Текст книги "Oblivion"

Автор книги: Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 51 страниц)

Chapter 18

Days became shorter, and with each day that passed, the warm breeze swirling through the valley chilled. Leaves turned into bright shades of gold and red before sifting to the ground, announcing the arrival of autumn.

By mid-October, Kat’s trace had completely faded. It had done so four days after our trip to the used bookstore in town, and I’d done what I told myself I needed to do.

With the exception of seeing her in class and whenever Dee had her over at the house, I stayed away from her. Of course, I still annoyed the hell out of her when I had a chance. Because really, there were very few things that amused me as greatly as poking her with my pen in trig and watching her gray eyes turn stormy.

I was really beginning to wonder if the pen was subconsciously symbolic for something else. That “something else” didn’t amuse me. Oh no, it did something else.

I knew she was spending more time with the girls from our class. Therefore so was Dee, and while it irked me that my sister was becoming more and more involved with humans, there was nothing I could do to stop that.

The reality was, unless she eventually moved into one of the colonies, she would always be surrounded by humans. She would always grow close to one of them. Hell, if Adam and her didn’t work out, she could end up…falling for one.

Just thinking about that made me want to punch a hole through the ozone.

There was one other thing that made me want to do that.

Simon Cutters.

The over-touchy jackass was getting on my bad side, and I might have lost my cool just a tad bit when he started talking to Kat in trig class. His backpack took a trip to the floor, and being the good guy that I was, I tried to warn Kat about Simon. That conversation hadn’t ended well.

Kat had accused me of being jealous. Me? Of Simon? Was she insane? There was no way I was jealous of any human. Whatever. If she wanted to help the guy most likely voted to knock someone up on prom night study, then it was her planned parenthood. Not mine.

Up until Dee had informed me between classes, with a downright devilish gleam to her eyes, that Simon had asked Kat to homecoming and she had accepted. Fire coated the inside of my mouth as my sister bounced away, so pleased one would think she was just awarded a lifetime supply of rocky road. Why would she be happy about that? Everyone knew how Simon was and no one, not even Kat, could be that naive.

There were more important things I could focus on, like if there was a new episode of Ghost Investigators this week or not, but when I spotted Kat walking all the way to the back of the parking lot after school, near the football field and track, I couldn’t let it go. “Kat!”

She turned around, squinting as a gust of chilled air blew the long strands of dark hair across her face. I approached her slowly, realizing that this was the first time in…in weeks that we were actually somewhat alone.

The strap on her bag was twisted, cutting into her shoulder. I reached out and fixed it, straightening the strap. “You know how to pick a parking spot.”

A moment passed before she responded. “I know.”

We walked to her car, and while she placed her bag in the backseat of her Camry, I waited with my hands in my pockets and tried to come up with a nice, non-jerk way of saying she needed to change her mind when it came to Simon. The “are you insane?” argument didn’t seem like it would be very helpful, but that was what my brain kept cycling back to.

Closing the door, she faced me. “Is everything okay? It’s not…?”

“No.” I shoved my fingers through my hair. “Nothing…uh, cosmic-related.”

“Good.” She leaned against the car, her hands clasped together. Her keys dangled from her fingers. “You scared me there for a second.”

When I twisted toward her, it left only a few inches between us. “I hear you’re going with Simon Cutters to the dance.”

Kat brushed a strand of hair out of her face. The wind tossed it right back. “News travels fast.”

“Yeah, it does around here.” I snagged the piece of hair this time and tucked it back behind her ear. My knuckles brushed against her cheek, and what felt like electricity danced from her skin to mine. “I thought you didn’t like him.”

“He’s not bad,” she said, shifting her gaze to the people on the track. “He’s kind of nice, and he asked me.”

Kind of nice? “You’re going with him because he asked you?”

Her gaze sharpened as it returned to mine. She nodded as she fiddled with the keys. “Are you going to the dance?”

I hadn’t been planning on it. Shifting my stance caused my leg to brush her thigh. “Does it matter?”

Her lips pursed. “Not really.”

“You shouldn’t go with someone just because he asked you.”

She glanced down at her keys, and I had the feeling she wanted to stab me with them. “I don’t see why this has anything to do with you.”

“You’re my sister’s friend, and therefore it has something to do with me.” My reasoning was total bunk.

And Kat knew that, because she gaped at me. “That is the worst logic I have ever heard.” Whipping around, she headed toward the driver’s door, stopping in front of the hood. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned with what Ash is doing?”

