Starbright (The Starbright Series) by Rachel Higginson Read Free Book Online Page B

through.
                  “Oh, that’s al l right, I’ll just have Trenton come after me then,” Annabelle moved the griddle to the sink and immediately started on her dishes. “And if he’s coming after me anyway, I might as well head on home after service. Your parents will be back tonight and with your guests, I really don’t think you’ll need me around today.” A muscle in Annabelle’s jaw twitched, tightening the wrinkled skin around her mouth. I noticed the subtlety and decided not to argue. I hated it when Annabelle left, she felt so much like part of the family, but I also knew Annabelle was a polite woman , proper and gracious and everything she thought a woman should be. Her behavior was super out of the ordinary for her and it was probably driving her crazy. I bit my bottom lip to keep herself from smiling at this same well-mannered woman just barely holding back her restraint from letting Jupiter have what could be decades of pent up sassiness .
                  “Ok, if you have to go, then you have to go,” I sighed, standing up to kiss Annabelle on the cheek. “I’ll finish these, if you want to go get ready.”
                  “Will you call Tr ent for me too?” Annabelle l ooked thrilled at the chance just to leave the kitchen; I could hardly imagine what transpired before I entered the scene .
                  “Sure,” I smiled and pulled the cell phone from my running pants. I pounded out a quick text to Tristan, explaining his grandmother’s wishes and then waited for a reply, tapping my fingernails on the counter in a m easured rhythm.
                  “Is that another human friend of yours?” Jupiter asked dryly.
                  “Trent is Tristan’s older brother. He goes to college in Lincoln, but he’s home for winter break,” I explained.
                  “You didn’t answer my question,” Jupiter noted.
                  I laughed lightly, realizing I hadn’t. I was just used to people understanding everything between Tristan’s family and mine…. between Tristan and me . “Yes, he is my friend. I’m sorry; I guess I assumed I answered that.”
                  “Hmph,” Jupiter grunted again and then turned back to his paper.
                  “What is that smell?” a groggy baritone voice asked from the doorway to downstairs.
                  Seth leaned against the doorframe, shirtless and disheveled. His black sweatpants sat low on his hips, revealing a thin line of plaid boxers and perfectly chiseled hip bones. His dark hair was a mess of waves that laid across his head in wild tangles, curling into charming semi-circles just at their tips. He crossed his arms and lifted his nose into the air, breathing in the aroma of baked chocolate chips left in the kitchen.
                  His eyes found mine because I was staring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and wide-eyed wonder from the sink. I had seen plenty of boys shirtless before, plenty of good looking, athletic boys. I had grown up with Tristan and his brothers who had all been pract ically shirtless from the time we met, and they were all hot…. But nothing I had ever seen compared to the A ngel standing in front of me .
                  The A ctual angel.
                  I reminded my self that Warriors were born that way. They lived hard, grueling lives and any lesser physique wouldn’t stand a chance against the Darkness . Still, I had to clamp my mouth closed when he lifted one palm to rub at the overnight stubble that darkened his jawline with the palm of his hand . His smile deepened and his honey colored eyes twinkled, turning his expression mischievous.
                  I turned back to the dishes, convinced he could read my thoughts. My impure, totally uncalled for sinful thoughts. And as I scrubbed the griddle clean, I