by Unknown
her fathers voice from downstairs.
Lennie? Jerry called from the hallway in front of Helens bedroom.
She had been so distracted by Hector she had forgotten to
listen for her dad.
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Yeah! Helen called down, motioning desperately for Hector to
get away from the door. She changed places with him and made it
inside just in time.
Are you sleeping up there again? Jerry asked when he saw
Helen shutting the door to the roof and coming down the steps.
Its way too cold out, Helen.
Do you have any idea how late it is? Go to sleep, she scolded as
she hurried past him.
I know, Im going to bed right now . . . Hey! You go to sleep,
Jerry scolded back, belatedly remembering that he was the parent.
As Helen jumped into bed and burrowed into her comforter, she
could have sworn she heard Hector chuckling softly to himself up
on the widows walk.
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UNCORRECTED E-PROOFNOT FOR SALE
HarperCollins Publishers
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Chapter Ten
MAJORCA, SPAIN Creon watched the reporter for five minutes before he decided
to uncloak himself from the shadows. He appeared
out of the darkness behind her, barely a step away. She
spun around and inhaled a startled breath so quickly it almost
sounded like a sob. There was something exhilarating
about seeing a woman afraid, Creon thought, especially when
that woman was a pushy bitch like this one. A little fear is good; it
reminded non-Scion mortals of their place, and Creon wanted this
mortal in particular to remember that she might be able to force
this meeting by threatening to have to police investigate his family,
but she wasnt in control.
Thats why he picked the docks at night. He wanted to see how
committed she truly was to writing a story on his family. The fact
that she met him there proved she had a spine, if not a brain, and
because of that Creon decided she deserved a moment of his time.
Besides, she made such a pleasant sound when she was startled.
Maybe he would hear it again.
He smiled down at her innocently, as if to let her know that he
was just playing a little trick. She met his eye, but she also took a
step backwhich meant she was brave but scared. Creon liked to
see those two emotions together; it made him feel like he had won
something.
Again, I ask for the father but instead I get the son, she said in
accented English.
I speak perfect Spanish, Creon replied in her native language,
still smiling at her. And you know my father doesnt meet
reporters.
Your father doesnt meet anyone. Thats why Im here, she continued
stubbornly in English. He shrugged impassively, refusing to
take the bait. She crossed her arms and studied him. Tantalus
Delos hasnt let anyone see him in almost twenty years now.
Strange, no?
He likes his privacy, Creon said through a grin that had grown
tight.
Privacy is the one luxury a billionaire aristocrat cant buy.
Youve heard the stories about your father, yes?
Theyre all lies, Creon said as smoothly as he could, but her
eyes were so doubtful he nearly faltered. How dare she?
Over the years there had been many stories floating around the
tabloids about his fatherthat he had been maimed, that he had
lost his mind to an obsessive-compulsive disorder like Howard
Hughes, that he was dead. Creon knew at least that his father was
alive, and he had vehemently denied all of the other accusations
time and time again. But the truth was, Creon hadnt seen or
spoken to his father in nineteen years. No one had seen Tantalus
except Creons mother, Mildred Delos.
His mother insisted that Tantalus was in hiding in order to protect
himself and the House of Thebes, but she never could explain
to Creon why his father wouldnt call him on the phone, not even
once. It seemed like such a little thing to ask.
All lies? You know this for certain? the reporter pressed as soon
as she saw Creon fall into his own conflicted thoughts. Creon noticed
that she kept speaking in English, almost as if she was taunting
him. For years now, you, your mother, your whole family, say
all these things are lies, but how do you know for true? Tell me,
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Creon, when is the last time you saw your father? I know he was
not at your graduation from university.
Creon gritted his teeth. My father is a very private man. He . . .
Pssh! she exclaimed derisively, cutting Creon off with an imperious
wave of her hand. She shouldnt have done that. This is
not privacy, this is lunacy! Can any mans privacy mean so much
that he would abandon his only son simply to stay out of the
papers?
Creons hand shot out and he had her by the throat before she
could even raise an arm in protest. She had such a tiny throat, so
slender and fragile. Creon thought it was like holding a thin kitten
in his hand. Her eyes blossomed with fear. The pupils opened up
and reflex tears beaded on their dark surface like dew. She was
lovely in terrora perfect, pleading mask of alabaster white skin,
wide eyes, and, best of all, her mouth, an open oval of red surprise
like she was waiting to be kissed. Creon wanted to hold her like
that for days, but a split second of enjoyment later and he heard a
snap.
