Did Hector see you in Pandoras shape on the beach tonight?
she asked her mother quietly when they got to the front door.
No. And he can never know, Daphne said, staring at Helen intensely.
You and I are the only family he has now and he needs to
trust me. You both do.
Helen knew her mother had risked her life to help Hector, but
the way Helen saw it, trust was something that was earned, not
386/395
something that another person could demand from her. Even if
that person was her own mother.
Ill be in touch with you over the next few days to let you know
what the plan is, Daphne promised as she took her bag down off
the hook and opened the door.
One last thing? Helen asked as she held the door open. Ill stay
quiet about what I saw on the beach if you agree to release Jerry
from the influence of the cestus. You never loved him, but Kate
does, and I think its about time you let someone in your life be
happy, dont you?
Daphne stared at Helen, shocked that her obedient daughter had
finally expressed a mind of her own, then looked off to the side distractedly,
like she was listening to a faraway sound.
Its done, she said in a brisk voice, snapping out of her momentary
trance. I cant make any promises about his relationship
with Kate working out, but Jerrys heart is his own to give or to
keep as he sees fit.
Its about time, Helen said coldly.
All of this pain Ive caused, I did it to protect you. And it worked.
So Im not sorry for any of it, Daphne said, giving Helen a sad
smile before turning and walking away.
Helen shut the door and wandered back to the rest of the family,
forehead furrowed in thought. As soon as she stepped into the living
room, Lucass head snapped around to look at her. He gestured
for her to come to him. Although she knew it was the last thing that
she should do, it was the only thing she wanted to do.
I have to go home, she told him as soon as she got to him, trying
not to shake too much. I left a good-bye note for my father on
my desk when I thought . . . She broke off and had to take a
breath. Anyway, I have to get rid of it before he wakes up and
finds it. Hes been through too much already.
387/395
Lucas balled his right hand into a fist and shoved it into his pocket.
Helen had never seen him make that gesture before, and she
realized he was doing it to stop himself from taking her hand.
Lets go, then, Lucas said, turning his face away from hers.
But I thought you and I were staying away from each other?
She broke off awkwardly.
Lucas shook his head decisively. Creon had Pandora drag
Daphne to that beach because he was going to take her off this island
by boat. Which means he was supposed to rendezvous with
someone out there on the water, Lucas said, his expression steely.
When they realize that Creon is missing, theyre going to come
looking for him, and when they dont find him theyre going to
come looking for Daphneand then you. Youre in more danger
now than you ever were and I dont care how hard it is on either of
us. Im not letting you out of my sight for a second.
Well, what are we supposed to do then? she nearly cried out,
throwing her hands up in surrender. She had reached the end of
her emotional and physical tether.
Come on, Lucas said grabbing her hand and pulling her out of
the room. Everyone turned and looked at them, but they were too
overwhelmed by the losses they had suffered to pay much attention
to Helens outburst.
Im taking her home and staying there to watch over her, Lucas
barked at Ariadne, who was weeping quietly in a chair. As soon as
they were outside they leapt in unison into the night sky.
The cold air was like a slap in the face. It knocked Helen out of
her confused state and she realized that no matter what she had
been through that day, Lucas had been through far worse. It was
time to stop feeling sorry for herself and pay attention to him.
Moments later, they landed on Helens widows walk, and Lucas
turned to her with an empty face, letting go of her hand.
Go in. Ill be fine up here, he whispered. Helen took a step
closer to him, but he just shook his head.
388/395
I cant come in, he whispered, his voice breaking hopelessly.
Ive lost too much today. Im not strong enough.
I know, she said. Im so sorry, Lucas.
Helen wrapped her arms around his shoulders, wanting nothing
but to console him. She held on to him, propping him up until Lucas
was strong enough to stand on his own again. He eased himself
away from Helen and gave her a small smile to let her know that he
was better.
Wait here a sec. I have to let my dad know Im home.
Im not going anywhere, Lucas promised.
Helen flew down to the front yard and noticed that Kates car was
still parked in the driveway. She landed and went in the front door,
not at all sure what she was going to say or do. She found her dad
sleeping on the couch in the living room, sat down next to him, and
shook him gently until he woke. Jerry looked relieved for about
two seconds, then sat up and sighed at Helen in disappointment.
You know what you put me through, right? he asked, heartbroken.
Helen felt so guilty she couldnt meet his eyes, so she just
nodded her head. Youd better start explaining.
Helen thought about how so many people in her life already
knew what she was, and for just a moment she considered telling
her father everything. But if she opened that can of worms shed
also have to tell him Daphne was back, and she couldnt bring herself
to do that. Not after she had finally released him from his unnatural
attachment to her. For the first time in almost two decades,
Jerry had the chance to have a real life with a woman who actually
loved him in return. Helen wouldnt allow anything to endanger
that.
I cant, Dad. At least I cant right now. I guess I could make up
an excuse, but it would be a lie, Helen said hopelessly as she
rubbed her hands over her tired face and aching skull. And I dont
ever want to lie to you.
