The Darkest Star

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The Darkest Star Page 27

by Jennifer L. Armentrout


  “Like Archer?”

  He was still for a moment and nodded. “I didn’t think what happened to the girls had anything to do with what happened to Chas. Not at first, but when I saw you in the park, I sensed an Origin.”

  I stilled. Probably even stopped breathing.

  “From there, I tried to keep an eye on you. If not me, then Grayson.” He didn’t look at me. “Or Emery. I know you probably hate hearing that, but I was worried whoever was around was going to come after you. I was right, and obviously I didn’t do a good enough job at keeping an eye on you. He still got to you. More than once.”

  I didn’t even know what to think as I stared at the hard cut of his profile. He’d been watching me? Had people watching me? Part of me wanted to be pissed off. A huge part, because that was just freaking creepy. “Did you guys set off the motion detector before?”

  He raised a brow as he glanced over at me. “I didn’t, but I’m pretty sure Grayson did.”

  “So, that’s why you’ve been hanging out with me? The same reason Emery and Heidi—”

  “No, that is not the reason why I’ve been hanging out with you.” His gaze met mine. “I could keep watch and you’d never know I was there.”

  “Well, that’s creepy.”

  “You’re mad.”

  “I’m—I don’t know. I mean, yeah. I think anyone would be freaked out by the idea that people have been watching over them.”

  “But?”

  “But I kind of get it. Okay. I do get it. It’s still creepy.” I looked away. “But I also may be a target of a psychotic Origin, so there’s that.”

  “There is that.”

  A long moment passed before I spoke again. “Do you think he’s out for revenge?”

  “I think its something like that. I think now he’s just messing with me.”

  “Why? If he hates you because of what you had to do with the other Origins, then why doesn’t he come for you?” I asked. “Why go after other people?”

  “Like I said, to mess with me.” His throat worked on a swallow. “I think with high levels of intelligences also comes the high level of sociopathic tendencies. Sometimes I think with each batch of Origin, they were getting closer and closer to creating the perfect serial killer and not human.”

  I gaped at him. “Wow.”

  He slid a look at me. “Anyway, I brought you something. A gift.”

  My brows rose as he shifted and reached into his pocket, pulling out an object that was small and black, and kind of reminded me of the pedi thing I used in the shower.

  “Wait. Is that a Taser?”

  “It’s a stun gun.”

  I frowned as I resisted making grabby fingers at it. “Aren’t they the same thing?”

  “Actually, no. A Taser can be used from a distance and close contact. A stun gun only works at close contact. Kind of surprised not every human is outfitted with one of these.” He lifted a shoulder. “Cartridges are inside, and its ready to be used. All you have to do is press this against the skin and hit the button,” he explained. “It will take a human down for a bit, but it will incapacitate a Luxen, hybrid, or Origin for a couple of minutes, if not longer if they’re weakened or wounded.” He offered it to me. “Use it wisely.”

  “As in not against you?” I took it, surprised by how lightweight it felt.

  Luc smirked. “See that button? When you slide it up, the light will turn red. That means it’s ready to go. Then you just push the button.”

  Because I had to, I did just that. The little light flipped red and then I pushed down. Electricity crackled between the prongs. “Cool.”

  Luc was leaning back, nodding slowly.

  Grinning, I placed it on the nightstand. “Thank you.”

  One shoulder lifted. “I don’t plan for you ever to have to use it. Until we find the Origin who came after you today, you’re going to be stuck with one of us.”

  “But—”

  “That’s not up for discussion, Peaches.”

  “Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “How can you always be watching me? That’s not even feasible.”

  A faint smile curved up his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not going to let him hurt you again.”

  “Why?”

  He blinked. “You’re asking me why?”

  “Yeah, why do you care? I mean, you barely know me, Luc. Why do you—”

  “Not want to see you hurt or dead? Gee, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m a decent Origin?”

  “So, you protect all helpless humans you come across?”

