House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(26)

Marsil sat, waving at the girl. “Star, sit down, sweetheart.”

She practically fell in next to him, the pair slumping together in a familiar way. “I have barely slept for days,” she said, her voice low and melodic. “Fighting with Father about me leaving was really frustrating.” She shook back her long, thick, shiny hair. “He’s still upset, so don’t be surprised if he contacts one of you.”

Lexen was standing near the window, his back to the view. He swiveled to face her. “We can handle Father,” he said. “But I still don’t understand why you came at all. We’re fulfilling the terms of the treaty.”

Star crossed her arms. I was getting a sense of stubbornness from her. “Where my brothers go, I go. Besides, it’s no fun on…” She quickly glanced at me. “At home without you.”

She was their sister. And they were all brothers. So how the hell were they all in the same year at school? Were they quads? Or … I had no idea. This family was too weird to try wrapping my brain around. Part of me wanted to remain quiet in the hope I could learn something from their idle chatter, but another part of me needed specific questions answered, and needed them now.

I was about to ask about Michael and Sara when Lexen locked me in his dark gaze. “Why did you follow us? The rules are explained to all who live on this street.”

I swallowed hard, his mere presence scary enough to have all saliva disappearing from my mouth. “My…” I had to clear my throat. “My guardians have vanished. They were searching for supernatural activity in this area, and … something weird is going on in this street!” Somehow I was shouting, so I tried to calm myself. Why was I acting so weird? It was like my emotions had no middle ground. One minute I was calm and collected, the next a raving mess of nerves and anger.

I sensed Star and Marsil staring at me, but I couldn’t tear my gaze from Lexen. He was everything I would normally avoid in a man – too tall, too broad, too strong – the shaved side of his hair flashing those symbols at me, and no doubt there were matching tattoos hidden under his sleeves and jeans. He had bad boy written all over him, and unlike a lot of girls I’d known I was not interested in trying to tame myself an attitude problem.

But I couldn’t look away.

“There is no such thing as supernaturals,” Lexen said, his tone dismissive. “Your guardians are idiots, and are probably lost in the forest somewhere.”

He wasn’t completely wrong, they definitely could just be lost, but I was almost entirely sure he was lying about the supernaturals part. I was putting all the pieces together now, everything I had ever overheard from Sara and Michael: the strange things in this town; Cara’s information; the odd happenings since I was discovered by these Darkens – that ball of light that had spat out a girl. How were they going to explain that away? Even if they could, I had made up my mind. Supernaturals were very much real, and I was in their house. Since it seemed Lexen wanted to pretend this was all a big misunderstanding, I would play along.

“No doubt you’re right.” I stared at my nails, acting nonchalant. “I’ve always thought they were a little on the crazy side, but I still love them.” Lifting my gaze, I met his unflinchingly. “Do you know for sure they’re lost? Do you have any information on them?”

He just shook his head at me, before his attention was captured by something behind me. I turned to find Jero sauntering along, his dark gray suit fitting in perfectly with the beautiful surroundings of their home. “No problems?” Lexen asked.

His brother shook his head. “Nope. It’s all quiet out there.”

“Sit.”

I realized that command from Lexen was aimed at me, but since I wasn’t a dog I chose to cross my arms over my chilled body and stare him down.

Screw you, asshole.

His jaw was rigid; I could see a small tic in one corner. “Someone dry her off, and don’t let her out of your sight. I will be back once I contact the council.”

“And Father,” Star piped up.

He nodded at his sister, before turning and striding off.

Jero, who had been heading for the couch with his sister, quickly changed paths. “I volunteer to dry you off,” he said, flashing me a wide grin.

I snorted, so elegant as always. “Wipe that smirk off your face, Romeo. This girl is not interested.”

It almost looked like he was pouting, even though he flashed a wink at me. “I’m devastated.”

Star, who must have moved without me seeing, since she was standing right behind him, let out a little chuckle. “He’s never been told no before. You really have devastated him.”

She held out a hand to me, not like you would to shake, but sort of like she wanted me to kiss it. I just stared down at it, and she hastily pulled it back. “Oh, sorry,” she murmured, sounding a little breathless. “I’m Star. It’s really nice to meet you.”

I just gave her a nod. “I’m Emma.”

Star didn’t seem taken aback by my unfriendliness. If anything she got even more animated. “You can borrow some of my clothes. We’re almost the same size.”

Well, sure, if you discounted me being shorter and fatter than her. Even with my recent weight loss I couldn’t compare to her slender figure. I was naturally curvy.

Star turned to Jero and he shook his head. “Lexen won’t like it.”