SEVENTEEN

LAUREL’s POV

Fear and guilt spike through my body and I try to yank my hand away but Helios does not let me. Then, swamped with emotions, I pry my eyes away and stare at the ground but the rage in his voice demands my attention.

“Look at me!"

I do and catch a flash of red that flares up in his eyes before it quickly fades; something that always happens when he is angry. Rigid cords form in his neck and he snaps irritably at me, “Just how long were you planning on keeping this a secret from me?”

And when I do not answer, he lets out a frustrated groan. “Damnit, Laurel! Answer me!”

He releases me and I quickly wrap my hands around myself. I feel like a fool.

He walks around me in circles and runs both hands through his hair in frustration. Helios stares down at me as he walks, his eyes never leaving mine and I say to him in my mind, ‘Okay, two can play the eye game. I’ll stare too.’

But after three seconds, I look down like a little school girl who is being scolded by her teacher.