The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong Read Free Book Online Page A

house?”
    He shook his head. “I tried getting into the basement, butit was locked. There should be a key somewhere.”
    “Old-fashioned lock, needing an old-fashioned key?”
    “Yeah, how…?”
    “You and Simon need to communicate better. He’s already found it. Well, a key anyway. We should see if it works before everyone else gets up.”
    We were almost at the back door when it opened. Andrew glanced out, frowning. He didn’t say anything, but the look he gave us was a lot like the one we’d gotten from the staff at Lyle House when they found Derek and me climbing out of the crawl space together. Andrew’s was more uncertain, like he hoped he was wrong. Considering he’d seen me holding hands with Simon the other night, I didn’t blame him for that.
    The last time Derek and I had been caught together, I’d stammered excuses. He’d said nothing, and that had pissed me off. But he’d been right—my excuses only made it seem like we’d done something that needed excusing. Andrew hadn’t caught us making out or holding hands or even coming out of the forest. We were in the yard together, in daylight, walking and talking. Nothing wrong with that. So why did he keep looking at us like he expected an explanation?
    “Getting warmer out,” I said. “Might even see the sun today.”
    A very mature, casual thing to say. Derek even rumbled, “Hope so.” Andrew’s expression didn’t change.
    “Are the others up?” I asked. “They were dead to the world when we left.”
    “Not yet. I was about to make breakfast when I noticed the back door open.”
    “I figured we shouldn’t close it,” I said. “You probably want to know where we are, right?”
    He nodded and waved us through, waiting until we were inside, then turning to look out at the woods, frowning, before closing and bolting the door.
     
    Derek went upstairs for a shower. I was going to check on Tori, but Andrew wanted my help in the kitchen, asking me to set the table while he fried bacon.
    “You’re a writer, so I presume you like to read,” he said. “Who’re your favorite authors?”
    I rattled off a few names.
    He laughed. “Simon was right. No society-girl princess books for you. I have something you might like, lots of action and adventure. It’s still in manuscript form, but if you want a sneak peek, I’ll let you borrow my laptop. I’d love to get your opinion”—he grinned over his shoulder at me—“if you don’t mind playing test audience.”
    “No, that’d be cool. What’s it about?”
    He certainly made it sound good, and we talked books a bit. Then he asked me how I liked my eggs and when he was cracking ours, he said, “How much do you know about werewolves, Chloe?”
    “Just what I’ve learned from Derek.”
    “Well, I’m hardly an expert myself. But Tomas told meyears ago that there is one thing you always need to remember when dealing with a werewolf. They may look like you and me, but they aren’t. They’re only half human.”
    I bristled. I’d heard enough of that crap at the laboratory.
    “And half monster?” I said, my voice cooler.
    “No, half wolf.”
    I relaxed. “Derek’s dad raised him to understand that.”
    “I’m sure Kit did, but…To Kit, Derek is his son, as much as Simon. There are things parents gloss over for their children. Being half wolf doesn’t just make Derek a little different. Half of him is an animal ruled by instinct. There are some instincts…” He cleared his throat. “Derek seems very attached to you, Chloe.”
    “Attached?” I couldn’t help laughing at that. “Sure, he feels some responsibility for me. It’s like you said about being part wolf. I’m temporarily in his pack, so he has to watch out for me, whether he wants to or not. He feels obligated—instinct.”
    For a moment, Andrew said nothing, just flipped the eggs.
    “Do you want me to start the toast?” I asked. “I can—”
    “When the Edison Group first planned the Genesis project, Dr.