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"Never seen it--the movie"

"What? That’s sad We’ll have to fix that"

I rolled over The s theray "I have no desire to watch a James Bond movie"

His eyes narrowed "What?"

"Nope Thoseto me So do Clint Eastwood movies Yawn"

"I don’t think we can be friends any longer"

I laughed and his smile spread Those di since I’d seen theh"

Aiden arched a brow "You don’t laugh enough"

There hadn’t been h about recently, but I didn’t want to focus on that stuff Aiden would leave soon and all of this was like a fantasy One I wasn’t ready to let go of just yet We stayed like that for a little while, talking and holding hands When the time did come to face reality, Aiden climbed out of the bed and went into the bathroorin onhad been full of opposites: sadness and happiness, desperation and hope All of those varying eo… running or so

A knock at the door drew hts

"That’s probably Leon," Aiden said from behind the bathroom door The rest of what he said was drowned out by a rush of water in the sink

Groaning, I got out of bed and pulledroom said it was only thirty minutes past seven I rolled my eyes Second day of winter break and I was out of bed before eight in thewith that

"Coain I opened the door "Good , sunshine"

It was Linard who stood in the hall, his hands clasped behind his back His eyes drifted overthe room "Where’s Aiden?"

"In the bathroo him in "Did Telly leave?"

"Yes He left just at dawn" Linard turned to"He waited, like he offered, but you did not come"

"I bet he was pissed"

"No I think he was "

"Too bad So sad" I hoped Aiden hurried up, because I really needed to brush my teeth

"Yes," Linard said "It is too bad Things could’ve ended easily"

"Yeah…" I frowned "Wait Wh--"

Linard moved fast, like all Guards were trained to There was a brief second when I recognized that I’d been in this position before, except that tih my veins Then red-hot pain exploded just below ht fled It was the kind of pain that was sharp and sudden, stealing your last breath before you even realized you’d taken it

Stu backward, I looked down as I tried to pull air intothrough er was slammed all the way to the hilt, imbedded deep within my body In a far corner of er It was dipped in so--most likely Titan blood

I wanted to ask why, but when my mouth opened, blood bubbled and trickled out

"Sorry" Linard yanked the blade free I sluave you a chance to live, at least," he whispered

"Hey, I was expecting Leon--" Aiden came to a halt just a few feet from us, and then he slammed into Linard An inhuman, animalistic sound tore from Aiden as he wrapped an arm around Linard’s throat

My back hit the wall beside the counter and ave out onto staunch the flow Warers There was a yelp and then a sickening crunch that signaled the end of Linard

Aiden screa hands out of the way and pressing his on on the wound Aiden’s stricken face loomed over mine, his eyes ith horror "Alex! Alex, talk to me Talk to ain, but it was fuzzy I tried to say his nah racked my body

"No! No No" He looked over his shoulder at the door Guards had gathered, drawn by the commotion "Get help! Now! Go!"

My hands spasmed athurt really, except my chest, but it ached for a different reason The way he looked when he turned back to me and his eyes darted to aze was frantic, shocked, and terrified

I wanted to tell him that I still loved him--that I always had--and I wanted to tell him to make sure Seth didn’t lose it My mouth moved, but no words ca to be okay" Aiden forced a s? Aiden never cried "Just hold on We’re getting help Just hold on for api mou Hold on forsound, followed by a flash of light, brilliant and blinding And then there was nothing but darkness and I was falling, spinning, and it was all over