Текст книги "Oblivion"

Автор книги: Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 51 страниц)

There was a pause and then, “Yeah.”

I hesitated and then wheeled around, walking into the guest bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed. Kat could probably use some space right now, but I… Shit. I reached up, rubbing the center of my chest, where the Arum had got me. I didn’t want her to be alone right now.

I didn’t want to be alone right now.

A few minutes passed and Kat walked in, and I lifted my gaze. Her hair was damp, darkening the shoulders of the gray shirt I’d found. Shadows had formed under her eyes, and she was still too pale, but she was so…so not plain. Not average. Not like anyone I’d ever known. Realizing that was like taking a direct hit from an Arum. I didn’t know what to do with it.

Kat stopped a few feet from the bed. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, lowering my hand, sort of shocked that she was asking about my well-being. “Whenever we use our powers like that, it’s like…losing a part of ourselves. It takes a bit to recharge. I’ll be fine.” I paused. “I’m sorry you had to go through any of this. I didn’t say thank you. You should’ve run, Kat. They would’ve…killed you without thinking twice. But you saved my life. Thank you.”

Her mouth opened and then closed as she rubbed her arms. It seemed to take her a moment to respond. “Will you stay with me tonight?” She then added in a rush, “I’m not coming on to you. You don’t have to, but—”

“I know.” I felt the same way. I just wanted to hold her, reassure myself we were both okay. I stood, and it felt like my stomach dropped to my feet. “Just let me check the house again, and I’ll be right back.”

Before I left the room, she was already in the bed, and when I glanced back at her, she had the covers tugged up to her chin and was staring at the ceiling. A small smile pulled at my lips as I made quick work of double-checking the doors. Then I grabbed my phone out of my room. Dee would be home soon, and if I was smart, I could’ve just told Kat that. Sit up with her and wait until a more appropriate bedmate appeared, but that’s not what I did.

I returned to the guest bedroom and got a little stuck in the doorway when I saw her in the bed again. She should be in my bed. As soon as that mess of a thought entered my head, I pushed it right back out, blaming the night’s drama. Shutting the door behind me, I went to the large bay windows overlooking the front yard.

Kat scooted over to the edge of the bed as I walked around to the other side, and I hid my smile. You’d think we were sharing a tiny bed based on how far she moved over. I climbed in beside her, leaving the comforter at my waist. My temperature ran way higher than hers.

Neither of us spoke.

Both of us lay there, side by side, staring at the ceiling. If anyone said a year ago I’d be lying in a bed with a human girl like this, I would’ve told them to get off drugs.

Biting down on my lip, I turned my head toward hers. A handful of seconds passed before she looked over at me. I grinned at her.

Kat laughed, and yeah, I liked that sound. “This…this is so awkward.”

My grin spread. “It is, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” She giggled.

It sounded crazy to laugh after everything, but my laughter joined hers. This was ridiculous. Everything. Ninety percent of the time we lived to annoy the crap out of each other. I knew that went both ways, but I’d saved her life in the past. She saved mine tonight. And here we were, sharing a bed for no real reason. At least on my side, the shit was funny.

And Kat was…there were no words.

I reached over, catching the tiny tears that had coursed down her cheeks. They weren’t sad tears. Our eyes locked as I lowered my hand. “What you did back there? It was sort of amazing,” I murmured.

One side of her lips twitched up. “Right back atcha. Are you sure you’re not injured?”

I grinned. “No. I’m fine, thanks to you.” Shifting away from her, I turned off the lamp on the nightstand the good ol’-fashioned way—the human way.

The room was plunged into darkness. “Am I glowing?” she asked.

Well, duh. She’d gotten a dose in the field and I’d lit that street up with the Source like a carnival. “Like a Christmas tree.”

“Not just the star?”

I rolled onto my side, close enough to her that my hand brushed her arm. “No. You’re super bright. It’s kind of like looking at the sun.”

She held up her hand, and that was cute. “It’s going to be hard for you to sleep then.”

