Parahuman (Parahuman Series) (29 page)

     Laney
stepped around the corner hesitantly and their gazes locked for a second before
hers drifted over his chest to the shoulder wound. She stepped closer
scrutinizing the scratches, and he remained absolutely still as she did. 

    
“Wow,” she breathed. Her hand rose to touch, but didn’t. Instead she just
pointed. “What is that film growing over it?” Her face was curious.

     “It’s
a layer of signaling cells called Apical Epithelial Cap. They contain memory of
tissue origin and are part of the rejuvenation process. You know salamanders
have also been known to grow back organs.” He was blathering additional facts
out of his edginess.

     She
looked up, a quizzical small on her lips. “And are you able to do that too?”

     An
answering smile tugged at his mouth. “I haven’t had the need to as yet,
thankfully, so I’m not really sure.”

     “I
know salamander’s can grow back bone; can you?”

     “I’ve
had bone grow back, but it takes a little bit longer.” 

     Her
eyes widened in concern and interest. “What bones have you grown back?”

     Devan
looked away and began rewrapping his arm. “When they cut my tail off it grew
back.”

     She
winced and gave a small shudder. “How did they stop it from growing back?”

     He
met her gaze in the mirror. “They cauterized the bone.”

    
“Seriously?”

    
“Seriously.” Devan smiled at the unpleasant look on her face. Finished with
wrapping the arm he reached for the tape and found that Laney had confiscated
it and was already cutting strips for him.

     “You
hold it, I’ll secure it,” she said, wiggling the tape strips from her fingers.

     He
couldn’t refuse without seeming churlish, so he turned giving her full view of his
back in the mirror. Her eyes caught the reflection and followed it as he
turned, but her focus came back to his shoulder straight away like she was
trying not to stare. It took all of five seconds for her to stick the tape on,
for which Devan was grateful, and he stepped away immediately when she was
done.  

     “All
set, let me grab another shirt and then we can go.” Devan said giving her a
strained smile.

   
“Okay,” she said. Her eyes flickered to his chest and her face turned red. She
spun around. “I’ll see you outside.” She called out heading for the door.

     Devan
was walking toward the front door after dressing and overheard Laney outside
talking on her phone. Opening the door he saw her pacing the driveway, phone to
her ear.

     “Dad,
calm down, I’m fine.” She said.

     He
heard Nick’s voice coming over the line sounding very frantic. “I can’t believe
you took the ATV out when there are wolves attacking randomly. What were you
thinking?”

     “I
stayed on the main roads,” she declared. Her tone wasn’t as forceful as it had
been earlier when he had point out her folly in riding out here. 

     “I
don’t care, and neither do the wolves if we can go by their behavior in the
school parking lot. I doubt if roads are going to be deterrence to them.” His
voice was angry.

    
“You’re right, I wasn’t thinking. I’m heading home right now. Hey, did you have
any luck tracking the wolves?” She turned in her pacing and noticed him
standing there. She put her finger to her lips; Devan presumed it was for him
to remain silent.

     “No,
and I doubt that we will. Everyone’s just going to have to show extra caution.”
Nick sounded exceedingly disgruntled. 

     “Did
you find out anything at Wilma’s?” Laney covered the mouth piece and whispered
“the vet’s” in Devan’s direction.

     “No.
She got a call from the Andrew’s; their mare was showing some difficulty with
her pregnancy so she had to hop on over there. If she gets done early enough
she said she’ll do some preliminary tests tonight and get back to me. But
enough talk, I want you straight home.” Nick ordered.

     “Straight
home,” she echoed compliantly before hanging up.

    
Nick’s comment that the vet would be elsewhere gave Devan a measure of relief;
knowing she’d be gone when he visited.

     “Are
you in big trouble with the parental figure?” Devan wasn’t really familiar with
the whole parent and offspring relationship, so he wasn’t certain the degree of
trouble she could be in.

     She
rolled her eyes at him and grinned. “
My father
will give me a very
forceful talking to when I get home, nothing I can’t handle.” She stated,
walking toward her ATV. 

