat me the same way is incredibly tempting.