“Actually, it’s kind of comforting. It reminds me of my own people.”

“The whole obsidian thing?” She looked over at me. “You never told me about that.”

“I didn’t think it would be necessary. Or at least I’d hoped it wouldn’t be.”

“Can it hurt you?”

“No. And before you ask what can, we don’t make a habit of telling humans what can kill us,” I replied evenly. “Not even the DOD knows what’s deadly to us. But the obsidian negates the Arum’s strengths. Just like the beta quartz in the Rocks throws off a lot of the energy we put off, but with obsidian, all it takes is a piercing and…well, you know. It’s the whole light thing, the way obsidian fractures it.”

“Are all crystals harmful to the Arum?”

“No, just this type. I guess it has something to do with the heating and cooling. Matthew explained it to me once. Honestly, I wasn’t paying attention. I know it can kill them. We carry it whenever we go out, usually hidden. Dee carries one in her purse.”

She shuddered. “I can’t believe I killed someone.”

“You didn’t kill someone. You killed an alien—an evil being that would’ve killed you without thinking twice. That was going to kill me.” I absently rubbed at my chest. “You saved my life, Kitten.”

Kat didn’t respond, and I knew it was going to be hard for her to understand.

“You were like Snowbird,” I said after a few moments.

“How do you figure?” she asked.

I smiled slightly. “You could’ve left me there and run, like I said. But instead you came back and you helped me. You didn’t have to.”

“I…I couldn’t leave you there.” The next breath she took was audible. “It wouldn’t have been right. And I would’ve never been able to forgive myself.”

“I know.” I stifled a yawn. “Get some sleep, Kitten.”

She was quiet for all of five seconds. “But what if the last one comes back?” I paused, realizing a new fear. “Dee’s with Mr. Garrison. He knows I was with you when they attacked. What if he turns me in? What if the DOD—”

“Shh,” I murmured, finding her hand with mine. I ran my fingers over the top of hers. “He won’t come back, not yet. And I won’t let Matthew turn you over.”

“But—”

“Kat, I won’t let him. Okay? I promise you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

This time it was her soft inhale that I heard, and I knew my promise was bold and it was a big deal, but it was one I wouldn’t break.

Chapter 21

I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but if I was, I didn’t want to wake up. The scent of peach and vanilla teased me, invaded me.

Kat.

Only she smelled that wonderful, of summer and all the things I could want and never have. The length of her body was pressed against mine, with her hand resting on my stomach. The steady rise and fall of her chest became my entire world, and in this dream—because it had to be a dream—I felt my own chest matching her breaths.

Every cell in my body sparked and burned. If I were awake, I’d surely take on my true form. My body was on fire.

Just a dream, but it felt real.

I couldn’t resist sliding my leg over hers, burrowing my head between her neck and shoulder, and inhaling deeply. Divine. Perfect. Human. Breathing became more difficult than I’d ever imagined. Lust swirled through me, heady and consuming. I tasted her skin—a slight brush of my lips, a flick of my tongue. She felt perfect underneath me, soft in all the places I was hard.

Moving over her, against her, I loved the sound she made—a soft, wholly feminine murmur that scorched every piece of me. “You’re perfect for me,” I whispered in my own language.

She stirred under me, and I dreamed her responding, wanting me instead of hating me.

I pressed down, sliding my hand under her shirt. Her skin felt like satin underneath my fingertips. Precious. Prized. If she were mine, I’d cherish every inch of her. And I wanted to. Now. My hand crept up, up, up. Her skin was so smooth, so soft.

Kat gasped.

The dreamy cloud dissipated with the sound I felt all the way through me. Every muscle locked up. Very slowly, I pried my eyes open. Her slender, graceful neck sloped before me. A section of skin was pink from the stubble on my jaw…

The clock on the wall ticked.

Shit.

I’d felt her up, in my sleep.

