Free Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout Page A

now.”
    “But—”
    “Come on, I got some stuff to show ya,” Big Boy said.
    Hunter glared. “What stuff?”
    Big Boy winked over his shoulder. “Stuff.”
    As they disappeared down the hallway, the Arum’s lip curled. “I do not like this.”
    Luc chuckled. “She’s not his type.”
    Wait—what in the hell was going on? An Arum with a human?
    “You want to tone down the light?” the asshole said. “You’re blinding me.”
    Power rippled through me, and I wanted to slam my fist through his face, but he wasn’t attacking, which was strange. And he was with a human woman he appeared to be really with, which was even more bizarre.
    I took my human form. “I don’t like your tone.”
    He smirked.
    My eyes narrowed.
    “You two should play nice.” Luc clapped his hands together. “You never know when you’ll need such an unlikely ally.”
    Hunter and I looked at each other. Both of us snorted. Doubtful.
    The boy shrugged. “Okay. So, this is a very exciting day for me. I have Hunter, who needs no last name and only shows up when he wants something or someone to feed off, and I have Daemon Black, who looks like he wants to do me physical harm.”
    “That’s about right,” I snarled.
    “Care to tell me why?” he asked.
    My hands curled into fists. “Like you don’t know.”
    He shook his head. “I really don’t, but I’ll hazard a guess. I don’t see Katy, and I don’t feel her. So I’m assuming your little break-in at Mount Weather didn’t go smoothly.”
    I took a step forward, rage swirling inside me.
    “You broke into Mount Weather?” Hunter choked out a laugh. “Are you insane?”
    “Shut up,” I said, keeping my eyes on Luc.
    Hunter made a deep noise. “Our little mutual white flag of friendship is going to come to a halt if you tell me to shut up again.”
    I spared him a brief glance. “Shut. Up.”
    Dark shadows drifted over the Arum’s shoulder, and I faced him fully. “What?” I said, throwing my hands up in a universal come-get-some gesture. “I have a lot of pent-up violence I’d love to take out on someone.”
    “Guys.” Luc sighed, sliding off the bar. “Seriously? Can’t you two bromance it out?”
    Hunter ignored him, taking a step forward. “You think you can take me?”
    “Think?” I scoffed, going toe-to-toe with the alien. “I know.”
    The Arum laughed as he took one long finger and poked me in the chest— poked me in the chest ! “Well, let’s find out.”
    I grabbed his wrist, my fingers circling his cool skin. “Man, you really are—”
    “Enough!” Luc shouted.
    The next second I was pinned against one side of the club, and Hunter was on the other, several feet off the ground. The Arum’s expression most likely mirrored mine. Both of us struggled against the invisible hold, but neither of us could do a damn thing to get down.
    Luc moved to the center of the floor. “I don’t have all day, guys. I have things to do. A nap I want to take this afternoon. There’s a new movie out on Netflix I want to watch, and a goddamn coupon for a free Whopper Jr. that’s calling my name.”
    “Uh…” I said.
    “Look.” Luc turned to me, his expression clouded. In that moment, he looked way older than I knew he was. “I’m guessing you think I was somehow a part of Katy being captured. You’re wrong.”
    I sneered. “And I should believe you?”
    “Do I look like I give a flying rainbow if you believe me? You broke into Mount Weather, a government stronghold. It takes no stretch of imagination to guess that something went wrong. I did what I promised.”
    “Blake betrayed us. Daedalus has Kat.”
    “And I told you to not trust anyone who had something to gain or lose.” Luc exhaled roughly. “Blake is…well, he’s Blake. But before you cast judgment, ask yourself how many people you’d crucify to get Katy back?”
    The hold on me let go, and I slid down the wall, hitting my feet. As I stared at the teen, I believed him. “I have to get her