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I can speak for him.
I looked at Blake. Thats a ringing endorsement.
His cheeks flushed. Hes trustworthy.
Do you think its enough time? Dawson asked his brother. To get in there, get to Beth and Chris, and get out?
It should be. Daemon folded up the map and slid it into his back pocket. Youll get Beth and dipshit here will get Chris.
Blake rolled his eyes.
Andrew, Kat, and I are going to cover them. This shouldnt even take fifteen minutes. Daemon sat beside me and leveled a pointed glare at Blake. And then you will take Chris and get the hell out of here. You have no reason to come back.
And what if he does? Dee asked. What if he finds another excuse to blackmail you into helping him?
I wont, Blake said, and I felt his stare. I dont have a reason to come back.
Daemon went taut. If you do, youre going to make me do something I dont want to do-Ill probably enjoy it, but I dont want to.
Blake jerked his chin. I got you.
Okay then, Matthew said, addressing the room. We meet here at six thirty tomorrow. Do you have things covered, Katy?
I nodded. Mom thinks Im doing a sleepover with Lesa. She works anyway.
She always works, Ash said, staring at her nails. Does she even like to be home?
Unsure if that was a dig or not, I kept my temper in check. Shes paying for a mortgage, food, bills, and all my expenses by herself. She has to work a lot.
Maybe you should get a job, she suggested, her eyes flicking up. Like something after school that takes about twenty hours or so of your life.
I folded my arms, lips pursed. Why are you suggesting that, pray tell?
A catlike smile appeared as her attention slid to beside me. I just think if you were concerned about your mom making ends meet, you would help out.
Im sure thats why. I relaxed when Daemon slid a hand across my back.
Ash noticed the gesture and got a sour pinch to her lips.
Take that.
Theres only one thing we have to worry about, Blake said, as if it really was only one thing that could go wrong. They have emergency doors that shut every so many feet when alarms are sounded. Those doors also have a defensive weapon. Dont go near the blue lights. Theyre lasers. Rip you right apart.
All of us stared. Wow, yeah, that was a big problem.
Blake smiled. But they shouldnt be a problem. We should be in and out without being seen.
Okay, Andrew said slowly. Anything else? Like an onyx net we have to worry about?
Blake laughed. No, that should cover it.
Dee wanted Blake out once the plans were underway. Without protest, he headed to the door and stopped as if he were going to say something. I felt his gaze once more, but then he left. Our group disbanded, leaving the siblings behind.
I clasped my hands together. I want to practice the speed thing. I mean, I know I can do it as fast as you guys, but I just want to practice.
Dee focused on the arm of the couch, drawing in a deep breath.
We can do that. Dawson smiled crookedly. I could use the practice myself.
Daemon stretched back, wrapping an arm around my waist. Its a little dark right now. Youll probably end up breaking your neck, but we can do it tomorrow.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
You got it.
I elbowed him as I turned to Dee. She was still staring at the furniture like it held the answer to something. Here goes nothing. Will
will you help?
She opened her mouth and then closed it, shaking her head. Then, without saying a word, she pivoted around and headed upstairs. I deflated.
Shell come around, Daemon said, giving me a little squeeze. I know she will.
Doubted that, but I nodded. Dee was never going to come around . I dont know why I even bothered.
Dawson sat on my other side, confusion marking his expression. I dont know what happened to her while I was gone. I dont understand.
I pressed my lips together. I happened.
We all changed, brother. Daemon tugged me back so I was against his side. But things
Things are going to get back to normal soon.
He watched us, brows drawn tight. Sorrow crept into his eyes, dulling their vibrant color. I wondered what he thought when he saw us together. Memories of him and Beth cuddled together on the couch? Then he blinked and a wan smile appeared. Ghost Investigators marathon?
You do not have to ask me twice. Daemon raised his hand and the remote control shot toward him. I have, like, six hours saved up. Popcorn? We need popcorn.
And ice cream. Dawson stood. I get the munchies.
The wall clock read seven thirty. It was going to be a long night, but as I settled in next to Daemon, I realized I didnt want to be any place else.
Daemon brushed his lips along my cheek as he reached behind us, tugging a blanket off the back of the couch. He draped it over both of us, allowing most of the blanket to swallow me. Hes coming around, isnt he?
I turned to him, smiling. Yeah, he is.
His eyes met mine. Lets just make sure tomorrow doesnt make it all for nothing.
By one oclock the following day, I was covered in mud and sweating like a pig in hell. Id done better than I feared, able to keep up easily with Dawson and I only fell, like
four times. The terrain was unforgiving.
I walked past Daemon, and he made a swipe for me. I shot him a level look, which he returned with a mischievous grin.
You have dirt on your cheek, he said. Cute.
As usual, he looked perfect. Hadnt even broken a sweat for crying out loud. Is he always this a
Dawson, who looked as rough as I did, nodded. Yeah, hes the best at this kind of stuff-fighting, ru
His brother beamed as I knocked the mud off my sneakers and said, You suck.
Daemon laughed.
I stuck my tongue out and returned to stand next to the brothers. We were at the edge of the woods that ran up to my front yard. I took a couple of deep breaths and welcomed the Source rushing through me. That roller-coaster feeling was back and my muscles locked up.
Get ready, Daemon said, hands curling at his sides. Go!
Pushing off, I dug my feet into the ground, then raced against the brothers. Air whipped around me as I picked up speed. Now that I knew to watch out for rotted branches and stones, I kept my eyes trained on the ground and my surroundings. The wind bit at my cheeks, but it was a good kind of sting. It meant I was fast.
Trees blurred as I darted around them and under low-hanging branches. Jumping over bushes and boulders, I moved ahead of Dawson. The speed tore at my hair, pulling it free from my ponytail. A laugh escaped my throat. As I ran, I forgot about the stupid jealousy, the lingering issue of Will, and even what we had to do later that night.
Ru
Daemon blew past us, reaching the stream a good ten seconds before we did. Slowing down was an issue. You couldnt just stop, not at this speed. Youd face-plant into the ground in seconds. So I dug my feet in, kicking up sediment and loose rock as I slid the last few inches.
Daemons arm shot out, wrapping around my waist so I didnt end up in the lake. Laughing, I spun around and reached up, kissing his cheek.
He gri
Really-like yours do? The whole diamond shining thing?
Dawson stopped, knocking the mop of hair off his forehead. Nah, just the colors luminous. Its pretty.
Its beautiful, Daemon corrected. But you better be careful not to do that in front of people. When I nodded, he walked over to his brother, clapping him on his back. Why dont we call it quits? Both of you are good to go, and Im starving.