I lifted my head and stared down at her. Kat watched me, her eyes a smoky, wonderful gray and questioning. Double shit.

“Good morning?” she said, her voice still rough with sleep.

Using my arm, I pushed up and even then, knowing that none of it had been a dream, I couldn’t look away from her, didn’t want to. An infinite need was there, in her, in me. Demanding that I kneel to it, and I wanted to—dammit, did I ever want to.

The only thing that got to me, that cleared the layers of lust and idealistic stupidity out of my head, was the trace shimmering around her. She looked like the brightest star.

She was in danger. She was a danger to us.

With one last look, I shot across the room with inhuman speed, slamming the door behind me. Every step away from that room, from that bed, was painful and stiff. Rounding the corner, I almost ran into my sister.

Dee studied me, eyes narrowed.

“Shut up,” I muttered, heading past her.

“I didn’t say anything, jerk-face.” Amusement betrayed her words.

“Don’t say anything,” I warned.

Once inside my bedroom, I quickly changed into a pair of sweats and slipped on my sneakers. Running into my sister cooled most of me down, but there was a raw edge to my nerves, and I needed to be out of this house, away from her.

Not even bothering to change my shirt, I picked up speed, shooting through the house and out the front door. The moment my sneaks touched the porch, I took off and darted into the woods in a burst of speed. Overhead skies were gray and bleak. Drizzle pelted my face like a thousand tiny needles. I welcomed it, pushing and pushing until I was deep in the woods. Then I shed my human skin, taking my true form as I shot among the trees, moving until I was nothing more than a streak of light.

I wanted that—I wanted Kat.

That wasn’t an entirely new thought or realization. From the moment I saw those legs, I’d pictured said legs wrapped around me, tangled with mine, more than a time or two. And then she’d rocked that red bikini? Wanting her wasn’t new, but the intensity of what I felt this morning was.

I wanted Kat so badly it neared physical pain.

Had it been because of last night? Her saving me? Or had it been earlier, seeing her with Simon and that dress? Or had it been building from day one? None of it mattered.

This was wrong.

Think of Dawson. Look at what had happened to him. Did I want to take the same risk? Leave Dee all alone? But even now I could feel her skin, taste it—sweet and sugary like candy. Hear that wonderful sound she made over and over again, haunting every mile I put between us.

An idea began to form—one that Dee would hate, but I didn’t see any other option. I could go to the DOD and request a move to one of the other communities. We’d be giving up our home, leaving behind our friends and Matthew, but it would be for the best. It was the right thing to do. Dee would be safe.

It would keep Kat safe.

Because Dee couldn’t stay away from her, and neither could I. But no matter where I went, what I was running from would still be with me—Kat. She wasn’t just back in the house, in that bed. She was with me now, inside me. And there was no outrunning that.

When I returned from my run, everything felt under control. I had a plan, one I would act on. I entered the house, determined.

Andrew’s car was parked outside, and I really hoped the whole clan wasn’t here already. Then again, I knew the inevitable confrontation with Matthew and the Thompsons would happen fast.

Dee was waiting for me in the living room. She opened her mouth.

“Where’s Kat?” I asked, and then mentally punched myself in the nuts. Asking about her right off the bat didn’t seem like I had everything under control.

My sister cocked a brow. “She went next door a few minutes ago. Her mom is home, but she’s coming back over in a few minutes.” She took a deep breath. “Daemon—”

Adam roamed out from the kitchen, an apple in his hand. “Andrew and Ash are pissed.”

Lifting my forearm, I wiped the sweat beading across my forehead. “And that’s different from any other day?”

He smirked. “Well, they can’t believe you guys kept this a secret—the whole Kat knowing about us. They’re on their way over here now.”

“With Matthew.” Dee folded her arms across her waist. Worry filled her gaze. “He’s also not very happy, Daemon. I’m afraid he’s going—”

“He’s not going to do anything.” I pinned Adam with a hard look. “You’re not pissed?”

