“You could at least be less obvious when you stalk Daniel,” Thea said as Penn watched him walking away, and then Penn glared at her.
“I’m not stalking anybody, so shut up,” Penn said, then threw the car in gear.
Penn drove through Capri, barely acknowledging street signs or stoplights. She lived by the theory that people would move for her, and they often did. Sometimes she’d get a honk or someone shouting at her, but she’d just turn and smile at them. That was her solution to most problems.
“Penn, come on,” Thea said, looking at her directly. “This is all about Daniel.”
“What?” Penn laughed, but it was weak. “That’s stupid.”
“Penn, you can’t pretend with me. I know you.” The wind was blowing through Thea’s red hair when she turned to her. “I’m probably the only one in the whole world that really knows you. And you’re obsessed with that guy.”
“I’m not!” Penn insisted. Then she groaned and shook her head. “It’s not an obsession. I just … I can’t figure it out.”
“Maybe there’s nothing to figure out.”
Penn stopped at a stop sign at the edge of town, thinking that over for a minute. A car pulled up behind her and honked at them, but she was oblivious.
“No, there’s something there,” she said finally, and turned the corner, beginning the ascent up the hill to the top of the cliff. “Do you think he’s related to Bastian?”
“Bastian?” Thea asked, sounding strangely out of breath.
“Yeah, Bastian, or Orpheus. Or whatever name he’s going by now. Last time I saw him it was Bastian.”
“That was…” Thea swallowed. “That was three hundred years ago.”
“Exactly,” Penn said. “Maybe he’s had kids or something since then. I should try to find him.” She lowered her voice, almost muttering to herself. “Although I haven’t been that good at finding anyone lately.”
Thea shook her head. “You haven’t seen or heard from Bastian in centuries. And it wasn’t like the last time you talked to him turned out so great.”
“That’s true.” Penn mulled it over for a second. “He’s probably dead by now anyway.”
“Right,” Thea said. “And I’m sure Daniel is of no relation to him.”
“But there’s something about him.” Penn slowed to take the curves on the steep incline. “He’s … captivating.”
“I don’t find him all that captivating.”
“Yeah, well, that’s probably because you’re a lesbian,” Penn said.
“What?” Thea turned to face her, her mouth agape. “I’m not a lesbian. Where did that even come from? And even if I were, what would that matter?”
Penn shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. It’s just that Gemma is the only person you seem to ever want to spend time with. I mean, when was the last time you even kissed a guy?”
“I don’t need to go around hooking up with strangers.”
“Yeah, you kinda do. It’s the core of who we are. You’re denying your very nature.”
“You and Lexi do what you want, and I don’t condemn you for it.”
Penn scoffed loudly. “Yeah, right! All you do is sit in your ivory tower and judge us. Sorry we’re not as perfect as your new BFF.”
“You picked her, Penn. Remember that. Gemma was your choice. And if you don’t like her, that’s on you.”
“I know,” Penn agreed. “But I have good news. I think I found the solution.”
“The solution?” Thea asked tentatively.
“Yeah. You know I’ve been looking for a replacement, and I think I found one,” Penn said. “She’s in some dinky little town in Delaware called Auburnton or something like that. I don’t know. But you should come meet her. I think you’ll like her.”
“You’ve already introduced yourself to her?” Thea asked.
“Yeah, I wanted to make sure we found the right girl,” Penn said. “She doesn’t know I’m a siren yet, but she’ll be a good fit for us. Much better than Gemma, anyway.”
“That’s what you said about Aggie!” Thea shouted back. “You said Gemma would be so much better than Aggie, and now you’re ready to kill Gemma without even giving her a chance.”
Penn scoffed. “I’ve given her plenty of chances! She’s been ungrateful and horrible and just … awful since she turned.”
“She’s only sixteen, and this is all new to her,” Thea insisted. “You’ve got to give her a chance. She’s like a puppy, and she just needs some time to be housebroken.”
“I told you as soon as I found a new girl I was getting rid of Gemma,” Penn said. “I don’t know why you’re arguing with me about it now.”
“I thought it would take you longer and it would give Gemma a chance to fit in better,” Thea admitted.
They were surrounded by loblolly pines, and the air smelled of the trees and the ocean. Thea stared dejectedly at the trees as they went by.
When Thea spoke again, she’d softened, her rough voice sounding gentle. “Gemma’s not that bad.”