     The
sight of Laney’s ATV had Devan wishing his arm wasn’t incapacitated; he would
have loved to ride his motorcycle, but he was going to have to settle for the
jeep.

     “You
know,” Laney spoke, as she straddled the ATV. “It might be a good idea if I
came along with you to the vet’s, just in case there was a problem.”

     He
frowned. “I don’t want you getting in trouble.”

    
“That’s just it, if I were to go with you it’s unlikely either of us would get
into trouble. If fact,” she continued drolly, “I could probably get you in
without any illicit entering.” She pulled the helmet over her head, covering
the smirk on her lips.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

    
Devan
had tried to get her to drive his jeep so he could ride the four wheeler, but
Laney had told him that was silly. He said it might be dangerous with the
wolves running around, but it wasn’t like she was going to let him offer
himself up as a meat platter instead of her. As a substitute he rode her fender
the entire way back to her house.

     She
drove the ATV into the garage and hopped off. Jogging over to the front porch
where Devan had pulled up in front she gave him a wave.

     “Give
me a minute.” She yelled hurrying up the steps to the door. Before she touched
the handle the door swung opened to reveal her scowling father. Laney drew up
short and plastered a serious expression on her face. It wouldn’t do to appear too
happy when she’d done something foolish. She’d gotten a little testy with Devan
when he’d so politely informed her of her thoughtlessness, which she regretted,
but who likes to be told that they were stupid. Not her.

     He
folded his arms and gave her a significant look before looking beyond her to
Devan’s vehicle. “What’s Devan doing here?” The frown he gave her wasn’t
subtle.

     “I
ran into him. He was actually with me when you called and he followed me home.”
Laney leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. She hadn’t necessarily
lied, just fudged the facts a little.

     “That
was responsible of him, at least someone was thinking sensibly. It’s too bad
he’s going to be leaving us so soon.” He gave a wave in Devan’s direction while
the affect of those words hit her in the gut. She didn’t want Devan to leave.  

      “I thought
I might take him over to The Diner to get something to eat and introduce him
around to more people. He’s going to be here till the end of school at least.”
She really hoped to convince Devan that Jarrod wouldn’t be a problem. She would
take care of it personally if she had to.

     Her
father raised one eyebrow―it was a genetic inheritance that she utilized
often―he looked like he was trying hard to hold back a grin.  

    
“That’s not fair; you know I was going to give you a good talking to for taking
off on the ATV.” He growled menacingly.

     Laney
wasn’t intimidated. He was a softy under all that bluster…mostly. “There’s
always later,” she countered.     

     His
mouth quirked, but then his eyes narrowed and he looked over her shoulder towards
Devan. Laney knew he was going to have one of his ‘dad discussions’ with Devan
while she was upstairs changing. Throwing her arms around him in a hug she
whispered in his ear. “Be nice, and I really am sorry.”

     Laney
turned and shouted, “One more minute.” She then ran into the house and up the
stairs to her room. Laney had already striped off her shirt and was working on
her pants before she was through her bedroom door. She struggled into a pair of
dark skinny jeans and a black sweater…dark clothes would probably be best if
they were going to be sneaking around and entering places. A quick brush to the
hair and light pink lip gloss for color and she was done.

    
Racing back down the stairs she pulled on her sneakers, grabbed a spring coat
and rushed out the door. Jogging over to the jeep Laney heard her dad’s
familiar ending words of the ‘discussion’. ‘Keep her safe.’

     Laney
hopped back in the jeep to see dad giving her a considering look. “There may be
no school tomorrow but don’t stay out too late.” He commanded with parental
authority.

    
“You’re the boss,” she said with a cheerful salute.

    
“Yeah, right,” he responded good-naturedly heavy on the sarcasm. He stepped back
so Devan could turn the jeep around.

     “Will
he find out if you don’t go to The Diner?” Devan asked, pulling away from her
house.

     “No,
because we’ll be going.” She answered with a grin.

    
Devan’s head swiveled in her direction. “What do you mean?”

