Free The Secret of Strange Waters (The Light Keeper Series Book 2) by Kelly Hall Page A

and then turned to me. “Your brother’s so hot!”
    “My brother? I don’t have a brother.” I knew she meant Talon, but I wasn’t sure why she thought that.
    She glared at me like I was stupid, and I wondered if Owen had explained how one day we would be stepsiblings. “I thought Owen said you two were his cousins.” She curled her lip and glanced back at him, confused.
    “We’re not brother and sister. We’re dating,” I clarified. “ I’m Owen’s cousin.”
    “Oh,” she said with a sneer. “So how long have you two been dating?” Her tone was almost offensive, as if someone like me should not be with someone like Talon.
    “Since June,” I answered. “When we moved in together.” I wasn’t going to offer the reason for us sharing a roof.
    “So you live together?” she asked in disbelief. I nodded. Then she cut her eyes to Holly. “And you date Hunter?”
    “Yes.” Holly nodded, not smiling, which was not like Holly to be so unfriendly—at least, not that I knew of, but Holly already knew her. She cared for Meagan about as much as she cared for Owen; maybe less.
    “Cute,” Meagan said, feigning interest as the guys returned. It was strange, but her whole personality changed for their benefit. She became sweeter and more sincere sounding, or so it would seem by her tone. But I could see the venom bubbling inside her—she was such a fake. Worry made my heart sink for Owen. She was going to break his heart. But my sympathy for him soon ended when he put me on the spot.
    “Hey, Lily,” he said. “Do you think that Meagan could crash at your place after the game? I’m sure Cate wouldn’t mind, right?” My mouth popped open, and I looked at Talon for help. He was stumped, too. I couldn’t believe he did me like that.
    I cut my eyes to Holly before answering. She looked to the floor, not wanting to give her opinion. “I guess I can ask.” I couldn’t say anything else without looking like a horrible person. The thought of her being in my house, so close to Talon and the opportunity to make a move, had my blood boiling. I barely touched my salad after that. Once the bell rang for class, I pulled Talon aside to let him know that she was the one.
    “Her?” Talon asked. “I highly doubt that’ll happen, Lily. She wears so much make-up that if I were to kiss her, I’d get a make-over.” He squished his face in disgust. I was glad he was so turned off by the thought, but I knew what I saw. I gave him a quick peck and headed off to class with Holly.
    “I absolutely hate her,” Holly said. “She’s always been such a fake. I actually feel sorry for Owen. I think she’d rather be with Talon. Honestly Lily, did you see the way she looked at him?”
    “I’m not worried about her.” And I wasn’t, really. Even though I’d seen what she was going to do, I still knew Talon loved me. Besides that, I had the upper hand—my gift. I already saw what she was capable of, but she had no idea about me. Even though I should be ashamed to ever think it, I’d use my advantage any way I could when it came to Talon.
    “Well, Friday ought to be interesting.” Holly held the door open as we walked into class. The rest of the day would be gone before I knew it, and so would the next.

Chapter Seven
    AFTER LUNCH ON FRIDAY , Owen left school to take his driving test. He made arrangements for Meagan to ride home with me, and since he had to be back at the school at five to prepare for his game, she would hang out with Holly and me until it was over. I couldn’t be rude, of course—unlike Meagan.
    As we sat talking, Meagan used the same disgusted tone she always used for us when the guys weren’t around. “Wow Lily, were you robbed?” she asked, her upper lip curling in distaste. “There’s like, nothing in this room! Do you have OCD? Are you, you know...a neat freak ?”
    Swallowing my response was hard, but I managed. I was saving my explanation for someone I cared about, but Holly decided to