Nausea rolled inside me. “Do you really think they were keeping people in there?”
“Luxen? Yes. And maybe others like you.” He dropped his hands on his legs. “One of the cages had dried blood in it. All of them had chains and manacles encased in this dark red stone I’ve never seen before.”
“I saw something outside the building, above the doors. It was shiny, looked black to me because it was dark.” I set my cup aside. “And he put something against my cheek, and God, that hurt like hell. I wonder if it was the same thing you saw.”
His poetic lips tipped down at the corners. “How are you feeling now?”
“Perfectly fine.” I waved it off. “Did you see anything else?”
“I didn’t have time to go upstairs, but I had this feeling that something…something was up there.” He stood with fluid grace, clasping his arms behind his head. “I need to get back in there.”
My eyes followed him. “Daemon, it’s too dangerous. People are going to realize that the officers are missing. You can’t go back there.”
He whirled around, facing me. “My brother could be in there or something that will tell me where my brother is. I can’t just walk away because it’s too dangerous.”
“I understand that.” I stood, clenching my hands. “But what good are you to Dawson—or to Dee—if you get caught?”
Daemon stared at me for several long moments. “I have to do something.”
“I know, but it needs to be more thought out than any of your plans have been so far.” I ignored the flash of temper in his bright gaze. “Because you could’ve been captured tonight.”
“I’m not worried about myself, Kat.”
“Then that’s a problem!”
His eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t have involved you in this if I knew you were going to wimp out.”
“Wimp out?” The events of the night heightened everything I was feeling and I was on overload, seconds from breaking down, sitting in the corner somewhere. Maybe rocking in that corner, too. “ I’mthe one who involved you. I saw Bethany.”
“And I agreed to let you come with me the first time.” He ran his hand through his messy hair, exhaling roughly. “If you’d stayed in that car, I could’ve had time to check the floors above.”
My mouth dropped open. “You would’ve been caught inside. I got out of the car because you didn’t respond to my text! If I stayed in there, we’d both be in those cages.”
The tips of his cheeks flushed as he looked away. “Okay. Both of us are aggravated right now. We should just let it drop for tonight. Get some rest. Whatever.”
I didn’t want to let it drop, but he had a point. I crossed my arms. “Fine.”
With one last look, he grabbed his cap from the table and turned to leave, stopping at the end of the couch. His shoulders shuddered and his voice came out a whisper. “I’ve never killed a human before.”
Suddenly, his aggravation made more sense. It wasn’t just the helpless feeling of not being able to do anything. The need to comfort him, to touch him, turned physical. I reached out, placing my hand on his arm. “It’s okay.”
Daemon shrugged off my hand, scowling. “It’s not okay, Katy. I killed two humans. And don’t—just don’t do anything.”
I flinched, more from the use of my real name than his action. Daemon blinked out, and the front door slammed shut. Running both my hands over my head, I bit down on my lip hard enough for a metallic taste to spring into my mouth.
Daemon wouldn’t go back to that warehouse. Never in a million years.
Even I couldn’t convince myself of that.
…
Sleep didn’t come easily that night, and I spent the better part of the next day strung tight as a bow pulled too hard. I kept checking the driveway next door, making sure Daemon’s car was there. He could just zip his way back to the warehouse without his SUV, but seeing the car gave me some relief.
The next couple days of winter break crept by. Most of the time I expected SWAT to bust up in my house, demanding to know what happened to the officers. But nothing happened. The day before New Year’s Eve, Dee stopped by.
“Like my new boots?” She stuck out one slender leg. Black leather boots ended just below her knees. The heel was killer. “Daemon got them for me.”
“They’re awesome. What size are you?”
She giggled, then popped a lollipop back in her mouth. “Okay, before you tell me no, I already cleared it with Ash.”
I frowned. “Cleared what?”
“Ash is throwing a little New Year’s Eve party at her house. It’s just going to be a few of us. Daemon is going.”
“Uh, I doubt Ash is okay with me going to her party.”
“No, she is.” Dee pinged around the living room like a captured butterfly. “She promised she’d be cool with it. I think you’re growing on her.”
“Like mold,” I muttered. Watching Dee made me dizzy. “I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on, Katy. You can even invite Blake if you want to.”
I made a face. “I’m not inviting him.”
She came to a sudden halt, the lollipop dangling from her fingers. “Are you guys having problems?” she asked hopefully.
“You know, if I were actually dating him, I’d have a problem with how happy you sounded there, but since I’m notdating him, I’m okay.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What’s going on with you two, then?”
“Nothing.” I sighed.
She sucked on her lollipop for a few moments as she watched me. “And nothing is going on with my brother. Right? He’s just slinking around the house for no reason.”
My lips pursed. “Dee…”
“He’s my brother, Katy. I love him. And you’re my best friend, even though you haven’t really acted like it recently.” She flashed a quick grin before continuing. “So I feel like I’m stuck in the middle of you two. And I know neither of you is putting me there, but I want…both of you happy.”
Wondering how we ended up on this conversation, I sat down with a sigh. “Dee, it’s really complicated.”
“It can’t be that complicated,” she replied, sounding like Lesa. “You guys like each other, and I know Daemon would be risking a lot by pursuing a relationship with you, but that’s his risk to take.” Dee sat beside me, her body humming with energy. “Anyway, I think you guys need to talk or…I don’t know. Cave to your passions.”
I busted out laughing. “Oh my God, are you serious?”
She grinned. “So are you going to go with us tomorrow night?”
As much as I wanted to see the Thompsons’ house, because I bet it was super posh and cool, I was still undecided. “I’ll think about it.”
“You promise?” She nudged me with her elbow. “It would make me really happy if you did.”
Partying with them did sound better than what I had planned, which was nothing. Dee stayed for a little while, borrowing a couple of books, and then left. Then, around suppertime, Will showed up with Chinese takeout. I didn’t turn the food down, but I wasn’t much for conversation. Mom practically floated around the kitchen, buzzing on a good-boyfriend high.
When they left, I spent the rest of the evening reading, finishing a book for a blog tour, and starting a new one I wasn’t scheduled to read. Having time to read was nice and relaxing. I could feel a little bit of my old self creeping back. Not the timid Katy, but the one who did what she wanted because she enjoyed it.
When it got close to ten, I put the book down and considered checking in with Daemon. Was he going back to that warehouse without me? There was a good chance he was. Trying to distract myself, I logged into one of the local news websites and searched for any mention of the two officers going missing. I’d checked each night with no results.