“Ash and I aren’t together.”

Shaking her head, she started walking again. “Save your breath, Daemon. I’m not backing out because you have a problem with it.”

Did she always have to be so damn stubborn? I cursed under my breath as I trailed after her.

“I don’t want to see you get into any kind of trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” She yanked open the car door.

Catching the door, I arched a brow. “Knowing you, I can’t even begin to imagine how much trouble you’d get in.”

She glared up at me. “Oh yeah, because Simon’s going to leave a trace on me that attracts killer cows instead of killer aliens. Let go of my car door.”

“You are so frustrating,” I snapped. Although there were some cows around these parts that could probably take her out. “He has a reputation, Kat. I want you to be careful.”

For a moment, she stared at me, and I thought she got what I was saying. “Nothing is going to happen, Daemon. I can take care of myself.”

I was wrong. “Fine.”

What happened next could only happen to someone like Kat. I let go off the door at the same exact second she was yanking it back. “Kat—”

The door caught her fingers, and her yelp of pain was like being doused with cold water. Bright red blood appeared on her pointer finger, and the rest were a deep red. “Christ!” she squeaked. “That hurt.”

My hand was wrapped around her palm before I even realized what I was doing. Heat flashed from my hand to hers, and she inhaled softly.

“Daemon?” she whispered.

The redness faded from her bruised fingers. I lifted my gaze to hers. Our eyes locked. Her pupils were dilated in shock, and what I was doing sank in—what I had done.

I had healed her.

Dropping her hand, I gave a little shake of my head. “Shit…”

“Did you…is there another trace on me?” she asked as she wiped the blood off her finger, revealing completely healed skin. “Holy crap.”

I couldn’t believe what I’d done.

Kat hadn’t been seriously injured. Just a scratch and some sore fingers. She would’ve been fine. I swallowed as I scanned her. A barely-there white glow surrounded her. It wouldn’t be that noticeable, probably not even to others. “It’s faint. I don’t think it will be a problem. I can barely see it, but you might—”

“No! It’s faint. No one will see it. I’m fine. No more babysitting.” Her eyes widened as she drew in a shallow breath. “I can take care of myself.”

Denials formed on the tip of my tongue, but she…she was right. Kat was a hundred percent right. I straightened, stepping back from the car. “You’re right. Obviously you can, as long as it doesn’t involve car doors. You’ve lasted longer than any human that’s known about us.”

Kat opened her mouth, but I turned around, stalking back toward the middle of the parking lot. Anger boiled inside me, but not at her. The first time I’m around her alone for a handful of minutes, I ended up healing a very minor injury like a freaking idiot.

Apparently I needed to work on my self-control.

Glancing over to the right, I laughed drily when I spotted Simon on the field. He was carrying his helmet as he jogged toward the center, where a group was huddled together.

My eyes narrowed as I lifted my finger on my right hand.

The helmet flew out of his hand, knocking into his shoulder pads. Caught off guard, he stumbled to the side and then went down on one leg, staring at the fallen helmet like it was a pit viper. The guys in the huddle laughed. My lips twisted into a wry grin.

Yeah, I really needed to work on my self-control.

Slapping the mayo on the piece of bread, I hummed under my breath, as loudly as I could to drown out the conversation from the kitchen. It wasn’t working.

“He’s going to think you’re the hottest chick there,” Dee said, her voice pitched obnoxiously loud.

I glanced up at the ceiling, exhaling loudly through my nose.

“Um, that’s good.” Kat cleared her throat. “I guess.”

Picking up the lid, I nearly broke the mayo jar as I screwed it back on.

“You guess?” Dee laughed. At this point, I’d swear she was yelling. “Girl, he’s not going to be able to keep his hands off you.”

I smushed the slice of bread down, my jaw grinding until there was a good chance I was going to crack my molars.

“I’m pretty sure the same thing can be said about Adam when he sees you in the dress you got,” Kat replied.

Dee giggled. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

Oh for the love of everything in this world and the universe…

There was a pause. “You sure about the dress, though? It’s kind of low-cut.”

I closed my eyes, swallowing a groan.

“Oh, I’m sure,” Dee assured her. “I’m so sure.”

All but slamming the sandwich down on my plate, I was seconds from tossing myself out the kitchen window, but then I heard Kat saying she was heading back home and a few seconds later, the door shut.

