Lost in Starlight (Starlight Saga)

by Sherry Soule

  Hayden pulls back. “Shit. Dixon and his team should be here soon,” he says. “We need to be careful for a little while longer until I can talk to Dixon alone. He still owes me a favor…”

  THIRTY

  While Dixon and three other special agents go inside the building to take Tama and Darion into custody, then to a secret hybrid prison, a grim looking Arcane enters the warehouse. While Hayden is explaining everything that went down to Dixon, Arcane grips my elbow and pulls me aside.

  We step through the rollup metal door and into the brightness. The rising sun throws orange, gold, and yellow hues across the land. I turn back to look at the warehouse that was meant to be my tomb. Graffiti covers the derelict building. Broken windows peer down at us, just remnants of shattered glass in rotting wooden frames. A rickety dock lies to the north, water rippling beneath its legs. Two black SUVs, Hayden’s Range Rover, and a burgundy Lexus are parked near the doorway. Hayden must have driven over here and then teleported inside the warehouse to rescue me. Good thing, too. Not sure I could handle traveling that way again so soon.

  “Sloane, I’d like to speak candidly for a moment if I may,” Arcane says.

  “Go for it.” Like I really have a choice.

  “The real reason my companions and I came to Winter Haven was because we had an anonymous tip that a rogue hybrid was in the area. He had married outside our species, and now we’re trying to track him down,” Arcane says with the calm voice of authority. “When we went to pay a social visit on the Lancasters, Zach told me his concerns regarding your relationship. After we spoke to Hayden about it, he assured us that you were only friends.”

  Blood pounds in my temples. “And you believed him until you saw us at the club, right?”

  “No, I noticed this look of yearning in his eyes long before that.”

  “Then why didn’t you expose us?”

  Arcane shrugs. “Because I’d hoped it would be short-lived.”

  “But we’re the real deal. We care about each other.”

  “That might be the case, but our rules are in place to protect ourselves as well as sub-humans,” he explains. “Did Hayden tell you that if a human is pregnant with a hybrid offspring, the mother dies in childbirth?”

  “Yes, but how do you know it’s true?”

  “I just do,” he replies firmly, then looks downward to adjust his shirt cuffs. “So, if you and Hayden entered into a sexual relationship and you were to accidentally get pregnant, it could have dire consequences for yourself and the child.”

  A slight blush warms my face. If he starts giving me the “birds and the bees” speech, I’m going to feign a stomachache and go hide in Hayden’s car.

  He clears his throat, one hand moving to rest on his chest. “Please consider doing the right thing and end the relationship before things become too serious. You’re still young, and you’ll find another man to love. One that can give you a real future and a family someday—”

  “Whoa! I’m not even thinking about marriage or kids yet.”

  “You’re almost eighteen, Sloane, and you will be contemplating these things sooner than you think. Don’t be selfish and ruin Hayden’s chance at happiness, too. If he disobeys our laws, then he becomes an outcast among our people.”

  But I am that selfish. I want Hayden. He is my future. I might only be seventeen, but I now know with my whole heart and soul that Hayden is The One.

  “How can I give him up?” My voice sounds strange when I speak, thick and unsteady. “I-I care about him too much.”

  “If you don’t, then the Galactic Brotherhood will have to erase your memories, but I’m giving you a choice here…I just hope you make the right one.”

  No horrible shock therapy? No awful mind wiping? I get to keep my memories intact. For now. Must be my lucky day.

  “Maybe someday things will change. Your laws will change,” I say.

  Before Arcane can respond with more reasons why Hayden and I cannot continue dating, my secret boyfriend walks out of the warehouse. Hayden’s arm goes around my waist and I automatically lean into his side.

  “Dixon is heading out now and I need to get Sloane home,” Hayden says.

  Arcane puts a hand on Hayden’s shoulder and squeezes once. “I’ll meet you back at the house.” He faces me and says, “I am glad you’re all right, Sloane. And I trust you’ll keep our secrets intact?”

  “Of course. I’d never tell anyone. You have my word,” I say.