  “Not all of them,” he said slowly. “Only the special ones.”

  “Luc.”

  He sighed as his gaze returned to the pictures. “Only you would ask a question like that.”

  “Only you would answer the question all evasively,” I shot back.

  “Because I know how much you love it,” he replied. “I know the sight of me probably disgusts you at this point, but you’re going to have to deal with me being around for a little longer, like it or not.”

  “Wait. What? Why would you say that?” I asked, genuinely confused. “That you would disgust me?”

  “I don’t?” His gaze inched back to mine. “I just told you that I killed a bunch—”

  “I know what you told me,” I cut in, not wanting him to have to say those words again. “And I don’t know what to say to that. The only thing I can think of is that it’s not fair that those kids were raised to become something like that. It’s not fair that people who tried to take care of them turned into victims. And it’s sure as hell not fair that you had to be put in a situation where you had to do something like that.”

  Surprise widened his eyes. “You really think that? That I had to do that?”

  “What else could you have done, Luc? I wasn’t there. I didn’t know these kids, and I … don’t know you all that well, but I think I know you would’ve done that only if it was your last option.”

  “It was.” His voice was low. Hoarse.

  “I’m sorry.” When he opened his mouth to speak again, I rushed on. “I’m sorry for all of you. For those kids and for you—I’m just sorry, and…” Anger flowed over me in a powerful wave. “And I hate that my mother—and my father—had a role in this. You have no idea how hard it is for me to not say something to my mom. I have so many things I want to say to her.”

  Luc was quiet, oddly so.

  Wanting to offer some level of comfort, I reached out. I hesitated with my hand a few inches from him, but then I placed my hand on his upper arm. Luc jerked as if my touch had scalded him, but he didn’t pull away. “I don’t know what you must be feeling or felt when you had to do that.”

  He folded his hand over mine. “Someone who obviously has a problem with me broke your arm today, and you’re wanting to make me feel better?”

  I lifted a shoulder as I slipped my hand out from under his. “I guess so.”

  Luc opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but then he looked away.

  I followed his gaze. Something occurred to me. “You never had any of that, did you?”

  “Had what?”

  I leaned a little closer to him. “Friends you went to parties with. Dressing up for Halloween. Sleeping in for no reason. Changing your Facebook profile pic three times in an hour just because you could? Pictures? Memories?”

  “Memories? I have memories. Some of them are … actually beautiful,” he confessed. “Those memories came after my time with the Daedalus.”

  At once, I knew who he was talking about. “Your friend? What was her name? Nadia?”

  His shoulders tensed.

  “You miss her, don’t you?”

  Luc laughed, but it was without humor. “With every single breath I take.”

  Wow. My heart squeezed in my chest as curiosity filled me. “Were you two together?” The question sounded ridiculous, because if my father was involved in her death, that had to be more than four years ago. Luc would’ve only be
en fourteen and she would’ve been thirteen. Then again, I’d seen some super-intimate young ’uns before.

  “Like, together?” He laughed again, and once more, there was little softness to the sound. “I never would’ve been that lucky.”

  Aww. My shoulders slumped. That was sweet and kind of sad, all things considered. “Did you…” Wondering if I was pushing too hard, I dampened my lips. “Did you love her, Luc?”

  His eyes closed, and that beautiful face was stricken. Utterly broken wide open as he reopened his eyes and said, “With every breath I take.”

  The knot in my throat expanded, and I suddenly wanted to cry. He said take and not took. Even though she was gone, he was still in love with her. That was beautiful in the way only heartbreak could be.

  Luc turned away from my pictures. Shadows clung to his gaze. “None of that matters now. You can’t go back. The past is the past. Nadia is … She’s gone. And so is the Daedalus, and soon there will be one less Origin to deal with.”

  Pressure clamped down on my chest. “And it has to be you?”