Like a switched-off TV, the light in her eyes contracted to pinpricks,
and then went completely dark.
Creon dumped her body in the water and ran back to the citadel
so quickly no normal person could see him pass, even if they were
standing inches away.
Still shaking with a half-sickening thrill, he went straight up to
his room, and froze when he opened the door. His mother was
waiting for him. She was sitting next to his packed suitcase with
her narrow, manicured hands folded neatly in her lap, holding
something. Her head fell to the side as she stared at him. His
mother only needed to look at him to know that the meeting that
she had arranged, the meeting that was supposed to be nothing
more than a polite gesture, had ended violently.
Did you have to kill her? she asked seriously and without reproach.
Mildred was nothing if not practical.
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She provoked me, Creon said as he moved past his mother and
grabbed the handle of his suitcase. Besides, its better this way
and you know it.
Mildred dropped her eyes and nodded, accepting that her son
was right. More than one reporter had disappeared over the
years.
Given the situation, I approve of you leaving the country for a
while. She held up the plane ticket she had taken from the front
pocket of his suitcase and waved it at him before he could bolt out
of the room. He stopped dead, realizing that he had been caught.
What I dont approve of is your choice of destination. What do you
think youre going to accomplish by going there? Your father forbade
the Hundred to go anywhere near Nantucket.
He took a breath to calm himself down. It didnt work. Its their
fault we dont have what is rightfully ours, it has to be, because all
the other Houses are gone! I have to know how they can live with
themselves when theyve sentenced the rest of their family to inevitable
death. Immortality is my birthright, and regardless of what
my father allows or forbids, I will not sit back while they deny me
that!
Creon shouldered his carry-on, wheedled the ticket out of his
mothers reluctant hands, and moved past her. He hurried down
the ancient stone steps at the back of the citadel, his heart still
pumping with excitement.
Outside, there was a nondescript black sedan waiting. His mothers
driver was behind the wheel, ready to take him to the airport.
Creon realized that Mildred had known all along that he would kill
that girl. She had probably known he would do it the moment she
arranged for Creon to meet her.
Son? she called out to him from under the arched gate. Did
you kill her just to have a reason to leave?
He turned and faced her, forcing patience. Did you send me
there to kill her?
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His mother smiled at him, but her eyes were far away and out of
focusthinking many thoughts at once. She walked toward him
slowly, making him wait for her even though she had to know that
he was vibrating with adrenaline. She stepped close to him and
looked up into his face. Her elegantly sculpted lips were pulled
tight in a thin line of warning.
Stay away from Hector.
Tuesday morning, Helen ran out of the house and toward Lucass
waiting car before Jerry could get it into his head to come out and
have a talk with that young man, as he had been threatening.
Helen wasnt entirely sure if her dad was serious or if he was just
trying to get a rise out of her, but she wasnt about to take any
chances. It wouldnt be fair to put Lucas through the traditional
parental screening when they werent even officially dating.
Ready? she asked quickly, trying to distract Lucas.
Should we wait? Lucas asked when he saw Jerry standing in the
front door.
No, just drive. Quick! I dont know if hes really going to do it or
not, Helen responded desperately as she waved good-bye to her
father.
Do what? he asked. He put the car in gear and drove out.
Try and talk to you, man-to-man, Helen said, relieved.
Well, in that case, Lucas said. He hit the brakes and shifted into
reverse.
What are you doing? Helen put her hand over his to stop him
from shifting.
Im going to go inside and talk to your dad. I dont want him to
feel like he cant trust me with his daughter.
Lucas, I swear to whatever god you think is holy that I will get
out of this car and walk to school if you go inside and talk to my
dad.
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Lucas smiled and shifted back into first, driving away from her
house. Who told you the gods were holy? he asked with a sinister
glint in his eyes. Helen punched him on the arm.
You just did that to see me freak out, didnt you? she asked
indignantly.
Hey, youre the one embarrassed by her own father. Youre
pretty cute when you panic, he said with a huge smile.
Helen tried to smile back at him, but it came out all mangled on
her lips. She had no idea what to think. The use of the word cute
could either encourage her hopes, or eulogize them.
Every person who recognized them honked and waved with big
smiles on their faces. Honking at passing friends was customary on
the island, and it was something that Helen had grown up with,
but it seemed to her as if everyone was leaning on their horns for
an extra-long time this morning.