“Not really.” He raised a shoulder as he bit into the apple, chewing thoughtfully. “I mean, she’s known for a while, right? Dee made it sound like she has and she hasn’t said anything yet, so why would she now?”

“She won’t,” Dee and I responded at the same time.

I shot my sister a wry look while she grinned. “I’m taking a shower.” I turned, starting for the stairs.

Glancing over her shoulder at Adam, Dee trailed after me. “Kat is coming back over here, like in ten minutes.”

“Okay.”

“Everyone else is coming over here,” she added.

I was halfway up the stairs when it hit me. Twisting around, I stared down at Dee.

“Kat knows that they know and that they are coming over. She wants to be here, and I think it’s a good idea.”

I came down a step as my brows rose. “Having her here with three Luxen who disliked and distrusted her already is a good idea how? Unless we’re considering making it easier for them to try to fry her a good idea.”

“Andrew and Ash are a lot of talk. You know that,” Adam said from the foyer. “They won’t hurt her.”

“I won’t let them.”

Dee’s eyes widened, and yeah, I’d thrown that right out there. God only knows what Dee thought anyway, especially after this morning. She blinked. “Anyway, I think it’s a good idea for them to actually see her—to see that she can be trusted. I’m not worried about Ash or Andrew. It’s Matthew who needs to be convinced. You know that.”

That was true. I wasn’t willing to believe that Ash and Andrew were all talk, but they wouldn’t go to the DOD or the Elders. Matthew would, but he was also a fair and logical person. If he was convinced that Kat wouldn’t run her mouth, then he would back down, and having Kat here for them to see that she would keep quiet was probably the only way to convince Matthew. Plus, I would be here to make sure Kat stayed safe during the initial face-off.

“Okay,” I said, turning back around to grab a quick shower first. I made it to my bedroom with Dee right behind me.

She closed the door and waited for me to face her. “What’s going on between you and Katy?” she asked.

Immediately, I thought of Kat this morning, her soft body tucked under mine. “Nothing is going on, Dee.”

Doubt crossed her face. “You slept with her last night.” I almost choked on my own spit as I toed off my sneakers. “I didn’t sleep with her.”

“You were in the same bed with her, so that’s sleeping together even if it’s not sleeping together.” She narrowed her eyes. “I want to know what’s going on.”

Part of me wanted to tell her it was none of her business, but all that would do was increase her suspicions. “Look, she was stressed out last night and scared. Between what happened at that damn field party and then coming face-to-face with three Arum, she needed someone with her. I was that someone. That’s it. It’s not a big deal.”

Dee was silent as she twisted her hair in her hands. “It is a big deal.” Then she smiled broadly while I stared at her. “It’s a very big deal.”

After a quick shower and change of clothes, I headed downstairs. Kat was there, glowing like a damn star. She looked up when I entered the room. Her gaze moved from mine and then down, way down, and a pink flush swept across her cheeks. I watched it spread down her throat and disappear under her collar. I wondered just how far that blush traveled.

Hell.

“They’re here,” Adam said, heading for the front door.

Kat stiffened, but remained quiet and alert. As the crew rolled in, I sat down on the arm of the recliner she was sitting in. My position was clearly noted by everyone.

Dee smiled like she’d just figured out the key to life.

When Ash and Andrew spotted the traced Kat and where I was sitting, their faces slipped into scowls so deep I wondered if they’d be stuck that way.

Matthew looked like he wanted to vomit. He came to a complete stop in the middle of the room. “What is she doing here?”

“She’s lit up like a freaking disco ball,” Ash said accusingly. “I could probably see her from Virginia.”

Kat’s eyes narrowed.

“She was with me last night when the Arum attacked,” I explained. “You know that. Things got a little…explosive. There was no way I could cover what happened.”

Matthew ran a hand through his hair. “Daemon, of all people, I expected you to know better, to be more careful.”

My brows furrowed together. “What the hell was I supposed to do exactly? Knock her out before the Arum attacked?”

