Read Betrayals in Spring for Free Online Page B

that my feelings are warranted, and it crosses my mind again that perhaps I don’t know him as well as I think I do. Not anymore.
    “I understand what you’re saying, Althea, I do. I’m afraid, too.”
    “But?”
    Lucas’s eyes are shuttered like they were when I first met him, when there were cautious walls between us. “Are you sure it’s not about Pax?”
    It’s a little bit true, but not in the way he’s thinking. Before I can figure out how to respond—or if he even deserves an answer—a moan comes from the couch. As though he heard his name, Pax’s eyes blink open, then fall closed. When he pries his lids up a second time they stay that way, and he focuses on the ceiling like it’s inscribed with a fascinating story. Even if he didn’t hear his name, the tension in the room is certainly capable of waking the dead.
    I slide to the couch on my knees, grabbing Pax’s hand. “Hey. How do you feel?”
    Slowly, as though even shifting his gaze pains him, Pax rolls his eyes my direction. It takes another several seconds before they focus on my face and that infuriating smile tries to make an appearance. Even though it’s wobbly, the thing still makes my heart thud because it’s a sign that Pax’s brain survived this ordeal unharmed.
    “How do you feel?” I ask again, brushing his hair back from his sweaty forehead.
    “Like I’ve been impaled by a piece of playground equipment.” He shifts and winces, then presses his cheek into my hand. “Better, now.”
    “Seriously. Can you stop being Pax for a minute and assess your injuries? We’ve been worried sick.” His fever has broken, though, which must be a good sign.
    Pax groans a little as he rolls his neck from one side to the other, eyes sweeping the room. He quirks an eyebrow at me. “We? I don’t see Winter anywhere.”
    I refuse to take the bait. Lucas must have left the room when Pax woke up.
    “Maybe he wanted to give us a few minutes alone,” Pax murmurs in a low voice, one that warms my cheeks.
    It makes me frown. “Part of the jungle gym went through your shoulder, but the biggest concern is in your stomach and side. Do you think you can sit up?”
    He makes a short-lived effort, then lies back with a gasp. “No. Not yet. I’m really thirsty, though. What happened, anyway? I mean how did we get out of there after the Others showed up? And where are we?” Wolf pads over and noses Pax’s hand, which I dropped when he started flirting half a minute after he woke up. “Hey, dog. I’m okay.”
    Wolf whines as though he’s unconvinced, then settles on the floor under Pax’s hand. The sound of banging cabinet doors makes me jump—Lucas must be looking for some lunch.
    “Our parents helped. Your dad lifted the jungle gym off you, and Lucas and I got you away while they fought with Pamant and the Others. Then we went through Griffin’s portal and wound up here. I don’t know where here is, exactly, but it seems to be safe. At least while we’re awake.”
    Understanding dawns in his pale face. “While I was out, you and Winter came and fortified my sinum. I thought I dreamed that.” He sounds uncomfortable, and not just because he can barely move without flinching.
    If I know Pax, it’s because he doesn’t like taking help from anyone. Also it’s weird to hold conversations with people while you’re asleep. “Well, you helped. We were barely there.”
    I sigh, exhausted by the thought of everything we’ll need to rehash now that he’s awake. Like Lucas spending last season having intimate conversations with his father in the Others’ hive. “I’ll get you some water.”
    In the kitchen, Lucas watches a pot of water on the gas stove. He doesn’t look up as I grab a glass from the cabinet, wipe the dust out with a towel, and fill it with water from a jug of melted snow. “You know, they say that will never boil if you watch it.”
    No response, so I walk to his side, careful to leave space between us. Lucas turns quickly,