27. In Flames

I tore from deep sleep to the sound of the alarm going off. “What now?” I groaned, burying my face into Elijah’s shoulder. We’d moved from Ariah’s bed to mine and fell asleep there.

Despite a lot of kissing, nothing more happened. But I wasn’t going to lie. I wanted things to head in that direction. Elijah was the one who decided we should take our time.

Sigh.

Elijah muttered a curse, gently nudging me off from him. “It’s something serious.”

“How do you know?” I popped my eyes open.

“If the alarm rings three times consecutively, it’s something important but not life-threatening. Six times, it's a serious and potential danger. Like with the convict on the grounds.”

“How many times did it ring?” I sat up beside him.

“Twelve.” He got off the bed and straightened his shirt. He turned, holding out his hand for me.

“What does twelve mean?” I took his hand and let him pull me onto my feet.

“They rang it twelve times the day my sister was found dead.”

My stomach sank. “Oh no.”

“Come