I moved silently to the window by the table that overlooked the front yard. Kat appeared in the waning light, her backpack bumping off her lower back as she crossed the driveways. That ponytail of hers swayed with each step. As did her hips. My gaze dropped.

It was a couple of days after the day at her car and the tiny trace wasn’t at all visible. Thank God. But I still worried and I—

“What are you doing?” Dee asked.

So caught up in being…well, sort of creepily watching Kat, my sister had sneaked up on me. That never happened. I turned around slowly. “Nothing. What are you doing?”

The look on her face screamed she didn’t believe me. “Nothing.”

I arched a brow.

She mirrored the gesture. “My ‘nothing’ means I’m not checking someone out from the kitchen window.”

My eyes narrowed.

“You know,” she continued, walking over to the counter. “You could’ve come into the living room and stared at her in person. You didn’t have to hide in your bedroom and then in the kitchen.”

“I wasn’t hiding.”

“Uh-huh.” She spotted my turkey sandwich. “Did I tell you—”

“That’s my sandwich. Don’t…” Too late. I sighed as I watched her take a huge bite. “Help yourself.”

“Thank you,” she said as she chewed. “You make awesome sandwiches.”

“I know,” I grumbled.

Dee grinned as she leaned against the counter. “Did I tell you about the awesome dress Katy bought?”

Pulling out the kitchen chair, I dropped down in it and stretched out my legs. “Why would you tell me about her dress?”

“I didn’t, but I’m sure you heard us talking about it.”

“People in the next state heard you talking about it, Dee.”

She ignored that. “It’s stunning and Katy looks amazing in it.”

My jaw was starting to ache again.

“Like she’s going to look so hot at the dance, so hot.” Dee paused, taking another huge bite of my sandwich. “Oh, and did I tell you Simon is taking her out?”

I counted to ten before answering. “Yes, Dee, you told me, and I think you’re a crappy friend for allowing her to go with him.”

“I am not a crappy friend!” She stomped her bare foot and rattled the chairs. “I know Kat isn’t in trouble with him. She’ll be fine. Anyway, did you know about the party after the dance?”

“Everyone knows about the party after the dance.”

She waved the sandwich like she was saluting me with it. “Well, since you know everything, smart-ass, then you know Simon invited Kat.”

I stilled. “She’s not going with him to that damn field party.”

“Oh. Yes.” Dee smiled broadly and downright evilly. “Yes, she is.”

No way. All anyone did at the party was get drunk and get laid, namely Simon. If he was taking her there…

My stomach churned.

“Don’t worry, Adam and I are going. She’ll be okay there.” She finished off the sandwich, not even saving me a tiny piece. Then again, I didn’t have much of an appetite right now. “Too bad you’re not going to see Kat in her dress since you’re too cool to go to homecoming.”

“I never said I wasn’t going.”

Dee plastered a blank look on her face. “You didn’t? Huh. I was pretty sure you said something like…” She deepened her voice. “‘I’d rather punch myself in the nuts then go to that stupid dance.’ Or something like that.”

My lips twitched. “That was last year.”

“When you were dating Ash.”

I said nothing.

“So you’re going to the dance?” she asked, flipping the long wavy black hair over her shoulder. When I said nothing, the blank look faded. “I bet you’re going to that damn field party, too.”

I smiled tightly. “What color is Kat’s dress?”

Dee struggled to keep her expression bland and failed. Her eyes glimmered. “You’re going to love it. That’s all I’m going to say. You’re just going to have to wait and see.”

Adjusting my tie, I stepped out of the SUV and grabbed my tux jacket off the backseat, slipping it on. Immediately, I wanted to strip the damn thing off.

Homecoming.

Practically the last place on earth I wanted to be. A night of watching sweaty, gawky human teenagers paw all over each other wasn’t my idea of a fun night. But I had little choice.

I glanced over at Ash. Standing beside her brother, dressed in a white gown, she really did look great. Too bad it was never, ever going to work between us. Our feelings for each other, even if she refused to admit it, had morphed into a more familial thing.

Andrew looked over at me as he messed with his cuff links. His brows inched up. “I don’t even know why you’re coming to this, man.”

His sister made an impatient noise in her throat. “I have to agree, but can we move this conversation inside?” She waved a slender hand at the school. “I have people I need to make jealous.”

I smiled. “Do tell?”

“My dress.” She twirled around, and I swore it was see-through for a second. I squinted. Yep. It was definitely see-through in certain areas.

I couldn’t help it. My smile spread, especially when Andrew looked away, his face paler than it was a few seconds before.

