Lux [4] Origin

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  Archer looked like he just saw baby Jesus in a manager or something.

  Dee dashed out the door, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. I stepped back in the nick of time. She launched herself at Daemon from several feet away. He caught her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Jesus,” he said, his words muffled by all of her hair. “What are you doing here?”

  “What do you think?” she responded, voice thick. “We had to do something. You just beat us to it as usual, you punk.”

  I clasped my hands over my chest, close to tears, as another form appeared in the doorway and drifted out. Sucking in a soft breath, I couldn’t believe how…how different Dawson looked. Filled out and his hair trimmed up, with the gaunt pull to his face gone and the dark shadows under his eyes erased, he was the spitting image of his brother.

  Daemon lifted his head, as if he sensed the arrival. His mouth worked, but there weren’t any words. None of us could’ve expected to see them here. Like me, Daemon probably figured he might never see his siblings again.

  Dawson crossed the porch and dropped his arms around his sister and brother. Their three heads were bent together. Daemon had one hand fisted around the back of Dee’s shirt and the other around Dawson’s.

  “It’s true,” Dawson said, grinning. “What the hell, brother? Always got to one-up me, huh?”

  Daemon grabbed the back of his brother’s neck and pressed his forehead against his. “You idiot,” he said, letting out a choked laugh. “You should know better. I’ve always got things covered.”

  “Yeah, and wait—I’m pissed at you!” Dee pulled back and hit Daemon in the chest hard. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed doing what you did! You jerk-face, douchebag, imbecile.” She hit him again.

  Archer winced and muttered, “Damn, that girl…that girl can hit.”

  “Hey!” Laughing, Daemon grabbed her hand. “Knock it off. I obviously didn’t get myself killed.”

  “I worried, you ass!” Dee pushed her curls out of her face and inhaled deeply. “But I forgive you, because you’re in one piece and apparently no worse for wear, and you’re here, but if you ever do anything that—”

  “Okay,” Dawson said, dropping an arm around his sister’s neck, spinning her. “I think he gets the point. We’ve all got the point.”

  Dee broke free as her eyes skipped over Paris and Luc. She didn’t pay them much attention, but her gaze bounced over Archer, then went right back before moving on. I had stayed out of the reunion, remaining by one of the pillars. I didn’t think Dee even noticed me until that moment.

  In the blink of an eye, she practically knocked me over. I’d forgotten what her hugs were like. For someone who had a ballet dancer’s body, she was ridiculously strong. And her hugs…well, it had been so long since I’d been on the receiving end of one of her bear squeezes.

  I was slow to respond, more taken off guard than anything else, but then I dropped the tote and threw my arms around her. Tears welled up, and I squeezed my eyes shut. The part of my being that had felt achy over what happened with Dee warmed, and that warmth spilled over.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, tears clogging her voice. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  “For what?”

  She still hadn’t let go, and I didn’t mind. “For everything—for not seeing your side of things, for being so caught up in my grief and anger that I totally abandoned you. For never telling you that I missed you before…”

  Before it was too late was what she was going to say.

  Blinking back tears, I smiled against her shoulder. “You have nothing to apologize for, Dee. I mean it. None of that…” Well, it did matter. Adam’s death mattered. “It’s okay now.”

  She held me tighter and whispered, “Is it? Because I’ve been so worried about you and Daemon and what could’ve…”

  My body roiled into nervous knots, and I willed the sudden rise of dread to go away. It wasn’t welcome here, not in this happy moment. “It’s okay.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  A few tears snuck out. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  “Okay. Okay. I think you’re starting to cut off her air supply.” Dawson tugged on Dee’s arm. “And I think Daemon is starting to get jealous.”

  “Pfft. It’s my turn with Katy,” she replied, but she let go.

  And then Dawson replaced his sister. He hugged me, nothing as fierce as Dee’s but still powerful. “Thank you,” he said quietly, and I knew those two words encompassed so much. “I hope you know how thankful I am for everything you’ve done.”

  Unsure if I could speak, I nodded.