     “We
can go to The Diner, have a quick ice cream, and then stop at the vet’s on the
way home. We won’t stay there long, but that way I won’t feel like I’m lying to
my father.” It was a win-win. She got to spend more time with him
and
find out what was going on with the wolves.

     “I
don’t know.” Devan hedged.

     
Laney knew he didn’t want to go because of the people factor, but she figured
it would be good for him. He was way too closed off. “Come on, it won’t kill
you, and I’ll even let you stay in the jeep the whole time.” Laney pleaded
harder with her eyes.

     “It
might,” he grumbled.

     “If
you start feeling uncomfortable we can go.” Laney offered as a compromise. She
really hated when he wore those glasses; she wasn’t able to tell which way he
was wavering.

     “That
will ensue as soon as we enter into the parking lot.” He stated grimly. 

     That
was it; reaching over Laney snatched the glasses off his face. “I cannot stand
these things.”

     The
wheel jerked infinitesimally in Devan’s hands as he looked at her in surprise,
and then disapproval. Laney just grinned.

     “That
is so much better; even if you are giving me a mean look.” She said pleasantly.

     The
frown smoothed out magically, and he actually looked shamefaced. “I wasn’t
giving you a mean look. You just need to provide some advance notice of your
sudden outbursts so I don’t drive off the road.”

     “Then
they wouldn’t be sudden outbursts, would they?” She established, smirking.
“Anyway, I trust that your reflexes are sharp enough to where we won’t be doing
some unexpected two-tracking.”

    
“That’s a great deal of trust in the short amount of time we’ve know each
other.” Devan remarked with a look thrown her way.

     “For
some people you don’t need a lot of time to establish trust; you just know.”
Laney said solemnly. Devan threw another considering look in her direction.
“And anyway, I do have a certain firsthand knowledge of your reflexes.” She
gave him a meaningful stare.

     Devan
sighed and Laney thought it sounded perplexed. “I’m going to have to put those
back on when we get to The Diner, you know.”

     “I
know, I’m just asking that you not wear them now while we’re alone.” Laney
requested softly.

     
Devan nodded, but Laney noted the clenching of his hands on the steering wheel
and she had to wonder if the use of the glasses had become more to him that
just protection from being identified. Did he also use them as a way to hide
himself from others?

     “It’s
been six years since your escape; it seems unlikely that people would remember
your description from six years ago. Why do you still bother with them?”

    
“Every six month’s The Company sends out a new nationwide alert and one of the
aspects they center on is my eyes. They update the law enforcement database
every month. That’s why I don’t want any interaction with the police.”

     God,
these people must be really serious about getting him back if they were still
sending out alerts. To be hunted so doggedly that every aspect of your life had
to be planned out and scrutinized before living it; it had to be misery for
him.

    
“Can’t you wear colored contacts, at least?”

     Devan
gave one shake of his head. “I tried, but it was too uncomfortable.”

     They
were almost to The Diner and twilight was coming on fast. In the mountains with
all the trees the sun tended to disappear rather quickly over the horizon.
Devan pulled into the parking lot and Laney spotted Hali right away. The place
was still jammed packed with people. This was the biggest thrill the town had
seen in a long while so everyone was out in full force reliving it. The sun has
just setting but the fifty degree temperature was still holding so
people―Hali being one of them―had spilled out into the picnic areas
surrounding the building. Devan parked near Hali and a group of friends.

     “I
don’t think I’ve ever seen it this crowded. It’s like a blitzed up weekend.”

     “This
really doesn’t look like a good idea.” Devan remark. “Also, being seen together
could ruin our whole cover story that we built up this afternoon.”

     Laney
couldn’t miss the discontented note in his voice. “Okay, we’ll just go to vet’s
then; hopefully no one will have paid attention to us.” She was disappointed
but didn’t want Devan thinking that he needed to distance himself further from
her.

    
Before Devan could back out Laney saw Hali waving and making her way over to
them. “Too late.” Devan muttered slipping on his sunglasses.