“My dress could feed a small village for a year, which means these…people haven’t ever seen the likes of such beauty and perfection,” Ash continued.

Shaking my head, I laughed. Ash…well, she was an acquired taste.

As the three of us headed in, I knew they’d never believe me if I told them why I really was here.

It had to do with one sweaty, gawky human teenager pawing all over one human in particular. The conversation I had with Kat a week ago, when we had been by her car, had replayed over and over in my head. Granted, the whole healing-her-hand thing had veered me off track, and even though we hadn’t talked about her homecoming date since then, I hadn’t forgotten about it. Definitely not after learning that Kat might’ve agreed to go to the damn party in the field afterward.

There was no way I could stay home. Instinct was screaming that she was going to need me. Or it was a really messed-up territorial need to…to do what?

Go in there, beat the crap out of Simon, and claim my girl?

Uh, no, because beating the crap out of humans would probably end in death, and she wasn’t my girl. No way in holy hell was Kat my girl.

Ash disappeared into a flock of several girls who were already squawking and squealing about her dress. Forcing myself to breathe and not zoom around the room, popping all the balloons that probably took an entire day to blow up, I found the nearest empty table and sat. Following suit, Andrew did the same. He started talking about some football game I could give two craps about, and I zoned him out.

And waited.

And waited some more.

And then I saw Simon’s jock–douchebag friends head toward the door, and I knew that meant Kat was here. Leaning back in my chair, I casually looked over my shoulder. Something unexpected happened to my chest. It felt like someone had walked right up to me and socked me in it. I might have stopped breathing. Right there, surrounded by humans, in front of Andrew, who was still running his mouth about some game.

“Oh Mary, mother of baby Jesus,” I muttered, eyes narrowing.

Kat stood by the door, her hands clasped around a tiny clutch as her gaze bounced around the gymnasium nervously. The dress…aw man, that dress should be illegal. Tight around the breasts and waist, then flowing over her hips like a river of crimson silk. Her hair was up, revealing a long, graceful neck I’d never really noticed before. That was weird, because her hair was always up it seemed, but then again, that amount of cleavage was never showing before. Except when she wore that bikini. Speaking of red…

Red.

Red was my favorite color.

Dee had been so right about the damn dress.

Kat wasn’t cute. She wasn’t even sexy. She was beautiful—absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Not that I hadn’t noticed that before, but now? Now was something entirely different.

I watched her bolt as soon as she spotted Lesa, and an approving smile spread over my lips. That’s right, Kitten, I thought, stay away from Simon. He so doesn’t deserve to be in the same time zone as you.

I had no idea how long I watched her, but I eventually lost sight of her in the crowd. Part of me wanted to get up, punch Andrew in his mouth to shut him up, and go find her. But that would raise eyebrows, so I remained there, gripping the back of my chair so hard it groaned under the pressure.

Then she reappeared with my sister, skirting the dance floor. She stopped, twisting gracefully until her gaze landed on my table as if she’d been looking for me. Something inside me roared a male approval.

Our eyes locked, and there was that sucker-punch feeling again, except it moved lower, into my stomach. I was mesmerized, enthralled. Her lips parted and—

And Simon pushed through the crowd, blocking her from me. Every muscle in my body locked up as a primal urge rushed through me. I started to stand, but at the last moment, forced myself to sit back down.

A few seconds later, Ash arrived at the table. She was saying something, but I didn’t really hear her. Then Andrew leaned over, snapping his fingers in my face. “Man,” he said. “What’s your deal?”

“Shut up.”

“Nice.” Andrew got up. “I’m getting something to drink.”

“Peace out,” I murmured, keeping an eye on Simon…and Simon’s hands. I did not like them.

“Do you want to dance?” Ash asked, surprising me. I’d thought she’d left. “Or do you want to sit here and glower?” When I didn’t answer, she huffed as she stood. “Whatever. You’re boring.”

I barely acknowledged that she’d actually left that time and that I was sitting at a table alone, like a dork. My gaze was trained on the couple. Couple? God. It was insulting to Kat to even refer to her and Simon as a couple.

But I could deal. What Kat was doing really wasn’t any of my business. In reality, she could do whatever she wanted. If that meant dancing—

Simon’s hand glided down the front of her dress, causing Kat to jerk back. Her angry expression was lost in a sea of faces and…well, that was it. I was on my feet before I even realized it, moving between dancers, my hands curling into fists.

