A Man of Honor (A Young Adult Paranormal Romance) (The Honor Trilogy) (12 page)

As I hit the snooze on my phone for the last time, Honor walks in the room fully dressed and ready for school.
“Holy shit, what time is it?”

“Seven fifteen,” she answers quietly.

“Damn, we’re gonna be late.” I quickly jump out of bed, and grab my clothes from my bag.

“Ethan’s picking me up.” Honor is speaking to me, but not looking at me. Instead she’s putting some books into her backpack.

“Oh. All right…were you at least going to wake me up?”

Her back still faces me and she shrugs.

“Fine.” I continue to gather my things and walk past her to go into the bathroom. “See ya at school,” I say, not turning to look at her.

She’s still mad. Great. If we didn’t have plans to question Moore after school, I’d ditch today and go for a ride.
Instead, I get ready for school and go, taking the cup of coffee that Mrs. S. offers me on the way out the door.

T
he veins in my temples must have ruptured inside my head because my brain is screaming to jump ship. My headache came on shortly after period one began and it is now ten minutes until lunch and I want a boulder to fall on my head – it’d certainly be less painful. While I wait for the period to end, I lay my head on my arms on the desk and ignore the teacher’s plea to wake my ass up.

“Storm,” she says, “tomorrow morning I expect you to come to class wide awake.” She
tsks and sends me on my way.

Skipping my locker to get to lunch, I’m able to grab Honor before she reaches the lunch room. “Honor,” I say, foregoing my impulse to call her
princess. “I need to talk to you for a minute. Please,” I add, after seeing her solemn face.

“Okay,” she answers, but doesn’t smile.

I walk, shoulders slumped, into the alcove by the front of the school. Honor walks alongside me. “Listen, Honor,” I start, reaching for her hand, which fortunately, she doesn’t pull away. “I’m sorry I hit Ethan. I realize that’s why you’re mad, but really...it was an impulse. I saw red when he talked about you like that.”

She sighs. “That’s just it. Your impulses are violent…and he’s your brother…you don’t do that to your own brother…when are you going to finally accept that he’s your own flesh and blood? It hurts me
, you know?”

“I’m sorry, but why does it hurt you?”

“You’re kidding, right? I
feel
everything. Aside from feeling the punch to Ethan’s face in my own face, I feel the pain he feels every time you put him down…And I feel yours also. It pains you to be mean to him, I know it does.”

“Honor…he was talking shit about you. That didn’t make you angry? Because it sure as hell made
me
angry.”

“Well, yeah…I mean it wasn’t nice, but they were just words.
You
made him bleed…
and
he has a huge swollen black eye.”

“Well…I’m sorry. And I’ll apologize to him again. I get defensive when it comes to you…I can’t help it.”

The way her mouth tugs toward her right cheek, I know she’s suppressing a smile.

I take her other hand and pull her closer. “I can’t stand to see someone hurt you, Honor…physically or emotionally. You have to understand that. Although I may not be
empathic any more, when it comes to you, my senses are even more heightened. I lo…I like…you when you’re feeling happy. When you’re hurting, I’m hurting. But I promise…I’ll refrain from using my fists again on Ethan. All right?”

“All right,” she whispers. “Thank you.”

I let go of her hands, but we just stare at each other. I know I want to kiss her. Hell, I almost just told her I love her. Averting my eyes from her eyes is impossible for me. If she doesn’t break the stare first, I’m going to grab her right here in the hallway.

“Um.” She bites the corner of her bottom lip and retains her gaze. “We…uh…better…”

“Get to lunch,” I finish.

“Yeah,” she says. “Um…I’m sorry I didn’t wake you up this morning.”

I close my eyes to break the stare. When I open them, I say, “It’s fine, princess. No worries. Let’s get going.”

Ethan and Tamlin are already at our table with Hunter…and now Eli?

“What’s Eli doing here?” I ask Honor.

“Uncle Tom enrolled him.”

