New York: Allie's War, Early Years

I hesitated, but only for an instant.

Then I shook my head, folding my arms tighter over my chest.

"No," I said, my voice subdued. "Don't take more of him than you have to."

He continued to look at me, his expression puzzled. Finally, he nodded.

"Okay," he said.

Without thinking, I turned towards him once more.

"Why did you do that, anyway?" I said, blunt. "Let me kiss you?" I felt my face flush even as I said it, but I kept my eyes on his. "...Is that a part of your official duty? Helping me get revenge against straying boyfriends?"

His skin darkened a little. Without looking up, he shrugged.

I thought he would say more. But he didn't.

"So what now?" I said, sighing. I didn't believe him, even then, but I wanted this to be over. I wanted nothing more than to go to bed. "...What do we do now, Simon?"

"You don't do anything," he said. "I'll start as soon as you're ready."

"I'll never be ready for whatever it is you're talking about," I said, exasperated. "I don't believe you. You know that, right?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Then why haven't you tried to leave?"

"Why?" I said blankly.

For a couple of ticking seconds, the question stumped me. Why hadn't I tried to leave? Looking at him, I realized I knew the answer.

"...Because I'm pretty sure you were telling the truth when you said you didn't want to hurt me," I said finally, rubbing my sore arm. "And I don't know why you'd save my life just to give me some spiel in a hotel room and then off me yourself..."

"So what do you think is going to happen right now, Allie?" he said, curious.

"I think I'm going to wake up in my room tomorrow morning, and I'm going think this is the weirdest damned night I've had in my life...and that you were a very cute nutcase who happened to save my life."

He nodded slowly, as if thinking about this.

Then he seemed to make up his mind.

"You believe me that I won't hurt you?" he said.

"Yes," I said. "Maybe that makes me an idiot, but..."

"No." He shook his head, meeting my gaze. "No, Allie. It means that maybe your abilities aren't as dormant as the Council thinks." He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Kiss me."

I felt my skin warm, even before I looked over at him. "You know why. I was pissed off. I wanted to hurt Jaden..."

But he was shaking his head, clicking softly.