Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 255(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 255(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
But even though I’m looking at Aric, it’s Declan who speaks up next. “You mean… like… sexually?”
I shrug. “It’s certainly the fastest way to get her to project some power, but any sustained emotion will do.” I look at her now. Straight into those angry eyes. “I could spank you. That would probably do it.”
She scoffs. “In your dreams.”
Aric actually chuckles. And when I look over at him, he’s got a strange smile on his face. In fact, when I glance over at Declan, he’s got that same expression.
They’re picturing this punishment in their minds.
“Well,” Aric says, snapping out of his fantasy of me spanking Star’s little bottom. “We’d have to watch. You know, just to make sure it’s all on the up and up.”
I laugh. “Absolutely.”
“Fuck you!” Star says. She was hiding behind Aric for protection just five minutes ago. But she’s stepping away from him now. “He’s not getting anywhere near me!”
“Star,” Declan says, using one of those smooth and easy voices that one reserves for crazy people. “You need to help us, help you.”
I almost guffaw. But I have to hand it to Declan, slimy as that move is, he’s charming. He’s made himself into the safe one, so to speak.
“Declan! You’re supposed to be on my side!” Star is getting excited. And this is just enough emotion for my glasses to flash and turn black. This is real panic on her part. But it doesn’t last. In fact, it’s gone in an instant.
“Look,” Declan says. “Her panic lit up your glasses!”
Star gets a hopeful look on her face. But I shake my head. “It’s not that easy. Panic isn’t enough. It’s too fleeting. We need to sustain her emotional state for long periods of time. That’s how we draw out the power.”
Aric chuckles. “Sex. You wanna use sex.”
“You’re making this up!” Star protests. “This is not a thing. It’s not real.”
“No?” I ask. And then I cross the space between us, grab her by the waist, and kiss her. My glasses instantly go dark black, the digital display comes to life inside them, and for a moment, everything is outlined in teal green.
She pushes me away and it disappears.
But she knows I’m right now. She knows.
And so does Aric and Declan.
“Wow,” Declan says. “That’s… amazing.”
Aric laughs. “Well, it’s… weird. But his glasses did come back to life, Star. It’s probably the only way.”
I’m sure, if we tried really hard, we could find another way. But why? When this would be the most satisfying?
“No. No way! This is bullshit.” But Star knows she’s wrong and when neither Aric nor Declan come to her defense, she narrows her eyes at me. Then, she must get a bright idea, because she smiles. “Not with him, anyway.” I can almost hear her thoughts, that’s how obvious she is. Because her eyes dart between Declan and Aric, like she’s trying to decide which one she’d rather get spicy with to get us some power. “He can touch me, but not you!” She’s pointing at Declan.
I shrug. “I like to watch, so whatever.”
“You can’t watch!” she says. And she’s getting a little shrieky now, so the glasses go black again, but like before, it’s fleeting. Just a tiny moment.
“If I’m not nearby, how will you power the glasses?” I ask.
Her eyes dart around the room, landing on a dark opening with a beaded curtain as a door. Which is such a teenage décor choice on Aric’s part, I nearly snort. “What’s in there?” she asks.
“That?” Aric says. “That’s a shower. If you wanna take a shower, I’m here for it. Let’s go. I volunteer as tribute.” Then he slides his leather jacket off, rips his shirt over his head, and starts for the bathroom.
“Declan, I said! Not you!” Star’s emotional state is exasperation now.
Aric stops and turns. “Fine.” Waves a hand at the shower. “Go on then. But I’m gonna stand in the doorway and watch whether you want me to or not. It’s not even like you can stop me. The door is made of beads.”
I snicker. I guess he’s not as stupid as I thought he was because those beads are a feature, not a glitch. “As will I,” I say. “That way I get my power and everyone is happy. Right Declan?”
Declan is smiling like an idiot who just won the Powerball. “Uhhh, yeah. Fuck yeah. I’m happy.” Then he walks over to Star and takes her by the hand. “Come on little darlin’, let’s make beautiful, powerful magic together.”
13 - STAR
Before I can object, Declan is pulling me towards the bathroom. I look over my shoulder, desperate to find a way out of this humiliating set up, but Declan was my choice, after all, and he seems to be all in as far as the whole “let’s get Star excited so we can get our power back” plan.