never be able to explain it, Helen countered.
Better that than the alternative, he said, gathering up the mattress.
Look, Im fine on the roof, Helen. Im really not comfortable
sleeping in here with you. I think it would be a mistake.
No matter how guilty it made her feel to make Lucas sleep on the
roof, she could tell that she wasnt going to win this one. They
dragged the air mattress up to the widows walk and eventually
figured out how it was supposed to inflate, but Lucas had to read
the instructions in Spanish because the English ones were nearly
incomprehensible. Hilariously so.
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Insert mouth to the purpose inflation, Helen whispered, quoting
one of the stranger lines of the English instructions as she fixed
up the newly filled mattress with sheets.
Expel lung into inflator tube, Lucas whispered back. He stuffed
a pillow into a fresh case. That sounds like it would hurt.
Trying to silence their giggle fit only made it harder to stop. They
both crumpled up on top of the mattress, stifling their laughs.
Every now and again they would get control over themselvesonly
to snort and stuff their hands back over their faces as soon as they
made eye contact. It went on way past the time when their throats
started stinging with the tension of holding in the sound. Finally,
they got it all out and just lay there on their backs, breathing heavily
with the exhaustion of a damn good laugh. Helen felt Lucas take
her hand and shake his head at the night sky.
What am I doing? he whispered to himself, digging his other
hand into his hair.
What? Were not allowed to laugh together now? she
whispered, the ghost of a smile still haunting her lips.
Its not that, he said, turning his face to her tenderly. But its
not exactly healthy for me to enjoy your company so much that
something as stupid as blowing up a mattress is this much fun. As
soon as I think Im in control, you make me laugh or you say
something so smart, and I feel like I lose a little bit of myself. I
thought I was prepared, but this is much harder than I imagined.
And what exactly is this, Lucas? Why are you sleeping on my
roof and not in my bed? Helen asked. She rolled over onto her
side to face him and reached out to run her fingers over the Ushaped
hollow under his Adams apple.
Go downstairs, he ordered desperately, brushing her hand
away before she made contact. Please, Helen. Go to your own
bed.
There was a part of Helen that knew exactly how to seduce Lucas
whether he wanted to be seduced or not, and that freaked her out
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enough to make her get up and walk on shaky legs to her own bed.
It rattled her that she could be so aggressive, so unconcerned with
what he wanted that she would consider forcing herself on him.
As she settled down under the covers she heard Lucas tossing
and turning above her. She heard him stand up with a sharp exhale
and go to the door on the widows walk.
Her heart started joyfully hammering away when she heard him
put his hand on the knob and turn it. Helen sat up, listening to him
listening to her.
Both of them could hear the others breath, the others blood
rushing around under the skin, and, for just a second, Helen could
have sworn that she was so aware of him that she could feel his
body heat from so far away. Finally, he seemed to win some kind of
fight, and forced himself to go lie back down on his air mattress.
Helen lay back as well. After getting control over her thumping
heart, she fell into the dreamless sleep that she was usually blessed
with when Lucas was watching over her.
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UNCORRECTED E-PROOFNOT FOR SALE
HarperCollins Publishers
.....................................................................
Chapter Fourteen
Just before dawn, Lucas touched her face to wake her up.
When she opened her eyes, he kissed her forehead and told
her hed be back in a bit to take her to school. Then he
jumped out her window and flew away. Helen decided
there was no way she was going to be able to fall back
asleep, so she got up and made a big elaborate breakfast for her
dad.
You okay? Jerry asked between mouthfuls of pancake, syrup,
and bacon.
Considering? Im great, she answered honestly as she sipped
her coffee.
How are things with you and Lucas? he asked cautiously.
Weirdern hell, she replied with a smile. Then she shrugged and
laughed. But what can you do?
What can you do? her father repeated. His chewing slowed
down as an all-consuming thought hijacked his motor skills.
Helen knew he must be thinking about Kate, but an instinct told
her to let him be. He still needed more time, and when he was
ready he would come to her to talk about it.
Lucas picked her up as planned; they sparked and blushed at the
sight of each other. Just sitting in the same car with him put Helen
in such a good mood that when one of her favorite songs came on
the radio she danced in her seat and somehow convinced Lucas to
sing along with her as they drove to school. He would deny it later,
but he got really into it, and Helen stopped to listen to him with
her mouth hanging open.
What? he said, stunned when he noticed he was belting out the
refrain all by himself.
You have a beautiful voice! Is there anything youre not good
at? she asked with exasperation as she hit his arm playfully.
Apollo also happens to be the god of music. Now quit complaining
and sing along with me, he said, turning up the volume until
the bass was rattling the car windows.
Helens voice was not nearly as pretty as his, but she made up for
her lack of skill with sheer enthusiasm. They finished the song together,
and even stayed in the car after they had parked to play the
instrumental ending. Lucas was on steering-wheel drums, and
Helen was lead air guitar.
God, we sound amazing! My guitar solo was just inspired!
Helen enthused as she hopped out of the car.
We should tour, Lucas agreed as he took her hand and led her
into school.
They were getting stares, but Helen didnt care. She didnt feel
stomach pains anymore. She could relax now that she knew the
Curse Cramps would only come as a result of her using her powers
in front of mortals and not from any other kind of attention. She
began to wonder how many of her past episodes had been real, and
how many had been brought on by the fear of them. It was a relief
to know that she had some control over the curse, and for the first
time in her life, Helen felt like it might actually be okay to be a little
bit different.
