Destiny

24.

Chapter 24

I zipped up the black jacket and turned to see my back in the mirror. You couldn't even tell there was anything wrong. Nothing abnormal. Nothing... angelic.

"You can't even tell." Aryan said.

"Do you think Lucy will be able to tell?"

"Probably not."

"Probably? I need to know before I go downstairs."

"She won't notice anything." He said, putting the hood up.

I looked back at him. "Thanks for helping me."

He nodded wordlessly.

"Do you think you could make breakfast again?"

"Do you want anything in particular?"

"Surprise me."

Aryan opened the door and Lucy was standing in the hallway. She looked at us and her eyebrows rose. "What are you two doing?"

"Discussing breakfast." Aryan said smoothly.

Lucy glanced at me, cleared her throat, then headed down the steps.

"Now she's going to be on guard." I whispered, grabbing Aryan's arm to stop him.

He rolled his eyes at me. "You worry too much."

"I have every reason to worry."

"It will go smoother if you don't worry."

"Easy for you to say." I mumbled.

He put both hands on my shoulders. "Trust me. Everything will be fine."

I held his gaze for a few seconds before I nodded.

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Brayden sat down beside me on the steps and stared out at the pool in front of us. "Wanna go for a swim?"

I started to nod then realized why I was wearing Aryan's jacket and cleared my throat. "It feels a little cold out today, don't you think?"

"It's like 70 degrees out." He looked over at me and nodded to the jacket. "Aren't you burning up?"

"I'm fine."

"Is everything okay with you? You seem off?"

"No, no, I... my stomach's just a little off today."

"Do you want me to get Lucy?"

My eyes widened. "No! I'm fine. Really."

He met my gaze. "Are you sure? You're acting really weird today."

"I'm fine. I think I ate something weird. Excuse me." I walked back inside and headed for the bathroom. I locked the door behind me and slid down to the floor. Brayden was trying to help but there was no way I could tell him what was going on. He wouldn't understand and I wasn't sure he'd be okay with it happening to me.

"Julia?"

I jumped and looked to be sure I locked the door. "I'm fine."

"Brayden said you practically ran in here. Are you okay?"

"I said I'm fine."

"Then open the door."

"I came to the bathroom for a reason."

"Some people go for the privacy. You're the only one here that'd do that."

"I'll be out in two minutes, okay? If not, you can break down the door and say you told me so."

Aryan got quiet and I knew he would be waiting on me to leave. I wanted extra time but I didn't think that was possible anymore.

I got up and pulled the jacket up around my shoulders. As I did so, my back cried out in pain and it felt like something was trying to force its way out.

The door was unlocked and Aryan came inside. "Julia, hey, what's wrong? What's going on?"

"It hurts." I whispered.

He pulled the jacket off then pushed my shirt up. "Okay. It's going to hurt a little bit but it'll be over soon. I promise."

"What are you talking about?"

He turned me so I was facing him. "Your wings."

My eyes widened and I covered his mouth with my hand. "Shh! I don't want Lucy to hear anything."

He pulled my hand away. "Julia, you can't keep this secret for long. Lucy's going to notice your wings sooner or later."

"I can hide in my room for the rest of my life."

"Get real."

I sighed.

"Look, if you want, you can go in my room. I'll tell Lucy not to bother you."

"She won't listen."

"To me she will."

I rolled my eyes.

He opened the door and nodded.

"Wait, what about Brayden?"

"What about him?"

"He'll see me and know something's up."

"I told him to wait outside and I'd see what was going on."

"And he listened?"

"I told you, I have a way of getting people to do what I say."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Just go."