After a quick shower and change of clothes, I headed downstairs. Kat was there, glowing like a damn star. She looked up when I entered the room. Her gaze moved from mine and then down, way down, and a pink flush swept across her cheeks. I watched it spread down her throat and disappear under her collar. I wondered just how far that blush traveled.
Hell.
“They’re here,” Adam said, heading for the front door.
Kat stiffened, but remained quiet and alert. As the crew rolled in, I sat down on the arm of the recliner she was sitting in. My position was clearly noted by everyone.
Dee smiled like she’d just figured out the key to life.
When Ash and Andrew spotted the traced Kat and where I was sitting, their faces slipped into scowls so deep I wondered if they’d be stuck that way.
Matthew looked like he wanted to vomit. He came to a complete stop in the middle of the room. “What is she doing here?”
“She’s lit up like a freaking disco ball,” Ash said accusingly. “I could probably see her from Virginia.”
Kat’s eyes narrowed.
“She was with me last night when the Arum attacked,” I explained. “You know that. Things got a little…explosive. There was no way I could cover what happened.”
Matthew ran a hand through his hair. “Daemon, of all people, I expected you to know better, to be more careful.”
My brows furrowed together. “What the hell was I supposed to do exactly? Knock her out before the Arum attacked?”
Ash arched a brow. The look on her face said she totally supported that idea.
“Katy has known about us since the beginning of school,” I said. “And trust me when I say I did everything possible to keep her from knowing.”
Andrew sucked in a sharp breath. “She’s known this entire time? How could you allow this, Daemon? All of our lives have been in the hands of some human?”
Dee rolled her eyes. “Obviously she hasn’t said a word, Andrew. Chill out.”
“Chill out?” Andrew’s scowl matched his sister’s. “She’s a stupid—”
“Be careful with what you say next.” My skin started to hum. “Because what you don’t know and what you can’t possibly understand will get a bolt of light in your face.”
Ash swallowed thickly as she looked away, shaking her head. Silence fell as my message was read loud and clear.
“Daemon,” Matthew said, stepping forward. “Threatening one of your own for her? I didn’t expect this from you.”
My shoulders stiffened. “It’s not like that.”
“I’m not going to tell anyone about you guys.” Kat spoke for the first time. “I know the risks to you and to me if I did. You all don’t have anything to worry about.”
“And who are you for us to trust?” Matthew asked. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure you’re a great girl. You’re smart and you seem to have your head on straight, but this is life or death for us. Our freedom. Trusting a human is not something we can afford.”
I didn’t like where this was heading already. “She saved my life last night.”
Andrew laughed. “Oh, come on, Daemon. The Arum must’ve knocked you around. There is no way a human could’ve saved any of our lives.”
“What is it with you?” Kat snapped, fiery as ever. “You act like we’re incapable of doing anything. Sure, you guys are whatever, but that doesn’t mean we’re single-celled organisms.”
A choked laugh came from Adam.
“She did save my life,” I repeated, wrangling everyone’s attention. “There were three Arum that attacked, the brethren of the one I killed. I was able to destroy one, but the two overpowered me. They had me down and had already begun reaching for my powers. I was a goner.”
“Daemon,” Dee whispered, paling. “You didn’t tell us any of this.”
Doubt colored Matthew’s voice when he spoke. “I don’t see how she could’ve helped. She’s a human. The Arum are powerful, amoral, and vicious. How can one girl stand against them?”
“I’d given her the obsidian blade I carry and told her to run.”
“You gave her the blade when you could’ve used it?” Ash sounded stunned. “Why?” Her eyes darted to Kat. “You don’t even like her.”
Kat frowned.
“That may be the case, but I wasn’t going to let her die because I don’t like her,” I replied, and the words didn’t sit well with me. This wasn’t the time to piss Ash off even more by disagreeing. I didn’t look at Kat to see her response. I didn’t want to know.
“But you could’ve been hurt,” Ash protested. Fear thickened her voice. “You could’ve been killed because you gave your best defense to her.”
I sighed. “I have other ways to defend myself. She did not. She didn’t run like I told her. Instead she came back, and she killed the Arum who was about to end me.”