you never got that close to your opponents. But I?ll teach it to you if
you want,? he said quietly.
Looking up at Lucas, Helen realized she was still seeing spots.
She had to brace herself by putting her hands on his waist. As the
spots went away she could see the color rising in Lucas?s cheeks,
and she felt waves of heat coming off his skin. Helen could smell
his scent and it made her feel quiet and still, almost drowsy.
?And flying,? Helen said, suddenly breaking herself out of her
languid mood. ?You still have to teach me how to get airborne.
Once I learn that, I can just fly away from the bad guys.?
?I?ll teach you how to fly,? he said softly, nodding his head and
looking down. Helen searched for his eyes, but he wouldn?t look at
her. She wiped a hand across her face and it came back streaked
with blood.
?Am I really that hideous right now?? she asked as she leaned
away from him, suddenly self-conscious. To Helen?s surprise he
didn?t reply, he just pulled her against him and held her.
?Promise me something,? he said into her hair. He waited for her
to nod before continuing. ?Promise me that next time you fight
you?re not going to just stand there and let the other guy beat the
crap out of you until he?s too tired to lift his arms.?
?If I can avoid it, believe me, I will,? Helen said with a little laugh,
but Lucas pulled away from her so he could look her in the eye.
?I won?t watch that again. You understand me?? he said sternly.
She nodded slowly and saw his face relax a little. His eyes were so
intense she had to glance around for something else to talk about.
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?Your shirt,? Helen said, pointing to the bloody print of her face
on his chest. ?Which reminds me. I?ve ruined these workout
clothes Ariadne gave me. Should I change into another set, or are