through the thin cotton of her nightshirt, rendering it useless
against the elements. A flickering shadow in the starlight caught
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the corner of her eye and she swung at it, but the top of her bat was
stopped before it came around in a full arc. She heard the chunky
slap of wood on skin.
Damn it, its me! Hector whispered harshly. Helen saw him
hiding in the shadows, shaking out his right hand like it stung.
What the hell? Hector, is that you? Helen hissed back. He came
closer so she could see him better, avoiding a dark lump on the
ground. Helen looked at the lump more carefully and noticed it
was her sleeping bag, the one she kept in the waterproof chest her
father had given her. What are you doing?!
What does it look like Im doing? he responded peevishly, still
trying to shake the feeling back into his hand.
Camping? she said sarcastically. Then it hit her. All of those
sounds shed been hearing at nightsounds shed thought were the
Furieshad a much more mundane source. Youve been up here
every night, havent you?
Almost. One of us is always up here at night to watch over you,
he said, and then grabbed Helens arm as she turned away from
him in embarrassment. Its usually Lucas because hes the only
one who can fly here, he continued. As if that made it better.
And you never thought to ask if I wanted you here, eavesdropping
on my dad and me? she asked, furious.
Hector smiled at her, smothering a laugh. Yeah. Because I can
see how youd want to keep all those discussions about politics and
baseball to yourself. So private, he said, rolling his eyes.
Do you stay all night while Im sleeping? she asked, unable to
look at him. He suddenly understood why she was so upset, and
his smile switched off.
You havent had a nightmare in a while, he started to say.
Go home, Hector, Helen said, cutting him off and turning to
leave.
No, he responded immediately, extending his arm across the
doorway to block her exit. I dont care if youre embarrassed. I
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dont care if you dont want us here. There are a lot of people whod
like to see you dead, Princess, and unfortunately my family cant
leave you unprotected until I say you can defend yourself.
Why do you get to decide when Im ready? Helen crossed her
arms and rubbed her shoulders against the cold. The wind off the
water had teeth.
Because everyone knows that Im the only one who wont go
easy on you. And just so you know, Im not about to apologize for
making sure you dont get kidnapped by one of those batty women
running around the island, he warned. Helens teeth chattered.
He looked at her standing there shivering and Helen could have almost
sworn that he looked guilty for a second. Then he looked off
to the side and cursed to himself. But maybe we should have told
you that we were sleeping up here, he admitted finally.
You think? I get it, Hector. Im in a lot of danger. But you should
have at least given me a heads-up about this.
All right! Point taken! he said, nearly growling with frustration.
But were still not leaving you or your father unguarded at night.
Suddenly, Helen wasnt angry anymore. In fact, knowing that
Hector and his family extended their protection to her father made
her feel ridiculously grateful. She stood there smiling at him for a
second.
Thank you, she said quietly.
He froze midbreath and stared at her, amazed that her mood had
changed so quickly. Thats it? No more arguing? he asked
doubtfully.
Why, do you want to she began, but she was interrupted by
her fathers voice from downstairs.
Lennie? Jerry called from the hallway in front of Helens bedroom.
She had been so distracted by Hector she had forgotten to
listen for her dad.
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Yeah! Helen called down, motioning desperately for Hector to
get away from the door. She changed places with him and made it
inside just in time.
Are you sleeping up there again? Jerry asked when he saw
Helen shutting the door to the roof and coming down the steps.
Its way too cold out, Helen.
Do you have any idea how late it is? Go to sleep, she scolded as
she hurried past him.
I know, Im going to bed right now . . . Hey! You go to sleep,
Jerry scolded back, belatedly remembering that he was the parent.
As Helen jumped into bed and burrowed into her comforter, she
could have sworn she heard Hector chuckling softly to himself up
on the widows walk.
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UNCORRECTED E-PROOFNOT FOR SALE
HarperCollins Publishers
.....................................................................
Chapter Ten
MAJORCA, SPAIN Creon watched the reporter for five minutes before he decided
to uncloak himself from the shadows. He appeared
out of the darkness behind her, barely a step away. She
spun around and inhaled a startled breath so quickly it almost
sounded like a sob. There was something exhilarating
about seeing a woman afraid, Creon thought, especially when
that woman was a pushy bitch like this one. A little fear is good; it
reminded non-Scion mortals of their place, and Creon wanted this
mortal in particular to remember that she might be able to force
this meeting by threatening to have to police investigate his family,
but she wasnt in control.
Thats why he picked the docks at night. He wanted to see how
committed she truly was to writing a story on his family. The fact
that she met him there proved she had a spine, if not a brain, and
because of that Creon decided she deserved a moment of his time.
Besides, she made such a pleasant sound when she was startled.
Maybe he would hear it again.
He smiled down at her innocently, as if to let her know that he
was just playing a little trick. She met his eye, but she also took a
step backwhich meant she was brave but scared. Creon liked to
see those two emotions together; it made him feel like he had won
something.
Again, I ask for the father but instead I get the son, she said in
accented English.
I speak perfect Spanish, Creon replied in her native language,
still smiling at her. And you know my father doesnt meet
reporters.
Your father doesnt meet anyone. Thats why Im here, she continued
stubbornly in English. He shrugged impassively, refusing to
take the bait. She crossed her arms and studied him. Tantalus
Delos hasnt let anyone see him in almost twenty years now.
