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The Brightest Night (Origin 3)

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Maybe Daemon didn’t hate me, because he was giving me a chance to prove that I wasn’t a danger. And maybe babies were actually cute, because Adam was cute with the odd little sounds he made. Especially ones that didn’t all but rip their way out of me when they made their appearance in the world.

Babies.

I shuddered.

I stared at the darkness of the looming city. Right now, babies made me want to scream and run in the opposite direction. I was smart enough to know that could change down the road, because there would be a down the road, but that was a bridge Luc and I would cross. Together. If we wanted children one day—I shuddered again—we could adopt. Being able to conceive a child didn’t make a mother a mom or a father a dad. It didn’t mean a child was loved any more or less, and it sure as hell didn’t make one lesser than the other in any way.

I knew that better than most.

Mom loved Evie—the real Evie. I could see that when she told me about her and in the memory that had surfaced. And I think that she had loved me, despite all the lies. Or maybe that’s what I needed to believe, because I did miss her. I missed her smile, the way she smelled, and her hugs. I missed that I could think of her without guilt and hatred.

And for the first time since I’d learned the truth about everything, I almost found myself wishing that I could forget her.20“Didn’t we already discuss this?” Yanking my hair back, I twisted the mass into a bun and then shoved the first of a million bobby pins into it. “I told you I wanted to get back to training as soon as possible.”

Luc stood in front of the television, and it looked like the painting of the archangel Michael was seconds away from smiting him. Luc was still shirtless, and I had a strong suspicion he was trying to distract me.

“We discussed this,” he replied. “But it was sort of a one-sided discussion with you saying you wanted to get back to training.”

“And you agreed.”

“I do, but I also think there’s no harm in taking it easy.”

“I don’t need to take it easy after sleeping for four days.” I shoved another bobby pin in, nearly scalping myself in the process. Ouch.

“I just don’t want you to overdo it, Evie, and then have you pass out again.” Luc picked up a shirt.

“Dr. Hemenway didn’t say something like that would happen.”

“She also doesn’t know what will happen.” His brows knitted. “How many bobby pins do you need?”

“A lot. And I feel perfectly fine.” One more bobby pin and I was somewhat confident my hair wouldn’t topple over when the lightest breeze touched it.

“You do look perfectly fine.” He tugged the shirt on. Finally. He arched a brow. “Didn’t realize my man chest was so distracting.”

“Man chest?”

“It’s just skin and nipples, Peaches. Don’t make it awkward.”

I stared at him.

He grinned.

“Don’t be cute.”

I can’t help it. I’m adorable.

A sharp whooshing motion tumbled my stomach. All morning, Luc had been shifting back and forth from talking out loud and through the Source, a different form of training from the kind we were arguing about.

I focused on him, imagining a cord connecting us. You’re annoying.

He feigned a scowl. I’m rubber, and you’re glue. What you say bounces off me and sticks to you.

“Oh my God.” I laughed. “How old are you? Five?”

Luc nodded. “I’m a big boy now.”

“Seriously. Stop being cute. I’m irritated.”

“I can’t help who I am.” Luc didn’t just walk toward me. He swaggered. “I know you’re ready to get back to training, and I know I’m probably just being paranoid.”

“You’re definitely being paranoid.”

“I am.”

I concentrated on the cord between us. But I do understand why you’re paranoid. I would be, too, if it had been you who had passed out for four days.

His gaze flickered over my face. “I’m glad you understand.” He switched over to the more private way. It’s not that I’m trying to control what you do or that I don’t think you’re capable of getting back to training. I just worry. A lot.

“I know.”

He brushed back a wisp of hair that had escaped one of the many bobby pins already. I know you didn’t sleep much last night.

Luc had been awake when I’d returned, probably mere seconds away from launching a search and possible rescue, but all he’d remarked on when I climbed back into bed was how cold my toes were. He’d gathered me close, tucking me against his chest, and promptly fallen back to sleep.

I slept enough, I told him and then switched to the form I was more comfortable with. “The only thing I do feel is a little restless, but nothing like before. Remember how Grayson said he could feel the Source, like an internal buzzing? That’s how it feels. Maybe it’s something I just need to get used to.”



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