SIXTEEN

I parked the car, turned off the ignition, and dropped my hands on my lap. I looked at the Reid's house and then at Persephone, who seemed troubled.

"What if they don't like me?" she asks quietly.

I can understand where this question is coming from. She is about to meet new people; the only ones she feels close to are Seth and me.

We haven't talked about Seth since that incident at the house. It has been two days with no talk or interaction. At first, I felt relieved, but I realized how much I missed him—missed his jokes and his teasing. I missed his touch and how his fingers made my whole body shiver in a good way. I hated men touching me. It took Odin and the boys a minute in my team to shake hands with me because it would remind me of the past. But with Seth's touch, he's gentle and feels with kindness. His hands feel softer than mine with all the callousness. It would've been better if I wore gloves when he touched my hands again.

I close my eyes and shake my head. There is a bett