Relaxing was the last thing I was going to do. “They don’t look like they’re about to hug.”
He cracked a toothy grin. “That might be the truth, but that boy has got bigger problems than messing with an Arum. Bigger problems than you, to tell the truth.”
“Like what?” I challenged. Considering how messed up my life was right now, I doubted that.
The bouncer unfurled his arms and scratched at his chin. A couple of moments passed and then he said, “They took his girl from him, and getting her back ain’t going to be easy. Probably impossible.”
Not expecting that, I took a step back and plopped down on the couch. “Who took her?”
“The government.”
My head churned that over. “Why?”
One large shoulder rose in a shrug. “Why not? The gov does what it wants. So do the Luxen. So do the Arum.” He paused. “We’re in their world, babe. Don’t ya worry about the Luxen boy in there with Luc. Worry about yourself.”
I didn’t have a lot of time to mull those happy, happy words over. The door swung open and Hunter stalked in, totally unscathed. I started to get to my feet.
He held up a hand. “I’m fine.”
“I can see that. What was going on out there?”
“Nothing really,” he answered. The bouncer left the room and Hunter faced me. “He’s here to talk to Luc. It has nothing to do with us.”
I felt guilty for the amount of relief that coursed through me. “It’s about…a girl?”
Hunter nodded, seeming distracted. “That’s what it sounds like.”
Thinking about what the bouncer had said, I leaned back against the surprisingly comfortable cushion. “Why would they take her away? Did she find out what he was?”
“I don’t know why, but I’m thinking it’s more than that. Maybe he mutated her.” Hunter rubbed at his forehead. “Either way, if they’ve got her, then he has little hope of getting her out.”
I sucked in a soft breath, saddened by the situation, even though the boy outside was a Luxen and I didn’t know them. Another life in shambles, and for what? I really didn’t know. Honestly, I didn’t know anything anymore.
“You’re so human.”
Lifting my head, I found Hunter watching me with a curious expression. “Yeah, that’s me. Human through and through.”
He took a step toward me but stopped. “I didn’t mean that as an insult. I can see your sadness for them. You care for them even though you never met them. It is very human of you.”
I really didn’t know what to think of that. Empathy wasn’t something abnormal to me and I didn’t think it was such a strange notion to Hunter, either. “You’re more human than you realize, Hunter.”
He looked like he wished to argue, but the door opened once more and Luc prowled in, sending Hunter a sidelong glance. “You should’ve stayed in here, Hunter.”
“Call me crazy, but I didn’t like the idea of a Luxen being here and me not knowing what was going down.”
Luc walked behind the desk and sat down. “You are crazy, but that has been established already. Anyway, let’s get this show on the road before I have more unexpected visitors crawling out of my ass.”
My brows rose, but I wisely said nothing.
Luc opened up a door and pulled out a slender silver cuff. In the middle was a black, oval-shaped piece of opal with a red streak down the middle. He tossed it over to Hunter, who snatched it out of the air with a flick of his wrist. I’d swear the moment Hunter slapped that cuff around his wrist, his cheeks brightened.
Weird.
“You know I don’t give these over easily. I’ve turned better allies away when they needed one.” Luc paused. “Therefore this counts toward your one favor.”
“Fine.” Hunter’s gaze darkened. “That’s all I need.”
“Not true. You need a Luxen to feed from.”
Hunter cracked his neck to the side. “I can find a Luxen elsewhere.”
Luc smiled. “That would be unnecessary. I can work that out for you, provide a willing snack, but you’ll owe me.”
“Willing?” I glanced back and forth. “There’s Luxen willing to be fed off of?”
“There are Luxen willing to do anything for me,” Luc corrected. “And this way it will be much safer and quicker. Not to mention, you’re getting someone’s permission. That’s good karma, Hunter. You could use that.”
Hunter scowled. “Yeah, and then I owe you. I know how this game works. No thank you.”
