Anger raged inside me and the chairs really started to shake. In seconds, he’d stripped away whatever power I truly gained, leaving me helpless. “You rat bastard…”
“I’m sorry.” He was at the door now, and dear God, I was an idiot, because he looked and sounded sincere. “I didn’t want it to come to this, but you understand, right? You even said it yourself. You’ll do anything to protect your friends. We really aren’t that different, Katy.”
Then he opened the door and slipped out. The wall of chairs crumbled, spilling out across the floor. Kind of ironic how they fell upon themselves, just like my whole life was collapsing onto itself.
Chapter 10
In a daze, I stepped out of the demolished classroom and made it halfway through the hall before the stairwell door swung open and Daemon burst through.
His eyes were an incredibly bright green when his gaze landed on me, and he took about four ground-eating steps before he was in front of me, grasping my shoulders. Behind him were Matthew and a slightly-confused-looking Dawson, but Daemon…I’d never seen him so furious, and that was saying something.
“We’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he said, jaw clenched.
Matthew appeared at our sides. “Did you see where he went? Blake?”
Like I needed the clarification. Then I realized they didn’t know I’d been with him. How much time had passed in that room? It felt like hours but could’ve only been minutes. And if Blake had frozen everyone outside the room, the other Luxen would’ve known, because it wouldn’t have affected them. So Blake must not have affected anything out of the room.
I swallowed, knowing Daemon’s reaction was going to be epic. “Yeah, he…wanted to talk.”
Daemon went rigid. “What?”
I glanced nervously at Matthew. His expression was serene compared to the rage boiling from Daemon’s gaze. “He’s been watching us. I don’t think he ever left.”
Daemon dropped his hands and backed off, thrusting his fingers through his hair. “I cannot believe he’s here. He has a death wish.”
Confusion slipped from Dawson’s expression, replaced by curiosity as he inched around his twin. “Why was he watching us?”
And here comes the kicker, I thought. “He wants us to help get Chris.”
Daemon whipped around so fast he would’ve pulled a muscle if he were human. “Come again?”
As quickly as I could, I told them what Blake had said, leaving out the part about turning Daemon and me over to Nancy. I figured that was something best communicated in private. Good call, because Daemon almost went full Luxen mode right there.
Matthew shook his head. “He…he can’t think we would trust him.”
“I don’t think he cares if we do,” I said, tucking my hair back. All I wanted to do was sit down and eat a box of sugar cookies, my hands beginning to shake from exhaustion.
“But does he really know where they are keeping Beth?” Dawson’s eyes were feverish.
“I don’t know.” I leaned against a locker. “There’s no telling with him.”
Dawson shot forward, suddenly in my face. “Did he say anything—anything we can use to find her?”
I blinked, surprised by his sudden animation. “No. Not really. I—”
“Think,” Dawson ordered, head lowered. “He had to have said something, Katy.”
Daemon clasped his brother’s shoulder, wheeling him away. “Back off, Dawson. I mean it.”
He shrugged Daemon’s hand away, body coiled tight. “If he knows—”
“Don’t go there,” Daemon interrupted him. “He was sent here by the DOD to determine if Kat was a viable subject. To do to her what they are doing to Beth. He killed Adam, Dawson. We are not working with—”
My legs had started to wobble, and I swayed a little to the left. I really couldn’t even begin to figure out how Daemon knew, but he spun toward me before I could straighten. Strong arms went around my waist, tucking me to his side.
Daemon’s brows were dark slashes above his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
My cheeks burned. “I’m okay. Really, I am.”
“You’re lying.” His voice dropped low, dangerous. “Did you fight him?” And then his voice went even lower and a chill ran down my spine. “Did he try to hurt you? Because I swear right now, I will tear through this state—”
“I’m okay.” I tried to wiggle free, but his arm was like a vise grip. “I used more of the attack first, ask questions later approach. I tired myself out, but he didn’t hurt me.”
Daemon didn’t look convinced, but he turned his attention back to his brother. “I know you want to believe that Blake can help us somehow, but he can’t be trusted.”
Dawson looked away, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Frustration rolled off him in waves.
“Daemon’s right.” Matthew planted his hands on his hips. At the end of the hall, the door opened and two teachers entered, carrying steaming cups and papers. “But this is not the place to discuss any of this. After school, your house.”
And with that, he spun in the other direction and stalked off.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Dawson said sharply. “I’m not going to do anything reckless. I promised both of you I wouldn’t and I’m keeping my end of the deal. You better keep yours.”
Daemon wasn’t relieved as he watched Dawson head in the opposite direction. “This isn’t good,” he said.