I stalked up to them, stopping behind Kat. “Mind if I cut in?”

Simon’s eyes shot wide, and he must’ve seen his impending doom in my face, because he dropped his arms and took a step back. “Perfect timing. I needed to get a drink anyway.”

I arched a brow and then turned to Kat, dismissing the idiot. “Dance?”

She stared back a moment, then carefully placed her hands on my shoulders. “This is a surprise.”

Damn if it wasn’t. We really hadn’t talked since the day at her car. Like I’d said then, the trace was so faint it hadn’t been recognizable. Didn’t mean I hadn’t kept an eye on her when she went into town, with and without Dee. She just didn’t know that I was there.

I wrapped an arm around her waist and took one of her hands in mine. And damn if she didn’t feel right in my arms, perfect actually.

Stupid and oddly wishful thinking.

Her incredibly long lashes swept up, and eyes warm but wary searched mine. A pretty flush spread across her cheeks and down her throat. I’d do something terrible to know what she was thinking. I pulled her closer.

Confusion and a…richer emotion marked her features. “Are you having a good time with…Ash?”

“Are you having a good time with Happy Hands?”

She sucked in her lower lip, and I bit back a groan. “Such a constant smart-ass.”

I laughed, and she shivered in my arms. “The three of us came together—Ash, Andrew, and me.” Why was I telling her this? My hand slipped to her hip and I cleared my throat, looking over the top of her head. “You…you look beautiful, by the way. Really too good to be with that idiot.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you high?”

“Unfortunately, no I’m not. Though I am curious why you would ask.”

“You never say anything nice to me.”

“Good point.” Damn, I was a dick sometimes. Well, most of the times. I lowered my chin, and she jumped when my jaw grazed her cheek. “I’m not going to bite you. Or grope you. You can relax.”

She was silent, so I took that as a good thing. Acting on instinct, I guided her head to my chest and then placed my hand on her lower back. Dancing like that was normal. Nothing for anyone to freak over, including me.

Breathing in that peachy scent of hers, I closed my eyes and let the music guide us. There was something strangely intimate about slow dancing. Not the bumping and grinding kind that left little to the imagination, but this—two bodies melded together, drifting to the same beat, touching in all the right places. Intimate.

Okay, maybe I was high.

My hand curled against her back. “Seriously, how’s your date going?”

When I glanced down, she was smiling. “He’s a little friendly.”

“That’s what I thought.” I searched for him in the crowd, wanting to knock him out. “I warned you about him.”

“Daemon,” she said, sighing. “I have him under control.”

I snickered. “Sure looks like it, Kitten. His hands were moving so fast I was beginning to question if he was human or not.” She stiffened in my embrace. “You should sneak out of here and go home while he’s distracted. I can even get Dee to morph into you if need be.”

Kat pulled back, and I immediately missed the way she felt in my arms. “It’s okay if he gropes your sister?”

Well no, but… “I know she can take care of herself. You’re out of your league with that guy.”

We’d completely stopped dancing by this point. A storm was brewing, and it had a name: Kitten. I almost smiled.

“Excuse me?” she said. “I’m out of my league?”

Didn’t she get it? “Look, I drove here. I can let Andrew and Ash catch a ride with Dee, and take you home.” Sounded like a good plan to me, but the look on her face said it was no-go. “Are you actually considering going to the party with that idiot?”

“Are you going?” She pulled her hand free.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m doing.” And I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. “You’re not going to that party.”

“You can’t tell me what to do, Daemon.”

Frustration whipped through me. Didn’t she get that I was trying to look out for her? This wasn’t a “who is the boss of me” contest. “Dee is taking you home. And I swear, if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here, I will.”

Her hand fisted against my chest. “I’d like to see you try.”

I smiled. “I bet you would.”

“Whatever. You’re the one who’s going to cause a scene carrying me out of here.”

I made a sound low in my throat, but she actually smiled up at me, a mixture of smugness and innocence. “Because your local alien teacher is watching us as we speak. What do you think he’s going to believe when you toss me over your shoulder, buddy?”

Son…of a biscuit. She was talking about Matthew.

“Thought so,” she said.

I was still seriously considering throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her out of here with the whole school watching. I think I also wanted to kiss her…with the entire school watching. Probably do things that would make that flush turn a deeper shade of red.

Her glare turned defiant, and damn if a part of me didn’t really, really like that.

A smile formed on my lips. “I keep underestimating you, Kitten.”