Whispers at Moonrise (Shadow Falls #4)(18)

"Nothing really."

Kylie looked at her. "You know, when you're friends with someone for a while, you don't have to hear their heartbeat to know they're lying."

Della made a face. "Yeah, but I thought that would be more polite than telling you to bug off."

Kylie frowned. "Are you going to do something for the FRU?"

"How did you know?"

"They already had Lucas and Derek do stuff. It just seemed logical. Not that I like it." She remembered Burnett saying the FRU wasn't all bad, and tried to give herself an attitude adjustment, but she couldn't completely let herself trust them.

"I think it would be kind of cool to work for them," Della said. "It would give me a reason to kick some asses every now and then."

"Do you trust them?" Kylie asked.

"I trust Burnett," Della said, and studied Kylie. "Don't you?"

"Of course I do." She hadn't told Miranda or Della about Burnett moving her grandmother's body. It just seemed like something that she shouldn't tell anyone. "They went to my mom to see about testing me."

"Oh, shit, I remember Miranda saying that your mom was here, but I forgot about it. What did your mom say? God, did they tell her you were supernatural? I'll bet it totally freaked her out."

"No, they told her they were worried because I had headaches and passed out and they advised her to have me tested. Holiday explained it was just the night terrors and advised against it."

"Oh, hell. What did Burnett say?"

"He's not for me getting tested either."

"Good," Della said. "I mean, I wouldn't want anyone probing around my head. Not after hearing what happened to your grandma." Della stopped and looked at Kylie. "Do you not want me to work for them because of this?"

Kylie got the feeling that Della would really give up her chance to work for the FRU because of Kylie's opinion-even when it was clear that Della was excited about the possibility. Her appreciation for Della's devotion swelled in her chest.

"No," Kylie said. "But ... I do want you to be careful."

"I'll be careful." Della rubbed her hands together. "I'm glad you figured it out. I've been dying to tell someone. It'll be so cool."

They got to Lucas's cabin. The lights were on. Kylie knocked on the door while Della hung back by the porch steps. Steve, the shape-shifter who had a crush on Della, came to the door. With everything happening, Kylie had forgotten he roomed with Lucas. And so had Della, Kylie realized, when she heard the vamp draw in a quick breath.

"Hey," Steve said.

"Is Lucas here?" Kylie asked.

His gaze shifted behind Kylie and his expression changed. Kylie knew he'd spotted Della. "Uh ... yeah. I mean, no. He left a few minutes ago with Fredericka."

"Oh." Kylie tried not to let it show that the news bothered her as she turned to leave.

Steve called after her, "He'll probably be back shortly."

She turned back. "Do you mind if we wait for a while?"

"No." His eyes lit up as he looked at Della. "Come in if you want."

Della cleared her throat in a sound that said hell no.

"Can we just sit out on the porch?" Kylie asked. "It's a nice night."

"Yeah." He stepped out. His brown hair hung across his brow. Even in the dark, Kylie could make out that his eyes were dark brown, and they were filled with interest as they cut toward Della.

When Kylie turned around, Della didn't look too happy, but she sauntered forward. "We shouldn't wait long." She plopped down on the steps.

"Just a bit." Kylie lowered herself beside the unhappy Della. Steve sat down on the side of the porch. No one said a word.

"I heard some of the new teachers were at dinner tonight." Kylie tossed out the conversation starter, hoping not to slip into angst over Lucas traipsing through the woods with Fredericka.

"Yeah," Steve said. "The English teacher, Ava Kane, seems nice. She's half-witch and half-shape-shifter."

"Why don't you just admit that you like her because she has big tits?" Della said.

Even in the dark, Kylie could see Steve's face redden. "I ... won't deny she's pretty, but that's not what I meant."

Kylie shifted her foot and kicked Della.

"Ouch!" Della glared at Kylie. "Why did you do that?"

"When are classes supposed to start?" Kylie asked, and no one answered-Steve probably because he was afraid to get in trouble again and Della because she was too busy rubbing her kicked ankle.

Steve finally cratered. "I think next Monday."

"Were there any other teachers there?" Kylie looked at Della to answer.

"Yeah," Della added. "A Hayden Yates. He's half vampire, half fae. I think he's going to teach science. He seems okay."

"And?" Steve asked, his tone deeper, even if it was just above a whisper.

"And what?" Della asked.

He stiffened his shoulders. Which Kylie had to admit were pretty broad. The guy was cute. Why wasn't Della at least being nice?

"Why do you like Mr. Yates?" Steve asked. "His sexy body, or do you pretend it's his mind?"