Ash arched a brow. The look on her face said she totally supported that idea.

“Katy has known about us since the beginning of school,” I said. “And trust me when I say I did everything possible to keep her from knowing.”

Andrew sucked in a sharp breath. “She’s known this entire time? How could you allow this, Daemon? All of our lives have been in the hands of some human?”

Dee rolled her eyes. “Obviously she hasn’t said a word, Andrew. Chill out.”

“Chill out?” Andrew’s scowl matched his sister’s. “She’s a stupid—”

“Be careful with what you say next.” My skin started to hum. “Because what you don’t know and what you can’t possibly understand will get a bolt of light in your face.”

Ash swallowed thickly as she looked away, shaking her head. Silence fell as my message was read loud and clear.

“Daemon,” Matthew said, stepping forward. “Threatening one of your own for her? I didn’t expect this from you.”

My shoulders stiffened. “It’s not like that.”

“I’m not going to tell anyone about you guys.” Kat spoke for the first time. “I know the risks to you and to me if I did. You all don’t have anything to worry about.”

“And who are you for us to trust?” Matthew asked. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure you’re a great girl. You’re smart and you seem to have your head on straight, but this is life or death for us. Our freedom. Trusting a human is not something we can afford.”

I didn’t like where this was heading already. “She saved my life last night.”

Andrew laughed. “Oh, come on, Daemon. The Arum must’ve knocked you around. There is no way a human could’ve saved any of our lives.”

“What is it with you?” Kat snapped, fiery as ever. “You act like we’re incapable of doing anything. Sure, you guys are whatever, but that doesn’t mean we’re single-celled organisms.”

A choked laugh came from Adam.

“She did save my life,” I repeated, wrangling everyone’s attention. “There were three Arum that attacked, the brethren of the one I killed. I was able to destroy one, but the two overpowered me. They had me down and had already begun reaching for my powers. I was a goner.”

“Daemon,” Dee whispered, paling. “You didn’t tell us any of this.”

Doubt colored Matthew’s voice when he spoke. “I don’t see how she could’ve helped. She’s a human. The Arum are powerful, amoral, and vicious. How can one girl stand against them?”

“I’d given her the obsidian blade I carry and told her to run.”

“You gave her the blade when you could’ve used it?” Ash sounded stunned. “Why?” Her eyes darted to Kat. “You don’t even like her.”

Kat frowned.

“That may be the case, but I wasn’t going to let her die because I don’t like her,” I replied, and the words didn’t sit well with me. This wasn’t the time to piss Ash off even more by disagreeing. I didn’t look at Kat to see her response. I didn’t want to know.

“But you could’ve been hurt,” Ash protested. Fear thickened her voice. “You could’ve been killed because you gave your best defense to her.”

I sighed. “I have other ways to defend myself. She did not. She didn’t run like I told her. Instead she came back, and she killed the Arum who was about to end me.”

Reluctant pride shone in Matthew’s eyes. “That is…admirable.”

“It was a hell of a lot more than admirable,” Dee interjected, turning a wide stare on Kat. “She didn’t have to do that. That has to account for more than being admirable.”

“It’s courageous,” Adam said quietly, staring at the throw rug. “It is what any of us would’ve done.”

“But that doesn’t change the fact that she knows about us,” Andrew shot back, casting his triplet a scornful look. “And we are forbidden from telling any human.”

“We didn’t tell her,” Dee said, stirring restlessly. “It kind of happened.”

“Oh, like it happened last time.” Andrew rolled his eyes as he turned to Matthew. “This is unbelievable.”

Matthew shook his head. “After Labor Day weekend, you told me that something occurred but you took care of it.”

“What happened?” Ash demanded. “You’re talking about the first time she was glowing?”

“I walked out in front of a truck,” Kat muttered.

Ash stared at me, her blue eyes growing to the size of saucers. “You stopped the truck?”

I nodded.

The anger washed away from her face as she blinked rapidly. “Obviously that couldn’t be explained away. She’s known since then?”