So, listen, Lucas said, changing the tone from playful to
something a little more serious. Hector told me you found him on
your roof.
Yeah, Helen replied, trying to scrunch down in her seat so no
one could see her. About that . . .
I wanted to explain why we didnt tell you before. I asked to be
the one to tell you, and I meant to, he said. He glanced over at her
as if to check how Helen felt about what he was saying. I just
didnt figure out how to tell you in time. I didnt want you to think
I was some shady stalker hiding out on your roof.
Im not going to liewell, I cant lie to you, can I? Helen said
with a grin. I was a little upset, but Im fine about it now. If your
family is willing to protect mine, I guess I can put up with a little
shadiness.
Helen was forced to stop talking because someone was honking
out Shave and a Haircut in the most intrusive way possible. She
wanted to tell whomever it was to kiss off, but she couldnt. These
were her neighbors and she had to be polite. She wasnt cramping
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up, but she suspected that she might start to. She stuck a fist into
her stomach.
Whats going on? Lucas asked intently. Ive seen you do that
before. Are you in pain?
No, but I think I might be soon. Dont worry about it, theres
nothing you can do. Well, I guess you could go away and never
hang out with me again, Helen answered.
Thats not going to happen, he said with raised eyebrows. But
what are you talking about? Are you allergic to me or something?
No. Helen laughed. I think Im allergic to attention. And we
tend to draw a lot of it when were together.
But its not just me, right? You feel those pains even when Im
not around?
Yes. Ive had this all my life. I dont know exactly what causes it,
I just know that sometimes when people stare at me I get a terrible
pain in my stomach.
Allergic to attention, Lucas said to himself, absentmindedly
taking Helens hand while he thought. He had to let it go to shift as
he parked at school, but as soon as they were out of the car he
claimed her hand again and rolled her fingers around in his.
Helen watched Lucas as they stood at her locker together. He
seemed distracted. His brow was furrowed and his gaze tuned in,
but most disturbingly he seemed to be all blurry.
What is that youre doing? Its giving me a headache, Helen
said quietly while she turned the combination on her lock.
Sorry, he said as he snapped back into focus. Im bending the
light. It happens sometimes when Im concentrating.
Helen remembered from her reading that Apollo was the god of
Light, and at that moment Lucas was doing things with light that
were impossible outside of a magic show. She realized she had seen
him do this before in the locker room at his house, but she had
taken so many knocks to the head at the time she thought it was
just her vision that was off.
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Arent you worried someone will notice?
Actually, sometimes I do this to make people stop noticing me
when I want some privacy to think. People have a hard time forcing
themselves to look at things that they cant see clearly, or
things that shouldnt be possible.
Because their eyes slide right off, Helen interjected, remembering
how her gaze was diverted from Lucass face in the locker room
even though she had really tried to focus on him.
Exactly. If I look far away or too hard to see, most people just
block me out, he said, and then he gave her a knowing smile. You
slouch to get people to stop staring at you. I blur. Its useful in a
fight, too, only its nearly impossible to do when youre moving
fast.
Are you giving me all your fight secrets? Helen said cheekily as
she put her books in her bag and shut her locker. Not so smart,
Houdini.
Really? Well, come and get me, Sparky, he said with a grin as
he backed away.
Sparky? Helen thought, puzzled. But he was already through the
double doors at the end of the hall and she had to go to class.
When the bell for first lunch rang she rushed as fast as she could,
intending to get some answers, but by the time she made it to the
cafeteria, Ariadne was already seated at the geek table, surrounded
by admirers.
Helen shouldnt have been surprised that Ariadne would join
their table, considering she was in all the AP classes. Unfortunately
for Matt, Ariadnes presence usually attracted an entourage of
boysthe little lambs to her Mary. Helen tried to fight her way into
the circle, and nearly gave up before she was spotted by Ariadne.
Zach? Can you make a little room for Helen, please? Ariadne
asked as she flashed a dazzling smile.
Dont worry about it, Zach. She can have my seat, Claire said in
a caustically cheerful voice, vacating the place next to Ariadne.
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Claire brushed close to Helen as she passed, whispering
something about the old friends not being cool enough to sit at
the same lunch table when someone suddenly has a popular boyfriend.
Before Helen could get into a well-deserved fight with
Claire, Ariadne pulled Helen down next to her to stop one of the