Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

She heard a voice calling for Lucas, and although she knew they

were in danger lying helpless in that pit, she didn?t want to be

found. What if the Furies came back with the rest of the family?

?Here!? Lucas called weakly.

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?Wait,? Helen pleaded. ?What if they still see the Furies when

they look at me? I can?t defend myself in this state.?

?No one will hurt you,? he promised, his arms tightening slightly

around her.

?Hector . . .? she began.

?. . . would have to get through me first,? he said resolutely.

?Uh, Lucas?? she said leadingly, not wanting to insult him by

pointing out the obvious.

?Yeah,? he replied with a chuckle, catching her drift. ?I know I?m

not exactly Secret Service material right now, but trust me. I won?t

let any of them harm you?not even big, bad Hector. He isn?t as

terrible as you think, you know.? He managed to tilt his head to the

side enough to meet Helen?s eyes.

?You?re his cousin. You have to think the best of him.?

?I?ll leave it up to you, then. I can?t hide us, but I won?t call out to

them if you don?t want me to,? he said, and let his head roll back

out of her sight.

They lay there listening to his family call his name over and over,

but Lucas kept his word. He didn?t make a sound, although he did

flinch when he heard Cassandra?s exhausted voice. She sounded

desperate and frightened. They all did. And Helen was to blame.

After a few more moments she couldn?t stand it any longer.

?Here!? Helen yelled as hard as she could. ?We?re over here!?

?Are you sure?? Lucas asked carefully.

?No.? She chuckled nervously before calling out again, this time