Chapter Twenty-Nine
Owen
It’s hours later when Astrid appears in Owen’s bedroom doorway. She’s wearing tight black pants and a gold beaded top. Kick-ass boots with lethal heels make her nearly his height, and black gloves cover her hands. Her hair is a long curtain of gold.
He looks at her in the reflection of the mirror while he straightens his tie. “Don’t get me worked up again,” he says. “I can’t take another shower before we go—and next time, you’re taking it with me.”
“Talk like that really isn’t helping.”
“No, I suppose not.”
“I’m sorry about that before. Things got a little out of control.”
“You think I meant to throw all those snakes at Quinn?” he asks. “I meant to do one and next thing I know it’s like a fucking snake bomb went off in there. You used what you had to in order to help him get through the moment. We’ve all got a long way to go before we really get a handle on our powers.”
“It’s going to take a minute to get used to it,” she admits. He finally turns to face her and her eyes skim from head to toe. “You look nice.”
“Thank you.” He grabs his phone off the dresser. “You think we’ll be able to get through this dinner without some kind of major issue?”
“I doubt it.” She laughs. “So, I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Panic hits him. He’s not sure why. Probably because he likes it here and there’s a small frown on her lips and frowns are bad news. She senses this—of course she does—and says, “It’s not a big deal, well maybe it is, but not in a bad way.”
“Okay.”
She gestures to the bed and he sits, careful not to wrinkle his pants. She sits next to him, her leg close to his. “After our experiments, I think I know why you don’t remember the group home—or at least not all of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have this distinct memory of you, Owen. Seeing you in the backyard. You and Devin were messing with Harry and I was really worried. I loved him so much, even then.” She frowns. “I touched you and read your echo. It was the first time I’d done it. The doctors must have triggered something in my last visit, but it must have been before they blocked us from one another. I read you and you were in a lot of pain. Like, a lot.”
“With everything going on that doesn’t seem like a stretch, even if I don’t remember it.” Her confession makes him uneasy, like he knows where this is going but isn’t sure he wants to hear it.
“I think I felt bad for you in that moment and well, I think I took away your pain. The way I helped that little boy in the home invasion, and Quinn today.” She twists her hands in her lap. “I didn’t mean to do it—or intrude—or god, take away your childhood. I was young and stupid and had way too much power I didn’t know how to control.”
Owen sits for a minute, taking in Astrid’s story. He feels the nervous energy rolling off her and he reaches for her gloved hand and takes it in his.
“You’re a good person, Astrid. It sounds like you were a good kid. I’m sorry I don’t remember you but I’m not sorry you took away the pain.”
“Yeah?” she asks, looking up at him. Her hair swings over her shoulder and her lips are pink with gloss.
“I think it’s just another confirmation we’re all supposed to be doing this—working together and helping one another. You helped me back then and I’m going to keep working to help you get your powers under control. Any way you need.”
She bites her lip and stares at him. “Thank you, Owen.”
“Always, Astrid.”
She leans forward and kisses his lips with gentleness. He fights his hormones—fights hers, too. Because they’re susceptible to passion, but they also have willpower. There will be other times to explore. Right now, they have to finish getting ready for their date with the devil.
“If you need me tonight, you let me know,” he tells her, squeezing her hand. “Demetria is a master manipulator. She’ll sense your emotions.”
“Thank you. And you let me know if you’re planning on snake bombing someone.” She stands and pulls him off the bed. “Mostly so I can get out of the way.”
“Got it,” he agrees, yanking her closer and kissing her thoroughly. “For luck.”
She laughs darkly and straightens his tie. “I have a feeling we’re going to need it.”