The Secret of Strange Waters (The Light Keeper Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

off of his chest and brought them around me. It was easier than I thought, so I kissed him and tried to lighten his mood. Instead he pushed me back and walked away, leaving me cold, trying to understand what I did that was so wrong. It was just Owen! What was going on in his mind?
    I kicked off my shoes and climbed under my covers, hoping sleep would come soon and take me away. I didn’t like keeping secrets from Talon. It didn’t feel right, but I promised Owen. I thought again about Talon’s hard expression and hoped he wouldn’t still be mad come morning.

Chapter Three
    IT SEEMED LIKE I BARELY closed my eyes when Talon came in to wake me up for school, except the usual kiss good morning was replaced with a harsh tone telling me to hurry. My head was pounding, but I managed to get up and get dressed. By the time Hunter and Owen showed up, my stomach was in knots from the tension of the headache. Talon ignored me and Owen all the way to school, and stared out the window so he wouldn’t have to look at us.
    Hunter unsuccessfully tried to make conversation, but as soon as we parked, Talon jumped out of the car and took off for his locker without me.
    “What’s his hurry?” Owen asked on our way to class.
    “He was in my room when I got home last night.” Thinking of him standing there mad, turning me away, hit me again. I was only a footstep away from Owen when he stopped in his tracks.
    “You didn’t tell him anything, did you?” He pulled my arm, making me stop with him.
    “No, that’s just it. He wanted answers and now he’s mad at me.”
    “Don’t worry, Lily, no one can stay mad at you for long. He’ll get over it.” We started walking toward class again.
    “No, you can’t stay mad at me. Talon could be mad at me for days,” I said, pouting.
    “That’s because I love you more,” he said, holding up his index finger, as if to make a point. “Remember that.”
    I pursed my lips and slapped his hand away. “That’s not the same. You’re family, so you have to put up with me. Bound for life, remember?”
    He sighed at the reminder. “He’ll come around. Relax, okay? It’s ridiculous to be mad at you, and he will figure it out soon enough.”
    I hoped he was right. And then, for old arguments sake, he added, “And besides, he is family, too.” I could have argued with him about how we were not related and our parents weren’t even married, but he’d never admit it made a difference.
    By lunchtime, my headache was so bad I could hardly keep my eyes open. I wasn’t sure if it was lack of sleep, the Light, or if I was coming down with something, but the nurse called my mom. She couldn’t leave work so she made arrangements with Granny for Hunter to leave school long enough to bring me home.
    “You’re not gonna hurl are you?” Hunter asked, teasing, as he helped me in the car.
    “No, I don’t think so. I didn’t get enough sleep last night, I guess. The Light hasn’t ever given me a pain like this. It’s got my stomach in knots.”
    “Are you sure you’re not just upset about Talon?” he asked. Hunter read me so well already. He’d honed some fine big brother skills from dealing with Owen over the years and he was always willing to share them with me.
    “Did he tell you anything?” I hoped not. He may have gotten Owen in trouble.
    “You mean about last night with Owen,” he said. My heart sank, now Owen was busted. Telling Hunter was almost as bad as telling Granny because neither would approve.
    “He told you?” I sank in my seat suddenly feeling worse.
    “No, I saw you walk off with him last night. I know he’s been sneaking out. Not sure what for, though. I figured that you going along wouldn’t make Talon too happy and— well, it was a little obvious he was mad at you this morning.” Hunter didn’t miss much and I should have known he knew about his brother all along.
    “You’re good,” I said, nodding. “It’s ridiculous though, it’s Owen.”
    Hunter