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.”
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.”