Dee’s hand fluttered around her as she spoke. “I was outside, and it looked as if a light show was going on in your bedroom. Daemon said you were probably mas—”
And Dee also knew no boundaries.
“Ah, no, please don’t finish that sentence.” He lowered his hands, eyes narrowing at his sister. “Don’t ever finish that sentence.”
She rolled her eyes as she tucked her legs under her. “So, what were you doing?”
“I was thinking.”
Her delicate brows arched. “Thinking caused the light show? Wow. That’s kind of sad, Dawson.”
He grinned. “I know, right?”
She nudged his leg. “Yeah, and you’re not telling me the truth.”
“And yeah, it’s late. Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
Her evergreen eyes rolled. “When did you become Dad? It’s bad enough that Daemon is all parental on us. Not you, too.”
Daemon was parental. He was only a few minutes older than them, but he made sure those few minutes counted.
And the last thing Dawson wanted to do was talk about Bethany with Dee. Talking about Bethany with any of them would be an unnecessary complication at this point. Luxen weren’t forbidden to date humans per say, but the DOD wasn’t down for it and what was the point? Hooking up was one thing, but a relationship? It wasn’t like Dawson could be upfront with what he was. If he did, the DOD would make sure the human disappeared, and who wanted that on his conscience? Then there was the big question. How could you be in a serious relationship with someone and hide who you were?
Not to mention the fact that no one knew if humans and Luxen could even…mate. Offspring were unheard of.
“Why were you outside?” he asked instead.
Her shoulders deflated immediately. “Ash was here.”
Oh, no.
“So, she and Daemon aren’t seeing each other. Again.” Their relationship was like a soap opera for sixteen-year-olds. Granted, the Luxen matured a lot faster than humans, but Dawson couldn’t figure the two out. “And she was outside, yelling at him. Can’t believe you didn’t hear.”
That’s because he was so wrapped up in thinking about Bethany. “Why was she yelling?”
“I don’t know. Daemon probably was looking at another girl or something.” She sighed. “Or he didn’t want to hang out. You never know with her. I sometimes wish they’d break up and stay apart.”
“You just don’t like Ash.”
“It’s not that I dislike her.” Dee pushed off the bed and shot across the room, appearing beside his window. “I just think she’s a bitch.”
Dawson choked on his laugh. “Yeah, you don’t dislike her at all.”
She spun around, hands planted on her hips. “She’s not right for Daemon. And he’s not right for her.”
Sitting up, Dawson swung his legs off the bed and stood. Close to midnight and he felt like he could go for a run. It was going to be a long night. “Who is right for Daemon?”
“Someone who’s not needy, for starters,” she said, skipping over to the bed. “And someone who really cares about him. You know Ash chases after him because it’s expected. Not because she really loves him.”
Dawson’s eyes narrowed into a shrewd stare. “Does this have more to do with you and Adam than Daemon and Ash?”
Her lips puckered. “Not at all.”
“Uh huh.” Sympathy for his sister and brother unfurled, and he started pacing. The Elders didn’t control who they were mated with, but they made suggestions, which were more like expectations. Their race was thinning out and needed repopulating. He got that. Didn’t mean he had to agree with it.
But for right now, Dawson had lucked out. There weren’t any other females in his age group here, but one day he knew another Luxen female would be brought in. Or he would be forced to go to her.
And leave his family behind.
He ran his hands through his hair, already knowing he was probably going to be an outcast one day. He’d deny the Elders’ wishes, plain and simple. Just like he knew Daemon would eventually, because he would never end up with a Luxen like Ash.
But Dee? He glanced at her, feeling anger stir. Dee would be with Adam, whether she loved him or not, and that killed him. His sister deserved better.
All of them deserved better.
…
Dawson had barely slept, but he was up and jonesing to get to school, even though the March sun had broken through the heavy clouds, already melting the remnants of snow. It would be a great morning to cut class and go out on one of the many trails, but not today…
On his third bowl of Count Chocula, he leaned against the counter and dug in. “Good morning, bro,” he said, watching Daemon shuffle into the kitchen.
