When Stars Come Out (When Stars Come Out 1)

Like the fact that he’s involved in the Underworld and practices the occult. He’s always been involved in it, but after his mom died, it became an obsession. Specifically, he wanted to learn more about reincarnation which is something I am not willing to support.

I guess I should have expected it. There was no way Thane and I could have remained friends with his interest in the dark practices. At some point, he was bound to do something I disagreed with.

No one talks about how crappy it is to lose a best friend, but it really freaking sucks.

And part of me wishes I could trust him with Anora.

But I can’t.

After my shower, I head downstairs. Mom’s shoveling eggs onto a plate. She turns to me and smiles.

“You’re up!” She leans forward to kiss my cheek, handing me the plate of eggs. “I made your favorite.”

My “favorite” is pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Mom always makes it when we're celebrating something. Usually, every Saturday morning, it's a win for my team. Today it's my win and appointment to Tracker, except I don’t feel like celebrating my jump in rank all that much. I still feel uneasy about it, and I dread when Nat finds out.

Mom and I sit down to eat; Dad’s seat remains unsurprisingly empty.

“I heard what happened at the game,” Mom says. “Is Gage okay?”

“I think he has a broken nose, but otherwise, he’ll be fine.”

Mom frowns. “And what about Sean?”

That is a harder question. There is no telling how long Influence had Its hold on Sean or what sort of deep-rooted feelings manifested his actions last night. I’d heard all things common when dealing with Influence—he was such a cool guy, he was so funny, I can’t believe it. That’s how it works—it’s always the people you don’t expect doing things you don’t expect.

“I don’t know.”

Mom doesn’t say anything, and when I look up, I find her staring at me. “Have any plans today?”

I scrub my hand through my hair. “I...uh...I thought I might go

see Anora today.”

I’d been thinking about approaching her house since we were ordered to watch her but hadn’t worked up the courage. After last night, today seemed just as good a day as any. The best way to catch someone in the act is to sneak up on them.

It’s also a good way to get chased by a Hellhound. Thank Charon, they only come out at night. There’s also a chance she won’t talk to me, but I’m hoping to be invited inside her house. Then I’ll have a chance to look for evidence to support—or disprove—Natalie's claim that Anora's responsible for Vera's disappearance.

“Oh.” Mom tries to hide her surprise, but she’s unsuccessful. At least she didn’t spit out her food.

“And do what exactly?”

Make out, I think sarcastically. Though it’s not all that sarcastic. If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll kiss Anora. I’ve wanted to since this feeling in my chest began, just to see if it would ease.

Instead, I shrug. I never like talking about girls with my mom when they’re Valryn. I definitely don’t like talking about them when they’re human. “I don’t know. Just...hang out.”

“Is your father aware?”

I clamp my teeth together before saying, “He was there when Elite Cain appointed me and Nat to the case.”

Elite Cain hasn’t specified how Natalie and I should go about observing Anora. So long as I can prove my actions are to benefit the Order, I’m safe. But I know Mom’s concerns. The fiasco with Lily is fresh on everyone’s mind.

“I like Jayne well enough, and I’m sure Anora is just as charming.” Mom stands and starts clearing away the dishes, so I do the same. As she passes, she stops and looks up at me. “Just...be careful, Shy.”

I lean forward and kiss her cheek. “I’m always careful.”

***

As I approach Anora's house, I find her outside, crouched low on the ground beneath one of the windows. I come to a stop in the driveway, and she straightens, twisting, hiding something behind her back.