“Great. Another Sutherland at Jefferson,” I mock before sitting down next to Elijah on the bench across from Ethan. This way I won’t have to
look
at my father’s clone.

Honor sits safe
ly in between Tamlin and Hunter, purposely choosing to not sit near Ethan or me.

Hunter leans across Honor to get my attention. “Ethan says you all are
seeing Moore after school,” he whispers. “You really think he has something to do with the evil empath world?”

“Yeah. I do.” I look at Honor. “I’m going to get a soda. You want anything?”

“Nah. I’ll just share Tam’s lunch.” Tam slides half her sandwich to Honor.

I get up to get my soda, and when I turn around, Honor is leaning behind Tamlin and talking to Ethan. She’s smiling at him and ge
ntly touching his bruised eye.

Me and my damn temper.
I single-handedly sent Honor running right back into Ethan’s arms.

After the last bell rings, Honor, Ethan, and I mee
t outside Moore’s class. Honor calls my phone, and we both put them on speaker. She tucks it securely inside her binder, then walks into the classroom.

“Miss Stevens,” we hear a muffled Mr. Moore greet Honor. “
To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asks much too sickeningly sweet.

“Hi, Mr. Moore, I was just wondering if you could
help me with today’s assignment,” Honor says and then I believe I hear her sniff.

“Sure, Honor. Have a seat.” The desks shuffling on the floor comes through as a screech on the phone. “Is everything okay?” Moore asks.

“Yes,” she sniffles. “I’m having trouble with what you taught today, that’s all.”

“And you’re crying
because of chemistry? Honor, you’re a good student, sweetheart…” Moore pauses. “What’s going on? I can’t believe you’re only crying because of chemistry.”

Ethan and I look at each other – anticipation apparent on our faces.

Honor sniffs again. “It’s just…I broke up with Ethan…and I’m upset about it.”

My stomach clenches and I feel queasy hearing Honor say that. Because from what I saw today, maybe she really is upset about them breaking up.

“Why’d you break up with him?” Moore sounds genuinely concerned – no ulterior motive. But I don’t believe the act.

“He was trying to steal something that has been in our family for hundreds of years.”

“
Ethan
was?” Moore sounds surprised.

“Yeah…and I just…I don’t think I can trust him anymore.”

“Hmm,” Moore mutters. “You can’t trust Ethan.” He sounds like he’s making a mental note of it.

“No…and then there’s Storm. He and Ethan are fighting all the time. And it’s starting to really affect me.”

Why the hell is she opening up to him about us? That was not part of our plan.

“Brothers will do that. Especially when there is something, or someone, that they both want.” Moore explains.

“You think Storm wants our family…heirloom too?” she asks, surprised.

“Maybe. But more so I think he wants you. And Ethan has you.”

Ethan and I glance at each other again, but only momentarily. We are much too uncomfortable sharing this space between us right now.

“Not if I can’t trust him,” she reminds Moore, getting back to the whole reason she is sitting in his classroom.

“So…did he actually
take
the heirloom…or do you still have it?”

“Um…” she’s faltering. Honor backed herself into a corner.

I’m trying my hardest to tell her through telepathy that I took it and hid it. This way Moore will come after me and not her. I know she can’t read minds, but she can certainly read my emotions, so I try really hard to force my thoughts into my emotions.

“Um…no,” she says. “I…uh…I gave it to Storm to hide.”

“Oh…so Storm has it.” Again, it sounds like he’s making a mental note.

If Moore doesn’t know that I’ve already handed over the elixir, then maybe he isn’t working with Gaffer.
Then who the hell is he?

“Yeah…look, I’m sorry, Mr. Moore. I shouldn’t have brought my problems to you. Really. I just came for you to explain today’s lesson, but…”

“That’s all right, Honor. Sometimes teachers play the role of therapist too. Please don’t apologize.” Moore does sound like the sweet guy Honor makes him out to be.

But I’m still not buying the act.

It takes Moore about ten minutes to explain the lesson to Honor when she tells him it finally sinks in. “Thank you so much, Mr. Moore. I appreciate your help.”