Daemon grumbled something as he ambled toward the pantry. Grabbing a Pop-Tart, he unwrapped and devoured the pastry without toasting it. His gaze flicked up, meeting Dawson’s. “What?”
“Nothing,” Dawson said, swallowing another mouthful. “Gonna be an awesome day.”
Eyes narrowing, his brother asked pointedly, “Why are you so chirpy this morning?”
“I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to be chirpy.”
Dee zipped into the kitchen, her light fading out and revealing a cascade of dark, wavy hair falling over her slender shoulders. She grabbed the jug of milk and went for the Froot Loops. All of them were eating the breakfast of champions.
“Good morning!” She whipped a bowl out of the cupboard.
Daemon arched a brow. “That’s chirpy.”
“And I sound nothing like that,” Dawson replied. “Just saying.”
A frown creased Dee’s brow. “What am I missing?”
“Your brother is all excitable this morning,” Daemon said. “For school. There’s something inherently wrong with that.”
Dawson smirked. “There’s something inherently wrong with the fact that Dee and I have to stand here and talk to you while you’re in your boxers.”
“True that,” Dee murmured, making a gagging motion with her finger.
“Whatever.” Daemon stretched, flashing a lazy grin. “Don’t be jealous I’m the better-looking brother.”
Rolling his eyes, Dawson didn’t even bother pointing out the fact that there wasn’t a single thing different about them. Well, other than the fact that Dawson had a way better attitude. Instead of dumping the bowl and spoon like he normally did, he washed and dried them, setting them aside. Pivoting around, he darted his eyes back and forth between his siblings.
They stared openmouthed at him.
“What?” he demanded.
“Did you just…clean a dish?” Dee backed away slowly, blinking. She glanced at Daemon. “The world is going to end. And I’m still a vir—”
“No!” both the brothers yelled in unison.
Daemon looked like he was actually going to vomit. “Jesus, don’t ever finish that statement. Actually, don’t ever change that. Thank you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You expect me to never have—”
“This isn’t a conversation I want to start my morning with.” Dawson grabbed his book bag off the kitchen table. “I’m so leaving for school before this gets more detailed.”
“And why aren’t you dressed yet?” Dee demanded, her full attention concentrated on Daemon. “You’re going to be late.”
“I’m always late.”
“Punctuality makes perfect.”
Daemon’s sigh traveled through the whole downstairs. “It’s practice makes perfect, sis.”
“Same thing.”
There was a pause. “You’re right. Totally the same thing.”
As Dawson reached the front door, he heard Dee say, “You know you’re my favorite brother, right?”
Dawson smiled.
A deep chuckle came from the kitchen, and then, “I heard you telling Dawson that two days ago. I guess that means today you want to ride with me.”
“Maybe.” She drew out the word.
Closing
the door behind him, Dawson stepped outside and headed toward his car. It didn’t take long for Dawson to get to school. Quicker if he lost his human skin but also hard to explain. Since he was early, he listened to music in his Jetta. Then he filed into school, tapped his foot through homeroom, all but bum-rushed the English room, and took his seat, avoiding Kimmy’s all-too-happy smiles.
Twenty seconds in, Dawson realized he wasn’t breathing. Like, not breathing at all. Luxen didn’t need oxygen, but they went through the mechanics to keep up appearances. Looking around frantically, he was relieved to see that no one seemed to notice.
Jesus. He could see the headlines now. Aliens Among Us. Run!
But when Bethany came into class, her dark hair pulled back into a low ponytail, showing off her graceful neck, he may have stopped breathing again. A thousand charming words strung together in his head in a nanosecond, but he averted his eyes to his empty notebook. Notes? Who really took notes in class? Dawson wanted to see if she would talk to him first.
God, he was like a teenage girl. He was so screwed.
