Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy 1)

“I want to be there when Lend wakes up. ”

“I don't think--”

“Raquel,” I said, giving her a flat look. “He saved me. He freaking electrocuted himself to save me. I'm gonna be there when he wakes up so I can tell him thanks. ”

After a small I give up sigh, she nodded. “Just be careful, okay? We still don't know anything about him. ” They didn't know anything about me, either. “And if he tells you where he's from or what he's doing, tell me immediately. ”

Yeah, right, I thought. “Yup,” I said. She walked me to his room and stood in the doorway as I walked straight in.

“Okay--I'll check on you later then. ” She hovered for a moment, then left.

Lend was still out cold. I sat on the edge of the bed next to him, wondering how long it would take him to wake up. I felt horrible. It was my fault--yet again--that he had been zapped.

I stared, glad he had the shorts so I didn't have to feel guilty. He was amazing. He had the faintest luminescence about him, centered in his chest. I studied his face. When he was wearing other people I could see hints of his features underneath, but now that it was just him it was a little easier. I leaned closer and closer, trying to memorize the way he looked. It was kinda weird having a crush on a guy who was different every time I saw him, and I wanted to have this face, Lend's real face, in my mind. He was the most strangely beautiful guy I had ever seen--even more than the faeries, because his face was human.

I leaned in so far I almost fell on top of him. Rather than risk that again, I got off the bed and knelt, propping my elbows on the side of the bed and resting my head on my hands. Still curious, I reached out a hand and ran my fingers through his hair. It was the softest, smoothest texture imaginable. I was so busy trying to see his hair and playing with it that I didn't notice him wake up until the hair I was playing with turned black.

“Oh!” I said, moving back so fast I fell on my butt. “You're awake!” He was wearing the standard dark-?haired, dark-?eyed hottie and regarded me with a puzzled expression. Before he could ask what I was doing playing with his hair, I started babbling. “Are you okay?

How do you feel? Can I get anything for you?”

He moved to sit up, then stopped and put a hand on his forehead. “Man, I hurt. ”

“I'm so sorry! This is all my fault. ”

He looked at me, frowning. “How is this your fault?”

“I got you electrocuted again. ”

“I think we can safely blame the crazy faerie. ”

I shook my head. “If you hadn't--I don't--Thanks. ” I smiled and took his free hand in mine. “Really, really thank you. I'm pretty sure you saved my life. Or at least my soul. ”

He sat up, not letting go of my hand. I liked that. A lot. “What was he doing to you?”

I sat on the bed next to him and stared at the floor. “I don't know. It was kind of like what he used to do--with the heat. But it was different this time--stronger. It was like he was burning me up on the inside, forcing it into me. And it didn't--” I stopped. I couldn't tell Raquel about what I saw in myself now. Could I trust Lend with it?

“It didn't what?”

I took a deep breath. “It didn't go away this time. ” Taking my hand from his, I pulled off the wrapping and stared at the red handprint and liquid flames underneath. Lend drew his breath in sharply and I looked up at him, shocked. “You can see it?”

“Of course I can see it!”

Chapter Thirteen

HAGTASTIC

Lend could see the flames under my skin. I couldn't believe it. Maybe they weren't paranormal, after all. “Really? How can you see them?” I asked.

“It's bright red! How could I not see? He must have burned you really bad. ” Lend took my hand tenderly, looking at the burn. “Hand's still freezing, though. ”

My shoulders slumped in disappointment. “You can't see it, then. ”

He looked up, confused. “Is there something else?”

I bit my lip, then shook my head, avoiding his eyes. “No, nothing. ”

“Evie. What did he do to you?”