The Walls Have Eyes.

Winter’s POV:

The air still feels thick long after Keon’s voice breaks the silence.

Sabrina groans dramatically. “Great. The lovers have officially arrived.

“We’re not-“ I start, but Sabrina’s already leaving. She's on her feet, dusting her legs with her face towel. She places the towel on the armrest. Who invited anyways? You’re killing the vibes.”

“I live here,” Keon says evenly, but the corner of his mouth twitches in amusement. He looks at the chair she was occupying.

Keon raises a brow. “You always leave when things get interesting.”

Her eyes shine. “Exactly why I’m leaving.” She claps his shoulder hard enough to make him grunt. It's obvious they’re friendly with each other. Seeing him like this, so casual, it did something to me. I feel my cheeks heat, caught between relief and irritation.

Sabrina tilts her head at me, her demeanor suddenly serious. She whispers in my ear, her voice so faint I hardly hear her. “Listen Winter…whatever choice you make, don’t forget for every action there is a reoccurring reaction that follows. You were given up to Derrick for a reason. Straying from that…the consequences won’t be limited to you alone.”

I freeze. The weight of her words presses against my chest like stone. She backs up, her wide smile back on her face. “Oh and be careful…it may be just me that spots it…"She points at me and Keon. “But sometimes…the walls have eyes you know? Or was it ears? However the saying goes I guess. Good luck!”

Before I can respond, she turns around, out through the door we came in from. I see her towel and I’m about to touch it, trying to pass it to her, when my insight screams at me. I drop my arm, opting to tell her instead. “Hey you forgot your towel?”

She waves her hand. “Forget it, I’ll be back anyways. I wanna check up on my students.” She winks, reaching for a torch, opening the door. She points at the window where the window, then her eyes and ears.”

I immediately understand. Be careful.

The door creaks shut, leaving Keon and me in silence.

The tension returns earlier, thicker than before. His dark eyes stare at me intensely. It short-circuits my senses.

Why am I not saying anything?

Wait what did I want to see him for again?

Oh right.

“Keon…we need to talk.”

He nods, like he was expecting me to say that. He circles the seat on the South End before taking a seat. “Okay streghetta, talk.”

What is it with everyone and sitting on chairs that look like they’re at least a thousand years older than us? Fine. I take a seat on the chair facing the West side of the compass. “It’s about the bond. Keon…I need you to be absolutely honest with me. When I asked you why you marked me. You said it was because of the moon. Was that a lie?”

His eyes change. Something eerily close to hurt passes. “Winter. Why would I lie about something like that? Everything I told you that day was the truth. It wasn’t my intention.”

My heart pangs. I feel bad. I didn’t search the whole house just to accuse him. I sigh. “I’m sorry I just, this whole thing…I see you and my heart jumps but…” I sigh. “Is it possible for someone to have two mates? Like a man-made one and one by the moon? Has it ever happened before?”

Silence.

“Keon…why aren’t you saying anything? I was marked by you, then mated to your brother with the relic. Does this mean you’re both my mate?”

“No.” his voice is deep and final.

“No what? No I’m not double marked, or no I don’t have two mates? I don’t understand.”

“I-That’s all I can say.”

I sigh, exasperated. “Keon, if you think this is funny, it’s not. I need answers Keon, and I’m going to get them. Enough with this vague shit.”

He clenches his jaw, refusing to speak.

What the hell was going on?

I can feel my anger peak. “Keon. For fucks sakes, answer me! My chest feels like a battleground, and I don’t like it. Come on!”

He turns to me. “You’re feeling the pull towards him aren’t you?” his eyes are dark.

I lose it. “Out of everything I just said, all your stupid jealousy could filter was that?! If you want to hear it so badly, then yes Keon, I feel something for your brother! I mean fuck at least he listened to me, and what did you expect! I’d get marked by you then bonded to him but only have feelings for you? I-You know what? I’m going to talk to him right now, I’m sure he’ll have some answers for me.”

I turn toward the door, when my eye catches the window. To my shock, it looks like there’s something there. I look closer, realizing it’s the figure is actually a symbol.

The Eye of the Witcher.

I freeze.

What’s a witch symbol doing in a house of wolves?

“Keon…can you see that?”

“See what?”

I point to the window. “That. That eye. It’s right there.”

“I promise you this Winter, I may not be able to tell you everything, but I can tell you there’s nothing where you’re pointing at.”

He sounds honest, his former scorn replaced with confusion.

I blink twice, trying to make sure I’m not seeing things.

When I open my eyes, it’s gone. Only the sun shines through the glass.

What?

I rub my eyes together again, and it’s not there.

Keon looks lost.

Am I seeing things?

I reach for the torch, opening the exit.

As the door is about to close, I take one last look at the window again.

The golden outline is clear. It’s there again.

And it’s staring right at me.