Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

warp her judgment, she figured out that there had been someone

else here waiting for her when she came home. Someone with wiry

arms?a woman, she thought, recalling the smell of cosmetics?had

grabbed her from behind, then been scared off by the arrival of the

Delos family. Lucas had sent Ariadne and Jason to chase after her,

but the woman must have gotten away because there was no mention

of her this weekend. In the shock of the past few days, Helen

had completely forgotten about the attack.

?Lucas?? she called, heading toward the shadows off to the side of

her house. He had been gone too long. She heard a muffled thud

behind her.

?I asked you to stay in the car. It?s for your safety, Helen,? Lucas

said with frustration. She spun around to face him, gesturing

wildly with her cell phone still in her hand.

?That woman! You?re looking for that woman who jumped Kate

and me,? Helen said, finally understanding it all. ?She?s a Scion,

too. She has to be!?

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?Yes, of course she is. . . .? he interrupted her. ?But listen to me.

There are two of them?two different women are after you, and we

haven?t caught either of them yet.?

A pair of lights flashed across the house and driveway. A car was

pulling up. Lucas stood in front of Helen and looked easily through

the lights that were blinding her from seeing the people in the car.

?It?s your father,? he told her.

?Helen? There you are! Where the hell have you been?? Jerry

shouted as he climbed out of the cab before the driver had even

come to a full stop. He was angrier than she?d seen him in years. ?I

called over and over. You?re never late! I thought something had

happened to you!?