Of Blood and Bone (Chronicles of The One #2)(132)

They flashed together.

“What the hell!”

“Something’s coming.”

Simon rounded on Lana, grabbed her hand. “Don’t even think about going without me. Let me get the rifle, a sidearm.”

“Hurry.” She ran inside with him, shouted for Colin. Pounded up the stairs for the knife she’d carried out of New Hope.

Colin rushed out of his room, sword in hand.

“Get Travis.”

“I’m here. What is it?”

“I’m not sure. Go to Fred’s, tell her something’s coming. Something’s coming to New Hope. Tell Eddie to come, tell him to get everyone he can.” Lana spun to Colin, took his shoulders in her hands. “Stay with the children.”

“Mom—”

“Stay with them, listen to me. Listen. If this gets through us … Keep the children safe, Colin.”

“I will.” He looked at Travis. “We will.”

“I love you.” She sprinted downstairs, grabbed Simon’s hand. “I love you,” she said again, and flashed.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE


Since they were taking a night off to recharge before hitting the next sites on Fallon’s list, Duncan wandered down toward the community gardens and park. Some of his friends talked about hanging out, playing some music.

He hadn’t had much of a chance to do either, or even think about getting his hands on his girl of the moment, Carlee Jentz. Trouble was, he admitted, he hadn’t much missed getting his hands on Carlee. They’d hung together most of August, into September, but now as October came calling …

He liked her fine—a lot, really. She was just the sort of girl he liked getting his hands on.

Curvy, fun, uncomplicated.

He just needed to unwind, he decided. Fallon kept him wound up, in all sorts of ways.

He liked her fine, too, and holy hell they did good work together. He respected how she got things done. Dealing with the bombs, building an army. He admired her skill with a sword. He’d watched her one night before they’d met for the mission. He’d sat on the roof of the barracks, just to chill, and out she’d come, sword in hand.

She’d conjured three opponents, took them on at the same time. Took them out.

He looked forward to testing his skills against hers in practice one of these days.

But the fact was, she wasn’t anywhere near curvy, she wasn’t a hell of a lot of fun, and she was seriously complicated.

He didn’t know why he wanted to get his hands on her, wanted them on her more than he wanted them on Carlee. Or anybody else.

Maybe it was the power connection, or the blood connection. Maybe it was just that she was different from anyone he’d ever known. Whatever the reason, he knew thinking about her—that way—made him itchy.

So he’d stop thinking about her that way, and for tonight, at all. He’d hang out in the park, listen to music, watch Denzel smoke his guitar.

Denzel handled a guitar—a banjo, even a violin—like he’d been born to play, just like he handled any sort of ball. God knew he handled them better than he did any kind of weapon.

He needed to spend more time with Denzel, improving his skills, tightening up his form. And convincing his friend to focus his talents in some other area. He was never going to be a warrior.

Maybe he’d enlist Petra on that mission, since Denzel was gone, gone, gone over her, and Petra seemed good and stuck on him.

As if thinking about her conjured her, he heard Petra call his name. Turned. Smiling, she walked toward him carrying a box.

“Heading down to the park?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’m meeting Denzel. Is Tonia coming?”

“She’ll be around. She had something to do first.”

“I’ve hardly seen her lately.”

“Lots going on right now.”

“I know. All those new people.” It put a cloud in her eyes. “Anyway. I hope Hannah comes, too.”

She’d latched on to his sisters from the first, Duncan thought. “I think she’s already there. Stalwick’s bringing his keyboard, and they’re hanging a lot lately.”

“Oh, he’s really good! I like music. I like it so much. And it’s a perfect night, isn’t it? Cool, but not cold, all the stars, the moon. Just so perfect.”

“Yeah.” But he felt something, a chill, a twist. Looking up he half expected to see clouds swirl over the moon and stars. “Nothing like music outdoors, and we won’t get that much longer.”

“I can hear them. They’re already playing. Do I look okay?” She stopped, fussed a hand over her hair the way girls did. “Mina really doesn’t like mirrors in the apartment, so I only have a little one in my room.”

“Yeah, you look good.”

She beamed at him, almost bobbled the box.

“Whatcha got there? Smells sweet.”

“It should. Cupcakes. I worked in the community kitchen today, and got permission to make cupcakes for tonight.”

“I was in there today. Didn’t see you.”

“You must’ve come in during one of my breaks. Here, try one. I really hope I did them right.”

“They look right.” He glanced in the box at the swirling peaks of white frosting sprinkled with color and texture. “Fancy. What kind?”