He stared at her. “How would you understand what I’m feeling? You might have Darkling blood, but you’re not one of us. You’re not stuck here.”
She ignored the anger that twisted his features. He was like a wounded animal, striking out to protect himself. “No, I’m not one of you. But everyone here has been hell-bent on dragging me out of the life I had planned—a life I was really fucking excited about, by the way—so that I could be punished for being an Experimental, something I never asked for to begin with.” She jerked her head toward Walker. “He wanted me to run. To hide.”
“I was just trying to keep your head attached to your shoulders!” Walker exclaimed. “I happen to think they look really nice together.” His voice was heavy with hurt.
Keira ignored Walker, keeping her eyes trained on Smith. “His intentions were good.” She thought about the innuendo in Walker’s voice. “Maybe not entirely honorable, but still. Good. The thing was, I knew I couldn’t live like that. Constantly looking behind me. Always making decisions based on what the Darklings were doing, instead of what I wanted. That’s why we took the chance on Pike. I knew I couldn’t get back the life I’d planned, but I couldn’t live with running. So we did what we had to do. The same as you.”
Smith’s expression softened and he stared at Keira.
She pointed at the landscape around them. “This isn’t what I would have picked either.” She stopped with her finger aimed at Walker. “But it’s not all bad. You play the hand you’re dealt. It’s the only thing you can do, really.”
Walker smiled the smallest bit at the card-playing reference. “I think everyone’s plans have changed,” he agreed.
Smith scrubbed at his face with his sleeve. “Speaking of changed plans, if you think the Reformers are going to let me keep seeing Susan, then you’re an idiot. I tried to call her but I don’t think I was making much sense.”
“Susan—” The word leapt from Keira’s lips.
The hurt in Smith’s eyes lanced straight through her. “I know she wasn’t serious about me—not at first. And yeah, mostly I asked her out to piss off Walker and to see what human girls were all about. But you know what? I really like her.” He grimaced. “Liked her, I should say.” The tears that had gathered in his eyes spilled down his cheeks.
Walker stepped forward, his hands out, as though he were offering something. “Smith, I’m sorry. I really am.”
“Quit acting like it’s your fault!” Smith roared. Instead of bouncing back to them, his voice sank into the outside walls of the Hall of Records, muffled by the stone. Smith crouched down, pulling his hood tight over his head. “Because it’s not your fault,” he whispered. “Please, leave me alone. I just need to be alone for a while.”
In a split-second he was gone, crossing over into the human world.
“Wait!” Walker called, barreling through the barrier after him at a dead run.
Keira slid across after the two of them. It was easier than breathing.
She landed hard on the grass of the Reynoldses’ yard, her threadbare clothes offering little protection against the twigs and stones that littered the lawn. Scrambling to her feet, she looked around for Smith and Walker. Smith was nowhere to be seen, but Walker lay against an overgrown lilac bush. He moaned.
Keira turned to go to Walker, but stopped when her gaze got as far as the back door.
Jeremy Reynolds appeared on the other side of the inset window, the light from the kitchen framing him.
Keira froze.
How much had he seen?
Chapter Fifty-Five
JEREMY SLOWLY OPENED THE door and stepped out onto the concrete patio. His feet were bare, and he had on a pair of slippery-looking basketball shorts, which did nothing to hide what he was thinking about.
“You’re back,” he said, padding over to her like a cat stalking a mouse. “I knew you would be. You felt it too, when we kissed? You like me. Admit it.”
Her disgust crushed her relief. Jeremy obviously didn’t care how she’d gotten into his yard. All that mattered to him was that she was there. He hadn’t even noticed Walker, tucked beneath the lilac bush.
“After the rumors you spread? Why would you do that, anyway?” She crossed her arms.
Jeremy shrugged. “I was mad. I know, I know, I shouldn’t have done it. But once we’re together—really together—everyone will shut up about it. Things’ll be normal. Better than normal.” In the light from the door, she could see his pupils, dilated in the darkness and glittering with hope. “C’mere.” He held out a hand.
“I don’t want you like that, Jeremy. I’m sorry. I’m dating Walker,” she said, edging toward the gate.
Walker, who was still lying in a ball under the lilac bush.
“If you don’t want me,” Jeremy insisted, closing the gap between them, “then why are you here?”
Frantic, Keira looked at Walker’s motionless form and licked her lips.