Bethany slid around in her chair, pulling one leg up against her chest. She twirled a pen in her right hand. “Hey, Dawson.”
She. Spoke. To. Him. First. It was like winning the lottery, getting laid, and climbing the highest cliff all rolled into one. But he needed to play it cool, because he was trending into lame-o land at a quick pace.
Lifting his chin, he smiled. “You decided to come back for day two. Brave girl.”
“I’m adventurous. What can I say?”
How adventurous? “After I saw the way you handled the paddle yesterday in gym, I can imagine.”
Her cheeks flushed, and it made her all the more pretty. “I’m like a professional ping-pong player. I got skills.”
Without realizing it, he was leaning forward. Only a few inches separated their faces. God, how he loved the fact she didn’t pull away or act coy. She stared back, meeting him head-on.
Words came right out of his mouth. “What are you doing this weekend?”
The pen she held in her hand stopped moving. She blinked, as if surprised, and then her lashes swept back up. “Dad’s been working all week, so we barely see him, and we have family time on Saturday with Uncle Will—” She cut herself off. “But I’m free on Sunday.”
Sunday seemed way too far away, but he’d take it. “Would you like to get lunch?”
Her rosy lips formed an O and then slipped into a grin. “Are you asking me out, Dawson?”
Before he could answer, Daemon strolled down the aisle, his acute gaze drifting over Bethany’s upturned face. He gave her a slight, tight-lipped smile. The smile he typically gave people before he ate them alive.
Bethany smiled back.
Dawson wanted to pummel his brother into the ground. The territorial reaction caused a gut check with reality that didn’t go unnoticed by Daemon. His eyes narrowed. Using the path of communication their kind favored, he sent his brother a little message. Knock it off, brother.
There wasn’t a flicker of emotion on Daemon’s expression. What am I doing?
Dawson started to fire back but stopped. What the hell was he warning his brother about? Looking at Bethany wrong? Daemon didn’t shy away from human females, but he also didn’t make a habit of going after them.
Deciding to ignore him for right now, because he was sure he’d have to explain himself later, he refocused on what was important. Bethany. “Am I asking you out? That’s what it sounds like.”
Behind him, Daemon sounded like he was choking, and then in Dawson’s head, What the hell, brother?
Dawson didn’t respond, but there was no mistaking the tension rolling off Daemon, nor the conversation Dawson knew was coming, but oddly, he really didn’t care.
He smiled at Bethany.
Chapter 4
Bethany was sort of shocked. Yeah, she expected Dawson to chat with her, maybe even flirt a little, but ask her out? Just like that? Color her surprised…and impressed.
“Good.” She glanced down at the pen in her fingers, wondering how she’d get out of the house with a boy. “Um, should I meet you somewhere…?”
A flash of satisfaction deepened the hue of his green eyes. “I can pick you up.”
Oh, no no no. She could see her mother’s shrewd stare now as Bethany prepped for the inevitable interrogation. The embarrassment was already wiggling through her, causing her fingers to tighten around the pen. “Um, I’d rather meet you somewhere. Nothing personal, but my parents—”
“Are strict? Totally cool.” He didn’t miss a beat, and she appreciated that. “There’s a diner in town. Nothing special, but the food is great. The Smoke Hole Diner — have you heard of it?”
She hadn’t, and Dawson quickly gave her directions. Nothing was too hard to find in Petersburg, as long as it wasn’t around a bunch of back roads that all looked the same to her.
While they talked, Bethany noticed several of the girls, namely a blonde in front of her, blatantly eavesdropping. The blonde had the perfect body and face — tiny, perky looking. Being close to five eight, Bethany felt like Godzilla just sitting behind her. And then she noticed Dawson’s twin.
He was also listening.
Over Dawson’s shoulder, he watched them with narrowed eyes. Something in his hard expression said he wasn’t too pleased with what he was hearing. The thumping muscle in his jaw kind of gave him away, too.
