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.It was incrediblyintimate, and Helen had toadmit, a thrill to be thatexposed to someone. Tonight, he said in agravelly voice, averting hiseyes tactfully as if Helen weresuddenly topless.In a way shewas, and they both knew it.Helen crossed her arms shylyover her chest.He pushedhimself off the wall and stoodup straight until he was at hisfull height over her.It struckHelen again just how bigOrion was.Maybe that wasanother reason everyonefeared him.The guy washuge. I want to take youthere tonight.Before I have togo back to school tomorrow.Helen nearly laughed, andthen caught herself when sheremembered that it was herschool that had beendemolished in the Halloweenriots, not his.Aftereverything, Orion still had topretend he was a normal guywho went to prep school, didhis homework, and gave acrap about what the other kidsthought of him.It seemed soludicrous, but no one couldsay for certain what was goingto happen in the future.Hewas just covering all hisbases.After the big meeting of theHouses that was supposed totake place at some point overthe next few days, Orionmight have to go back intohiding again.Maybe Helenand Lucas would have to hideas well.The three of themwere responsible for thebreaking of the Truce, andthere was a possibility theymight have to run for theirlives if the other Scions turnedon them.Or they might haveto face off with the gods. Where are you going?Orion and Helen bothjumped at the unexpectedsound.Cassandra appearedout of the shadows, slinkingforward silently, her eyesunblinking as she glancedfrom Orion to Helen and thento the front door that theywere standing before. Are you leaving? sheasked Orion gravely.Cassandra s eyes were bigand shiny in the dim hallway,like two still pools of deepwater in a shady forest.Distracted by a strangeshimmer, Helen glanced downat Cassandra s chest.A singlesilver orb captured Helen seyes.Like a full moon inwinter, it hung inside themidnight-dark of Cassandra stiny rib cage and glowed aghost-blue color that dancedacross her pale cheeks.As lonely as a rock in space,Helen thought, staring at theorb.That s her heart.When Helen looked atOrion, expecting to see himfixated on the silver shimmerof Cassandra s core, she wasshocked to see him smilinghappily as sunny and asbright as could be.It was as ifthe chill Helen saw insideCassandra was invisible toOrion. Hey, Kitty, Orion said,grinning down on Cassandra.Cassandra didn t object tothe nickname he d given her.In fact, she seemed to like it,which was downright baffling.She smiled up at Orion,sending the silver light in herchest out in a wavelike danceacross her face and down herarms and out to the tips of herbraided hair. You said you were stayinga while. Cassandra s gazewas glued to Orion. You saidyou were going to make me abell.Orion threw back his headand laughed, his bright teethflashing in the dim entryway. I made it already.But Iwon t force you to wear it ifyou don t like it.He pulled a long, sparklybraid of silky purple twinefrom his pocket.It wasstudded with miniature jinglebells that were smaller thansunflower seeds.Cassandra seyes lit up. I like it, she saidenthusiastically. Never heard of a kitty thatactually wanted to wear a bellbefore, Orion said with acomical grimace.Hemotioned for Cassandra tohold out her wrist, and whenshe did, he began wrappingthe long thread around andaround, forming amultilayered, tinkling gauntletas he did so. That s really beautiful,Helen exclaimed as Orionbegan knotting the bracelet toCassandra s wrist.Thematerials were simple, but theend result was surprisinglystylish.Helen wanted oneherself. When did you getthe chance to make that? Oh, you know.Here andthere, he replied with amysterious smile, his eyes onhis task. Used to makejewelry for the tourists when Iwas kicking around India andTibet.Just to make a buck.Igot good at making littlethings like this fast. Hefinished tying it off andreleased Cassandra s wrist. When were you in Tibet?Helen asked, surprised and abit envious.She d alwayswanted to go there.He locked eyes with her, hislips sealed.Helen glanceddown at Orion s chest, but hewas doing that thing where hesnatched the colors awaybefore Helen could really seethem. We ll talk about that whenwe go out tonight, he saidfinally. Okay.But you gotta teachme how you do that cover-upswirly thing, or I m not goinganywhere with you, she said,pointing first to his chest, thento hers. I m at a seriousdisadvantage here. So, you are leaving,Cassandra said anxiously,turning to Orion. You twoare going on a date? Not exactly, Orion said,staring at Helen with anenigmatic smile.Helen had noidea what he had in store, soshe just shrugged. You re not going for long,are you? Cassandra persisted,a desperate note creeping intoher voice. No way, Orion said.Hetook her hand up playfullyand shook it, making the bellson her new bracelet ring for amoment. I ll be back beforeyou know it. Good, Cassandra said,sighing the word with relief.She noticed Helen watchingher carefully and squared hershoulders. Hector said w-weshould all stick together.I-Ithink he s right [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]