  “It has to be.” He let his head fall back. “Sometimes I wonder if everything we went through changed anything in the long run.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Luc didn’t answer, but he didn’t move back, either. Our faces were only several inches apart. Neither of us said anything.

  A long moment passed, and I pulled back, running my hands down my face. Leaning against the headboard, I yawned. “My brain feels like it’s going to implode.”

  “We wouldn’t want that to happen. It would be messy.”

  I peeked over the tips of my fingers. “So, what are we going to do?”

  He smoothed his hand over the comforter. “‘We’?”

  “About psycho Origin guy?”

  Drawing his bottom lip in between his teeth, he grinned a little. “We aren’t going to do anything. I will find him. I will take care of it.”

  “And I’m just supposed to sit around and twiddle my thumbs?”

  “Yeah.” He paused, his hand stilling. “Or you could sit around and read a book about Vikings claiming some fair maiden.”

  “Shut up,” I grumbled. “I have to do something, Luc.”

  He lay down on his back, resting his hands on his stomach. “What can you do, Peaches? Not trying to be a jerk, but you can’t fight an Origin. You’re … you’re damn lucky you’re sitting here.”

  My stomach took a tumble. “I know that, but there has to be something.”

  He turned his head toward me. “That’s why you have the stun gun. Just in case. But other than that, you’re going to stay as safe as possible.”

  My eyes narrowed even as my heart started to kick around in my chest as the fear began to take hold again. I didn’t want to think about that Origin, even though I had to.

  One side of his lips tipped up. “Deal with it.”

  “You’re annoying.”

  “It’s a special talent of mine.”

  I cleared my throat as I peeked over at him. He was watching me from his super-comfy position on my bed. “So, the whole not glowing thing? Is that something I should be worried about?”

  A shadow flickered over Luc’s face. “Honestly?”

  My stomach dipped. “Honestly.”

  “I don’t know. You’re human. You should have a trace.” He shifted onto his side, propping his chin up with his fist. “Maybe you’re an angel.”

  I blinked. “Come again?”

  His grin crept across his face. “Because it’s like you fell from heaven.”

  The tips of my ears burned. “Did you … seriously just say that out loud?”

  “I did.” He chuckled. “And I have more.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. Get ready for them. No woman or man can resist these,” he said, biting down on that lip. A moment passed. “Life without you is like a broken pencil. Pointless.”

  I had no words.

  “Struck speechless. Can’t blame you. How about this one? Good thing I have my library card, because I’m so checking you out.”

  “Oh my God.” I laughed. “That’s terrible.”

  “As bad as this? You know what’s on the menu?”

  A smile tugged at my lips. “What?”

  “Me ’n’ u,” he replied.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Did you just come out of the oven?” he asked.

  “Oh God.”

  “Because you’re hot.”

  “Please stop.”

  “Well, here I am. What are your other two wishes?” he replied.

  I shook my head.

  “I’m lost.”

  “Yeah, you are,” I muttered.

  He flicked my calf. “Can you give me directions to your heart?”

  I shot him a withering look.

  “You remind me of peaches. Sweet—”

  “Don’t even finish that sentence.” I held up my hand. “I think it’s time that you leave.”

  “I can’t.”

  “What do you mean you can’t?”

  “Because you’ve swept me off my feet.”

  Letting out a reluctant laugh, I nudged his leg with my foot. I knew what he was doing. Distracting me from thinking things that were likely going to haunt my sleep tonight. “You seriously need to leave before I staple your mouth shut.”

  “Okay. I’ll stop, but I’m staying until your mom gets home. Deal with it.”

  I started to protest, but then I thought about Heidi and Emery. Anxiety buzzed under my skin. “You think that guy is going to come here?”

  “I don’t want to take the chance.” His eyes met mine. “I shouldn’t have taken the chance in the first place. I’m not doing it again.”

  “If my mom catches you here—”

  “I’ll be gone the moment she walks into this house,” he assured me. “She won’t even know I’m here.”