“Aw.” Luc feigned hurt. “My favors aren’t that bad.”
“Yeah, and I’m secretly a cuddly rabbit.”
A broad grin crossed Luc’s face as he propped his elbows on the table. “Look, all I would ask is for you to help me out in a time of need. That’s all. Agree to that and then I’ll bring someone in here. Easy. Painless. You’ll be on your way.”
Hunter opened his mouth, but I stepped in. “Wait. So you’d just need help one day? Help with what?”
“Whatever I may need help with,” he replied.
Hunter sighed.
“And this Luxen seriously won’t have a problem with Hunter feeding off him?”
“Seriously.”
I looked at Hunter. Granted, I had no idea what kind of whacked-out favors Luc could call in, but forcing a Luxen, no matter what their race had done, didn’t set well with me.
Hunter met my stare and then cursed under his breath as he turned back to a positively beaming Luc. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll help you in your time of need.”
I let out a breath as Luc rose and clapped his hands. “Great.” He pulled a phone out of his pocket, his fingers flying over the screen. “This shouldn’t take long at all.”
“Is it that punk ass from outside?” Hunter started to smile. “Because I really would enjoy that.”
I thought of the young man with the fierce green eyes and doubted he’d agreed to that.
Luc laughed. “No. He’s got his hands full right now.”
Hunter looked disappointed, but a few moments later, he stilled and I knew a Luxen had arrived. The two headed to the door.
“You should really stay in here this time,” Hunter said.
For once, I listened. Watching the unlikely duo leave the office, I dropped my head into my hands. Witnessing Hunter feed wasn’t high on my to-do list. There was already enough that reminded me of how different we truly were.
Chapter 27
The Luxen Luc had brought in had been the typical arrogant fuck, but was surprisingly accommodating when it came to the feeding. Methinks he got off on the pain. Whatever.
Raw and pure energy coursed through me, amplified by the opal. If I didn’t do anything crazy with the borrowed energy, I’d be riding this wave for a long time.
When the Luxen scampered off, I turned to Luc. He leaned against the bar and folded his arms, giving me an arched look. “What?” I asked.
He shrugged one shoulder. “So what’s the plan now?”
The plan—the fucking plan. I turned, shoving my hand through my hair. “I’m heading to Georgia.”
“To your brother?”
I nodded.
“Sounds like a good idea. He knows how to stay off the radar.” He paused. “And what about Serena?”
Facing Luc, I wondered why in the hell I was even considering talking to him about this. Then again, it was Luc, and weird shit always happened around him. “She wants to go back to Colorado.”
He raised his brows. “And for what?”
“There’s something her friend left behind. It might be important.”
“I’m assuming it has to do with what her friend overheard and the Luxen’s nefarious plans?” When I didn’t answer, Luc laughed softly. “If there’s evidence of that, it is important. Though, I doubt bringing such things to light would change anything.”
“So you think Serena should go back there? Risk her life?”
Luc hopped up on the bar and let his legs dangle off. “I think it’s all rather
pointless. Evidence is important, but like I said, it ain’t going to change a damn thing. The DOD will shove their heads further into the sand or they’ll just go after Luxen who don’t have anything to do with this Project Eagle.”
I frowned. “Is there really anything such as a good Luxen?”
“Is there really such a thing as a good Arum?” he challenged. “I’m sure you would’ve considered your sister a good one.”
My jaw locked down. “If you value your life at all, you will not ever speak of my sister.”
“Hey.” He raised his hands. “All I am saying is that there are innocent baby aliens on both sides. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. You aren’t planning on accompanying Serena to Colorado?”
I snorted. “I don’t have a death wish.”
“And you’re seriously going to let her go by herself?”
I opened my mouth but said nothing. I wanted to say yes, because that would be the easy and smart thing to do, but that one damn word wouldn’t come out of my mouth. But I already knew the truth. I wasn’t going to let her go without me. I never would have.
