by Carly Marino
His lips formed a hard line. “I’m not sure. I honestly didn’t even know you were part human until I absorbed some of your essence. It’s strange. You don’t sense as human, Inflexaen, or Resparé. Which baffles the shit out of me. I watched the way you interacted with humans, and”—he shrugged—“I just knew, I guess. Something in my gut told me you were like me somehow. I took a chance at the party, and I was right.”
All this information at once made my eyes want to cross.
He squeezed my hand. “We have plenty of time to talk about this. Your aunt thinks you and Nora are seeing a movie and shopping all day.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. So shower and change, and I’ll get you something to eat. You’ll need it.”
The last thing I wanted to do was wait for answers, but he was probably right. “Okay. Being alone for a few minutes might help everything sink in.”
Cole winked before sliding the door open. “Glad you agreed. I wouldn’t want you to lose it and stab me to death.”
“Ha, ha, funny.” I rolled my eyes and lightly shoved him.
“Come on. I’ll show you upstairs.”
Without saying another word, I followed him inside. If I spoke, I’d have a hard time containing all of my questions. I wanted to know everything. How to control my ability. What happened to their star. Why that guy wanted to take all of my essence. But Cole was right. Knowing the truth would flip over my entire life. I needed a few minutes to get my thoughts together. Make sure I could handle all of this right now.
Before leaving the hallway, I paused. Golden-honey eyes peered at me from an antique mirror. I didn’t recognize myself. Although I had the same wheat-blonde hair and fair skin with freckles splashed across my petite nose, I now looked different.
I smiled, knowing exactly what had changed.
I, Thea Lynn Scott, am an alien. An Inflexaen. There are people like me, and I am no longer alone.
Chapter Eight
I’d hoped a shower and a fresh set of clothes would refresh me, make this real somehow, but the hot water only made the chill of reality worse. Not to mention Nora’s clothes fit me terribly.
The sweatpants were too long, and I had to fold them at the bottoms. I stared in the mirror at the shirt. A crop top? She must’ve done this on purpose, knowing that exposing my stomach would embarrass me.
I turned my back on my reflection and ambled to the door. My hand hovered over the knob. The moment I stepped over the threshold, I could never go back.
“The truth will set you free.” With a cleansing breath, I opened the door and tiptoed down the stairs.
The sounds of their voices led me through the hall. My and Aunt Karen’s little two-bedroom was a shack in comparison to this house. An archway connected the kitchen to the corridor, and the stainless steel appliances shone as if never used. Mahogany cabinets lined the wall meeting a stone-covered hood, venting the gas stove. Staring around the room, I realized I didn’t truly appreciate the elegance at the party. Then again, dodging memories and soaking in extravagance didn’t go well together.
I smiled at Cole whisking eggs from behind the granite kitchen island. He wore a fitted t-shirt that accentuated the flex of his arm muscles. Rays of the morning sun beamed on him from the skylight. I twisted my damp hair over my shoulder.
Cole glanced at me before turning and dumping the eggs in a pan. They sizzled and filled the room with the comforting smell of breakfast.
He brushed his chestnut waves from his face. “You hungry?”
I tugged at the bottom of the crop top. “Starving, actually.”
“I hope you like eggs. Cuz, that’s all we’ve got.”
“Eggs are great.” I peeked into the adjoining living room. Nora and Drake huddled on the leather sofa. They whispered to each other, peering in my direction every so often. I sighed. “They hate me, don’t they?”
Cole moved the eggs around in the pan with a spatula. “They don’t hate you. They’re just not used to new people.” He divided the scrambled eggs onto four plates and then sprinkled cheese on top. He slid one across the granite island to me. “Plus, Nora’s kind of a bitch.”
“I heard that,” Nora yelled.
I jumped, almost spitting out the egg in my mouth. “Hi,” I choked out through a mouthful of food.
Nora leaned over the breakfast counter. She cringed. “You didn’t put cheese on mine, did you?”
Cole shrugged. “Whoops.”
She groaned. “You know I hate cheese. Whatever. I wasn’t that hungry anyway.”
