I backed up against the nearest wall and then instantly regretted it as Daemon slowly came closer. The last time I was up against a wall with him ended with my laptop being fried to a crisp. I'm still waiting for my birthday to get a new one. Darn aliens are stopping my blog activity.
I looked around frantically for an escape before either Daemon could get too close or I gave in to my hormones and kissed him like crazy. Seeing no other escape I took the least dignified way out. Daemon placed his hands on the wall, right next to my head. He was caging me in, and I found that part of me was thrilled. I wanted to smack that part of me all the way back to Florida.
Daemon's face kept getting closer and closer until I almost lost all rational thought. Almost. I quickly ducked under one of his hands and ran over to their couch, sitting down. I kept my eyes on him, unsure if he'd use his speed to trap me again. He could have stopped me before. Easily. Daemon looked over at me and laughed, clear amusement across his face. Despite his reaction, I gave myself a mental pat on the back. That was the first time I ever escaped from his lips when he was that close to me. It would have been so easy just to lean in and...No way. I shook my head.
"Having regrets about not kissing me already?" Daemon asked huskily. He crossed his arms. I should never have looked over at him because I could practically feel my resistance towards him melting away. I didn't want to just forget about the things he did a few weeks ago. He had been a complete jerk with an ego that could reach Pluto and back. He still kind of was, just less...severe.
I sat up straight. "Not at all." I said, barely convincing myself of my words. Daemon knew better than that.
"You're lying." He said simply. I glared at him.
"No I'm not." I said. Oh, my gosh. I sound like a kid.
Daemon sat down beside me and faced my direction, looking kind of angry. Crap.
"Katy, why do you do it?" He asked, anger dripping from his voice. I looked at him curious as to why he got all diva tone on me.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Why do you fight it? Why can't you just accept that I like you and you like me?" He said. I looked away, unable to keep a steady gaze at him.
"Because it's just all of a sudden. I move here, then you're a jerk. I almost die, then you're a jerk. You tell me you're an alien after saving me, then you're a jerk. I get a trace, kiss you, and then you're a jerk. I risk my life for your sister, then you're a jerk. You save me from dying at that field, and boom, suddenly it's all nice actions and less jerk. Why?" I demanded an answer. Daemon looked at me coldly.
"I didn't want you getting close to me, because if I let you in then I would probably end up losing you. That's what happens to everyone that gets close to either me or Dee. It's just how it is." He answered, now with no emotion showing on his face. I scowled.
"So now it's okay to let me in?" I asked.
"No. It'll never be okay. Despite that though, I've decided that I don't care. I believe in this Kitten," he gestured at him and then me, "and I would do anything to keep you safe. Because I REFUSE to lose you." He said firmly. I wanted to jump into his arms and cuddle up against that fine alien boy, but that would probably be less dignified than I was willing to go.
I looked at the floor, ashamed. Ashamed? What? Why am I ashamed? I glanced back up at Daemon, his fierce gaze still on me. I stood up, and Daemon followed suit. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, closing my eyes. I would enjoy this one moment. Daemon just said that he would protect me and wouldn't ever lose me. That deserved some 'bonus points'.
Daemon stiffened up, surprised, before he brought his arms around my middle, bringing me closer as he rested his head on top of mine. I sighed. I did like Daemon, but I just don't know if I should let him in. Talk about conflicting emotions. I slowly backed away, to Daemon's obvious disappointment, and just stood in front of him.
"Kat..." Daemon started. I held up my hand.
"I can't forgive you that easily Daemon, no matter what you say. I want to, I really do, but I just can't. I need time to forgive someone and its no different for you." I turned away. Daemon's arms flipped me back towards him. Our faces were less than an inch apart.
"I'll do my best to earn you forgiveness Kitten." My eyes widened at his words. That was very un- Daemon- like. It sounded...sincere.
"Besides," his face got even closer and I found my resolve bubbling away, "I can wait." He whispered, bringing his forehead to mine, but not going any further than that. We stood there for a while, before he backed away. I took an added step back.
"Thank you Daemon." I said. He nodded as the sound of someone coming down the stairs filled the silent room. Dee came bounding into the room.
"Katy! I thought I heard someone besides Daemon down here." She wrapped me in her embrace, and I returned it, keeping my eyes on Daemon. His gaze always seemed to turn to liquid fire whenever we made eye contact, and this time wasn't different. His lips formed into a smirk as he mouthed a sentence that made my hormones go into overdrive.
