Blake leaned in, his breath surprisingly cool on my cheeks. Minty. Im not sure I like the kind of thing. I like the idea of calling it a date.
My gaze flicked up, meeting his. The little specks of green in his eyes were nowhere near as vibrant as Daemonswhy was I even thinking about him? We can call it a date.
He sat back. Sounds better.
I smiled, glancing down at my notebook. A datenot dinner-and-the-movies kind of datebut a date nonetheless. We exchanged numbers. I gave him directions. Excitement bubbled through me. I snuck a look at him. He was watching me with a crooked smile on his face.
Oh, the party just got a whole lot more interesting.
I refused to think about what Daemon would do when he saw me arrive with Blake. A small part of me wondered if Id asked Blake just to find out.
Curled up on my couch after school on Thursday, Dee toyed with a ring on her finger and kept her voice low due to Mom sleeping upstairs. The new boy seems to really have the hots for you.
I plopped down beside her. You think so?
Dee smiled, but it was off. Yeah, I think so. Im surprised youre actually okay with him coming to the party. I really thought
You thought what?
Her gaze skittered away. I just thought there might be something between you and Daemon.
Oh, no, theres nothing between us. Besides
a whacked-out alien bond and all our secrets. I cleared my throat. Lets not talk about your brother. Whats up with Adam?
Crimson swept across her pale cheeks. Adam and I have been trying to spend more time together, you know? Everyone expects us to be together, and there is a part of me that likes him. The elders know that since were both eighteen already, were coming of age.
Coming of age?
She nodded. Once we reach eighteen, were old enough to be mated.
What? My eyes bugged. Mated? Like, marrying and making babies?
Yeah. She sighed. We usually wait until were done with school, but knowing that were getting close, Adam and I are trying to decide what we want to do.
I was still stuck on the whole mating thing. Do the elders tell you who you can be with?
Dee frowned. Not really. I mean, they want us with another Luxen and to reproduce as soon as possible. I know that sounds messed up, but our race is dying off.
I get that, but what if you didnt want to have kids? What if you fell in love with another boy ora human?
They would outcast us. She faded and then was standing on the other side of the coffee table. All of them would turn their backs on us. Thats what they wouldve done to Dawson if heif he were still alive and with Bethany. And I know he would still be with her. Dawson loved Beth.
And her brothers love had ultimately led to their deaths. I lowered my gaze, feeling for the remaining siblings. Would they force you to leave or something?
She shook her head. Theyd make us want to leave, but we cant, not without the DODs permission. Its a lot of pressure.
No doubt. I had to worry about what college to pick. Not about getting knocked up as soon as possible. And Daemon really wanted to risk all of that to be with me? He had to be on crack. What happened with you and Adam?
Stopping in front of the TV, she ran her hands through her curly hair. We had sex.
Come again? Up until five seconds ago, I was positive Dee wasnt even attracted to Adam.
Dees small hands fluttered to her sides. Yeah, shocking, huh?
I blinked. Yeah, thats shocking.
I didnt know how I felt about him. Like, I totally respect him, and hes good looking. She started pacing again. But weve only been friends, really. Or at least, Ive only let him be a friend to me. I dont know, but anyway, I decided I wanted to see if we, you know, could even do it. So, I told him that we should try to have sex. And we did.
Wow, that sounded real romantic. And how was it?
Her cheeks flushed again. It wasit was good.
Good?
Dee appeared beside me, sitting on the couch, hands twisting together. It was more than just good. A little awkward at firstokay, a whole lot of awkward at first, but thingsworked out.
I didnt know if I should be happy for her or not. So what does all of this mean?
I dont know. Thats the problem. I like him, but I dont know if I like him because Im supposed to or if its real. She flopped onto her back, one arm hanging off the couch. I dont even know what love is. Like, I thought I loved him when we were doing it. But now? I dont know.
Damn, Dee, I dont know what to say. Im glad it wasgood.
It was great. She sighed. Want to know how great it was? I want to do it again.
I laughed.
One jade-colored eye opened. But now I have all theseknots in my tummy. I cant stop thinking about him, wondering what he thinks.
Have you tried talking to him?
No. Should I?
Uh, yeah, you just did it with him. You should probably call him.
Dee sat up, her eyes wide. What if he doesnt feel the same?
It was strange seeing Dee like this, having such ahuman reaction. I think he probably feels the same.
I dont know. We were just friends and nothing more. We didnt even want to go to homecoming together. She was on her feet again. But Im not sure if he felt that way because of me and how Id acted. Maybe hes always felt more for me.