“Hi, Nora. So … you’re from England?”
Nora directed her attention to me. “What gave me away, my accent or my dashing good looks? You’ve got a smart one here, Cole.” She rolled her eyes. “Enough small talk, what the bloody hell are you?”
“Noralee!” Drake appeared from behind her.
“What? Don’t you want to know?” She twirled a dreadlock around her finger. “I only asked what we’re all wondering.”
Cole took a bite of his breakfast and lifted a shoulder.
Drake stretched a hand out to me. “I’m Drake.” His accent wasn’t as pronounced as Nora’s. He sounded more lyrical and smooth, pleasant.
I waved my fork at him. “Put that loaded weapon away. I don’t need you reading my memory or doing that snake charmer thing you did to me earlier.”
Drake smiled, putting me at ease. He had a genuine way about him. “I would never invade your mind without your permission, luv.”
I surveyed him as he grabbed his plate from the island. The warm-reddish undertones in his smooth, brown skin enhanced the sparks of silver in his eyes. He dressed as if going to a night club, not hanging around the house. His light-blue button-up shirt and pants lacked even the slightest wrinkle in the fabric. Everything about him screamed anal retentive, yet, he didn’t seem uptight at all.
His curious gaze met mine.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” I averted my eyes and finished my eggs.
Nora scoffed. “My brother is a bloody sissy. He’s all about using his abilities for the good of humanity and anything dull and selfless.”
Cole waggled his brows at me and scooped my plate from the island. He loaded the dirty ones into the dishwasher.
Drake swallowed a forkful of eggs. “Not all of us can be as pleasant as you, Noralee.”
“Whatever, Buddha.” She grumbled as she sauntered to the loveseat and dropped down. Her legs swung over the side.
Cole tapped his fingers on the granite. “Nora and Drake can’t read memories. They’re Fectorus, meaning that they can read, manipulate, and manage emotions.”
“Fecto—what?” I hopped onto one of the barstools on the other side of the counter.
“Fectorus. On our planet, we were the peacekeepers. We can feel and manipulate the emotions of any living and breathing creature.” Drake’s eyes twinkled.
Cole poured a cup of coffee. He held up the sugar and vanilla creamer.
“Both … please.” I looked at Drake. “And the weird smile thing? What’s that about?”
“Smiles are universal amongst all creatures. If used correctly, they can be an extremely powerful expression. When you smile at someone, the gesture releases serotonin in their brain. That’s the chemical responsible for happiness, love, and sleep. Combine that with the ability to manipulate emotions, and you have quite a useful weapon.”
I sipped my coffee. “Do I have that ability too? I think I felt Wynter’s and Ethan’s emotions at Metro.”
Cole laughed. “Nah, you stole Nora’s abilities when you absorbed some of her essence. That can happen when you erase a memory.”
“I’m still pissed about that, freak,” Nora called from the other room.
I rotated in my chair to apologize. I had no idea I’d taken—
Cole slammed his fist on the counter, startling me. “Knock that shit off, Nora. Thea’s one of us. She’s as much of a freak as you are. Stop being a bitch or leave.”
She stood, marched over, and glared at him. “Fine. But I’m leaving because I need to charge. Not because you told me to.”
“Just go somewhere until you can cool it.”
Nora groaned and stormed away, the door slamming shortly after.
“I’m—I’m sorry I caused problems between all of you,” I said.
“No, you have nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry for my sister’s unwelcoming behavior.” Drake placed his hand on my forearm. I flinched, preparing for a memory. But none came.
“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” I shrugged. “So tell me about Inflexus. How was it destroyed? Why did your kind choose Earth, instead of Mars or something?”
Cole refilled my coffee, and wafts of steam floated from the cup. “Our kind.”
I traced the grains in the countertop to hide the heat on my cheeks. “I guess it is. Isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am. Get used to it.” Cole grabbed a mug from the cupboard, poured coffee, and then handed it to Drake.