"But Kitten, I'm not a very patient person." He winked and walked into the kitchen for food, no doubt. I just froze. What was that supposed to mean? I stopped thinking about it when Dee pulled back and smiled at me. Her smile swiftly became a frown.
"Wait. I thought you were coming tomorrow." Dee said. I just shrugged, not wanting Dee to worry about any Arum out there.
"My mom isn't going to come home until later tonight so Daemon told me that I should stay over here for now." I said. Dee just shivered.
"It's because of the Arum that he's having you stay over isn't it?" She asked, voice shaking. She looked younger when she was afraid. The look on her face made me want to go out, find an Arum, and just jab it in the eyeballs.
"He just doesn't want anything to happen. The Arum could be close, but..eh." I just shrugged. If anyone was going to tell Dee about the Arum that Daemon just killed, it would be him. I don't even know how she missed Daemon's glow session. He had been shining practically brighter than the sun. I considered this.
"What were you doing when I came over?" I asked. Dee just shrugged.
"Probably sleeping. I was really tired after school. Why?" She asked, her eyes narrowing. I broke eye contact with her bright green eyes, but only for a second.
"I just thought that you would've come down the stairs as soon as I came over, that's all." I lied. Dee was easier to lie to than Daemon by a landslide. She smiled again, but this time it was a sad smile.
"I really am worried for Andrew and Ashley." She admitted. I put my hand on her shoulder gently.
"They're your family. Of course you're worried." I said softly. She nodded and tears filled her eyes, but she didn't let them spill out. Dee quickly wiped them away and sat on the couch. I didn't want to sit back down there. I was just fine with standing.
I smiled as I remembered something from earlier.
"So, what did you want to tell me today? It obviously can't wait until tomorrow now that I'm here." I grinned at her. I have to admit, the curiosity of what she had to say was almost killing me. Not to mention it was a distraction from the verrryyyy attractive alien in the kitchen. Those were always welcome.
Dee giggled a little and motioned for me to come closer whole she leaned nearer. I rolled my eyes when I got closer. Daemon would probably hear what she'd say anyway. I have to admit though, Dee looked excited as I sat next to her, ready to hear the secret.
"Okay, so," she looked around for anyone that could be listening in, "me and Adam..." She didn't finish, letting me think it through. I scrunched my eyebrows until the answer slammed into my head, making me gasp.
"You guys...did the deed?" I asked, now paying full attention. This was HUGE. Dee scooted even closer to me and nodded in a silent confirmation. My mouth formed an o. Dee just shrugged. How could she just shrug after this?
"Honestly, it was bound to happen. Besides, everyone expects us to get together." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. I looked up to see if Daemon wad there. Wouldn't that be fun to explain? When he wasn't I sighed in relief, but quickly brought my attention back to Dee.
"You shouldn't do it because people expect you to. You do it when you love someone and care about them." I said. Dee just blushed.
"I do care about him and he cares about me. I do like him a lot Katy." She said confidently. I put my hand on her back.
"He better like you a lot. Otherwise, be prepared to scrape him off of the walls." Daemon walked into the room holding a plate of cookies and I closed my eyes. The world really couldn't give me a break, could it? Dee glared at her brother.
"He does." Dee said coldly. I looked over at her in shock. I had never heard her speak in that tone. It just wasn't natural. Dee stood up and went upstairs, leaving me and Daemon alone again. Not the best position, but it beat having to watch an all out mental war between Dee and her brother. Awkward silence was one of the better outcomes though. Daemon could have easily just left and killed Adam then. Awkward silence it is.
Daemon just stared at me while eating a cookie. I found myself being slightly jealous of that cookie, but quickly shook the feeling off. There is a time and place, and now was definitely not it. I leaned back in the couch and thought of something.
"Daemon, how do we know that Andrew and Ashley aren't already dead?" I asked.
He swallowed. "We don't." He said gravely. I looked down.
"So, are their powers gone?" I sat back up from the couch, following a train of thought. I didn't give Daemon a chance to answer my question before another one popped into my head.
"Why just kidnap a Lux? Why not just take their powers and call it a day?" I stood up and began pacing. Daemon put the now empty plate down.
"I like where you're going with this Kitten." He said, approaching me. I looked over at him and narrowed my eyes.
"Something's going on Daemon. I don't know what it is, but I have a really bad feeling." I said nervously. If the Arum took a Lux and didn't take their powers...then they were either planning something or they were working with somebody with a bigger plan. The thought made me shudder. As if reading my thoughts, Daemon spoke.
"The Arum aren't working alone." He said, eyes widening. "Things are about to get really dangerous Kat." He said. I could already feel a headache coming on.