Aric laughs. “Well, it’s… weird. But his glasses did come back to life, Star. It’s probably the only way.”
I’m sure, if we tried really hard, we could find another way. But why? When this would be the most satisfying?
“No. No way! This is bullshit.” But Star knows she’s wrong and when neither Aric nor Declan come to her defense, she narrows her eyes at me. Then, she must get a bright idea, because she smiles. “Not withhim, anyway.” I can almost hear her thoughts, that’s how obvious she is. Because her eyes dart between Declan and Aric, like she’s trying to decide which one she’d rather get spicy with to get us some power. “Hecan touch me, but not you!” She’s pointing at Declan.
I shrug. “I like to watch, so whatever.”
“You can’t watch!” she says. And she’s getting a little shrieky now, so the glasses go black again, but like before, it’s fleeting. Just a tiny moment.
“If I’m not nearby, how will you power the glasses?” I ask.
Her eyes dart around the room, landing on a dark opening with a beaded curtain as a door. Which is such a teenage décor choice on Aric’s part, I nearly snort. “What’s in there?” she asks.
“That?” Aric says. “That’s a shower. If you wanna take a shower, I’m here for it. Let’s go. I volunteer as tribute.” Then he slides his leather jacket off, rips his shirt over his head, and starts for the bathroom.
“Declan, I said! Not you!” Star’s emotional state is exasperation now.
Aric stops and turns. “Fine.” Waves a hand at the shower. “Go on then. But I’m gonna stand in the doorway and watch whether you want me to or not. It’s not even like you can stop me. The door is made of beads.”
I snicker. I guess he’s not as stupid as I thought he was because those beads are a feature, not a glitch. “As will I,” I say. “That way I get my power and everyone is happy. Right Declan?”
Declan is smiling like an idiot who just won the Powerball. “Uhhh, yeah. Fuck yeah. I’m happy.” Then he walks over to Star and takes her by the hand. “Come on little darlin’, let’s make beautiful, powerful magic together.”