Arent we old news yet? she asked him with a sly glint in her
eye.
I dont know. Let me check CNN, Lucas said, pulling out his
phone and pretending to open a browser. Helen gasped and
clapped a hand to her mouth.
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Oh no, my phone! I forgot to tell my dad its broken again! She
stopped dead in the hall as she remembered how Hector had made
her take a little swim with it.
Hector will buy you another phone. A better one, was all hed
say as he kissed her forehead. Ill make sure of it.
That sounds really bad, Helen groaned, but the bell rang and
she had to run or suffer Hergies wrath.
The rest of the day was as near to perfect as a day spent in high
school can get. Helen felt hugely energetic, Claire was a ninetypound
ray of sunshine, and Ariadne, too, seemed in fantastic spirits
as Matt helped her with her golf swing in the auditorium at
lunch. Matt was the captain of the golf team, and Ariadne was
thinking about joining, although first she had to learn how to play.
No, youre still gripping the club too tight, Matt directed her
gently. Think of it as a rapier, not an ax, he said, unwittingly hitting
the metaphoric nail on the head for her. Her swing instantly
improved.
Cassie, why dont you put that book down and come learn how
to golf? Ariadne called to her cousin.
In response, Cassandra opened another book.
What are you looking for, anyway? Matt called.
Charms or spells in ancient Greek myth that protect against
wounds, she said as she wiped a hand over her face. The gesture
reminded Helen of Lucas. If Matt found Cassandras response
strange, he let it go easily enough and focused on Ariadne and her
stance instead.
How much longer do you think we have before we get caught in
here? Claire asked.
Who cares? This is one of the best ideas Lennies ever had. We
should enjoy it while we have it and not ruin the moment worrying
about losing it, Matt answered serenely.
Claire looked at Helen and they both nodded, surprised by Matts
wise answer.
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To Matt Millis. Friend. Philosopher. Golf Pro, Helen called
back, saluting him with her thermos.
Here, here, called Claire. She raised her soy milk in a lazy toast.
Matt took a dignified bow and blushed when Ariadne smiled at
him.
Hey, Len? Did you get a new necklace? Claire asked, reaching
out to touch the charm that Helen always wore.
No, its the same old same old. Are you going crazy again, Gig?
Helen responded, trying to eye her heart charm.
It looks like a strawberry, not a heart. Or maybe its just shinier.
Probably Im crazy.
The next few days were blissful, and Helen felt a peace she hadnt
experienced since the Deloses had arrived on the island. It was as if
someone had put a combination of Spanish fly and Prozac in the
water. Helen kept up her training in the afternoons, but as the days
passed with no sign that Creon had returned to the island, Helen
found herself forgetting about the danger. The only person who
seemed immune to the good cheer in the air was Zach. He kept trying
to talk to Helen alone but she was avoiding him, which was
easy enough when she was being guarded by a family of demigods.
Still, each time she dodged him she could tell that he got more and
more resentful.
She was hoping that if she put the whole situation off for long
enough no one would even remember how she had collapsed as she
chased some shirtless stranger. Hoping that if she stalled him long
enough, Zach would let it go. But instead his attitude was becoming
more and more urgent. The last thing Helen wanted was to tell
Lucas and make an issue out of it. After the whole Hector tried to
drown me and ruined my phone in the process incident, Lucas
had happily beat the stuffing out of his cousin in the newly finished
arena, and an hour later a toothless Hector had given Helen a new
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phone that she was pretty sure had enough computing power to
put a satellite into orbit.
But Zach was making it impossible for Helen to protect him. The
more he kept trying to corner her, the more suspicious Lucas became,
until the inevitable happened. After school on Wednesday as
Lucas walked with Helen to track practice, he saw Zach wandering
around nearby. When Zach saw Lucas he changed direction and
went to the boys locker room, but not before his suspicious behavior
was noticed.
Is Zach after you? Lucas asked with wide eyes.
Oh, not really. He wants to talk to me about something, I think,
Helen said as if it wasnt important. She shut her mouth before she
could say too much.
Yeah, Ill bet, Lucas said with a sneer, his blue eyes turning
nearly black as he sensed her untruth. Is there any reason for
Zach to think that you might be single?
No! Wait, what? Helen stammered, not understanding Lucass
anger.
Did you tell him that you and I werent really a couple because I
wont . . . he trailed off, and ripped a hand through his hair as he
paced around in a circle. What are you telling people about us?
The outline of his body began to smear as he scattered the light
around him in agitation.
I havent told anyone anything! Helen said, her voice pitching
up to an unnaturally high register.
Are you trying to make me jealous or are you just so frustrated
that youre already looking for someone else? Someone wholl give
in to you? He was so angry Helen could barely see him as he
began to blur himself out, but she was angry, too.
I am NOT looking for anyone else! she howled at him.
Lucas took an involuntary step back as he stared at the halo of
pale blue light crackling around Helens head and hands. Her lightning
didnt seem to respond to Lucass light control, and as the
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distortions he created were thrown back by Helens metallic glow
he was forced to shade his eyes.
Oh, boy, she tittered nervously. She felt like she was going over
the top peak on a roller coasterand she was just about to drop
down.
She threw an arm out to the side to steady herself. Lucas took a
step forward to grab on to her, but wisely stopped himself before