“Thank you.” Drake took a long sip. He exhaled as if savoring the taste. “When our planet reached the end of its lifespan, our ancestors came to Earth, looking to find a new home with humans.” His face softened. “This planet was comparable in every way, except for your sun. Inflexus never had full sunlight. Dusk during the day and darkness at night. We walked as shadows.”
“Is that why you can’t use your abilities in the sunlight?”
“Yep,” Cole said. “Why we have to charge too.”
I tilted my head at Cole. “Charge?”
Drake hummed. “To survive the sun’s rays, we need to charge off human essence. Charge meaning, taking in some of a human’s life force, or the energy that keeps them alive. Humans have evolved to survive here, but our kind have not. By touching their skin, we can take what we need in order to live here.”
“And that doesn’t kill them?”
Drake placed his barely touched cup into the sink. “It can, but we never take that much. The amount is so minuscule that humans can barely feel the transfer.” He dried his hands on the kitchen towel, hanging on the stove handle. “Does this make sense?”
“Yeah. Surprisingly, it does.” I sat straighter. “I’m just curious, though. In Nora’s memory, she didn’t just take essence, she took a girl’s sadness. Why would she do that?”
Cole chuckled. “Now we know why she’s so pissed. You found out her secret.” He looked from left to right. “She’s a sucker for heartache. A closet softy.”
“She sure doesn’t act like it,” I grumbled.
Drake stroked his cleanly shaven jawline. “Having emotions bombard you daily can wear on some Fectors. Nora handles them in her own way.”
“I guess so,” I muttered. “So back to this sadness deal.”
Drake touched my arm again. “Erasing emotions, or in your case, memories, can give a more intense power boost.”
“Do you need a power boost…” I rubbed my neck. “To survive?”
Drake’s mouth pinched in the corners. His black eyebrows furrowed. “In Nora’s memory, she must have been hunting Resparés.”
“The being that tried to kill me.”
“Yes. You’re very … different, Thea, from any Inflexaen I’ve ever come in contact with.” He regarded Cole. “Her emotions even feel more powerful. Do you know why that is? Or why we can’t sense her?”
Cole darted his gaze at me. I nodded, letting him know I’d stay quiet.
“I have no clue. As much of a mystery to me as you.”
“Interesting. We’ll have to see what happens as we train her.”
“Train me?”
Drake rolled his hand over his head. “The Resparés now know you exist. Protecting yourself will be your only way to survive.”
I swallowed, wanting to ask more questions about the Resparés, but fear chained the words in my throat.
Drake grabbed a set of keys from a decorative bowl on the counter. He smiled at me, his full lips framing straight teeth. “I have to run a few errands. It was a pleasure meeting you, Thea.”
My daze faded as his mouth returned to normal. “You too.”
“I’ll see you later.” He gave a quick nod at Cole and then vanished into the hallway.
I dropped my forehead onto my folded hands. Tears stung behind my eyelids. My ability had terrified me for years, but for selfish, minor reasons like rumors at school or a few trips to doctors. Now, I had to worry about my life and the people I’d put in danger. Wynter, Ethan, Aunt Karen… How could they be safe around me anymore?
Cole’s hand squeezed my shoulder. “Wanna sit outside? There’s a porch swing.”
“Sure.” I scooted from the chair, and he led us out the back sliding glass door.
A wooden porch swing overlooked the garden. The roof overhang shaded the chair from the blinding sunlight. I crossed my arms over my stomach to cover my belly button.
“Have a seat.” He held the swing steady for me.
“Thanks.”
We rocked for a few minutes, enjoying the crisp morning. The warm summer air had faded with the cool fall breeze. I closed my eyes and listened to birds chirping, their sweet song relaxing the rapid beat of my heart.
“I’ve never charged.” I angled to face Cole. “Why do you think that is? I mean, how am I living here?”
“I assume it has something to do with you being half-human. You must charge off your own essence.” He dragged his hand through his chestnut waves. They drifted back into place, framing his piercing eyes and perfect bone structure. “Man, if we could figure out how to harness whatever lets you do that, living here would be so much easier. No more fatigue or having to make fake conversations with humans to get essence. Charging sucks, but we have to do it. Killing really isn’t an option. Not for me, anyway.”