389/395
Is this how things are going to be between us now? No trust, no
communication, no respect?
No, Dad. Dont even say that, Helen said shaking her head
tiredly and meeting her fathers eyes.
Ive been through this before, you know, Jerry said quietly.
Ive spent a lot of nights waiting right here on this couch for
someone to come home. And she never did. I wont do it anymore,
Helen.
Good, Helen said, seeing a spark in her father that she had never
seen before. I dont want you to waste one more second of your
life waiting for anyone. Not even me. My life is crazy right now and
I cant promi
se that Ill never disappear again, but I can promise
that I will always come back to you. Im not going to leave you,
Dad. Ever.
I know you wont, he said as if he was just realizing that it was
true. He took a deep breath and sat quietly for a moment, thinking.
Well, I always knew you were different, and I also knew that
someday you were going to realize it. Thats all the explanation Im
going to get out of you right now, isnt it?
For now. Helen said smiling warmly at what had to be the best
father ever.
Would it do any good to ground you? he asked with a humorous
glint in his eyes as he stood up and stretched.
Probably not, Helen laughed.
She stood up and gave her father a hug. He hugged her back with
more than forgiveness. He hugged her to let her know he accepted
her exactly as she wassleepless nights and all. As they walked to
the stairs together a happy thought occurred to Helen.
Youre going to bed? she asked, glancing over at him with a sly
look in her eyes. He nodded. I saw Kates car outside. Is she in
your room?
She is, he said with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. Thats why
I was on the couch.
390/395
Youre not on the couch anymore, Helen observed innocently.
Jerry paused at his bedroom door and turned to face her.
Are you going to be okay with this? he asked seriously.
Helen knew that if she said it bothered her he would turn right
around and spend the rest of the night alone.
Dad. Ive never been more okay with anything in my life, Helen
said honestly. She went into her room and closed the door firmly
behind her to let him know that she was going to give him some
privacy.
Helen heard her dad wake Kate up and let her know that
everything was okay, and then turned to tear up the note she had
left on her desk. She flew out her window to meet Lucas on the
widows walk.
Did you hear all that? she asked when she saw the sympathetic
look on his face.
Does it bother you? He took the sleeping bag from the chest
and spread it out for both of them to sit on.
No, she said, shaking her head. I would have told you, anyway.
Somehow, its like whatever Im going through hasnt happened to
me until you know about it.
I know what you mean, he whispered.
They sat down next to each other on the edge of the widows
walk, their thighs threaded between the bars of the railing and
their feet dangling off the side of the house.
Its Monday. Weve got school in a few hours, Helen said. I
suppose if we all stayed home it would look suspicious, huh?
Very suspicious, Lucas replied. Besides, youre safer in a public
place. The Hundred wont attack you in front of mortal
witnesses.
And what about you? Helen asked, looking at her hands. Are
the Hundred going to come after you and your family now?
I dont know, Lucas replied with a tired shake of his head. But
whatever they do, they know that if they kill one of their own kin
391/395
theyll become Outcasts, and the more Outcasts there are, the
farther they are from attaining Atlantis. I think theyll focus their
energy on Daphne and Hector. And you.
Helen nodded, and debated whether or not she should keep asking
questions.
And tomorrowwhat should I say about Hector if anyone asks?
Or Pandora? Helen asked gently, knowing that every time she said
their names it hurt Lucas a little more.
Pandora went back to Europe to study art in Paris, Lucas said
in a hushed tone. And Hector is home with a nasty case of the flu
for the next few days until we can coordinate a plan with your
mother.
I dont trust my mother, Helen said as she stared out at the
rising sun.
Neither does Cassandra, Lucas replied without looking over at
her. She thinks Daphne is hiding something.
Do you think my mother is dangerous? Helen asked. She
turned to Lucas with worried eyes.
I think shes entirely committed to freeing the Rogues and the
Outcasts, he answered, choosing his words carefully. As long as
we remember that, I dont think theres any reason not to trust her.
She hasnt lied.
Helen nodded, accepting Lucass interpretation. Ive got too
much baggage to think rationally about my mother.
Thats the funny thing about being a Scion, Lucas said, smiling
in the petal-colored air of the chilly dawn. Our fights tear the
whole world apart, but for us, theyre really just family feuds. And
no one ever acts rationally when it comes to their family.
Helen smiled back at him, struck yet again by how perceptive he
was. Then she caught herself, and remembered how important it
was to keep her distance from him. She turned her face away and
forced herself to stand.
392/395
Are you going to be okay? she asked him. He didnt answer, but
just smiled up her and nodded before turning his face back to the
horizon.
Good morning, Lucas, she said, her voice soft and sad as she
walked away.
Good morning, Helen, he replied, not allowing himself to turn
and look at her as she left him.
Helen, beloved of the goddess of love, went downstairs to crawl
into her empty bed as Lucas, the son of the sun, leaned back on his
elbows and watched his father-god brighten the bare wooden
planks of her widows walk.
393/395
UNCORRECTED E-PROOF
HarperCollins Publishers
.....................................................................
liane19
end
Starcrossed Page 45
