Read Online Scorched Skies by Samantha Young - Free Book Online Page A

all of her defenses.
    “Good,” he said gruffly, rubbing a large hand across the middle of her back in comfort before setting her back from him. She let go immediately, not wanting to appear like a teenager with a crush. Been there, done that.
    With a quick glance at him from under her lashes she was disappointed to see his usual guardian, no-nonsense expression was back in place. She ’ d give anything to ruffle his feathers again like when they ’ d faced the Wind Demon in the New Mexico desert. Had that really only been days ago? When she ’ d been injured, Jai hadn ’ t been able to hide his concern and Ari wasn ’ t ashamed to admit that she ’ d lapped it up a little.
    “Ready to head back?”
    With one last glance around the apartment, Ari nodded sadly. “Let ’ s go.”
    Focusing on home, Ari stepped into the Peripatos , a little more prepared now for the discombobulating ride back to Ohio. She wobbled unsteadily despite her preparation as she stepped back out into her sitting room. Sympathy cards littered the mantelpiece over the fire and trays of unwrapped food were spread out on the coffee table. Her answer machine was blinking with dozens of messages of support. It was such a depressing place to be.
    The crackle of flames behind her barely registered with her. She was too busy staring at Charlie who was sitting on the sofa, his features angry and anxious.
    “Where have you been?” Charlie snapped, glaring at Jai over her shoulder. He jumped up off the sofa and strode towards her, standing so close Ari had to tilt her chin up to meet his eyes. The warmth from his body touched her despite her inability to really feel changing temperature. She guessed she was just that attuned to Charlie ’ s nearness.
    Annoyed at her traitorous body, Ari pressed a hand to her head, feeling a headache coming on. “We went to the apartment my dad left me.”
    Charlie touched her arm. “You OK?”
    She stepped away from him, trying not to be obvious. Charlie had been there for her these last few days; he ’ d been a great friend, and his mom had cooked her lots of food (as had many of her neighbors), so she didn ’ t have to worry about eating, but she was still mad. Maybe even more so now. And yet… despite how mad she was at him, she didn ’ t want to hurt him. Glancing down at the hand that touched her and was now falling dejectedly at his side, Ari ’ s eyes narrowed on his wrist. A tattoo? Since when? Her eyes flew up to his face and suddenly she realized why he looked so different. He ’ d cut all of his amazing hair off. “You cut your hair.”
    He shrugged. “You noticed.” He sounded hurt.
    Immediately Ari felt bad and that pissed her off. She snapped, not thinking clearly as she said, “I ’ ve been kind of preoccupied.”
    Charlie blanched and Ari noted Jai taking a step towards him out of the corner of her eye. “I didn ’ t mean… shit… I ’ m sorry.”
    She ignored his apology and sullenly eyed the tattoo she hadn ’ t known about. Was she mad at him for making her feel bad or mad at him for getting a tattoo and not telling her about it? God she hoped not. She needed to get over that crap. “What ’ s the tattoo say?”
    The question caused him to suck in his breath and share a wary look with Jai. Ari glowered at them both. What was the big secret?
    Finally Charlie sighed. “It means Justice in Arabic.”
    And just like that Ari didn ’ t feel bad anymore. The anger came rushing back to the forefront and she glared at him. It would always be this way with him. Mike ’ s death was going to pollute everything he ever did. With one last cutting look, Ari turned on her heel and headed for the stairs.
    “Ari, wait!” Charlie called out to her not even bothering to hide his frustration and annoyance. “You ’ ve got to talk to me sometime!” he snapped.
    She flipped him off without looking at him and stomped up the stairs.
    It was Derek ’ s funeral tomorrow.
    Never enough. Ari fell