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Let me have it, Daemon said. I want to see if it has any effect on the onyx.
Handing it over, I followed him to the pile of onyx, wiping the ash off my fingers. Holding the opal in one hand, he uncovered the stones and, jaw clenching, he picked one up.
Nothing happened. All of us had grown a tolerance to the rocks, but there was usually a gasp or flinch of pain.
Whats happening? I asked.
Daemon lifted his chin. Nothing-I dont feel anything.
Let me try. We switched off and he was right. The bite of onyx wasnt there. We stared at each other. Holy crap.
Footsteps and voices carried into the clearing. Daemon swiped the opal, sliding it in his pocket. I dont think we should let Blake see this.
No doubt, I agreed.
We turned as Matthew, Dawson, and Blake appeared at the edge of the woods. It would be interesting to see if the opal had any affect in Daemons pocket or if we had to be physically touching it.
I talked to Luc, Blake a
You think? Dawson said.
He nodded. Its either going to work or not.
Failure wasnt an option. So the Sunday after prom?
You guys are going to prom? Blake asked, scowling.
Why not? I said defensively.
Blakes eyes darkened. Just seems like a stupid thing to do the night before. We should be spending Saturday training.
No one asked for your opinion, Daemon said, hands curving into fists.
Dawson shifted closer to his brother. One night isnt going to hurt anything.
And I have prom duty, Matthew said, sounding absolutely disgusted with the idea.
Outnumbered, Blake let out a disgruntled mumble. Fine. Whatever.
We got started then, and I kept my eyes trained on Daemon when it came to his turn. When he touched the onyx, he immediately flinched but held on. Unless he was faking it, the opal had to be touching flesh. Good to know.
Over the next couple of hours, we did our rounds with the onyx. I was seriously begi
If not
then, well, I doubted Id be able to control myself.
As we broke apart for the night, I lingered back with Daemon. It didnt work in your pocket, did it?
No. He dug the thing out. Im going to hide this somewhere. Right now, I dont think we need anyone fighting over it or it getting into the wrong hands.
I agreed. Do you think were ready for this Sunday? My stomach dropped thinking about it, no matter how long Id known that this day was coming.
Daemon slipped the opal back into his pocket and then gathered me in his arms. Anytime he held me, it always felt unbelievably right and I wondered how I couldve denied it for so long.
Were going to be as ready as we ever will be. He brushed his cheek along mine and I shivered, closing my eyes. And I dont think we can keep Dawson off much longer.
I nodded and wrapped my arms around him. Now or never. Oddly, in that moment, I felt like we didnt have enough time, even though wed been practicing for months. Maybe it wasnt that.
Maybe I just felt we didnt have enough time together.
On Saturday, Lesa and I piled into the back of Dees Jetta. Windows rolled down, we enjoyed the seasonably warm temps. Dee seemed different today, too. It wasnt the pretty pink summer dress shed worn, paired with a black cardigan and strappy sandals. Her hair was pulled up in a loose ponytail and her thick hair cascaded down her back, revealing a perfectly symmetrical face that bore an easy grin-not the one I was so familiar with and missed painfully, but almost . She was lighter somehow, her shoulders less tense.
Right now, she hummed along to a rock song on the radio, speeding around cars like a Nascar driver.
Today was a turning point.
Lesa grasped the back of Ashs seat, face pale. Uh, Dee, you do realize this is a no passing zone, right?
Dee gri
I think its a rule, Lesa advised.
Ash snorted. Dee thinks yield signs are a suggestion, too.
I laughed, wondering how I couldve forgotten Dees terrifying driving. Normally Id be clutching a seat or handle too, but today I couldnt care as long as she got us to the shop in one piece.
And she did.
And we only narrowly avoided wiping out a family of four plus a religious tour bus once.
The shop was downtown, occupying an old row house. Ashs pert little nose wrinkled as her heels touched the gravel we parked on. I know it looks less than savory from the outside, but its really not bad. They have cool dresses.
Lesa studied the old brick building, doubtful. Are you sure?
Sashaying past her, Ash cast a mischievous grin over her shoulder. When it comes to clothing, Ill never steer you wrong. Then she frowned and reached out, flicking green-painted nails along Lesas shirt. We need to go shopping one day.
Lesas mouth dropped open as Ash spun and headed toward the back door that bore an OPEN sign written in elegant calligraphy.
Im going to hit her, Lesa said under her breath. You just watch. Im go
Id try to resist that urge if I were you.
She smirked. I could take her.
Ah, no, she couldnt.
Finding dresses didnt take very long. Ash went with one that barely covered her ass, and I found a really great red dress I just knew Daemon would go gaga for. Afterward, we headed to Smoke Hole Diner.
Going out to eat with Lesa felt good, and Dee being there was like the proverbial icing on the cake. Ash? I wasnt so sure about that part.
I ordered a hamburger while Ash and Dee ordered practically everything on the menu. Lesa went with a grilled cheese sandwich and something I found entirely gross. I dont know why you drink cold coffee. You can just get regular coffee and let it grow cold.
So not the same, Dee answered as the waitress put our sodas down. Tell them, Ash.
The blonde Luxen peered up from ridiculously long eyelashes. Chilled coffee is more sophisticated.
I made a face. Ill be uncivilized with my warm coffee.
Why doesnt that surprise me? Ash arched a brow and then turned her attention back to her cellphone.
Sticking my tongue at her, I smothered a giggle when Lesa elbowed me. I still think I shouldve gotten the transparent wings for my dress.
Dee smiled. They were cute.
I nodded, thinking Daemon wouldve loved them.
Lesa tugged her curls out of her face. You guys are lucky you found dresses on this short notice.
Since her and Chad had made plans to go like ordinary people months ago, she had gotten her dress from some shop in Virginia. She had gone mostly along for the ride.
As conversation picked up and Dee started talking about her dress, I sat back against the booth. Sadness trickled through me, followed by bittersweet memories. I thought Id known Carissa, but I really hadnt. Had she known a Luxen? Or had she been picked up by Daedalus and used? Months had passed and there had been no answers; the only reminder was the piece of opal I had discovered under my bed.
Some days Id felt nothing but anger, but today, I let it slip off my shoulders with a deep breath. What had become of Carissa couldnt tarnish her memory forever.
Ash smiled. Im thinking my dress will be a hit.
Lesa sighed. I dont know why you dont just go naked. That little black dress you found is little and nothing else.
Dont tempt her, Dee said, gri