  “Well, then I guess I’ll just have to trust you as much as Hayden does,” Arcane says quietly. “I gave Hayden my word not to harm you, but I can’t say the same for the other members of the Brotherhood.”

  “I understand…and thanks,” I say.

  Dixon walks out of the warehouse and silently hands me my shoes and belt. He pulls Arcane aside to speak in hushed voices, nodding and glancing in my direction. After a few minutes, Arcane strolls to his Lexus and drives away. The other agents escort Darion, restrained in titanium handcuffs, to one of the SUVs and put him into the backseat. They bring an unconscious Tama out on a stretcher and load her into the back of the other vehicle.

  Agent Dixon marches over to us. “Sloane, can we count on your discretion?”

  “Yes,” I say, putting extra stress on the word. “What do you guys want me to do? Write it in blood?”

  Dixon taps his chin as if considering it. “Not just yet.” He cracks a small smile. “But if the rest of the hybrid clan hears about your friendship, I can’t promise you that they won’t take drastic measures to keep their secrets intact. Do you understand?”

  I nod my head. “Got it. I talk and they mind-erase me.”

  Dixon looks quizzically at me and nods mutely. He shakes hands with Hayden, and then gets into one of the SUVs while the other agents get into the other. Both vehicles burn rubber out of there, leaving Hayden and me alone.

  “Cheer up, Peaches. We survived.” Hayden smiles and opens up his arms for a hug. “Who needs some alien lovin’ right now?”

  Like the ending of some epic drama, I look up at Hayden with a tearstained face and go into his arms. I kiss him, melting soft. As cheesy as it sounds, it’s just like in the movies when the music swells through a big crescendo. For that single moment, time stops and there’s only the two of us with his mouth pressed to mine. A kiss that I feel straight down to my toes. My entire being quivers from the deep, slow kisses infused with passion and promise. Our eyes flutter closed, both of us enjoying the moment. Hayden’s other hand tangles in my hair, cradling my head. The kiss deepens and warmth spreads throughout my body. Hayden’s lips part and his tongue moves against mine. His hands wrap around my waist and mine lock around his neck. He pulls me hard against his chest, as if he can’t get me close enough and his long kisses become scorching and fierce. I slip my hands under his shirt and run my fingers down his back. Hard muscles under firm, warm skin. Mmmm. He kisses me thoroughly as if savoring it for the rest of his life. It seems like we haven’t been alone together in weeks, even though it’s only been days, and from the frantic touch of his hands and lips, I can tell he feels the same way.

  Finally, he pulls back, smoothly extricating himself by removing my arms from around his neck. His face is flushed, his lips swollen. “I’m falling in love with you, Sloane…you’ve snuck into my heart in a way no other girl ever has before.”

  “I’m falling hard for you, too,” I whisper.

  “And I’m so sorry about everything. I know this is worse than hell, and I hate that I’ve dragged you into all this stupid hybrid politics shit—”

  “Hayden—”

  “Because you deserve so much more. More than all this sneaking around and almost getting killed. Don’t you understand? I—”

  “Hayden,” I repeat, but he still zips past my words.

  “I’m going to make this right.” He kisses the top of my head. “I don’t know how yet, but I will. One way or another.”

  Suddenly, the distance between us feels like a deep ocean of
unspoken words.

  Hayden and I get into the Range Rover, and he drives the speed limit for a change. My purse sits near my feet. Thankfully, Hayden thought to bring it with him when he came to my rescue. I check my phone and there are a hundred messages from Viola and Tanisha asking where I am and why I abruptly left the club. I’m too exhausted to explain, so I send them both a brief text saying I’m fine and with Hayden. Then I take out a tissue and clean up my face.

  We stay quiet, just holding hands and listening to the radio while Thirty Seconds to Mars’s “Stay” plays softly in the background. The song is so heartbreakingly beautiful and perfectly reflects our relationship.

  As we turn the corner, I spot a dirty Taurus parked in front of my house. Devin. Terrific.

  “I wonder what he wants,” I mumble.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll go with you.”

  “Nah. I can handle him. Go home and get some sleep. Smooth things over with your parents.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yup. My family is inside the house and its broad daylight. What harm can he do?”