Strange, no?
He likes his privacy, Creon said through a grin that had grown
tight.
Privacy is the one luxury a billionaire aristocrat cant buy.
Youve heard the stories about your father, yes?
Theyre all lies, Creon said as smoothly as he could, but her
eyes were so doubtful he nearly faltered. How dare she?
Over the years there had been many stories floating around the
tabloids about his fatherthat he had been maimed, that he had
lost his mind to an obsessive-compulsive disorder like Howard
Hughes, that he was dead. Creon knew at least that his father was
alive, and he had vehemently denied all of the other accusations
time and time again. But the truth was, Creon hadnt seen or
spoken to his father in nineteen years. No one had seen Tantalus
except Creons mother, Mildred Delos.
His mother insisted that Tantalus was in hiding in order to protect
himself and the House of Thebes, but she never could explain
to Creon why his father wouldnt call him on the phone, not even
once. It seemed like such a little thing to ask.
All lies? You know this for certain? the reporter pressed as soon
as she saw Creon fall into his own conflicted thoughts. Creon noticed
that she kept speaking in English, almost as if she was taunting
him. For years now, you, your mother, your whole family, say
all these things are lies, but how do you know for true? Tell me,
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Creon, when is the last time you saw your father? I know he was
not at your graduation from university.
Creon gritted his teeth. My father is a very private man. He . . .
Pssh! she exclaimed derisively, cutting Creon off with an imperious
wave of her hand. She shouldnt have done that. This is
not privacy, this is lunacy! Can any mans privacy mean so much
that he would abandon his only son simply to stay out of the
papers?
Creons hand shot out and he had her by the throat before she
could even raise an arm in protest. She had such a tiny throat, so
slender and fragile. Creon thought it was like holding a thin kitten
in his hand. Her eyes blossomed with fear. The pupils opened up
and reflex tears beaded on their dark surface like dew. She was
lovely in terrora perfect, pleading mask of alabaster white skin,
wide eyes, and, best of all, her mouth, an open oval of red surprise
like she was waiting to be kissed. Creon wanted to hold her like
that for days, but a split second of enjoyment later and he heard a
snap.
Like a switched-off TV, the light in her eyes contracted to pinpricks,
and then went completely dark.
Creon dumped her body in the water and ran back to the citadel
so quickly no normal person could see him pass, even if they were
standing inches away.
Still shaking with a half-sickening thrill, he went straight up to
his room, and froze when he opened the door. His mother was
waiting for him. She was sitting next to his packed suitcase with
her narrow, manicured hands folded neatly in her lap, holding
something. Her head fell to the side as she stared at him. His
mother only needed to look at him to know that the meeting that
she had arranged, the meeting that was supposed to be nothing
more than a polite gesture, had ended violently.
Did you have to kill her? she asked seriously and without reproach.
Mildred was nothing if not practical.
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She provoked me, Creon said as he moved past his mother and
grabbed the handle of his suitcase. Besides, its better this way
and you know it.
Mildred dropped her eyes and nodded, accepting that her son
was right. More than one reporter had disappeared over the
years.
Given the situation, I approve of you leaving the country for a
while. She held up the plane ticket she had taken from the front
pocket of his suitcase and waved it at him before he could bolt out
of the room. He stopped dead, realizing that he had been caught.
What I dont approve of is your choice of destination. What do you
think youre going to accomplish by going there? Your father forbade
the Hundred to go anywhere near Nantucket.
He took a breath to calm himself down. It didnt work. Its their
fault we dont have what is rightfully ours, it has to be, because all
the other Houses are gone! I have to know how they can live with
themselves when theyve sentenced the rest of their family to inevitable
death. Immortality is my birthright, and regardless of what
my father allows or forbids, I will not sit back while they deny me
that!
Creon shouldered his carry-on, wheedled the ticket out of his
mothers reluctant hands, and moved past her. He hurried down
the ancient stone steps at the back of the citadel, his heart still
pumping with excitement.
Outside, there was a nondescript black sedan waiting. His mothers
driver was behind the wheel, ready to take him to the airport.
Creon realized that Mildred had known all along that he would kill
that girl. She had probably known he would do it the moment she
arranged for Creon to meet her.
Son? she called out to him from under the arched gate. Did
you kill her just to have a reason to leave?
He turned and faced her, forcing patience. Did you send me
there to kill her?
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His mother smiled at him, but her eyes were far away and out of
focusthinking many thoughts at once. She walked toward him
slowly, making him wait for her even though she had to know that
he was vibrating with adrenaline. She stepped close to him and
looked up into his face. Her elegantly sculpted lips were pulled
tight in a thin line of warning.
Stay away from Hector.
Tuesday morning, Helen ran out of the house and toward Lucass
waiting car before Jerry could get it into his head to come out and
have a talk with that young man, as he had been threatening.
Helen wasnt entirely sure if her dad was serious or if he was just
trying to get a rise out of her, but she wasnt about to take any
chances. It wouldnt be fair to put Lucas through the traditional
parental screening when they werent even officially dating.
Ready? she asked quickly, trying to distract Lucas.
Should we wait? Lucas asked when he saw Jerry standing in the
front door.
No, just drive. Quick! I dont know if hes really going to do it or
not, Helen responded desperately as she waved good-bye to her