CHAPTER 9

  Elena's POV

  I secure the strap to Lily's reigns and then lean down to grab the brush lying on the ground next to my feet. As I begin to rhythmically stroke the brush along her back, I feel the gaze boring into my back.

  "Just say what you need to say, Freya. I'm taking Lily to the lake after this."

  The crunching sounds of her boots against the dry hay on the ground clue me in on when she's standing directly behind me as I slowly turn around the face my best friend. She standing there, arms folded across her chest, her brows knitted together as she eyes me suspiciously.

  "I spoke to Brandon last night," she says, and then stands there waiting as though her words would trigger some sort of response.

  "Okay. And?" I move to turn back to Lily when she grabs hold of my arm.

  "Elena. Stop. We need to talk about this."

  "Talk about what exactly?" I tug my arm out of her hold and continue brushing along the length of Lily's back.