“She didn’t freak out,” Dee said. “She listened to us, understood why it’s important, and that’s it. Until last night, what we are hasn’t even been an issue.”

“But you lied to me—both of you.” Matthew leaned against the wall, between the TV and overflowing bookcase. “How am I to trust you now?”

Out of the corners of my eyes, I saw Kat lift two fingers to her temple.

“Look, I understand the risk. More than any of you in the room.” I rubbed the heel of my palm where my chest still ached from where the Arum had gotten me. “But what is done is done. We need to move forward.”

“As in contacting the DOD?” Andrew asked. “I’m sure they’d know what to do with her.”

My voice was low and calm, but that was not how I felt. “I’d like to see you try that, Andrew. Really I would, because even after last night, and I’m not yet fully charged, I could still kick your ass.”

Matthew cleared his throat. “Daemon, threats aren’t necessary.”

“Aren’t they?” I challenged.

A heavy silence fell in the room, broken only when Matthew spoke again. “I don’t think this is wise. Not with what…with what happened before, but I’m not going to turn you over.” He looked at Kat, sighing heavily. “Not unless you give me reason to. And maybe you won’t. I don’t know. Humans are such…fickle creatures. What we are, what we can do, has to be protected at all costs. I think you understand that. You’re safe, but we aren’t.”

Andrew cursed under his breath and Ash looked ready to throw something, but it was Matthew’s call. He was like our very own Elder. All of us knew that. A bit of relief eased the tension in my muscles. At least I wasn’t going to have to fight those I’d grown up with and considered family.

“You said there was one Arum left?” Adam asked, shifting the conversation. “What’s the plan? He knows there are Luxen here obviously. He’s going to come back.”

“He won’t wait. They’re not known for being patient.” Matthew moved over to the couch and sat down next to Dee. “I could contact the other Luxen, but I’m not sure if that would be smart. Where we may be more confident in her, they won’t be.”

“And there’s the problem that she’s a megawatt lightbulb right now,” Ash added, her upper lip curling. “It doesn’t even matter if we don’t say anything. The moment she goes anywhere in town, they are going to know that something big happened again.”

“Well, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about that,” Kat replied.

“Any suggestions?” I asked. “Because the sooner she’s not carrying a trace, the better all of this is going to be.”

“Who cares?” Andrew rolled his eyes. “We have the Arum issue to worry about. He’s gonna see her no matter where we put her. All of us, right now, are in danger. Any of us near her are in danger. We can’t wait around. We have to find the last Arum.”

Dee shook her head. “If we can get the trace off her, then that will buy us time to find him. Getting rid of the trace should be the first priority.”

“I say we drive her out to the middle of nowhere and leave her ass there,” Andrew muttered.

“Thanks.” Kat rubbed at her temples with her fingers. “You’re so very helpful with all of this.”

He smiled back at her. “Hey, just offering my suggestions.”

“Shut up, Andrew,” I said.

Andrew’s eyes rolled once more.

“Once we get the trace off her, she’d be safe,” Dee insisted as she tucked her hair back, face pinched. “The Arum don’t mess with humans, really.”

“I have an idea,” Adam said. Everyone looked at him. “The light around her is a by-product of us using our power, right? And our power is concentrated energy. And we get weaker when we use our powers and use more energy.”

Matthew’s gaze sparked with interest. “I think I’m following you.”

“I’m not,” Kat muttered, and my lips twitched.

“Our powers fade the more we use them, the more energy we exert.” Adam turned to me. “It should work the same with our traces, because the trace is just residual energy we are leaving on someone. We get her to exert her own energy; it should fade what’s around her. Maybe not completely, but get it down to levels that aren’t going to draw every Arum on Earth to us.”

Matthew nodded. “It should work.”

I rubbed at my chest. “And how are we going to get her to exert energy?”

Andrew grinned from across the room. “We could take her out to a field and chase her around in our cars. That sounds fun.”

