Understanding seeped in. I need to act like you did in the beginning?
He nodded curtly. What just happened back there never happened. Do you understand me?
Close to tears, I nodded.
Silence ticked away the minutes. Halfway home, the headache eased up and I felt almost normal, except it was like I had pulled an all-nighter. Neither of us spoke until he pulled into the driveway of my house.
Daemon yanked the keys from the ignition and sat back. He faced me, eyes sheltered by a long wave of hair. We need to talk. And you need to be honest with me. You dont seem surprised you just did that.
I nodded again. He was furious, and I couldnt blame him. Id possibly exposed them all to a humana human who could go to the press, who could talk at school, and who could catch the attention of the DOD. Theyd find out that the Luxen had special abilities. Theyd learn about me.
We went inside my empty house. The central air was blowing heat from the vents, but I was shivering uncontrollably as I sat on the recliner. I was planning on telling you.
You were? Daemon stood in front of me, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. When, exactly? Before or after you did something that puts you at risk?
I flinched. I didnt plan on this happening! All I wanted was to have a normal afternoon with a boy
With a boy? he spat, eyes flaring an intense green.
Yes, with a normal boy! Why did that sound so surprising? I took a deep breath. Im sorry. I did plan on coming to you tonight, but Blake asked me to grab something to eat with him and I just wanted one freaking afternoon with someone like me.
His frown went so deep I thought his face would crack. You have friends who are normal, Kat.
Its not the same thing!
Daemon seemed to get what I wasnt really saying. For a second, his eyes widened and Id swear there was a flicker of pain in them, but then it was gone. Tell me whats been happening.
Guilt shot through me, pulling behind it spiky barbs that dug in deep. I think I did get alien cooties, because Ive been moving thingswithout touching them. Today, I opened the door to Mr. Garrisons classroom without touching it. He seemed to think it was a drafty hallway.
How often has this been happening?
On and off for around a week. The first time it was my locker door, but I thought it was a fluke, so I didnt say anything. Then I thought about wanting a glass of tea, and the glass flew out of the cabinet
his gaze moved over it quickly. His touch kills? Really, what is this stuff youre reading?
I shot from the chair, snatching the book away and holding it close to my chest. Shut up. I love this book.
Uh huh, Daemon murmured.
Okay, back to the important stuff. And stop touching my books. I set it back where Id left it. What are we going to do?
His gaze settled on me. Ill figure out what is happening with you. Just give me some time.
I nodded, hoping we had enough time. There was no telling what Id accidentally do next, and the last thing I wanted was to expose Dee and the others. You do realize this whole thing is why you
He arched a brow.
Its why you suddenly like me.
Im pretty sure I liked you before this, Kitten.
Well, you had one hell of a way of showing it.
True, he admitted. And Ive already said Im sorry for the way I treated you. He took a fortifying breath. I always liked you. From the moment you first flipped me off.
But you didnt start to want to spend time with me until after the first attack, when you healed me. Maybe we were already starting to, likemorph together or whatever.
Daemon frowned. What is it with you? Its like you need to convince yourself I cant possibly like you. Does doing that make it easier to tell yourself you dont have feelings for me?
You treated me like a red-headed stepchild for months. Im sorry if I have a hard time believing that whatever you feel is real. I sat on the couch. And it has nothing to do with what I feel.
His shoulders tensed. Do you like that guy you were with?
Blake? I dont know. Hes nice.
He was sitting with you today at lunch.
My brow arched. Because there was an open seat and its a free world where people can pick where they want to sit.
There were other seats open. He couldve sat anywhere else in the cafeteria.
It took me a few seconds to respond. Hes in my bio class. Maybe he just felt comfortable with me, because were both sort of new.
Something flickered across his face, and then he was standing in front of me. He kept staring at you. And obviously he wanted to spend time with you outside of school.
Maybe he likes me, I said, shrugging. Lesa invited him to the party on Friday.
Daemons eyes darkened to an evergreen. I dont think you should be hanging around him until we know whats up with you moving stuff. You doing that thing with the branch was only one instance. We cant have a repeat of that.
What? Im not supposed to date or hang out with anyone now?
Daemon smiled. Anyone human, yes.
Whatever. I shook my head, standing. This is a stupid conversation. Im not dating anyone anyway, but if I were, I wouldnt stop just because you said so.