Evernight (The Night Watchmen Series Book 2) by Candace Knoebel Read Free Book Online Page B

might be exchanging thoughts, however, it’s hard to tell from just observing them. It’s something I thankfully haven’t experienced with either of them, though supposedly our strange connection to one another should permit it. He lifts his hand, squeezes her shoulder, and then disappears down the hallway.
    “So,” I say awkwardly, biting the inside of my lip, “what do you think of the uniform?”
    Turning, she starts down the hallway to the elevator. Jaxen gives me a small smile when we pass by him, leaving him standing outside of Weldon’s door.
    “It’s a uniform,” she says with a shrug. “What am I supposed to think?” She presses the button for the elevator.
    “I don’t know,” I say back, not sure of how else to answer it.
    When the door slides open, we get in, and then she presses the button for the ground level. I look off to the side, wondering why she even bothered. The air is so thick between us I can barely breathe. And what’s the point of faking it? She clearly hates me, and I don’t blame her. I couldn’t imagine having to suck it up and watch your affinity partner in the arms of another. Especially someone as reserved and closed off as Jaxen.
    You’re fine. Everything is okay. I pin my hands to my side and clear my gaze. Pretend I’m fine with this silence that picks away at my composure. Imagine I don’t notice her contempt for me. And a part of me starts to believe it, begins to harden a little. Shuts down completely.
    What feels like a century passes before she clears her throat again. I look over at her, feeling every startled emotion string themselves across my eyes. “I-uh-I’m not good with small talk,” she says, avoiding my gaze. “I usually just say what’s on my mind and, sometimes, there’s not anything in there worth talking about.”
    “I get that,” I say, turning to face her, trying not to sound too excited that she’s speaking again. “Totally.”
    “And I’m also trying this new thing. The whole ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all’ approach to life. Not that I don’t have anything nice to say about you. Or to you. Hell,” she says, palming her forehead. “I’m shutting up now.”
    “You’re fine,” I say quickly, wearing a small smile. “I ramble too. Not that you’re rambling.” Nervousness tears away at my ability to think. A fact pops into my head and slips out of my mouth before I can stop it. “You know, I read once that people who get angry often, and over little things, are really subconsciously revealing a need to be loved and accepted by their peers. You have a big heart; you just need the others to see you for that.”
    Her eyes scrunch. A frown mars her lips.
    “Or… something… like… that,” I fumble out. “It’s my turn to shut up now.”
    There’s a long moment of awkward silence, and then the bell dings. We exit the building and head out into the city, both purposefully not looking in each other’s direction. The sun is setting, dipping behind the buildings. Pinks, oranges, and a small hint of lavender contrast against the turquoise waters. A perfect photo for a wall in my room that’s no longer my room.
    I’m still waiting for her to freak out as she takes us over a bridge, and then down a cobblestone path. She hasn’t said a word, and that makes me wonder.
    I said the wrong thing. She hates me more now. God, I’m an idiot.
    I slip on a robotic smile as passersby nod their heads in greeting, focusing on counting my steps and not the seconds between the last thing I said and Jezi’s silence. Noticing there are more Elites out now than there were this afternoon, I realize nighttime is the only time an Elite has the relief to really live.
    “You can definitely tell a man designed these suits,” Jezi says as we pass a restaurant carrying smells of fresh fish and vegetables stewing. A small line waits outside the front of the two-story, rustic building. Quaint chatter carries