Kat dropped her feet onto the floor. “Oh, fuc—”

My laugh cut her off, earning me a dark look from one very pissed-off little kitten. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Funny, but not a good idea. Humans are fragile.”

“How about I shove my fragile foot up your ass,” she retorted, and that made me grin…up until when she pushed me clear off the arm of the chair. “I’m getting a drink. Let me know when you guys come up with anything that won’t potentially kill me in the process.”

I watched her hurry out of the room, smiling faintly. Man, she was not a happy camper right now. Couldn’t blame her. Refocusing on the room, my gaze collided with Ash’s. Aaand there was another person who did not appear to be feeling warm and fuzzy.

“This could work,” Dee said, smoothing her hands over her legs. “We just get her to exert energy, and that’s not that hard. Running will do it. Jumping jacks. Jogging in place. Sit-ups—”

“Sex,” Andrew supplied.

Everyone looked at him. The last thing I needed to think about was the words “sex” and “Kat” in the same sentence.

“What?” He chuckled. “I’m not suggesting anyone have sex with her—”

“Dear God,” Matthew muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“But you all were listing things that burn energy, and sex will do that.”

Dee was staring at the carpet. Adam looked oddly embarrassed, and Ash pushed to her feet and started to walk. “That’s disgusting for a list of reasons that have nothing to do with her being a human.” She stopped beside me and stared with an icy glare. “You can do better than that.”

“She could do better than us,” I replied without even thinking, and damn, it was the truth.

Shock splashed across Ash’s face, and then she started past me, heading toward the kitchen. I caught her arm and met her stare. “Don’t do anything that’s going to make me unhappy.”

“Everything makes you unhappy,” she spat back.

“I mean it, Ash.” I ignored her comment. “If I have to come in there and break you two up, I’m not going to like it.”

Her lips curled. “What do you think I am? Geez.” She pulled her free. “I’m not going to hurt her. I just want something to drink.”

Part of me felt like I should follow Ash, but Matthew was already eyeballing me like I was seconds away from making babies with a human, which wasn’t even something I was sure could happen. There weren’t any screams or shouts of rage coming from the kitchen, but I kept one ear out for just that as the conversation continued around me.

This had actually gone better than I thought it would, almost too easy. Unease sprouted like a noxious weed and it continued to grow, making me restless. I stood and walked over to the window. Pulling the curtain back, I peered outside even though I wasn’t sure what I was looking for.

Matthew announced that he would speak to the DOD and the colony. The destruction that had been caused to the road last night would’ve already been discovered, and the DOD would be monitoring the display of energy already. Luxen against Luxen throw-down. That’s what we were going with. While the DOD didn’t know exactly what we could do, the full extent of our powers, they did know we had greater strength than humans. It was probably likely they’d buy that two of us could have wreaked that havoc. Maybe. If we were very, very lucky they would.

Kat returned to the room, a bottle of water in her hand. Our gazes met and then held for a brief moment. She looked away quickly, sitting on the edge of the recliner. She was pale as she sucked her lower lip in between her teeth, and when Ash reappeared with nothing in her hands, I could only guess what she had said to Kat in the kitchen.

“Can we talk for a moment?” Matthew asked in a low voice.

I nodded and then glanced over at Dee. She smiled, obviously getting the message I didn’t need to say. She would keep an eye on Kat for me. Matthew and I stepped outside. “What’s up?” I asked even though I already knew where this conversation was heading.

“Let’s take a walk,” he suggested.

I followed him off the porch and in the opposite direction of Kat’s house. I decided to not beat around the bush. “I know you’re worried about Katy, but she’s not going to say anything,” I said, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans as we reached the first outcropping of trees. “I know that’s hard to believe, but she’s had plenty of chances to say something. And what I said about her saving my life last night? I wasn’t exaggerating, Matthew. I was able to take out one of the Arum, but two of them tag-teamed me. The one she killed had been feeding on me.”