Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(82)

“Sure. Maybe crazy like a fox,” Darcy said unevenly. “Look at you, rocking me like a mom with a hurt child. He threw us together and hoped that we might become friends, so that it would be painful for you when you saw me suffering when I found out about Sylvie.” She lifted her head. “And it worked, didn’t it? His twin was killed, so he used another twin to twist the knife in you, Cara, the person who was the reason for Sean’s death. This whole damn nightmare has been about twins. He even slept with my mother because the concept intrigued him. He might have even thought there was some mystical reason he and Felicity had been brought together to show him a way to use Sylvie and me to help avenge his brother.”

“You know, you could be right about that,” Cara said. “As obsessed as he was with twins throughout his life, it could be the answer why he chose the two of you in particular.”

“It’s as good a guess as any. Other than that, it just goes back to the fact that he didn’t believe us to be of any importance. No, perhaps as a symbol. He’s into symbols. Look at those mirrors in the gold box.” She added, “But even then, he didn’t use that second mirror to reflect me. Michael was more important to him.”

Cara could feel her pain and bitterness, and it was hurting her. She reached out and gently touched her cheek. “He may have thrown us together to eventually hurt me, but he failed, Darcy. He gave me more than he took. He probably never even realized how valuable friendship can be.”

She nodded jerkily. “I can believe that. I think he’s a hollow man with only a corrosive poison inside.” She drew a deep breath and forced a smile. “Okay, that’s over. This hit me hard, and I had to work my way through it. It was very personal to me. He used me, and he used Sylvie.” She was silent a moment. “And he used my mother to try to destroy both of us. It came as a shock that he went to such extraordinary lengths to use me to hurt you, completely ignoring how it would also hurt me.” She got to her feet. “And it was good that I had this day with Jock to come to terms with the initial shock, wasn’t it? I didn’t behave too badly. You must be bored with me falling apart all the time.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. When you’re hurting, you come to friends to help. That’s the way of it,” she said. “And I’m glad that Jock was with you. He has a kind of shining inside that sometimes makes— He helps.” Darcy was looking at her curiously, and she rushed on, “You must have noticed it today.”

“I noticed that he was there for me,” Darcy said. “And that he’s probably as unique as I always thought him. I was a little too upset to notice any shining.”

“You will. Anyway I’m glad he could help you.” She smiled. “He’s always been there when I needed him.”

“That’s been evident from the moment I found out he existed in your life. I’m happy you let me borrow him for today. I had a moment when I wasn’t sure I should hijack him, but I needed him so I decided to take the chance.”

Cara frowned. “Chance?”

“I was afraid you might think I was— Look, I told you I was backing off from Jock. And I did it, didn’t I? Do you think I’d blow it now? Before it was just a trial balloon set up to test the weather.” She made a face. “Not that I could have seduced him anyway. Anytime you’re anywhere near, I don’t resonate with him.”

“Of course you do.”

“Have it your own way. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” She headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to go take that shower and change. None of this is—” She suddenly whirled. “No, I should have brought it up because you’re the most clueless girl on the planet where Jock is concerned.”

“What?”

“You heard me. You’re smart, you’re empathetic, you’re kind, you’re giving, but you don’t see anything.” She shook her head. “Maybe I shouldn’t expect it. Jock has always been your whole world, and between your music and him you don’t have any experience in the way to play the game. You’re a virgin, aren’t you? Nothing wrong with that, if you want to take your time. I never did. I was always afraid that someone would grab the brass ring before I did. But you probably can’t see the signs, and with Jock, even I have trouble.”

“Where did all this come from?” Cara was staring at her in bewilderment. She had been completely caught off guard. She could feel the heat flushing her cheeks. “We were talking about you, not me, Darcy.”

“Because I’ve been so damn subtle and tactful. Not at all like me. But I’ve been watching you, and I don’t like what I’ve been seeing. I think I triggered something that night at the residence, so it might be my fault. I guess I have to straighten it out.” She looked her in the eye. “You and Jock are best friends? Maybe. But you also want to jump him. Who wouldn’t? And you don’t know what the hell to do about it.”

“I can’t talk about this, Darcy.”

“Fine. I’ll talk about it. I’ll tell you what to do about it. You jump him.”

“It’s not that simple. I know you mean well. I’m … not like you. And Jock … he doesn’t…”

“He doesn’t what? Like sex? Oh yes he does, and you know it. You told me how many women he’d had. But I’d bet he was careful about keeping them entirely separate from you. I can’t read him all the time but I’ve noticed sometimes he’s guarded around you. He might just be a better actor than I am. At any rate, you’re in a special place.”