  “I have the stun gun,” I reminded him, nodding at the nightstand.

  “I know, but I’m really hoping to prevent you from having to use it.”

  Letting Luc stay here wasn’t particularly wise, but neither was ignoring a credible threat, and truth was, I … I really didn’t want him to leave. Especially since that guy had gotten in here twice.

  The fear I’d been trying to suppress all evening tore through me once more. My next breath went nowhere. Keep it together. I was safe. For now. And I could deal with this. After all, I’d dealt with the invasion. I’d survived that.

  Luc’s hand curved over mine, causing me to jerk. My eyes flew to his. “You know,” he said, his gaze searching mine, “it’s okay to be afraid.”

  A knot formed in the back of my throat. “Is it, really?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know.” I lifted a shoulder. “Being afraid clouds your thinking. It gets in the way. It makes you weak.”

  “Sometimes. And sometimes it clears your thoughts and makes you stronger and quicker.” His fingers slipped under mine and then he was holding my hand.

  Flutters picked up in my chest, like a nest of butterflies stirring. I tried to stamp down the feeling, but it was there. I averted my gaze.

  “Okay,” I said finally.

  Luc let go of me, then sat up and extended his hand. The TV remote flew from the desk to his palm. I really wished I had that talent.

  I stayed quiet as Luc got himself situated, which somehow ended up with us shoulder to shoulder at the head of the bed. He turned on the TV. “I wonder if there are any Arnold Schwarzenegger movies on.”

  Slowly, I turned my head to him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “That’s random.”

  “He’s just so quotable,” he reasoned, flipping through the channels.

  I really couldn’t respond to that and I really couldn’t believe I was sitting here, next to Luc in bed while he searched for old Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.

  Life was strange.

  And I had a feeling it was about to get
stranger.

  24

  When I woke several hours later, I was staring at the TV. Confusion swept through me. There was some kind of infomercial playing, but I couldn’t figure out what it was since the volume was low.

  The soft light from the TV cast flickering shadows throughout the bedroom. It was still nighttime, and I.…

  Oh my God.

  For the second time in only a handful of hours, I wasn’t alone in a bed. I was lying on my back, and there was a warm, heavy arm tossed over my waist, and a leg—an actual boy leg—tangled between mine. My eyes went wide as they shifted from the TV to the ceiling, and my heart skyrocketed into uncharted territories.

  Luc was right next to me, so close that I could feel his breath against my temple.

  I remained very still, close to holding my breath.

  How did this happen? I remembered Luc listing all the memorable Arnold Schwarzenegger lines, and there had been a lot, before he ended up settling on some crime show about murders. Totally a weird combination to fall asleep to, but I had, and here we were, together. At least we were on top the comforter, but I didn’t think that made much of a difference.

  At least Mom hadn’t checked in on us, because I would’ve known if that happened. Her screams of rage would’ve woken me and—

  Luc’s entire body shifted.

  It wasn’t much, maybe just half an inch, but it was everything. His thigh shifted against mine, between mine, and his arm moved. Somehow, I didn’t even know how, his hand was flat against my stomach. My bare stomach. His fingers moved in a small, unconscious way, dragging over the skin near my navel. I bit down on my lip as I squeezed my eyes shut.

  I had no idea what to do. I should get up or wake him up. Do something, but I did nothing. I lay there as a sweet fire built under my skin, making it difficult to remember exactly why this was wrong, because it didn’t feel that way. It felt right.

  Every part of my body was aware of his. The strength in his hand, the hardness of his thigh, and the steady dancing of his breath, and we were lying together like we’d done this a thousand times.

  Oh boy, I was wide-awake now.

  He was a super-attractive guy, and I’d been through a lot. Had had my arm broken, and stuff—other stuff had happened. I was vulnerable to doing and thinking stupid things. Plus my hormones were kicking into high gear, shooting lightning through my veins. Yep. That was exactly why I was letting myself sink farther into his warmth.

 

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