Luc pursed his lips. “Well, maybe I read it wrong.”
My irritation resurfaced. “Read what?”
“You and her.”
“And?” When he said nothing, I forced myself not to punt-kick him off the bar. “Fuck. What about us?”
Luc shrugged again. “I just didn’t think you’d let her go off by herself. That you’d be more, I don’t know, concerned about her well-being.”
“Why would you think that?”
He raised his brows.
“I’m an Arum, Luc. I’m not a fucking human, a Luxen, or whatever the hell you are.” I stalked over to where he sat and he just smiled at me. “I’m not—”
“Fooling me,” he cut in with a fucking wink. “You went against the DOD to protect her. You killed two officers, which is a death sentence for you if they ever catch you. Call me crazy, but that means something.”
“Means what?”
Luc cocked his head to the side. “You never struck me as the stupid type, Hunter.”
My eyes narrowed. “And you never struck me as the suicidal type, smartass.”
He laughed. “All I’m saying is that you know what it means. You just don’t want to acknowledge it yet.”
“Why don’t you enlighten me, you little tool.”
Casting me a sideways look, he hopped down and started back toward the office. “Arum are pretty thick-skulled.”
For a brief moment I entertained the idea of throwing him across the club. “Luc.”
He spared me a quick grin as he opened the door. Beyond him, Serena jumped up from the couch, her gaze moving from me to Luc.
She clasped her hands together. “Did everything go…uh, smoothly?”
“He’s fed like a fat baby,” Luc replied, and I rolled my eyes. “So you’re heading to Colorado?”
Serena glanced at me. “Yes.”
“How are you getting there?” he asked.
She shifted her weight from one foot to the next; the air around her humming a faint blue. “I really don’t know.”
Luc smiled. “Well, flying will be too risky. You can’t do that. But I have a few spare cars you can borrow, plus some money for gas and food. It’s about a twenty-three-hour drive, so you’ll—”
“Wait a sec,” I interrupted as I moved between them. “You’re going to give her a car and money to go there?”
Luc blinked innocently. That little fuck. “I gave you a piece of opal and a Luxen to nom-nom on.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I growled. “It’s dangerous—”
“Then go with her,” he threw out as he turned back to Serena. “That is, if she even wants you to go with her. I would totally understand if she didn’t.”
Oh, for the love of fuck. “She’s not going to Colorado by—”
“She is standing right here, buddy.” Serena got right up in my face, and it was almost laughable. “You don’t have a say in this at all, if I remember correctly.”
I stared down at her. The chick was insane. Eyes more green than brown, fiery and alive, and her chin stuck out stubbornly. She looked like she wanted to throttle me.
Fucking hot.
“Maybe I’ll let you two talk this out.” Luc began backing up toward the door.
Serena crossed her arms. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
I shot Luc a look and he bowed out, much to Serena’s displeasure. She huffed. “There seriously isn’t anything to talk about.”
Leaning against the desk, I fought to keep a stupid smile off my face…and kiss her, because I really wanted to get my hands all over her right now. Doubted she’d be up for that right this second. “I can’t let you go there by yourself.”
“This conversation is stupid.” She turned away, tugging a hand through her hair. “You’ve already said your piece last night and so did I. You can’t stop me.”
“I’m not planning on stopping you.”
Serena faced me, brows lowered. “Then what are you saying?”
Good question. “I’m going with you.”
Her mouth dropped open and, yeah, the statement surprised me. Up to three minutes ago, there was no way in hell that I’d go there, but Luc was right about her “well-being” and all that shit.
She shook her head slowly. “You said that going to Colorado was stupid and suicidal.”
“And also pointless,” I added. “But I can’t let you do this alone.”
Her eyes widened. “Why? You seemed pretty damn sure about your decision last night.”
I really had no idea what to say to that.
“Is it because Luc was giving me a way to go? Do you actually feel guilty now?” She laughed then. “Do Arum even feel guilty?”
