Chapter 25: Desire

As Cruz and I approached Xander's bedroom door, I knew I was right. He was going to turn me in.

"Traitor," I mumbled to Cruz under my breath.

"Oh, calling me names isn't going to help." He smirked, letting go of my arm just long enough to knock on Xander's door.

"I didn't call you a name," I sulked.

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't."

"Child."

I scoffed, shaking my head, trying to think of a good comeback just when Xander opened the door of his suite.

He looked first at me and then at Cruz. Without saying a word, he gently slid my duffle bag from Cruz's shoulder and opened the door wide.

I gave Cruz a look over my shoulder that had traitor written all over it, and then walked in. But I knew that in his mind, he was just trying to keep me safe. And if I had to admit it, I guessed that Xander and Elias were just trying to keep me safe, too. But my freedom was something I cherished above all else and hard to give up for anyone… even for a little while.

Standing just inside the door, I took