  “Okay. I’ll call you later.” He leans across the console and kisses me hard on the mouth.

  I slip from the SUV and straighten my spine. Showtime.

  The minute Hayden’s vehicle pulls away, Devin opens his car door and gets out.

  “Hey, Sloane.” He looks me up and down. “What happened to you?”

  “I’m tired and grumpy and it’s been a long night, Devin. What do you want?”

  “Is that blood on your shirt?”

  Shit. I glance down at my clothes. “No. I spilled fruit punch on myself.”

  Devin is quiet for a moment, then his brown eyes narrow and his lips pull downward at the corners. “Did you two spend the night together?” he asks accusingly. “How could you, Sloane?”

  My jaw clenches. “It’s not what you think.” There’s no need to explain myself to him, anyway, so I ask, “Why are you even here?”

  “I need those notes on Hayden and the hacker story today,” Devin says, clearly out of patience.

  My heart lurches, but I can’t look away from his resolute gaze. “I already told you that there’s nothing to tell.”

  “Well, if you’d been doing your job, then you would know that’s not true.” Devin wears a smug grin and I want to punch him in the face. “I went through Haven High’s computer tech’s files, and it confirmed that the system had been hacked. And the evidence leads back to Hayden Lancaster. So, I did some digging, and get this, his parents somehow managed to bribe the school board into not expelling him because Hayden’s dad is some bigshot lawyer.”

  Crap. Crap. Crap!

  I shuffle over to the porch and plop down on the top step, setting my purse next to me. I’m drained and exhausted and achy all over. I just want to curl in bed with Jinx and sleep for two days. But I need to get rid of Devin first.

  I rub my eyes and yawn. “You can’t run the Lancaster story, you’ll get into trouble, and you might even embarrass the school. If someone was bribed, there’s no way they’ll approve the article. Principal Allen is super nice and she’s not going to like—”

  “Who cares? This is the biggest scandal we’ve had in years! And I don’t need their approval if I run the story without telling them.” He rocks back and forth on his heels. “Now please, Sloane, give me your notes.”

  The front door opens, and my mom pokes her head out. “Sloane? You’re home from Viola’s already? Is everything all right, honey?”

  “Fine. Couldn’t sleep, so I asked Hayden to bring me home. He just dropped me off.”

  “That was nice of him. But it’s barely eight o’clock.”

  “He’s an early riser,” I say.

  She glances from me to Devin with raised brows. “And who’s your friend?’

  “Mom, this is the editor of the school paper, Devin Greenspan. He stopped by to talk about an article that I’m working on. I’ll be inside in a minute.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Devin says with a toothy smile.

  Gag me.

  “You too,” my mom says, then looks at me. “If you’re going to stay out here, Sloane, at least come in and put on a jacket. It’s chilly this morning.”

  I hadn’t even noticed the brisk air until she mentioned it.

  “I’ll be right back,” I tell Devin and follow my mom inside the house. On the coat rack near the door hangs my warm Hell Bunny Sofia coat. I slip it on and button up.

  With a resigned sigh, I head back out to convince Devin to drop the article and go home. But when I step outside, he’s in his car and driving away.

  At least I’d won that battle without getting myself drugged, kidnapped, and almost killed.

  FRIGHT NIGHT BABBLE

  Welcome, Snarklings!

  These overused clichés in zombie flicks make me want to gauge my eyes out with a rusty spoon!

  There can be literally zombies shuffling everywhere, and nobody believes the main character that the walking dead are attacking everything with a pulse. Get a clue, people!

  And then there’s always one character who’s been bitten and denies it, or talks someone into promising not to tell the others. They’ve got an oozing bite mark on their arm and declare, “But I’m okay, seriously.” So campy!

  Worst cliché? How nobody in these movies has ever seen a zombie film. Seriously?

  Have an emergency survival plan, folks! That’ll inject some much-needed spinal fluid into the genre.

  Peace, love, and horror flicks,

  Zombie Queen aka Sloane

  THIRTY-ONE

  I hurry inside the house and up to my room. I toss my purse on the bed and crumble to the floor, tears prickling my eyes.

