Equal Parts (35 page)

I pressed a hand to his cheek. Surely that must have been a loss of innocence for him, a radical change of direction. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to unlock more of Henry’s past, nor would it be easy for him to unlock mine. But we both deserved to be free of our skeletons.

“Did you know about Skye?”

“I … had a hunch. He brought her up when we were discussing how to trade information about your power with Finn, but I assumed he was bluffing. What happened to her?”

“Molten had her brainwashed, or at least something like it.” I winced at the memory of Skye’s voice, so needy and robotic. “She thought he loved her – like,
really
loved her. And she loved him back. It was … creepy.” That was a mild description.

A pause. Henry’s eyes studied me – he knew something was wrong. Was I that easy to read? Or were his eyes simply accustomed to my emotions?

“Seeing her like that … made me think, maybe that’s how people see me. I know it’s not the same thing, not by a long shot,” I said quickly, when his eyes flashed with frustration, “but we aren’t …
normal
.”

“What’s your definition of normal, darling?”

I blew out a breath. “I don’t know … white picket fence, two-point-five kids, nine-to-five job. You know, that stuff.” Urgh, this was coming out all wrong! “I’m not saying I want you to change, or
us
to change. I just … I want to know my life isn’t going to be a blur of carnage and face paint. I want to go to college here without worrying if someone will kill me during class, just for being me. I need routine – or, at least, somewhere to call home.”

Henry rolled onto his back, eyes boring into the ceiling.
Crap
. I’d said too much.

“Henry, look, I’m sorry I –”

“You had to do it, didn’t you?” he asked, and I flinched. Okay, so this was going to hurt. But that was good, right? Have it all out in the open? “It’s like you’re
trying
to wring the secrets from me.”

“Look, I didn’t think you would … wait, what?” I sat up, clutching the sheet to my bare chest. “What secrets?”

With a heavy sigh, he rolled out of the bed and padded across to his overnight bag. Retrieving something, he then climbed back in next to me.

“I’m not a normal guy, Flick,” he said, looking me right in the eye. “I’m never going to be the stiff-as-a-board office type, or whatever it is ‘normal’ guys do with their lives. I hate boredom, I hate orders, and I hate being overlooked.”

“I know, but I don’t see what –”

“
But
,” he interrupted, pressing a finger to my lips, “being Achilles is getting tiring. Even before you came into my life, I was considering how long I could keep this killing thing up. I don’t want to give up the old life altogether, but … well, part of the reason I did the whole face paint routine was because I knew, one day, I’d want another life as Henry.”

“You don’t –”

“I owe Legrand a favor in return for him letting me walk free.”

“What kind of favor?”

“I don’t know yet. But when he calls it in, I want you safe. Which is why, while you were busy holding off Molten last night, I made two quick decisions. One: I want this new life to be with you,
forever
. And two: I think it’s time you braved some of the bigger skeletons in your closet.”

As he announced these cryptic decisions, he held out two pieces of paper.

On one was some kind of flight booking for Orlando, Florida.

And on the other was a receipt for a rather massive down payment on … a
house
?

“You … you bought … what are these? Henry, what did you do?” My mouth was muffled by my shaking fingers, my eyes so wide I’m surprised they didn’t pop out of my head and roll across the floor.

“I want to meet your family, Flick. I think your parents would really appreciate you coming back, to try and get some closure. And as for this…” His eyes lit up cheekily. “Well, I know how much you
adore
Finnian Cole, and you know what they say about keeping your enemies closer, so I bought the house two down from his.”

“But … but it’s a
mansion
!” I couldn’t believe it. Was I dreaming? I pinched my arm,
hard
, and was astounded to find I didn’t wake up.

“Fit for all the massive parties you’ll be hosting to get happiness, no doubt,” added Henry with a real smile.

I launched myself at him, kissing him as hard and long as I could before I needed to breathe.

“
You
,” I emphasized. “You’re all the happiness I need.”

He grinned up at me. “Well, thank Christ, because I’ve needed
you
for happiness from the start.”

And for once, I didn’t mind the happiness factor at all.

Emma Winters is an Australian by birth but an American by heart. When she isn’t churning out a Shiny New Idea, hidden from view by piles of half-drunk
cups
of tea and Oreo wrappers, she’s probably alphabetizing her comic book collection, making friends with the neighborhood birds, or planning her Great American Roadtrip.

And while she has two legitimate degrees under her belt at the age of 22, she’s actually just putting off adulthood for as long as humanly possible, because honestly, real life is so overrated.

Acknowledgements

I’ve been writing since the age of about twelve, and since then I’ve learned authors have it rather hard in terms of friend-making: it’s difficult to live in the normal world while an entirely different one is going on in your head.
So the following are extra-special, really, because without their support, the stories would just stay locked up.

My first and greatest thanks must go to my parents, aka. Mr. and Mrs. Supportive. They both inspired and encouraged my love of reading, which led to my love of writing, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful. From my dad buying me piles of fantasy books that transported me to so many wonderful worlds with wonderful characters, to my mum reading me such brilliant books that taught me not to take life too seriously. You guys are my whole world, and I can never thank you enough for all the support and love you give me every single day.

Thank you to Sarah Billington, aka. The Motivator: writer friend, mentor, lunch date, and all-round incredible person. Since we met way back in 2010, you’ve continued to be the best cheerleader a girl could ask for.

Thanks to my truly wonderful crit partner, Stephanie Allen - aka. Ms. Americanizer (even got the ‘z’ down!). You don’t judge my absurd Australianisms, even when it’s clear I’m just speaking gibberish, and are a seriously awesome chick.

An online high-five and Superman dance goes to my cover designer, SuspectNo9, who worked wonders with the vague description I gave of Equal Parts, and turned dream into reality.

A rib-crushing hug and thank you must go to my Bestest Friend Since Childhood, Sophie, aka. Tolerance Girl. Since the age of about 5, you’ve put up with my innate weirdness, like when I almost gave you a concussion by roundhouse-kicking you because I saw it in
Mulan
. I’m still sorry about that.
Hopefully this acknowledgement makes up for it.

My next thanks goes to the most powerful inspiration in my life, my boyfriend Sotirios, aka. Muse Boy, aka. Captain Tea-Maker, aka. Lord Awesomepants. You are, in all seriousness, my better half – everything I wish I was, and am so lucky to have.

Lastly, thanks to You, aka. Damn Cool Anonymous Reader Person. My readers, fans, and online buddies keep me going when I’d otherwise give up. Thank you, thank you,
thank you
for being superheroes of the internet and for sharing my love of the voices in my head.