The Brightest Night (Origin 3)

Do you think he looked for the house that was already decorated in black and white? I asked, wondering how we ended up with angel-palooza.

Probably. He needed a place as deep and dark as his troubled thoughts. Arum are goth like that.

I snorted.

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “You two having a private conversation over there? Sort of rude to do that in someone else’s house.”

Suddenly finding the carved bear absolutely fascinating, I hoped he couldn’t tell my cheeks were getting hot.

“We would never do such a thing. Where is Serena?” Luc swiftly changed the subject as he sat on the couch, patting the spot next to him. I took it as Hunter took the chair kitty-corner to it.

“She’s visiting with Kat.” He kicked a booted foot up on the coffee table. “Getting in some baby time.”

“Why am I not surprised you’re sitting that visit out?”

His shoulders shook with a silent laugh as he dropped his arm over his bent knee. “Few things in life scare me. Babies are one of them.”

Huh. Hunter and I had something in common.

“So, you all wanted to talk?” The ultra-pale gaze flicked to me. “I’m really hoping you’re not here for another apology.”

I snorted. “No.”

“And I also hope you’re not here to thank me again. I don’t think I can live through that again.”

Pressing my lips together until I puffed up my cheeks as my eyes widened, I replied, “I may have been a bit enthusiastic in my response.”

“I thought you were going to hug me.”

“That you did not have to worry about. I don’t make a habit of hugging people who wanted to kill me the day before.”

A hint of white teeth flashed when he smiled. “Wise choice. So, why are you two here?”

Luc was silent as I scooted to the edge of the couch. “Before I ask you anything, I wanted to say I’m sorry about your brother.”

“Why would you be?” His fingers started tapping along the arm of the chair. “Did you know him?”

“Actually, I did meet him. Briefly.” I explained how I’d run into him outside the club. “He didn’t attack me or anything. Sort of said goodbye and went inside.”

A muscle flexed all his jaw. “Lore didn’t make it a habit of attacking teenage girls.”

“Good to know,” I murmured.

“What are your questions?” he prodded, obviously not wanting to focus on his brother’s loss.

More than anyone, I got that. Every time the image of Mom appeared, I immediately thought of anything else. I wondered if Luc did the same. “You sensed me, right? Or you sensed Sarah or both of us. How did you? Other Arums have—”

“Lore?”

I nodded.

His gaze flicked to Luc. “You can’t sense her?”

“Nope. Neither can Luxen,” he replied.

“Interesting,” Hunter murmured. “I can do something you can’t.”

“That must be an amazing feeling,” Luc replied. “I wouldn’t know. You see, I’ve spent my entire life doing things you can’t do.”

Uh.

Hunter chuckled. “You’re such an asshole.”

“That’s why you like me.”

“True.” He nodded. “I could sense the Arum in you, but it didn’t feel right. It was too faint. I don’t know if I was sensing just you or both of you. It felt like a heaviness in the air—”

“And on your skin?” I clasped my knees.

He was still for a moment, and then he nodded. “Exactly.”

Looking back at Luc, I asked, “I wonder why Arums can feel me but not Luxen or Origins?”

“Hunter?” Luc asked.

The Arum gave a half grin. “I imagine it has to do with how we are able to perceive and see Luxen and anything with Luxen DNA. We are more sensitive.”

“The auras I see now? You’re talking about that?” I asked.

“Yes. Luxen like to think they are hunters. They’re not. We are. Biologically, we are natural predators. Our senses are far more heightened than Luxen’s—seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling. Apparently, the Daedalus has been able to replicate that. They have been trying for as long as I can remember.”

“I felt Sarah as soon as I approached that house. I just didn’t know what I was feeling.” I took a deep breath. “I was able to communicate with her like I can with Luc, and I think I heard her in my head when she was mutating.”

“Makes sense. We can communicate with one another that way.” His fingers continued to move. “Can you hear other thoughts like Mr. Special beside you?”

I shook my head.

“Is that really a relief?” Luc asked.

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “Now you’re just trying to prove a point, and you’re going to annoy me.”

“Can you communicate with me like that?” I asked before the whole meeting went down the drain.

“Already tried. You didn’t hear me. And I can’t hear you.”

I frowned. “Maybe it’s only other Trojans.”

“That doesn’t explain you two.”

“He’s healed me a couple of times or a dozen.” I shrugged.

Hunter’s pale gaze sharpened as he focused on Luc. Something was clicking together behind his eyes.