Kindled (Page 5)

“Stay at my place tonight.” Chris glanced sharply at him; his eyes darted down to the key in Devon’s hand. “It’s quiet there, and maybe it’s far enough away that you can escape mine and Cassie’s emotions for the night.”

Chris shook his head. “I can’t leave Cassie.”

“I’ll be here. She’ll be fine. You need to rest; you’re starting to look like hell.”

Issuing a sharp bark of laughter, Chris shook his head. “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.” He took the key from Devon’s hand looking as if a weight had been lifted from him. “Don’t you ever tell her I did this.”

Devon grinned at him. “I won’t.”

“You’re going to stay outside all night?”

“My car’s at the end of the road. I’ll be fine.”

Chris nodded and shoved the key into his pocket. “So, where do you live?”

CHAPTER 2

As the first rays of the sun broke over the horizon, Devon parked his car next to Chris’s beat up Mustang. Compared to Devon’s sleek new Challenger, the old Mustang looked even more wounded and decrepit. He stepped into the cold, shoving his hands in his pockets as he made his way toward the apartment building.

Punching in his security code, he pulled the heavy glass door open, welcoming the blast of heat that hit him, warming his frozen extremities. He made his way slowly down the quiet hall. Most people were still asleep, though the scent of brewing coffee was beginning to fill the air. Pounding swiftly up the steps, he jogged to the third floor and turned down the hallway.

Reaching his apartment, he pulled out the spare key he kept above the door and slipped it into the lock. He was exhausted, all he wanted was a warm shower, and a few minutes of sleep before he had to drag himself into the ridiculous institution of high school once more. Thrusting open the door, the first thing he noticed were the loud snores issuing from Chris. He was sprawled face down on the couch, drooling into the pillow he had grabbed from the bedroom.

Devon lifted an eyebrow; he shook his head as he silently closed the door behind him. Chris had made himself at home. There was fast food wrapper’s on the coffee table, a couple cans of soda, and the TV was on. Though the furniture was all sleek, modern and expensive, none of it was his. The apartment had come fully furnished, a fact that was reflected in the high rent prices.

Not like he cared, money was not an issue for him. That was one of the benefits of having lived a long time with little worries and little care for human life. He tossed the spare key on the table beside the door. Shrugging his coat off, he headed down the hallway to the master bedroom. The room was large with a massive California King jutting into the middle of it. The paintings on the walls were seascapes with boats and lighthouses, they also were not his. Tossing his coat on the bed, Devon pulled his shirt off as he made his way into the bathroom. It was large with a big Jacuzzi tub, his and hers sinks, and a separate shower stall. He had never used the tub.

Turning the shower on, he set the temperature for as hot as he could stand it before stepping inside. The stinging rays felt good on his sore back and stiff shoulders. A night in the car had left him cramped and aching, but it had been worth it to make sure that Cassie was safe. He stayed in the shower for as long as the hot water lasted. When it finally turned cold he stepped out, toweled off and dressed quickly.

Chris was awake when he returned to the living room. Sitting on the edge of the sofa, his head was in his hands as he stared at the floor. “Rough night?”

He glanced up at Devon, his eyes slightly bloodshot. “I’ve had worse. Nice place you have here.”

“Not my stuff. You could have slept in the guest room.”

Chris shook his head. “Prefer the couch. Everything ok?”

“Yeah, she stayed put, didn’t get much sleep, but she’s there.”

“Doesn’t look like you got much sleep either.”

Devon shook his head, running his hand through his damp hair. “No.”

Chris sighed, tossing aside his blanket as he rose slowly. “Thanks for letting me crash here.”

“Anytime.”

“You going to school today?”

Devon hesitated before nodding. He hated going to that place, it was boring, and the people were cruel and vindictive. But he wanted to see Cassie, and although he knew he was not welcome around her, he felt that she would need him in order to get through the day. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

Chris handed the key out to him but Devon shook his head. “Keep it in case you need someplace to stay again.”

Chris stared silently at him for a moment, surprise flickering through his eyes. Shrugging, he slipped the key back in his pocket. “You know, you’re not half bad for a dead guy.”

Devon snorted, shaking his head at him. “Good to know.”

Chris laughed softly as he grabbed his letterman jacket off the back of the couch. “See you later.”

“Yeah.”

Pausing at the door, Chris glanced back at him. “You know, if I were you, I would use that little gift you have for attracting women.” Devon’s eyebrows drew sharply together as he stared at Chris questioningly. “Jealousy can be a big motivator.”

Devon’s eyes widened, shock slammed through him. “You can’t be serious.”

Chris grinned as he shrugged. “Something has to reach her, but don’t you ever tell her I suggested it.”

“Apparently we’re going to have many secrets.”

Chris laughed as he nodded enthusiastically. “I don’t want her to kill me when she finally comes back to her senses. So yep, we are.”

Devon couldn’t help but chuckle along with him. Chris gave him a brief nod, his eyes still twinkling as he slipped out the door. Devon clicked off the TV, heading back to the bedroom he plopped onto the luxurious mattress he had spent few nights in. Though he longed for sleep, he knew that he would not be able to do so just yet. Sliding open the drawer of the nightstand he pulled out one of the books he had borrowed from Luther.

Flipping through the old, worn pages, he ignored its musty smell as he skimmed through the detailed history of The Hunters that had existed for the latter half of the sixteenth century. It was boring, tiring, and of little use as each of them had possessed an ability. He moved onto the next book in the line, flipping swiftly through the pages as he searched for and notes on a Hunter like Cassie, one that did not possess an ability. He was almost halfway through it when exhaustion claimed him.