Free Threader by Rebekah Turner Page B

idea where to start.
    Archer looks at Cora. ‘Is she shy or something?’
    â€˜She just needs a chance to catch her breath.’ Cora glances at the clock display above the fridge and grabs my arm. ‘We’ve got to go. Appointments to keep. People to see.’
    Archer grins and I’m sure he thinks it’s friendly, but there’s a calculating look in his eyes that makes me cautious. ‘You know, Dutch isn’t so bad once you get to know him. He’s the best offensive player on our team.’
    â€˜Team?’ I manage to ask.
    â€˜The Helios basketball team,’ Cooper offers. ‘You should check out our next game.’
    â€˜Hell, you should try out,’ Archer laughs. ‘You could sit on the bench and make the other team let us win.’
    â€˜And while Dutch is more or less okay, I’d still keep an eye out for him,’ Cooper says, licking his spoon and I get a glimpse of unusually sharp incisors. ‘I think you hurt his feelings, and primals can be pretty touchy about those kind of things.’
    â€˜Dutch is nothing but a bully,’ Cora grumbles to me as we begin to head out. ‘But you showed him. He’ll leave you alone, if he knows what’s good for him.’
    Archer calls after us. ‘If he tries anything again, let me know, okay?’
    I’m not sure if I’m insulted or relieved at his unsolicited offer of assistance. When I glance back, Archer winks at me, like we’re going to be good friends. Cooper is busy spooning yoghurt into his mouth. Once again, I’m struck by how handsome he is. But it’s an odd, dangerous kind of beauty and something about him lights up my internal warning lights, telling me to run.

CHAPTER 8
    As we head for the elevator, Cora heaves a sigh. ‘Cooper is such a honey, isn’t he? I used to have such a crush on him when I first got here. He’s not as nice as Archer though. He’s actually the captain of the basketball team, the Helios Hurricanes.’
    We step into the elevator and she hits the ground button.
    â€˜They’ve won four championships so far,’ Cora continues. ‘I’ve seen one game and take it from me, Archer is amazing on the court. Just too bad he’s a primal. You’d want him medicated to the eyeballs before going anywhere alone with him.’ She lowers her voice to a hoarse whisper. ‘I heard primals are complete animals, but not in the good way, if you know what I mean.’
    I wasn’t sure I did, but really didn’t want any elaboration, so I just nod like I’m on board with the idea of avoiding primals. But hey, I’m not here to find a boyfriend, I’m here to make something of myself.
    â€˜Is Cooper a primal as well?’ I ask as the elevator doors open and we exit the building and head down a walkway, both blinking against the bright midday sun.
    â€˜No. He’s hydra.’
    I pause to absorb this. I’ve never actually met a hydra in person. Bobby had told me stories of hydra soldiers losing limbs, only to regrow them weeks later. Their regenerative abilities and intelligence not only make them deadly soldiers, but also efficient workers in the terraforming industry, with bodies that can stand higher levels of stress.
    â€˜He looked so normal,’ I murmur. ‘Well, except for those eyes.’
    â€˜Sure, he looks fine, but catch him on an off day, or if his glucose levels are low …’ Cora says.
    â€˜You’re kidding. He’s diabetic?’
    â€˜Naw. The meds they take here screw with their blood sugar levels. I once saw Cooper chow through two bags of marshmallows in ten minutes. And I heard at one game, he went on some huge downer and someone swore they saw him grow fangs and try to bite someone.’
    â€˜Fangs?’ My voice squeaks a little on the word. ‘Are you serious?’
    â€˜You know hydras. All sorts of weird little quirks. And then you get the