Think of Dawson. Look at what had happened to him. Did I want to take the same risk? Leave Dee all alone? But even now I could feel her skin, taste it—sweet and sugary like candy. Hear that wonderful sound she made over and over again, haunting every mile I put between us.
An idea began to form—one that Dee would hate, but I didn’t see any other option. I could go to the DOD and request a move to one of the other communities. We’d be giving up our home, leaving behind our friends and Matthew, but it would be for the best. It was the right thing to do. Dee would be safe.
It would keep Kat safe.
Because Dee couldn’t stay away from her, and neither could I. But no matter where I went, what I was running from would still be with me—Kat. She wasn’t just back in the house, in that bed. She was with me now, inside me. And there was no outrunning that.
When I returned from my run, everything felt under control. I had a plan, one I would act on. I entered the house, determined.
Andrew’s car was parked outside, and I really hoped the whole clan wasn’t here already. Then again, I knew the inevitable confrontation with Matthew and the Thompsons would happen fast.
Dee was waiting for me in the living room. She opened her mouth.
“Where’s Kat?” I asked, and then mentally punched myself in the nuts. Asking about her right off the bat didn’t seem like I had everything under control.
My sister cocked a brow. “She went next door a few minutes ago. Her mom is home, but she’s coming back over in a few minutes.” She took a deep breath. “Daemon—”
Adam roamed out from the kitchen, an apple in his hand. “Andrew and Ash are pissed.”
Lifting my forearm, I wiped the sweat beading across my forehead. “And that’s different from any other day?”
He smirked. “Well, they can’t believe you guys kept this a secret—the whole Kat knowing about us. They’re on their way over here now.”
“With Matthew.” Dee folded her arms across her waist. Worry filled her gaze. “He’s also not very happy, Daemon. I’m afraid he’s going—”
“He’s not going to do anything.” I pinned Adam with a hard look. “You’re not pissed?”
“Not really.” He raised a shoulder as he bit into the apple, chewing thoughtfully. “I mean, she’s known for a while, right? Dee made it sound like she has and she hasn’t said anything yet, so why would she now?”
“She won’t,” Dee and I responded at the same time.
I shot my sister a wry look while she grinned. “I’m taking a shower.” I turned, starting for the stairs.
Glancing over her shoulder at Adam, Dee trailed after me. “Kat is coming back over here, like in ten minutes.”
“Okay.”
“Everyone else is coming over here,” she added.
I was halfway up the stairs when it hit me. Twisting around, I stared down at Dee.
“Kat knows that they know and that they are coming over. She wants to be here, and I think it’s a good idea.”
I came down a step as my brows rose. “Having her here with three Luxen who disliked and distrusted her already is a good idea how? Unless we’re considering making it easier for them to try to fry her a good idea.”
“Andrew and Ash are a lot of talk. You know that,” Adam said from the foyer. “They won’t hurt her.”
“I won’t let them.”
Dee’s eyes widened, and yeah, I’d thrown that right out there. God only knows what Dee thought anyway, especially after this morning. She blinked. “Anyway, I think it’s a good idea for them to actually see her—to see that she can be trusted. I’m not worried about Ash or Andrew. It’s Matthew who needs to be convinced. You know that.”
That was true. I wasn’t willing to believe that Ash and Andrew were all talk, but they wouldn’t go to the DOD or the Elders. Matthew would, but he was also a fair and logical person. If he was convinced that Kat wouldn’t run her mouth, then he would back down, and having Kat here for them to see that she would keep quiet was probably the only way to convince Matthew. Plus, I would be here to make sure Kat stayed safe during the initial face-off.
“Okay,” I said, turning back around to grab a quick shower first. I made it to my bedroom with Dee right behind me.
She closed the door and waited for me to face her. “What’s going on between you and Katy?” she asked.
Immediately, I thought of Kat this morning, her soft body tucked under mine. “Nothing is going on, Dee.”
Doubt crossed her face. “You slept with her last night.” I almost choked on my own spit as I toed off my sneakers. “I didn’t sleep with her.”
“You were in the same bed with her, so that’s sleeping together even if it’s not sleeping together.” She narrowed her eyes. “I want to know what’s going on.”
Part of me wanted to tell her it was none of her business, but all that would do was increase her suspicions. “Look, she was stressed out last night and scared. Between what happened at that damn field party and then coming face-to-face with three Arum, she needed someone with her. I was that someone. That’s it. It’s not a big deal.”
Dee was silent as she twisted her hair in her hands. “It is a big deal.” Then she smiled broadly while I stared at her. “It’s a very big deal.”