Whatever his deal was, Bethany didn’t know, but she decided it would be best to steer clear of him…and of the Barbie.
Class started. Pride and Prejudice was on the reading list. Grumbles came from most of the guys in the room as Mr. Patterson handed out the novels. She’d already read the book — three times — so the essay on underlying social issues of the time wouldn’t be killer.
Placing the novel on her desk, she willed herself to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept going to the boy behind her. His aftershave — or was it even aftershave? — was a woodsy, outdoorsy scent that reminded her of campfires.
A very nice smell.
Unique and nothing boyish about it. Hell, there wasn’t anything boyish about Dawson. He was obviously her age, sixteen, but if she’d run into him outside of her school, she would’ve pegged him for a college guy. He had extraordinary confidence, something that most boys lacked at this age.
Maybe she was out of her league on this one. Guys like him tended to have a whole harem of girlfriends. Girlfriends like Barbie. Not girls who usually had paint under their fingernails.
Looking down at her hand, she cringed. Green paint was under her pinkie from last night. Crimson stained her cheeks. Last night she’d painted Dawson’s face, even though she’d told herself not to go there.
But she went there and then some.
Dammit. Obsessions always started with painting someone’s face, didn’t they?
Biting on the cap of her pen, she pretended to stretch her neck left, then right. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Dawson watching her with those intense eyes.
Their gazes locked.
And the air went right out of her lungs. Again, the concentrated power in his stare sent a shiver dancing over her skin. Like in the hallway yesterday, she felt the urge to move back. Because whatever was in his eyes…wasn’t normal; it was a real power that she couldn’t capture in the painting. An almost luminous quality she couldn’t get quite right.
He winked, and damn if it wasn’t sexy. Not skeevy at all or stupid looking. It was the kind of wink that movie stars did on the screen. Something no one in real life could pull off.
Yep, out of her league. Excitement hummed through her.
Grinning around her pen, she faced the front of the class before the teacher noticed her.
Dear God, she was seconds from melting into a useless pool of girlie girl.
When the bell rang, Dawson was already on his feet, standing beside her desk. His brother stopped behind him and remained there as Bethany shoved her books into her bag and stoo
d. It seemed like something unspoken passed between the twins, because Dawson smirked at his brother.
The twin finally edged around Dawson, glancing over his shoulder with a lopsided grin. “Behave,” was all he said. Out loud, at least.
Bethany’s brows rose. “Uh…”
“Ignore Daemon. That’s what I do most of the time.” Dawson extended his arm, and she slid in front of him. “He has poor social skills.”
Unsure if he was joking, she decided to skip right over that one. “It must be cool, having a twin, though.”
“Ah, not sure if cool is the right word.” He flashed a grin. “But we’re not twins.”
Out in the crowded hallway, Bethany frowned. “You’re not? Could’ve fooled me and the world.”
His laugh was husky, deep, and really nice to hear. “We’re triplets.”
Her eyes popped wide. “Holy crap, there’re three of you?”
“We have a sister.” He walked close to her, so their shoulders bumped every few steps. She found that deliciously distracting. “She’s fraternal and a lot prettier than us.”
There were three of them but one was a girl. Triplets. Craziness. “Are you guys close?”
He nodded, following her up the stairs like yesterday. Apparently being on time to class wasn’t a big deal for him.
“Yeah, we’re pretty close. Especially Dee, my sister, and me. She’s a doll.” He paused, angling his body around a flock of students. “Daemon isn’t too bad, either. The boy would give his left arm for the two of us. Do you have any siblings?”
“A brother — half brother,” she said, smiling. When he spoke of his sister and brother, there was real love in his voice. So rare nowadays. Most of her old friends back in Nevada did nothing but bitch about their brothers and sisters. “He’s only two.”
“Ah, a little butt…”
Bethany stopped right in the middle of the hall. “What did you say?”
Shadows (lux) Page 3