  “Okay. Now I am getting jealous,” Daemon said, and Paris laughed.

  Dawson gave me a quick squeeze. “I’m forever in your debt.”

  I wanted to tell him that wasn’t necessary. Helping him get Bethany was something I’d do all over again, even knowing that Blake had set us up. After being in Daedalus’s grips, now more than ever I understood how important it had been to get her out. The only thing I would’ve changed was where I was standing in that damn tunnel in Mount Weather.

  He stepped aside as his brother swooped in, picking up the tote and circling his arm around my waist. Dawson cocked his head to the side. “What is up with the alien doll?”

  “Daemon thought it would remind me of him,” I told Dawson.

  “Tell him what you named it,” Daemon said, and then he dropped a kiss atop my head.

  My heart jumped, and my cheeks flushed. “I named it DB.”

  Dee peered at the alien toy over Dawson’s shoulder. “It kind of does look like you, Daemon.”

  “Ha. Ha.” I tugged the doll out of the bag and held it close. For some reason, I loved the stupid thing.

  “Everyone want to head in?” Luc rocked back on the heels of his Converse sneakers. “I’m starving.”

  Dee spun around so that she was on my other side as we headed in. She stole a peek at Archer, who walked in behind us. If I noticed that, so did Daemon. And whatever Dee was thinking right now, most likely Archer was eavesdropping in on.

  I so needed to give her a heads-up on that.

  Plus the fact that Archer was, well, he was really different from all of us.

  The temperature was a good thirty degrees cooler inside the brightly lit foyer, even with the glass sky dome allowing the sunlight inside. Quartz was embedded in the tile floor, making everything so sparkly. There were large, leafy plants positioned at the corners, which made my fingers itchy to dig into soil.

  Sinking my fingers into soil…wow, how long had it been since I’d done that? The day we’d left for Mount Weather? Too long.

  “You doing okay?”

  “Huh?” I glanced up at Daemon, and I realized that I must’ve stopped walking, because everyone else was already in the hall beyond the foyer. “Yeah, I was just thinking about gardens.”

  An emotion crossed his face. Before I could decipher what it was, he looked away. I reached over and tugged on the hem of his shirt. “How about you? Seeing Dawson and Dee?”

  He thrust his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what to think.” He kept his voice low. “I’m happy to see them, but…dammit.”

  I nodded in understanding. “You don’t want them anywhere near this?”

  “No. Not at all.”

  I wanted to somehow lessen his concern, but I knew there was nothing I could say that would do so. I stretched up and kissed his cheek. That was the best I had.

  He grinned down at me once I settled back on my feet. He opened his mouth to say something, but Dee popped back into the foyer.

  Expression exasperated, she put her hands on her hips. “All right, you two, come in a little farther. There are people here in the great room who would like to say hi. Whatever a ‘great room’ is I really have no idea, but it is pretty great.”

  God, I missed her so much.

  Daemon lifted his head, smiling at his sister. “Yeah, I think I know who’s waiting.”

 
; The people waiting to say hello were none other than Matthew, plus Ash and Andrew Thompson. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see them. All of them—Matthew, the Thompsons—were like a family. They converged on Daemon at once, and they swallowed him, Dawson and Dee included.

  I hung back again, because this was his reunion—a well-deserved one. And the room was rather distracting. Oriental carpet. More statues of dolphins. Quartz-trimmed furniture. A couch big enough for the Duggar family.

  Luc plopped down on a chaise longue and started texting away on his cell phone. Paris hung near him, like a grinning shadow. Archer was like me, on the outskirts, probably unsure of what to do as Dee started crying again.

  Even Ash was crying.

  I expected to feel the hot wave of jealousy when Daemon hugged her, but I didn’t. Other than the fact Ash still managed to make crying look glamorous, I was so over that useless emotion. If there was one thing I knew and understood in this world, it was that Daemon loved me.

  Matthew stepped forward, grabbing Daemon’s shoulders. “It’s good…it’s good to see you.”

  “You, too.” Daemon clasped his arms. “Sorry about your car.”