“Anytime, Honor.”

Honor slips out the door and begins walking down the hall right away. We run to catch up to her.

“Now does that sound like a man who has something evil to hide?” she scolds us both. “And all I felt from him were good intentions. I even felt his
relief
when I told him you had it,” she says to me.

Ethan and I remain quiet.

“And by the way…Storm, were you, like,
sending
me your thoughts?”

I smile. “I knew you would get them. Just like when we
were trapped in the ice house and talked to each other silently,” I boasted.

“Yeah, well…
thank you.” She smiles at me, and I’m hoping all is not lost between the two of us.

“Why don’t we all drive over to Honor’s house. This way we can talk and keep her protected at the same time. I’ll meet you guys over there.” I want to be the bigger guy – to prove to Honor I can be – so I let them ride over together. Maybe they still have things they need to talk about.

Honor pours us all some iced tea and we sit at the breakfast bar that separates her kitchen and living room.

“So what did you guys make of it? You still think he’s up to something?” Honor asks.

“Yes,” we both answer.

“Really?” she doesn’t believe us.

“I do,” I say first. “I’m just not sure anymore that he’s working for Gaffer. If he were, he wouldn’t have seemed so surprised that I was hiding the elixir…or the
heirloom
rather.” I chuckle. “Nice word you came up with.”

“I had to think of something.”

“Honor,” Ethan addresses. “What did you feel from him? Anything significant?”

“I felt what I always feel – someone who cares. He was scared for
me
. I truly feel that he is a genuinely nice guy. Whether you guys think so or not.”

“Okay…I’ll give you that,” I tell her. “But he knows we’re empaths. He knows I’ve already graduated from high school and I’m here to protect you. So the questions are…why does he know? Who the hell is he? And why is he here?”

“You’re sure he knows we’re empaths, Storm?” Honor asks.

“I am. He told me one day that he would spill our secret if I spilled his.”

“What secret? He told you a secret?” Ethan asks, annoyed I hadn’t told him.

“No…he told me nothing, but I was threatening to tell the principal that he took three vials of Honor’s blood. That’s when he said he knew what we are. He especially said he’d tell what Honor is. So…I need to know what he wants from her.”

“If he wants something from me, then he’s hiding it well.”

“Maybe all three of us should go to him,” Ethan suggests.

“I think he’ll see it as an attack if we all show up.”

“Honor’s right,” I respond. “He’ll get defensive.”

“Do you think what he wants is relative to the elixir anyway? Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

“No, Honor, I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” I tell her.

Taking a sip of my tea, I am at a loss for words. I have no idea what to make of Moore and if I should even proceed in my investigation against him. Maybe it is irrelevant. I wish I knew for sure – to guarantee Honor’s safety.

“I have homework to do.” Honor goes for her backpack. “If you guys want to join me, fine, otherwise…I need to get working on it. I’ve got a headache, and I’d like to get my mind off of all this empath stuff.”

“Who’s staying with her?” I whisper to Ethan when Honor goes up to her bedroom.

“You are. I discussed it with Honor on the ride over. We both agree that you’ll be the best one to protect her. You’re more…” he trails off.

“Violent?” I finish his thoughts.

He snorts. “Yes, but I was going to say that you’re more experienced in this kind of stuff. I’ve never been involved in things like this. You’re just the better choice. Besides,” Ethan sounds sad, “Honor and I need a break.
I don’t open up enough with her…I’ve been alone too long.”

“You? I’ve been alone much longer. What are you talking about?” I can’t believe he’s saying this.

“I closed my heart a long time ago. I hadn’t even considered opening it until I met Honor. But it’s still hard. You said it yourself – I don’t even try to heal her when she’s sick. I’ve taught myself so well to tune every feeling out, that I’ve even been able to tune her out.” Ethan runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head. “I don’t know how you do it. You’ve been away from family nearly your entire life, yet you’re able to feel Honor’s pain and sadness and hopelessness…how do you do it? Out of everyone, I thought you’d have been the most callous.” Ethan’s eyes seem to gloss over, but I know he’s too proud to have me see him cry.