  My brain is deep-fried and barely functioning. But I’m too wired to sleep. What I need is a hot shower, some food, and a shot of much-needed caffeine, so I can formulate a plan. Arcane asked me to walk away or I might get my memories wiped. Neither is an appealing offer. There has to be a way Hayden and I can be together without endangering my life or pissing off the hybrid clan.

  I take a quick shower, scrubbing off all the dirt and grime and bloodstains from the warehouse ordeal. Wrapping a towel around me, I hurry back to my room.

  Dressing quickly in loose khaki hipsters with a wide leather belt and a burgundy halter, I pull my damp hair into two low ponytails. Then I slip on my Iron Fist Misfits skull flats with a cute ghoulish green bow. I feel ten times better and more clearheaded.

  Going downstairs and into the kitchen, I put two frozen waffles into the toaster and crack open a diet soda. Music seeps from under my mom’s studio door and the soft strands of Bach fill the room. I down the whole can while I’m waiting for my waffles to defrost.

  I eat them without butter or syrup over the sink and wash my breakfast down with another cold soda. Now I’m vibrating from the caffeine buzz, although my brain is still trying to process last night’s near death experience. But at least I’m all set to call Hayden, so we can figure out what to do next before more crazed hybrids decide to visit Winter Haven.

  Back in my room, I grab my purse lying on the bed and shake it upside down. My iPhone and other stuff spills out and scatters all over the bed.

  My breath hitches. Oh, god. Where is it?

  Everything is there except for one thing.

  The Hello Kitty notebook with all of Hayden’s secrets.

  Devin must’ve stolen it when I went inside to put on a jacket. He’s just all kinds of skeevy!

  My shoulders stiffen. “Damn him! Being my editor and so-called friend sure doesn’t give him a free pass to Douche-land.”

  What am I going to do now? I promised Arcane, Dixon, and Hayden that I’d never tell anyone. They all trust me. But this isn’t my fault. I just have to figure out how to fix this. Fast.

  Snatching up my cell, I dial Devin’s number. His slimy voicemail recording plays, “This is Devin, but I’m busy scoping out a new story. Leave your number and maybe I’ll cal
l you back.”

  “Bastard.” I throw my phone on the bed.

  I need to confront Devin about this morning’s shady theft and demand my personal property back without anyone finding out. Especially, Hayden.

  How I’m going to do that is still a mystery.

  The next edition of the Haven Gazette doesn’t come out for two more days. The thing is not to panic. Stay coolheaded. Remain calm. Rational.

  I need some sort of leverage. But what?

  Grunting, I scoop my stuff off the bed and heave the items back into my purse. I need to get my ass over to Devin’s house and make nice.

  After a few deep breaths, I’m ready to conquer the world. Or at least a thieving, boob-leering, butthead.

  Feeling adrenaline building up in my chest, I take the stairs two at a time and fly out the front door. I stalk across the lawn and get into the Jetta.

  I’m on a mission. That notebook is mine. He had no freakin’ right to take it.

  Once I get it back, I’ll need to muster up the guts to tell Devin off once and for all. He’s a creepy pervert, douchey, and completely unapologetic about his fixation with my breasts. About time that I read him the riot act.

  I zoom out of the driveway and drive across town to Devin’s house, praying that he’s at home and hasn’t had a chance to look at my notes yet.

  When I pull to the curb in front of his house, his Taurus is nowhere in sight. My heart plummets into my stomach. Maybe Mr. Megajerk parks his car in the garage. Or if his parents are home, they might know where he is, and then I can talk to him calmly. Or with my fists.

  Please, oh, please be home.

  I get out of the Jetta and hurry to the door. I pound on it twice, then back up and wait.

  No answer.

  I knock again, harder and louder. Two minutes pass. Five. Ten.

  Nada. Zilch, zero, zip.

  Sweat travels down my spine. Where the hell is he? I clench my jaw and lightly tug on my ponytails. What now?

  Haven High! He could be at the newspaper’s workroom. He’s buddies with the janitor, so it might be possible.