  I wondered what happened to Matthew’s car, but that question was lost in the lump that was slithering up my throat. Watching them embrace each other, I was reminded of how important Matthew was to all of them. He’d been the only father any of them remembered.

  “It’s hard, isn’t it?” Archer asked quietly.

  Looking at him, I frowned. “Are you in my head again?”

  “No. Your emotions are all over your face.”

  “Oh.” I blew out a breath as I glanced back at the huddle. “I miss my mom, and I don’t know…” I shook my head, not wanting to finish.

  When the group broke apart, Matthew was the first to approach me. The hug was a bit stiff, but I appreciated it. Ash and Andrew both appeared in front of me, and I was immediately wary of the two. They had never been big fans of mine.

  Ash’s vibrant blue eyes were red-rimmed when she gazed at me, no doubt taking one look at my outfit and writing me off as a giant fashion fail. “I can’t say I’m overly thrilled to see you, but I’m happy you’re alive, or whatever.”

  I choked on my laugh. “Uh, thanks?”

  Andrew scratched his chin, face scrunched. “Yeah, I second that statement.”

  I nodded, having no idea what to say. I raised my hands and gave a little shrug. “Well, I’m happy to see you guys, too.”

  Ash laughed, the sound throaty. “No you’re not, but it’s cool. Seriously, our rampant dislike of you really isn’t at the top of the priority list right now.”

  Archer blew out a low whistle and studiously looked away, which gained Ash’s catlike interest. As beautiful as she was, I doubted most could resist her.

  I was saved from more awkward hellos by the newest entrance. The woman was around Matthew’s age, early thirties, tall and slender, wearing a strapless white sundress that swished around her ankles. She was model beautiful with long blond hair.

  Obviously an alien.

  She smiled warmly as she clasped her hands together. Brown bamboo bangles on her wrists thudded off one another. “I’m glad to see everyone made it here. My name is Lyla Marie. Welcome to my home.”

  I murmured a hello as Daemon crossed the room and shook the Luxen’s hand. He was surprisingly much better at this than I was. Who knew? But seeing everyone here, being surrounded by people I once thought I’d never see again, was a little on the overwhelming side. I was happy, and I was confused, and this terrible coating of foreboding was like sweat on my skin.

  Here we were, all of us, a couple of hundred miles from Area 51.

  Trying to push those thoughts out of my head as Daemon introduced Archer, I sat on the edge of the couch, holding DB in my lap. Dee sat beside me, her cheeks flushed with emotion. I knew she was going to start crying again.

  Dawson made his way over to Lyla’s side. “Is Bethany lying down?”

  Bethany? My ears perked up. Of course she’d be here with Dawson. In the wave of faces, I just hadn’t thought of her. Was she sick?

  Lyla patted Dawson on the back. “She’s okay. Just needs to rest a little bit. It was a lot of traveling.”

  He nodded but didn’t look relieved as he turned to Daemon. “I’ll be right back. I just want to check on her.”

  “Go,” Daemon said as he sat on the other side of me. Leaning against the cushion, he draped his arm along the back of the couch. “So…how is all of this possible? How did you guys know to come here?”

  “Your lovely sister and brother showed up at my club and threatened to burn it down if I didn’t tell them where you were,” Luc said, glancing up from his phone. “True story.”

  Dee wiggled under Daemon’s glare. “What? We knew you’d go there and that he’d probably know where you were.”

  “Wait,” Daemon said, leaning around me to look at Dee. “Did you graduate? You better have graduated, Dee. I’m freaking serious.”

  “Hey! Look who’s talking, Mr. I Have No High School Degree. Yes. I did graduate. Dawson did, too. Bethany…didn’t go back.”

  That made sense. No way could they explain Bethany’s presence.

  “We graduated, too, you know.” Ash paused, picking at her purple fingernail polish. “Just want to throw that out there.”

  Running a hand through his blond hair, Andrew made a face at his sister but said nothing. Archer looked like he was fighting a grin—either that or he was grimacing at the crystal dolphin beside him.