“I’ve wanted for so long to be wanted – by my dad, by my mom, by
your
mom. I was jealous my whole life. I
am
callous. And sarcastic. And nasty. But I was never able to close my heart and not care. It’s all on the outside. What I let you all see. Inside, I’m just a crumbling little boy.” I swallow my pride and let him in. “Honor was the first to actually see through the walls I built. Right away she saw that I was good – or at least part of me was. No matter how nasty I would be, she knew it was an act. I’ve lived with empaths before –
none
of them ever felt what I felt, besides maybe Summer, but then again she was just a kid. She trusted everyone.”

My heart was aching from being so honest, but relief was pouring from my shoulders like warm maple syrup.
I always wanted a brother to talk to.

“But you’re not even empathic any more, yet you know what Honor needs. You know it right away. How?”

“Because I love her. I love her so much, Ethan, that it hurts. My heart feels everything she feels, because it is totally one hundred percent in love with her. I fell in love with her the first time I ever heard her speak. And I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry I fell in love with your girlfriend. That was never my intention.”

“Yeah, I was wondering, what were your intentions anyway?
Why
did
you follow me to Jefferson?”

“When I was on the run, I ran to people…Gaffer’s people. They were after Hanna and Daniel’s daughter. I remember that Hanna and your mom were best friends, so I kind of stayed interested in what they were doing. I also remember respecting Hanna and Daniel for giving up
their daughter to regular humans. I thought,
wow, finally, someone is being set free from this life
. But then their daughter showed up on the news. Word spread that you followed her to Jefferson, New Jersey, and I knew that couldn’t be good. Gaffer’s men would find you and Honor in no time. I didn’t know you anymore, and I couldn’t trust that you could protect her.” I started pacing Honor’s living room. “Ethan, you didn’t even know anyone else was after her, so I knew you wouldn’t be able to handle it. I had to follow you…her…I know Hanna and Daniel were like family to our family. I also knew I owed them for…killing them. And well, when you’re harboring their souls…sometimes they also like to tell you what to do.” I laugh, but it’s not a real laugh. “Anyway, that’s why I followed you both to Jefferson.”

Ethan nods. “Yeah, well…thanks, man. You’re right. I have no clue what I’m doing. Without you…” Ethan struggles to say something. “Without you, I think Honor would be dead already.” He nods nervously several times. Then he sits on the couch and drops his head in his hands. “I
messed up. I love her too. But I messed it up. I’m not good enough for her.”

I sit down next to him and place my hand on his back. “I don’t think you messed up, bro. I think Honor just needs time…
y’know…to figure things out. She’s confused.” This is hard for me to say, but my heart is opening for Ethan and I don’t know how to slam it shut. “We can both take good care of her. I believe that. When this whole elixir-Gaffer thing is over…and Honor makes her decision…and it’s you…I’ll back off. I’ll leave town and won’t look back. I promise, Ethan. She’ll be all yours.” I feel my throat closing, so I stop talking.

With his head still in his hands, Ethan shakes his head. “No. I’m not going to wait for her to choose. You’re so much better for her. You love her with your whole heart. My heart’s been closed for so long, I don’t think I’m capable of loving her enough.”

“You can’t leave, Ethan. She needs you here. We have to see this thing through.”

“No, I mean, I’ll stay until I know she’s safe, but afterwards…I’m going back to live on my own.” He lifts his head and looks at me. “I trust you to keep her happy.”

I pat him on the back and stand up. “Let’s drop this. It’s getting too morbid. Go do your homework with Honor. I’m going to sit out back in the tree.”

Ethan laughs. “No homework for you?”

“Nah. What for? I already have my damn diploma. Now go.” I fill my glass with more iced tea, grab a bag of cheesy garlic bread potato chips and head outside to climb the old tree.