Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

electrical sparking from above

the door, suggesting that perhaps

the exit sign had shorted. He and Helen had run outside to stomp

out the sparks that had drifted onto the grass. As he wove his story,

Helen could hear how honest he sounded, how convincing. She

nodded every time he looked at her, knowing that she needed to

keep her mouth shut or she?d ruin the whole thing. Since the fire

was obviously electrical and the only possible source was the exit

sign, the story was believed.

Helen and Lucas insisted they were uninjured, but as a precaution

they were told to go to the nurse?s office for a quick checkup.

Just before Lucas led her away, Helen spotted Zach staring at them

from the crowd, his eyes frightened and resentful. He knew they?d

caused the fire. Helen touched Lucas?s shoulder and pointed Zach

out, and Lucas nodded, understanding her meaning perfectly.

?So much for letting it blow over,? she murmured ruefully.

?We?ll discuss it tonight with my family. Cassie will know what to

do,? he whispered, taking her sooty hand in one of his and texting

his cousins with the other as they walked down the hall to the

nurse.

Mrs. Crane checked them over, shook her head in wonder, and

declared them both perfectly well enough to go home, or even back

to practice if they wanted, though she gave both of them a nonsensical

lecture about hanging around under electrical death traps.

Then she looked at Helen?s necklace and smiled sweetly. ?I?ve always

loved butterflies,? she murmured, lightly touching Helen?s

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charm, before shooing them both out of her office in her stern but

kindly way.

Helen and Lucas beat everyone else back to the Delos compound,