We were sent out of the chambers while the council talked. As we passed by the group of students they hugged the walls, not getting close enough for us to even accidently touch them. Mal led us to Jay and Carlos's room to regroup. Carlos and Ace looked visibly shaken. They were the most fragile, they had endured the most abuse on the Isle of all of us. Jay and I exchanged a silent look. We were like siblings and just happened to be dating two who were also like siblings. I moved behind Ace and wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder.

"Tired?" I whispered to her.

She nodded meekly.

"Let's get you into bed babe."

Jay was already getting Carlos into one of the beds so I slipped Ace into the same bed. Carlos and Ace moved to cuddle together like I knew they had done when they were kids. I watched them from the foot of them bed as Jay stood next to me. They fell asleep quickly and it was only then when I let a tear slip down my cheek. I felt Jay's warm arms wrap around me. The tears fell harder though I made no sound that would wake Ace or Carlos.

"Hey it's okay. They're okay. Everything's going to be fine. You're safe. She's safe."

I leaned back and looked up at him, my eyes red and filled with tears.

"If our parents can reach us we're not safe. She's not safe. Did I… did I make her not safe? I convinced her to come here and that might have put her in even more danger."

"Hey it was her choice too. Hell do you know what one piece of jewelry she wears everyday? Whether it's around her neck or around her wrist or even in her pocket or tucked into her boot."

I shook my head no.

"Hell she wears the necklace you gave her. The one with the blue flame. She learned that from Carlos. He wears my serpent necklace all the time too. Hell she chose you, you're her guardian angel, her guiding flame. She chose to take that risk, no matter the cost. You're hers and she's yours. Never think you made the wrong choice."

I nodded and wiped the tears from my eyes. Jay pulled a necklace out of his own shirt, Carlos's symbol, the crossed black and white bones.

"I wear this to remember the choice I made and the responsibility I have to him. I know she has one for you. You just have to ask."

I nodded and quietly laughed, "Wow I'm a mess."

I heard a voice behind me, "But you're my mess."

I turned around to see Ace standing there.

"I heard you have something for me."

She grinned and dragged me to our room, Jay and Carlos following us. She went and pulled a necklace out of her backpack. It was a simple black spade symbol with a big red 'A' on it. I smiled and took it from her, clasping it around my neck. She grinned and kissed me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Love you too," I whispered back.