     “Laney!”
Hali rushed up to the passenger window. Her head was barely visible because of
her petite frame added with the Jeeps height. She was grinning roguishly.
“What’cha doin?” She asked. Blue eyes twinkled and her brows waggled as she
stared at the two of them.

     “We
were going to have some ice cream, but it looks a little too busy for us.”
Laney looked around the parking lot and observed Jarrod on the other side of
the lot. He’d noticed them but just glared their way…for the moment. Laney
didn’t want him making another scene drawing Devan into another altercation.  

     “Are
you guys…you know…” Hali let her suggestive remark trail off.

     Laney
swung her gaze back toward Hali and gave her a death glare. Girl code said you
never mentioned your friends’ feelings in front of the guy that you might like.

     “I
just brought Devan down to get some ice cream.” She gritted out in
mortification.

    
“Okay, okay, sure.” Hali consented holding up her hands with a grin. Laney gave
her a look that conveyed retribution.

     Hali
looked over her shoulder in Jarrod’s direction. “The way Jarrod stormed away
from us earlier I doubt that he would give us the time of day at the moment. He
was not a happy camper. He hasn’t said a word to me since; just moped over
there with an occasional frown thrown my way.” She turned back toward the
window with a grin. “But let’s play it safe and not invite trouble. I’ll go in
and get your order and you two can stay here…in the vehicle…alone.” Hali drew
out the last word smiling naughtily.

     Laney
was going to kill her friend. Looking over at Devan Laney wasn’t able to see
his expression clearly with the glasses on but there might have been an
expression of relief smoothing out his tense facial muscles.

     Hali
pulled an imaginary notepad and pen from the air and adopted a guest service facade.
“What can I get you?” She asked tapping her palm.

     Laney
threw a questioning look at Devan. He gave a sigh of resignation and shut off
the engine. She couldn’t help grinning at his sufferance.

    
“Banana split cup for me,” Laney answered promptly then looked at Devan for his
order.

    
“Uhmm…A triple scoop cup of praline pecan ice cream?” Devan asked.

     “Wow,
triple scoop; impressive. But uhgg, you do know that’s geriatric ice cream.”
Hali remarked with a grimace and a shiver.

     Laney
laughed at her theatrics. Praline pecan was Hali least favorite ice cream.
“Hali, be nice.”

     “I’m
just giving my highly knowledgeable opinion; I do work in the ice cream
business you know. But I shall be back with you orders, no matter how atrocious
they are.” She ripped the imaginary paper from her pad and flapped it around.

     “Just
a moment, Hali.” Devan pulled a twenty from his wallet and held it out to Hali.
“Here you go, and please keep the change for your assistance.”

    
Hali’s eyes widened in the extreme and Laney knew something bad was coming out
of her mouth.

     “Ooo,
big spender as well as a big physique; you lucky girl, you.” Hali remarked.
Fanning herself with the twenty she trotted away with a grin. Laney scowled at Hali’s
back her face burning.

     “She
thinks she’s so funny sometimes.” Laney mumbled. She gave Devan another quick
glance to observe his reaction. He had a dent in his forehead.

     “Is
everything alright?” He asked.

    
“Sure,” Laney tried to get control of the embarrassment she was feeling since
Devan didn’t seem to comprehend any of Hali’s comments anyway.

   
Devan’s dent deepened. “I can tell you’re not fine, you’re uncomfortable about
something.”

     “What
do you mean?” Laney asked, although he probably could see her red face.

     “Your
body is tense and I can smell the anxiety emanating off of you.” 

     Lane
eyes flared. “I smell,” she squeaked.

     “You
don’t smell bad.” Devan countered swiftly. “I just have a keen sense of smell
and your anxiety is very noticeable.”

     Laney
only felt a little better that she didn’t seem to smell bad. Instead she seemed
to smell like anxiety. What the heck did that smell like? “What does anxiety
smell like?” She asked curiously.

     Devan
gave a small shrug. “Everyone has their own scent and it just becomes more
noticeable during times of stress.”