Revived (The Lucidites Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

he says.
    “How do you figure?”
    “Well, the trait has to come from somewhere, like a gene or something. Dream Travelers are a race, right? That’s what Shuman says.”
    “True,” I say, ruminating on the idea. “So what happened to him? Your father?”
    “My mother says he was abusive. She ran away from him when I was a baby in order to protect us.”
    “That’s sad. Were you ever curious about him?” I ask, thinking how the last couple of months my own curiosity regarding my real parents had been trumped by all the deadly missions.
    “All the time for a while, but then I developed my empathesis and experienced the emotions of abusive people. They’re toxic. I’m better off not knowing him.”
    “Maybe your dad is Ren,” I say with a laugh. “He’s verbally abusive and who knows what else he’s capable of. Wouldn’t that be weird if he was your secret father, like Trey is mine?”
    George pretend scowls at me. It’s kind of endearing. “My father was from Chicago, not London. And do I look the least bit like Ren?”
    A sudden chuckle falls out of my mouth. “No, thank God. You’re attractive and Ren looks like a giant leprechaun.”
    “Attractive, huh?”
    “Well, yes.” I blush. “Did you want me to elaborate on that description?”
    He leans in close. “Very much so.”
    Just then from across the room Aiden’s eyes collide with mine. I turn back to George in a rush.
    “Well, the part I like about you most is your brown eyes––they’re subtly intense.” I laugh. “Does that combination even sound possible? Subtly intense?’”
    “It does,” he says evenly.
    “And I love your hair,” I say, skirting a bit of it off his forehead. “It’s neither straight nor curly, brown nor blond. It’s a mixture of all of it.”
    He smiles. “It’s working.”
    “What? What is?” I say, pulling my hand back to the table.
    “This is making Aiden jealous.”
    “George,” I reprimand. “That’s not––”
    “Don’t worry, I don’t mind because I know you’re not acting. I feel that you’re sincerely attracted to me. You just have a double agenda.”
    Shocked by his unusually casual attitude I slide down an inch in my seat.
    “However, sooner rather than later, this is going to have to be solely about us and not him,” George says in a surprisingly smooth voice.
    “You deserve that, George. I’m sorry. He’s just had me confused in the past, but that’s all changing. I see the truth now and realize I was being stupid before.”
    “He was leading you on. You’re not stupid. I totally get it.”
    “You do?”
    “Yes, because sadly if you lead me on then I’m going to trail behind you. I know that with absolute certainty. I’d willingly stick my heart into a fire if I knew it would get me closer to you.”
    “George, I haven’t tried to lead you on. I’ve been honest with you.”
    “As have I.”
    “I’m not using you to make him jealous.”
    “Well, if you were then I could think of much bolder ways than just stroking my face,” he says.
    My face flushes hot. The usually reserved George is transforming into someone new. Maybe he senses the opportunity, but whatever the reason I like this side of him. I like all sides of him, but this one is exciting.
    “Care to continue listing all the things you love about me?” he says, cutting into my thoughts.
    I resist the urge to smile, but it no doubt still surfaces in my eyes. “Oh, I will, but you’re going to have to earn your compliments.”
    “I’m more than willing to do that.”
     

Chapter Five
    B ob, Steve, and I are meeting in a place that’s 1,783,510 square miles of nothing but sand. The odds of getting lost and never finding each other are too great. There’s no way we can meet by the Starbucks or red fire hydrant because there’s nothing. No landmarks, just sand for as far as my green eyes can see.
    I close those eyes now and focus on the coordinates. Instantly I’m soaring through the silver tunnel