Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

her a quizzical look, Helen felt like she had to keep going. ?I don?t

want to kill any of you anymore. Just to be clear.?

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?Well, good, ?cuz I hear you?ve got quite the arsenal,? Pandora

said as if she was giving a big compliment. Helen had no idea what

she was talking about so she changed the subject.

?How is Lucas?? she asked cautiously, still surprised that she

could say his name without being launched into a fit of anger. Pandora

and Ariadne glanced at each other.

?He?ll be okay,? Pandora said firmly. She shook her wrists and

sent her bangles into a cascade of sparkles and jingles, almost as if

she believed the cheerful sound would banish all dark thoughts.

?It was close, but he?s healing,? Ariadne added with an optimistic

face. Helen couldn?t look at either of them. The tense moment was

broken by a glugging sound in Helen?s stomach, which lasted for

an inordinately long time.

?Well, you?re hungry,? Pandora said drily. ?And I think you might

be able to come downstairs with some help.?

Helen was outfitted with a long terry-cloth bathrobe, which bore

the logo of a popular Spanish soccer team, from Ariadne?s closet.

Then, with a few more jokes about how Helen could use a little fattening

up, she was carried downstairs by her two new patronesses.

When they reached the kitchen, they were greeted with a heavenly

scent blossoming off of the stove, and Helen?s stomach

growled again. Hector heard the noise and cocked an eyebrow as

she was deposited gently in a chair at the kitchen table. He said

something to the woman who was orchestrating dinner, and she

spun around to look at Helen.

?I didn?t think you?d be joining us,? the woman said with a

startled face. ?I?m so glad.?