I stood there, feeling as out of place as a sheep in a wolf den, and yes, I fully grasped the irony.

Zion's eyes were like storm clouds, dark and threatening. He paced back and forth, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. Every few steps, he'd glance at me, his worry etched deep in the lines on his forehead. He looked like he was about to explode, and frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to be around when he did.

"Aliyah, what the hell are you thinking?" he snapped, his ...