Leaning forward, Dawson rested his chin in the palms of his hands. “Better than sitting around thinking about everything.”
“He’d have to get registered for classes,” I said, and as much as I hated to admit it, her idea was a good one. If Dawson was in school, I wouldn’t have to worry about him running off while Dee and I were there. He would be contained at least eight hours a day. “I’ll talk to Matthew. See what we can do to get it taken care of.”
Proud of herself, Kat settled back in her seat with a smile.
Dee was waiting on the front porch when I pulled into the driveway, Andrew standing sentry beside her. Dawson was out first, heading toward Dee. They spoke and then embraced. That was another first since he’d arrived.
Turning off the car, I looked over at Kat. “I thought I told you to go home.”
Her smile faded as she looked over at me. “I had to help.”
Turning my gaze to the windshield, I dropped my hands to my lap. “What would you have done if it wasn’t Dawson you came upon, but me fighting the DOD or whatever the hell the other group is?”
“Daedalus,” she said. “And if it were them, I would’ve still helped.”
“Yeah, and that’s what I have a problem with.” I got out of the SUV and walked around to the front. Leaning against the bumper, I waited for her.
A handful of seconds later, she joined me. “I know you’re upset because you worry about me,” she said. “But I’m not going to be the girl who sits at home and waits for the hero to wipe out the villains.”
“This isn’t a book,” I snapped.
“Well, duh—”
“No. You don’t get it.” I turned to her, furious at her and frightened for her. “This isn’t a paranormal fantasy or whatever the hell it is you read. There is no set plot or clear idea of where any of this is going. The enemies aren’t obvious. There are no guaranteed happy endings and you—” I lowered my head so we were eye level. “You are not a superhero, no matter what the hell you can do.”
Her gray eyes turned stormy. “I know this isn’t a book, Daemon. I’m not stupid.”
“You’re not?” I laughed without humor. “Because being smart isn’t rushing off after me.”
“The same could be said about you!” Anger rose in her voice, matching mine. “You run off after Dawson without knowing what you’re getting into.”
“No shit. But I can control the Source without trying. I know what I’m capable of. You don’t.”
“I know what I’m capable of,” she threw back.
“Really? If I’d been surrounded by human officers, would you have been able to take them down. Live with yourself after that?”
Her lips parted as blood drained out of her cheeks. Her voice came out as a whisper. “I’m prepared to do that.”
God, I didn’t want to hear that. I took a step back, shaking my head. “Dammit, Kat, I don’t want you to experience that.” Raw emotion slammed into my chest. “Killing isn’t hard. It’s what comes afterward—the guilt. I don’t want you to deal with that. Don’t you understand that? I don’t want you to have this kind of life.”
“But I already have this kind of life. All the hoping, wishing, and good intentions in the world aren’t going to change that.”
That just pissed me off more, because I never, never wanted her to experience any of that. “That issue aside, what you promised Dawson was freaking unbelievable.”
“What?” Her arms dropped to her sides.
“Help him find Beth? How in the hell are we supposed to do that?”
She shifted from one foot to the next. “I don’t know, but we’ll figure something out.”
“Oh, that’s good, Kat. We don’t know how to find her but we’ll help. Awesome plan.”
Heat flooded her cheeks again. “You’re such a hypocrite! You told me yesterday we’d find out what Will was up to, but you have no idea how. The same thing with Daedalus!”
I opened my mouth, but shit, she had me.
“And you couldn’t lie to Dawson when he asked what you’d do if they had me. You’re not the only one who gets to make brash and stupid decisions.”
“That’s not the point.”
She cocked a brow. “Lame argument.”
I shot forward. “You had no right to make those kinds of promises to my brother. He’s not your family.”
Kat flinched as she took a step back, and a part of me regretted my words, but she had made a promise we had no idea how to keep to my more-than-slightly-unstable brother.
“Dawson is my problem, because he’s your problem.” Her voice shook as she continued. “We’re in this together.”
My eyes met hers. “Not on everything, Kat. Sorry. That’s just the way it is.”
She drew back again, blinking rapidly. “If we’re not together on everything, then how can we really be together?” Her voice cracked. “Because I don’t see how that’s possible.”
My eyes widened. Shit. “Kat—”
She shook her head and then backed away from me. Pivoting around, she walked over to her house, her movements stiff. I wanted to go after her. I wanted to stop her. I didn’t want tonight to end like this.
But I didn’t.
Chapter 6