I didnt know what was worse, Deans objection to the idea of being forced to kiss me or the sudden realization that my body didnt object to the idea of kissing him. I thought of our lessons with Locke, the feel of his hand on the back of my neck.
Lia watched me expectantly, but Michaels eyes were the ones I felt on my face as I crossed the room to stand in front of Dean.
I didnt have to do this.
I could say no.
Dean looked up at me, and for a split second, I saw something other than deadly neutrality on his face. His eyes softened. His lips parted, like there was something he wanted to say.
I knelt next to the fireplace. I put one hand on his cheek, and I brought my lips to his. It was a friendly kiss. A European hello. Our mouths only touched for a secondbut I felt it, electric, all the way to my toes.
I pulled back, unable to force my eyes away from his lips as I did. For a few seconds, we just stayed there, staring at each other: him on the fireplace and me kneeling on the rug.
Your turn, Cassie. Lia sounded pretty darned satisfied with herself.
I forced myself to stand up and walk back to the sofa. I sat down, still able to feel the ghost of Deans lips on mine. Truth or dare, Dean?
It was only fair: he was the sole person present who hadnt been in the hot seat yet. For a second, I thought he might refuse and call an end to this game, but he didnt.
Truth.
This was the opportunity Michael hadnt given me. There were so many things I wanted to know. I concentrated on that, instead of what had passed between
us a moment before.
The other day, when Locke said she couldnt take Lia to the crime scene, you said that wasnt what the program was anymore . I paused. What did you mean?
Dean nodded, as if that were a perfectly reasonable question to ask after youd kissed a person. I was the first one, he said. Before there was a program, before they started using the term Naturals , it was just Briggs and me. I didnt live with Judd. The FBI brass didnt know about me. Briggs brought me questions. I gave him answers.
Questions about killers. I wasnt allowed a follow-up question, so I phrased it as a statement. Dean nodded. Lia cut in, breaking off all conversation.
He was twelve, she said, clipping the words. Your turn, Dean.
Cassie, Dean said. That was itno truth or dare. Just my name.
Beside me, Michaels jaw clenched. Lias payback had hit its targetand then some.
Truth, I said, trying not to dwell on Michaels reaction or what it might mean.
Why did you come here? Dean asked, looking at Lia, at his own hands, at anything but me. Why join this program at all?
There were a lot of answers to that question that would have been technically true. I could have said that I wanted to help people. I could have said that Id always known that Id never quite fit in the regular world. But I didnt.
My mother was murdered. I cleared my throat, trying to say the words like they were just any other words. Five years ago. Based on the blood spatter, they think she was stabbed. Repeatedly. The police never found her body, but there was enough blood that they dont think she could have survived. I used to think that maybe she had. I dont anymore.
Dean didnt react visibly to that confessionbut Lia went unnaturally still, and Sloanes mouth dropped open as she averted her eyes. Michael had known about my mother, but Id never said a word to any of the others.
Truth or dare, Dean . I wanted to say the words, but I couldnt keep asking Dean questions. Already, wed kept this game between the two of us for too long. Truth or dare, Lia?
Truth. Lia said the word like a challenge. I asked her whether she was messy or neat. She lowered her chin, raised her eyebrows, and stared at me.
Seriously, she said. Thats your question?
Thats my question, I confirmed.
Im a mess, she said. By every sense of the word. She didnt give me time to meditate on the fact that Id pegged her right before she targeted Michael for the next round. I expected him to pick dare again, but he didnt.
Truth.
Lia ran dainty hands over her dress. She gave him her most wide-eyed, innocent look. Then she asked him if he was jealous when I kissed Dean. Michael didnt bat an eye, but I thought Dean might actually throttle Lia.
I dont get jealous, Michael said. I get even.
No one was surprised when Michael aimed the next round at Dean.
Truth or dare, Dean?
Truth. Deans eyes narrowed, and I remembered Lia saying that if Dean had a temper, Michael would have been dead by now. I waited, my stomach heavy and my throat dry, for Michael to ask Dean something horrible.
But he didnt.
Have you ever seen The Bad Seed ? he inquired politely. The movie.
A muscle in Deans jaw twitched. No.
Michael grinned. I have.
Dean stood up. Im done here.
Dean Lias tone was halfway between mulish and wheedling, but he silenced her with a look. Two seconds later, he was stalking out of the room, and a few seconds after that, I heard the front door open, then slam.
Dean was goneand a person didnt have to be an emotion reader to see the look of satisfaction on Michaels face.