Lauren_Kate_ _Fallen_2

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

was possible to feel so bad about so many things at once.
Shhh, Daniel whispered. Shhh.
A day ago, she d been sick watching Daniel love her into oblivion in that Announcer. The in-
escapable violence sewn into their relationship had seemed insurmountable. But now, especially af-
ter talking with Arriane, Luce could feel something big coming on. Something shifting maybe the
whole world shifting with Luce and Daniel hovering right on the edge. It was all around them, in
the ether, and it affected the way she saw herself, and Daniel, too.
The helpless looks she d seen in his eyes in those just-before-dying moments: Now they felt like
they were the past. It reminded her of the way he d looked at her after their first kiss in this life on
the marshy beach near Sword & Cross. The taste of his lips on hers, the feel of his breath on her
neck, his strong hands wrapped around her: It had all been so wonderful except for the fear in his
eyes.
But Daniel hadn t looked at her like that in a while. The way he looked at her now surrendered
nothing. He looked at her as if she were going to stick around, almost as if she had to. Things were
different in this life. Everyone was saying it, and Luce could feel it, too: a revelation growing ever
larger inside her. She d watched herself die, and she d survived it. Daniel didn t have to shoulder
his punishment alone anymore. It was something they could do together.
I want to say something, she said into his shirt, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. I want to talk be-
fore you say anything.
She could feel his chin brushing the top of her head. He was nodding.
I know you have to be careful about what you tell me. I know I ve died before. But I m not going
anywhere this time, Daniel, I can feel it. At least, not without a fight. She tried to smile. I think it
will help us both to stop treating me like a fragile piece of glass. So I m asking you, as your friend,
as your girlfriend, as, you know, the love of your life, to let me in a little more. Otherwise I just feel
isolated and anxious and
He caught her chin with his finger and tilted her head up. He was eyeing her curiously. She waited
for him to interrupt, but he didn t.
I didn t leave Shoreline to spite you, she continued. I left because I didn t understand why it
mattered. And I put my friends in danger because of it.
Daniel held her face in front of his. The violet in his eyes practically glowed. I have failed you too
many times before, he whispered. And in this life maybe I ve erred on the side of caution. I
should have known you d test whatever boundary you were given. You wouldn t be & the girl I
loved if you didn t. Luce waited for him to smile down at her. He didn t. There s just so much at
stake this time around. I ve been so focused on
The Outcasts?
They re the ones who took your friend, Daniel said. They can barely identify right from left, let
alone which side they re working for.
Luce thought back to the girl Cam had shot with the silver arrow, to the good-looking empty-eyed
boy in the diner. Because they re blind.
Daniel looked down at his hands, rubbing his fingers together. He looked as if he might be sick.
Blind but very brutal. He reached up and traced one of her blond curls with his finger. You were
smart to dye your hair. It kept you safe when I couldn t get there fast enough.
Smart? Luce was horrified. Dawn could have died because I got my hands on a cheap bottle of
bleach. How is that smart? If & if I dyed my hair black tomorrow, you mean the Outcasts would
suddenly be able to find me?
Daniel shook his head roughly. They shouldn t have found their way onto this campus at all. They
should never have been able to get their hands on any of you. I am working night and day to keep
them from you from this whole school. Someone s aiding them, and I don t know who
Cam. What else would he have been doing here?
But Daniel shook his head. Whoever it is will regret it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Pokrewne