Kat seemed to process that, and for a moment, our gazes held. We were connected by not just the physical touch but also the truth. When she pulled away from me, I didn’t particularly like it.
And I didn’t like that I didn’t like it.
“So that’s why you said all those things earlier?” she asked, her voice small. “You don’t hate me?”
My gaze fell to my hand as I lowered it. My tongue worked around the words. “I don’t hate you, Kat.”
“And this is why you don’t want me to be friends with Dee, because you were afraid that I’d find out the truth?”
“That, and you’re a human. Humans are weak. They bring us nothing but trouble.” Yeah, that came out harsher than I’d intended, but that’s probably for the best. She needed to know what was at stake—for all of us.
Her eyes narrowed. “We aren’t weak. And you’re on our planet. How about a little respect, buddy.”
Amusement flooded me. “Point taken.” I looked her over. “How are you handling all of this?”
“I’m processing everything. I don’t know. I don’t think I’m going to freak out anymore.”
Happy to hear that. I pushed to my feet. “Well then, let’s get you back before Dee thinks I killed you.”
“Would she really think that?” she asked slowly as though she were afraid of the answer.
I watched her from where I towered over her and when she met my gaze this time, I knew she saw the coldness in it. “I’m capable of anything, Kitten. Killing to protect my family isn’t something I’d hesitate over, but that’s not what you have to worry about.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” she murmured.
I cocked my head to the side. “There are others out there who will do anything to have the powers that the Luxen have, especially mine. And they will do anything to get to me and my kind.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
Crouching down, I glanced around us. “The trace I’ve left on you from stopping the truck can be tracked. And you’re lit up like the Fourth of July right now.”
Her breath caught.
“They will use you to get to me.” I reached out, pulling a leaf from her hair. Then I touched her cheek, where her skin had been torn from the night she’d been attacked. “And if they get a hold of you…death would be a relief.”
Chapter 15
Kat was quiet most of the walk back. The trace around her was vibrant, like an all-white disco ball. That was going to be so incredibly problematic.
As the trees cleared, she spoke. “Can I…can I see Dee?”
I kept my steps slow so she didn’t have to struggle to keep up with me. “I think waiting until tomorrow would be a good idea. I need to talk to her, explain to her what I’ve told you.”
Her gaze turned woeful as we neared the houses, but she nodded. I followed her up the porch steps where light was on, casting a soft glow over Kat’s bowed head. Through the windows, I could see that her house was dark. Her mom was at work, as usual. After everything that had gone down, I didn’t think her being alone tonight was a good thing.
What if she woke up in the middle of the night and started calling everyone under the sun? Okay. That wasn’t exactly probable. Kat wasn’t stupid, but she could wake up and freak out. That would be understandable.
I held open the screen door for her as she reached for the main door. “Do you want to spend the night at my place?”
Kat stopped and turned to me slowly. One eyebrow rose. “Come again?”
A chuckle rumbled out from me. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Kitten.”
Her lips pinched. “My mind is not in the gutter.”
“Uh-huh.” I gave her a half grin. “You can stay at our house if you’d like. Then in the morning, Dee will be right there.”
She didn’t speak as her gaze searched mine, and then she nodded. “Okay. I just…I need to grab a few things.”
I nodded. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Again, she studied me like she was trying to figure me out, and then she pushed open the main door. As she walked in, she flipped the light on in the foyer. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked back but didn’t meet my stare. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be here.”
Kat darted up the staircase, her flip-flops smacking off the steps. While she was upstairs, I didn’t stay put. The layout of the house was the same as ours, so when I roamed off to my left, I entered the kitchen. I flipped on the overhead light and scoped out the place. I wasn’t really looking for anything. Mostly, I was just curious.
But what I saw tipped up the corners of my lips.
Everywhere I looked, there were books, just as it had been in the living room. Two were on the counter, near a toaster. One was on the fridge, and I had no idea why there’d be one there. There were three on the kitchen table, stacked next to two unopened packages.
How in the world could someone have so many books?