Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

over her eyes in a posture of deep concentration. Finally, she

looked up at Helen, and with a determined smile she dispelled the

lingering negativity.

?Well, you?re safe for now. I don?t see any immediate threats,?

she said reassuringly, watching Helen cradle her still-tender midsection.

?Any idea which human saw you chasing Creon??

?Gretchen. Don?t worry, no one will care. She?s always saying

stuff about me,? Helen said positively. ?Wait a sec. How do you

know someone saw me??

?These cramps you?re having? They?re the curse. Your mom

cursed you to feel almost unendurable pain if you use your Scion

powers in front of mortals,? Cassandra said with a shrug.

?Is that what it is? It?s been driving me crazy all week!? Lucas

said from the front seat as he turned down the long Delos

driveway.

?Of course you wouldn?t recognize them. You?re a boy,? Ariadne

said. ?Curse Cramps are sadistic, really. I haven?t even read about

anyone doing it in centuries.?

180/395

?My mother cursed me?? Helen repeated back to Cassandra, who

nodded sadly.

?Way back, hundreds of years ago, it was thought to be the only

way to keep women Scions in line with the society of the time.

Mothers would do it to their daughters to keep them from drawing

too much attention to themselves because women weren?t supposed

to be special or smart or talented.? Cassandra wrinkled her

nose, like she had said something that smelled bad as it came out

of her mouth.

Helen sputtered uselessly to herself for a few seconds, unable to

process what she had just learned. Cassandra took Helen?s hand