“Yeah, I could see how charging would disrupt your life.” I fidgeted with the ends of my hair. “Is that what you were doing with Macy on Friday? In the hall?”
He chuckled. “I don’t even remember that, but I’m sure. Why? Jealous?”
“Oh my God! Of course not. I was just asking.” I stared off into the distance at birds gliding in the breeze. They soared behind puffy clouds, disappearing from my sight. I never had a chance to erase Macy’s memory.
Cole squeezed my arm. “You can’t erase Macy’s memory.”
This guy was way too in tune with what I was thinking. So weird and unnerving. I shrugged, more interested in why I couldn’t help Macy than Cole’s odd ESP. “Jason hurt her. That might haunt her forever. She’ll always worry another guy will try the same thing.”
“That’s the point. Erasing that from her would change her. Maybe she’ll be more cautious next time, maybe she won’t, but that’s not our decision to make.”
I pushed off the ground with my foot, swaying the chair. “It just doesn’t seem fair. We have these powers, why can’t we help people? I’d want someone to erase that from my memory.”
Cole sighed. “Would you, though? What happens when you encounter another creep like Jason? How would you know to stay away when the experience was erased from your memory? Our past makes us who we are. It’s why we only take trivial things.” He nudged me. “Like where they put their keys.”
“Now I get why everyone’s always losing them,” I said. “I guess, you’re right. It’d just be cool if we could do something about Jason. So he can’t hurt anyone else.”
“Oh, Jason’s a different story. I have no problem bending the rules for assholes like him. I guess that’s a double standard, huh? ” He shifted his weight. “For me, the difference is that his past turned an innocent little boy into a predator. That’s not fair and will cause more damage.”
I withheld the grin that twitched my cheek muscles. I wasn’t too far off with my vigilante ideas. “How’d you fix him?”
He smiled, soft and thoughtful. “Nora and I erased the messed-up events from his past. He won’t remember what his dad did to him or the emotions fueling his anger. He’s g
oing to change.” Cole gripped the swing’s chain. “He’s lucky I didn’t kick his ass. I mean, who does that shit?”
“Cowards, that’s who.” I brushed my hands along my pants. “It’s so weird that you asked me about all of this. It’s like you read my mind or something.”
Cole leaned back. “I did.”
“You did what?” I laughed.
“Read your mind. I can read thoughts. One of my many talents.”
Chills swept my spine. Great, he could invade my privacy. Even worse, he knew every ogling thought I’d had about him. “You can read minds? I thought you read memories?”
He grinned. “I can do both. Pretty awesome, huh?”
My throat tightened. “Only through touch, right?” Please say only through touch. Otherwise that day in homeroom … Oh my God.
A knowing gleam flashed through his eyes. “Yep.”
And … he’d just read my mind, again. I removed his hand from my skin so he couldn’t invade my thoughts anymore. “So there are lots of different types of Inflexaens?”
“Not lots. Just four. Your powers are a genetic trait that’s passed down to you. Sort of like humans having blue or brown eyes. Nora and Drake’s parents are both Fectors.”
“They feel emotions.”
He nodded. “Inflexaens who can read thoughts are known as Corticors. Cors.”
“And let me guess. Memory readers are known as…” I side-smiled at him. “Super-duper awesome sauces.”
He laughed and dropped his arm around the back of the bench. “You’re a nerd. Lucky you’re cute.”
I yanked on the hem of my top and studied the cracks in the stone terrace.
“Blushing again, I see.” He cleared his throat. “Memory readers are what we call Memnyus. Or Mem.”
“I need a break. Too many terms.” I hopped up from the swing, lost my footing, and yelped.
Cole swooped in and caught me. “Careful. Can’t have you breaking.”
“I’m not fragile.” I slid from his gentle hold. “Let’s put the history lesson on hold and get to the good stuff. I want to learn how to be fast like you and turn into a shadow and … Oh my God. Control my ability. I can do that, right? I’ll never have to read another memory again.” I widened my eyes. “I can be normal.”