“Typically? No.”
Her eyes rolled. “Look, I don’t want you going with me because you feel you have to.”
“I do feel like I have to.”
Serena’s lips thinned, and then she shook her head again. “This is not your problem.”
“You are my problem.”
Now she stared at me like I asked to hump her leg. Perhaps I was saying the wrong things and should shut the fuck up.
Serena blinked rapidly and then she started for the door. “I’m not your problem, Hunter. Not anymore. You did your job. It’s over. Go to your brother. I don’t expect you to risk your life for something that has nothing to do with you.”
“Wait.” I moved so I was in front of Serena and placed my hands on her shoulders. “I’m saying this the wrong way.”
She arched a brow. “You think?”
I took a shallow breath. “I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t know what’s going on in my head, Serena. I’ve been thinking things I’ve never thought before, so all of this is new to me. I’m saying the wrong shit, so let me start over?”
She stared up at me and then nodded slowly. “Okay.”
“I wouldn’t have let you go there by yourself. I thought—fuck—I thought if I said that, you wouldn’t go without me. I wanted you to go to Georgia so you’d be safe, and so that you’d be with me. Not because I thought it was my job. And I didn’t want you to go to Colorado because I don’t want you to get hurt. It is dangerous, and I…I don’t like the thought of that.” Shit. Next I’ll hold her hand and start talking about butterflies and rainbows. Fuck me. “Look, I get why you need to do this. I don’t agree with it, but I’m going to…be there with you, and afterward we will go to Georgia together.”
Her throat worked. “All of that is…so very human.”
I winced.
A soft laugh escaped her. “It’s not really a bad thing, you know?”
“Your opinion.”
Serena tipped her head back and several moments passed before she spoke. “What does all of this mean? You’ve already risked so much and you’re going to do it again. And you want me to go to Georgia with you.” Two bright pink spots appeared on her che
eks. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had feelings for me.”
It felt like a python had wrapped itself around my chest. Even though I didn’t know what it felt like to have “feelings” for someone that went beyond wanting to fuck them or kill them or get away from them, there was so much truth in her words.
She laughed at what was most likely a fucked-up expression on my face. “Baby steps,” she said. “We’ll take baby steps.”
Chapter 28
I used to believe that Colorado was in the middle of the United States. I’m not sure why I thought this, but I discovered that Kansas was indeed the middle of the United States.
How did I know this useless factoid?
We stopped to fill up on gas in Lebanon. While Hunter did the car thing, I headed in for some snacks. Their signs proudly proclaimed itself as the middle of the United States. Awesome.
Arms full with the kind of food that would add ten pounds to my ass in a heartbeat, I headed across the cracked pavement as a county cruiser rolled in. It slowed down as it passed me, windows up and tinted.
I shivered in spite of the heat as I hurried to where Hunter was shutting the latch on the gas tank. “See the police car?”
He glanced over his shoulder as he unloaded half of my fattening goodies from my arms. “Yeah. What about it?”
Maybe I was being paranoid? I shrugged. “I don’t know. Just gave me the creeps. It was like I could feel him…watching me.”
Hunter opened my car door as he eyeballed the cruiser. With the leather pants and dark sunglasses, he looked pretty badass doing it.
I slid in as the police car door opened. A portly, older cop hauled himself out and headed into the convenience store without a backward glance in our direction.
Letting out the breath I was holding, I smiled up at Hunter. “I guess he was just staring at the junk food I was carrying.”
He smirked and then closed the door.
Back on the road, the creeped-out feeling vanished as we dug into the food. I also learned that Hunter only needed one hand to drive. I got real intimately familiar with the other hand. Hunter was…very talented.
A few times throughout the trip, he picked up on the passing presence of Luxen and Arum, but we didn’t have any problems. Though his alien senses were going off about a mile outside of Denver. As we traveled further on South Broadway, drawing closer to the post office, acid was chewing a hole through my stomach.
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