Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

?Are you sleepwalking, honey? Is that it?? Kate took Helen?s

shoulders, encouraging Helen to look her in the eyes. Helen thre

w

up her hands and shook her head.

?I don?t know what I?m doing. But I?m so tired, Kate,? she said. A

few exhausted tears slipped out. ?Even if I manage to fall asleep I

wake up and I feel like I?ve been running and running. I think I?m

going crazy.? She let out a nervous laugh. Kate pulled Helen into

one of her pastry-scented hugs.

?It?s okay. We?ll figure it out,? Kate said soothingly. ?Have you

talked to your father yet??

?No. And I don?t want you to, either,? Helen insisted, drawing

back to look directly at Kate. Kate gave her a searching look, and

Helen continued. ?Next week, if I?m still crazy, I?ll tell him, but I

think we?ve both had enough drama for one week.?

Kate nodded. ?You decide when you?re ready to talk about it with

your dad, and I?ll be there. My little loca,? she teased smilingly.

Helen smiled back, grateful that she had Kate, who could listen to

her seriously when she needed it, and then stop being serious at

just the right time.

?I think we can leave the rest.? Kate gave Helen one final squeeze.

?Ready to go?? she called over her shoulder as she went behind the

counter and put the money in the safe.

Helen stowed her broom and made her way to the back door.

Switching off the lights, Helen turned to lock up as Kate headed

across the alley toward her car, keys in hand.

Neither of them heard a thing. There was a blur and a faint flash

of blue light in the corner of Helen?s eye, and a smell. It was a

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nauseating yet hauntingly familiar odor of sizzling hair mixed with