Chapter 14
The lamp was still on when Jesse opened his eyes, casting a low, golden light over Gideon’s body. He rolled to his side and propped his head up on his hand, happy to quietly watch his sleeping lover. It was rare to wake up before Gideon, and he didn’t know if he had slept for minutes or hours, but he wasn’t interested in going back to sleep—going back to the dark. He wasn’t interested in closing his eyes and being alone again.
The entire time he sat motionless and disoriented, a part of him was afraid he would never be free of the hood. And time had become completely elastic. How long did it take Gideon to cover his body in silver paint? How long did it take to pour the thick molding over his head and legs? How long did it take to set? To chip it away? How long had he been tra
