something. I’ve been
reconsidering my approach to making new friends. The ‘putting-my-foot-in-my-mouth’ plan isn’t
working out as well as I’d hoped it would.”
“I don’t know,” Lucas said. “It’s better than the ‘I’m-an-arrogant-asshat’ act you pulled in the
mission.”
“You think?” Seth said, moving to sit on the leather chair next to the couch. “I was afraid it might
be too subtle. Could give people the wrong idea, like I’m some kind of sensitive, decent human
being.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Lucas said, finally breaking into a smile.
“Oh, good,” Seth leaned back in the chair. “As long as it’s clear I’m a total jerk-face.”
“It’s clear,” Lucas replied. “Who wants pizza?”
“I’ll get the phone.” I hopped up and went to grab the handset from the kitchen. From the living
room, I could hear Seth say something and Lucas laugh in return. The sound gave me a warm feeling
inside, easing a tension I’d felt since Seth had looked at me with that aching vulnerability after the
fight at school.
It was a roundabout way to do it, but Seth had finally made some friends in Puerto Escondido.
It’s strange how, when you’ve got a major problem absorbing all your attention, the things that really
matter to you can fall through the cracks without your notice.
The last chilly days of September sped by, ushering in a crisp October. The Guard kept Lucas and
me busy after school with practice, while Cassie and Royal were making themselves comfortable
fixtures in the theater building. Outside of class and lunch, we didn’t see much of each other. When
Cassie made a comment about missing me, I reassured her that things would settle down eventually.
The truth was, I was so caught up worrying about the coming war that my non-Guard friends got
shoved way down on my list of priorities. And so much of my time was spent with Lucas and Seth that
it didn’t occur to me I barely saw Cassie and Royal anymore.
Seth started coming over to the Guard’s house every time Angela found some new piece of
research or wanted to consult with Thane about something. Then he started coming over even if she
was nose-deep in some book at their house. Before too long, Seth was catching a ride home with Lucas
and me every day after school. He watched us train some afternoons, but each time Hale offered to
show him a few things he politely declined and fled back up the stairs to wait for us in the Guard’s
living room.
Lucas was warming to Seth day by day. It felt strangely comforting to have another friend our age
to talk to about the Lilitu. With Seth, Lucas and I could be—almost—completely honest. Hale had
warned Lucas and me to keep my secret. Angela and Seth might be part of the Guard, but there was no
telling how they’d react if they learned I was Lilitu. And so the days passed as my life fell into this
new routine.
I was so focused on my own thoughts that I completely missed the signs that morning.
Amber and her friends were gathered outside the North Hall when I arrived at school with Lucas. I
noticed Ally turn to look at me. I hesitated. The other girls with her pulled her back, hands clamped
over their mouths to muffle their laughter. Suddenly self-conscious, I nudged Lucas.
“Is something wrong with my hair or something?”
He looked at me blandly. “You look ready for a photo shoot. Isn’t that one of the benefits of your
genetic heritage?” But when I didn’t smile, he tilted his head to the side, trying to catch my eye. “Why
do you ask?”
“No reason.” When I glanced back at the girls, they were already hurrying into the building, out of
sight. Only Amber paused at the door. The look in her face sent a chill down my spine. Her face could
have been carved from granite. Her eyes flickered to look across the quad. A moment later they
returned to my face and her lips pulled back in a smile that was more of a
reconsidering my approach to making new friends. The ‘putting-my-foot-in-my-mouth’ plan isn’t
working out as well as I’d hoped it would.”
“I don’t know,” Lucas said. “It’s better than the ‘I’m-an-arrogant-asshat’ act you pulled in the
mission.”
“You think?” Seth said, moving to sit on the leather chair next to the couch. “I was afraid it might
be too subtle. Could give people the wrong idea, like I’m some kind of sensitive, decent human
being.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Lucas said, finally breaking into a smile.
“Oh, good,” Seth leaned back in the chair. “As long as it’s clear I’m a total jerk-face.”
“It’s clear,” Lucas replied. “Who wants pizza?”
“I’ll get the phone.” I hopped up and went to grab the handset from the kitchen. From the living
room, I could hear Seth say something and Lucas laugh in return. The sound gave me a warm feeling
inside, easing a tension I’d felt since Seth had looked at me with that aching vulnerability after the
fight at school.
It was a roundabout way to do it, but Seth had finally made some friends in Puerto Escondido.
It’s strange how, when you’ve got a major problem absorbing all your attention, the things that really
matter to you can fall through the cracks without your notice.
The last chilly days of September sped by, ushering in a crisp October. The Guard kept Lucas and
me busy after school with practice, while Cassie and Royal were making themselves comfortable
fixtures in the theater building. Outside of class and lunch, we didn’t see much of each other. When
Cassie made a comment about missing me, I reassured her that things would settle down eventually.
The truth was, I was so caught up worrying about the coming war that my non-Guard friends got
shoved way down on my list of priorities. And so much of my time was spent with Lucas and Seth that
it didn’t occur to me I barely saw Cassie and Royal anymore.
Seth started coming over to the Guard’s house every time Angela found some new piece of
research or wanted to consult with Thane about something. Then he started coming over even if she
was nose-deep in some book at their house. Before too long, Seth was catching a ride home with Lucas
and me every day after school. He watched us train some afternoons, but each time Hale offered to
show him a few things he politely declined and fled back up the stairs to wait for us in the Guard’s
living room.
Lucas was warming to Seth day by day. It felt strangely comforting to have another friend our age
to talk to about the Lilitu. With Seth, Lucas and I could be—almost—completely honest. Hale had
warned Lucas and me to keep my secret. Angela and Seth might be part of the Guard, but there was no
telling how they’d react if they learned I was Lilitu. And so the days passed as my life fell into this
new routine.
I was so focused on my own thoughts that I completely missed the signs that morning.
Amber and her friends were gathered outside the North Hall when I arrived at school with Lucas. I
noticed Ally turn to look at me. I hesitated. The other girls with her pulled her back, hands clamped
over their mouths to muffle their laughter. Suddenly self-conscious, I nudged Lucas.
“Is something wrong with my hair or something?”
He looked at me blandly. “You look ready for a photo shoot. Isn’t that one of the benefits of your
genetic heritage?” But when I didn’t smile, he tilted his head to the side, trying to catch my eye. “Why
do you ask?”
“No reason.” When I glanced back at the girls, they were already hurrying into the building, out of
sight. Only Amber paused at the door. The look in her face sent a chill down my spine. Her face could
have been carved from granite. Her eyes flickered to look across the quad. A moment later they
returned to my face and her lips pulled back in a smile that was more of a
Similar Books
