02 Seekers by Lynnie Purcell Page A

said, opting to not get involved.
    “Great. Thanks,” I said.
    I put my hands on my hips and turned to Alex again. I tried to think about the consequences of her being down here and her possible reasons for coming. I knew one thing for sure: Alex was looking for answers…just like I was. She was searching for answers to her condition and what that condition meant for her future. That she couldn’t even date a boy because of it, was proof she felt the change more than she was letting on. She was also trying to be loyal to her friend, something I had neglected by not offering her the chance to come with me. The fact that she had to sneak after me was proof I had been a bad friend to the only other person who really
    understood how being between two worlds felt.
    “Don’t ever do this again,” I said, willing to let her stay, but unhappy she had done something so dangerous.
    “Only if you promise to not run off on me again,” she said.
    I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight. “I’m glad you’re here.”
    “Because I can help in your mission?” she asked hopefully.
    “No, because Margaret is a horrible conversationalist and Jackson thinks he’s funny.”
    “I’m always funny,” Jackson said coming into the room.
    “…Looking,” I added.
    “Do you have a phone you don’t mind throwing away?” Daniel asked him.
    “Yeah…why?”
    “Give it to Alex, so she can call her dad.” He turned to Alex. “Keep the call short, but let him know you’re okay. Don’t mention where we are exactly, or that you’re here with us. Get rid of the phone when you’re done.”
    Alex took the phone Jackson offered her with a slow hand. “Okay…” she said, obviously
    unhappy about calling Sam. She walked out of the room, already dialing the number.
    “She said she just walked until she found us…” Jackson said thoughtfully. “How is that even possible?”
    Daniel pointed at me. “They have a connection. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to spend some time with Clare.” He pointed for Jackson to leave.
    “What if I do mind?” Jackson asked.
    Daniel pushed Jackson to get him walking, not being very gentle about the shove. “All right, I’ll go, but only because I was going to scout the area anyway.”
    When Jackson was out, Daniel shut the door with a firm snap. He shook his head and grinned at me. “Friends! Can’t live with them…can’t shoot ‘em!”
    “Why is that when I want to come down here it’s WWIII, but when Alex shows up unannounced
    it’s everything as normal?” I asked him.
    “Because life is unfair,” Daniel replied.
    “Ah. Thanks,” I said.
    He smiled and took my hands again. “Where did we leave off?”
    I smirked and leaned toward him to claim my kiss.
    Daniel left at precisely 8:57 the next morning. The night had faded to a swift, hot, dawn as draining as only the hottest places on earth could be. The parting was very difficult, though I didn’t let him see my fear.
    “Remember what you promised me?” he questioned as we hovered next to our door; a door
    which had not been opened since Daniel had forced Jackson out.
    “Yes.”
    “Good.” He put a hand on my neck. “I’ll try and contact you if I can. But if I can’t…don’t be worried.”
    Yeah…right.
    “If you have to contact us, but can’t overtly do so, we should have a code word or something,” I replied choosing to ignore the stupidity of his statement. Worry would be my best friend until he was back.
    “What would you recommend?” he asked, keeping his eyes glued to mine as if he thought he
    could take a picture.
    “The Shadow?” I questioned.
    “That’s two words,” he said.
    “Code phrase, then,” I replied.
    “I like it.”
    “Who wouldn’t?” I asked.
    He smiled briefly. “Other people. Clare….” he hesitated.
    My heart stuttered and butterflies appeared in my stomach. He didn’t have to say the words forming on his lips. I could see it in his eyes. “I know,” I told