  “And what about this?” Daemon asked, gesturing at the house.

  Lyla leaned against the arm of the couch. “Well, I’ve known Matthew since we were teenagers. We’ve kept in touch over the years, so when he called and asked if I knew of any places to stay, I extended him an invite.”

  Daemon dropped his arms between his knees as his gaze met Matthew’s. “You never mentioned anything like this.”

  There wasn’t any accusation in Daemon’s tone, mostly confusion. Matthew sighed. “It’s not something I felt comfortable telling anyone, nor did I think I’d ever have to. It just never came up.”

  Daemon didn’t say anything for a moment; he seemed to ingest that and then rubbed both hands down his face. “You guys really shouldn’t be here.”

  Beside me, Dee groaned. “I so knew you were going to start in with this. Yes. Being here is dangerous, we get that. But we weren’t going to let this happen to you and Katy. What the hell would that have said about us?”

  “You don’t think before you act?” Daemon suggested gamely.

  I smacked his knee. “I think what he’s trying to say is that he doesn’t want you guys to be in danger.”

  Andrew huffed. “We can handle anything they throw at us.”

  “Actually, no you can’t.” Luc swung his feet onto the floor and sat up, slipping his phone into his pocket. “But here’s the thing. They were already in danger, Daemon. Deep down, you acknowledge that. Daedalus would’ve gone right after them. Make no mistake about that. Nancy would’ve shown up at their door.”

  Daemon’s muscles locked up in his arm. “I get that, but this is like going from the frying pan into the damn volcano.”

  “Not really,” Dawson said from the doorway. He carried two black billfolds in his hand as he walked them over to Daemon and me. He handed one to each of us. “We stay here for a day or so. Figure out our next move and where everyone is going to go, and then we all disappear. That’s what’s in your hands. Say hello to your new identities.”

  Chapter 23

  KATY

  Reading my new name for a third time, I still couldn’t believe it. Something about this name was familiar. “Anna Whitt?”

  Dee bounced a little. “I picked the names.”

  Things started to click into place. “What’s yours, Daemon?”

  He flipped his billfold open and snickered. “Kaidan Rowe. Hmm. That has a nice ring to it.”

  My mouth dropped
open as I twisted toward Dee. “You picked names from a book!”

  She giggled. “I thought you’d like that. Besides, Sweet Evil is one of my favorites, and you made me read it, so…”

  I couldn’t help it. I laughed as I stared down at my picture ID. It was an identical copy of my real driver’s license, except it was a different state and address. Underneath it was my actual ID—Katy Swartz—and a few other sheets of folded paper.

  Gosh, I missed my books. I wanted to hug them, love them, squeeze them.

  “I found that in your bedroom,” Dee explained, tapping a finger off it. “I snuck in and got you some clothes and this before we left.”

  “Thank you,” I said, sliding my new ID over my old one. Staring at both was going to give me an identity crisis.

  “So, wait, my new name is from one of those books?” Daemon frowned. He also had his real ID, but there was a bank card underneath, set to Kaidan’s name. “I’m afraid to even ask what it’s about. I better not be named after any kind of magician or something lame like that.”

  “No. It’s about angels, demons, and nephilim, and…” I stalled, acutely aware that everyone was staring at me like I’d grown a third eye. “Kaidan’s like the embodiment of lust.”

  His eyes sparkled in interest. “Well, now that couldn’t be any more fitting.” He elbowed me, and I rolled my eyes. “Huh? Perfect, right?”

  “Ew,” Dee said.

  “Anyway,” Dawson said, sitting down on the arm of the couch, “I had your accounts switched over to the new names. You’ll also find high school transcripts, so even though both of you are dropouts”—he flashed a grin—“no one will be the wiser. We’re all rocking new identities.”

  “How did you guys take care of all this?” I asked, completely out of the loop when it came to making IDs and faking records.

  Luc smirked. “Among my various and extensive talents, making fake IDs and forging documents is one of them.”

  I stared at the kid, wondering if there was anything he couldn’t do.