Did a flicker of sympathy cross her face? Dad had already turned back to the kitchen to finish the dishes, and Mom broke off her gaze almost immediately. I'll keep an eye on the clock.'Īs I went upstairs, I glanced over my shoulder and caught Mom's eye. Actually, I just remembered that I have a test tomorrow, so I really should go upstairs and finish studying.' I leaped at the chance to leave the room. I know she takes her studies very seriously.'

You never know when you'll need it magic isn't enough to make a living!' He chuckled, and Mom smiled up at him. I know it's hard now that you've found your path'-Dad patted my shoulder consolingly with the dish towel-'but you still have to get your diploma.

You can't be so infatuated with Justin that you forgot what day it is, right?' Mom's voice was light and teasing, but her eyes were fixed firmly on mine. They smiled at me, and I felt a shiver run across my neck. 'A school night?' Confused, I looked at my parents. I wouldn't want you to miss curfew on a school night.' I kept my face blank, glad that Mom couldn't read my mind the way Aphrodite seemed to.ĭad came into the living room with a glass in one hand and a dish towel in the other. It was a good thing she didn't know that Justin wasn't the one who wanted more in our relationship she might have locked me in my room and thrown away the key if she'd had any inkling that I wasn't the good little girl she thought I was. Darlena's allowed to have some fun.' She looked at me and her expression darkened slightly. 'I know better than that!' My dad's voice drifted around the corner from the kitchen, and Mom laughed.

I smiled back, feeling really happy for the first time in weeks. 'How's Justin?' Mom looked up from her book with a smile. 'I'm home!' I yelled, happy to be able to walk in the front door without worrying what new issue I would find waiting for me.

Maybe this new development would be a blessing in disguise if no one in my house knew what I really was, there wouldn't be as much tension and fear as there had been. I shivered in the twilight, giddy with adrenaline.īy the time I turned the corner onto my street, I had nearly convinced myself that my parents' mind wipe was a good thing. I walked home in a daze, struggling to think coherently while still feeling the pressure of Justin's lips on mine.

Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel