I was already running. Coach had told me I had to train with him, not be with him every minute. Besides, they might not have known it, but running wouldn’t challenge me.
I bounded toward the front gate and turned sharply right when I reached it. Within minutes, I was speeding down the wall. Faces blurred by as I passed buildings and trees. After a while I was starting to get bored, when I heard footsteps and steady breathing behind me. I kicked it up a notch, but he was still there. He came up on my side and fell into step with me.
When I glanced at him out the corner of my eye, he was smirking. I shook my head slightly and kept going. There was a curve coming up, and I was going to lose him on it. My heart pounded as I increased my speed until I felt like I was flying. I lost my sense of . . . well, everything. I raced along the wall like a cheetah hunting its prey. My mind blurred, and all I knew was running; all I felt were my feet racing over the ground below.
I ran for what seemed like forever, but before I knew it, the gates were in sight. I pushed harder, harder than I had to get here, harder than I had with weights, harder than anything. I ran past the gate and slowed to a gradual stop about a hundred yards or so from it.
My heart was pounding. Sweat was slick across my skin. I breathed slow and deep to cool off as I took in my surroundings. The sun started to set, and I wondered how long we’d been out here.
I turned around and jogged back to the gate, where Lucas was lounging against the wall.
“You’re fast,” he commented as I came to a stop in front of him. Was that a slight southern accent I heard? Great, not only was I stuck with this guy, but he was also one of those good ol’ fashioned southerners.
“The fastest,” I corrected. To him, it may have seemed like bragging, but to me, it was just a statement.
“You’re observant,” he noted.
I gave him a questioning look, and he tapped his head with his index finger.
“Stay out of my head,” I spat at him. Narrowing my eyes, I threw my shields up as well as I could, given my lack of practice.
“I wasn’t prying. You’re actually very good at blocking me, for the most part. Let me guess, you’re a psychic shield or something?” He sounded intrigued by me, perhaps even a little admiring. There was no lust in his eyes. In fact, he seemed more guarded than most—although, I would’ve been too if I’d my ass handed to me in two minutes flat.
“No, I just know how to keep my thoughts from cheaters like you,” I said snidely and started to walk back.
He dropped into step next to me. “A cheater? That’s what I am?” he asked, amused.
“Yes, a cheater.” I tried to ignore him, but it wasn’t working. There was no humor or invitation in my voice, yet he kept coming back.
“How did you know?”
“Know what?” I said, too lost in thought to pay attention.
“You didn’t know my name or anything about me. You just appeared . . . and yet you still knew. You knew what I could do almost immediately after stepping into the ring. How?”
We were back at the gym, standing in front of the third door. I turned to him and a small, knowing smile found its way to my lips as I looked up to him.
I shook my head slightly. “Like you said, I’m observant.” I walked into the gym, but not before spotting the confusion on his face.
Despite what he could do, he was nothing like my father. But we were still young, and . . . perhaps he would grow. I was born to be what I am, but I was different. Not all are born to be great. I shook my head. I needed to get back in the game. This boy was making me a sentimental fool.
I worked for another three hours before leaving the gym. We didn’t talk again, but I had a feeling I’d given him something to think about.
After boxing, I went back to my room and took a very long shower. Letting down my shields, I practically purred in pleasure as the tension of keeping them up released. The hot water beat at my back, and I groaned. Boxing might’ve been doing what it needed to do, but it could be hell on the body. Lucas had gotten me hard in the ribs today; even though I’d moved to dodge it, the bruise was still there. I’d punched him harder in the gut in return. I bet he’d have a bruise a hell of a lot longer. I smiled to myself.
I changed into sweats and a t-shirt for dinner. After grabbing a salad and water, I headed back to my room to eat. I didn’t feel like seeing anyone tonight.
I met Alexandra in the library after my quiet dinner and meditation. She grinned up at me from the hard wood table, her nails freshly painted, and face less tense than it had been in weeks. She looked good.
“You passed,” I praised when I looked down at the eighty-three she’d made on her test.
“Thank you.” The words came out in a rush. She was looking at her hands because even if she hated to admit it, she still needed me, and that made her uncomfortable. I was the only one she’d let help her all these years, and she still didn’t trust anyone else to do it, even Michael.
“You’re welcome.” No point making it harder on her than it needed to be.
We studied for hours. Eventually, the librarian, Ms. Rivas, had to come and tell us to leave. I listened to Alexandra’s speech for Health as we walked back to our dorm, and when I was finally satisfied, we said goodnight.
That night I lay in bed, listening to Amber snore and Tori watch YouTube videos about cats. It was so normal for them; for Alexandra, for everyone else to find their place in the world. They had a future, all of them, and everyone wanted something. Yet when I thought about my future, I saw nothing. There was a time I had dreams, but they were long dead, and I had changed. My sisters were growing up, and I was losing my purpose. They still needed me . . . for now. But what would happen when they didn’t anymore? What would happen when they’d grown up, and I’d “won the war”? What happens to me?
I didn’t know, but I wondered . . . what would it be like to want something for myself? To want someone?
I snorted at the thought, and rolled over—falling into a restless sleep where I dreamed of a cabin far away, and a man with eyes that made me feel something, deep in my lonely heart.
Chapter 20
Today, I found out why they called it Battle Simulation. For the last two months, all our class had been doing was studying Supernaturals: why we had our abilities, manifesting, classification, etc. Today, we were fighting.
Vonlowsky picked two kids to go into the simulation room, and the rest of us would watch them battle it out. Afterward, he would critique it, tell them what they needed to improve, and what they’d gotten right. Sounded simple enough, right? Wrong. The first two people he picked were Alexandra and the only girl who’d started in sixth grade.
His attention was all on them, which gave me a chance to talk to Lily. I yanked a piece of paper out of my binder and wrote: How long do you plan on staying mad at me for not teaching you how to fight? Do you know how stupid that sounds?
I probably shouldn’t have said what I meant if I wanted to get a response out of her, but I couldn’t help it. She was being stupid—even if she didn’t realize it. I folded the paper up and threw it three rows to my left. I heard a slight swish before it landed on neatly in front of her on her desk.
She looked over at me and glared, but opened it, nonetheless.
As I waited for a response, I focused on Alexandra. She was locked in hand-to-hand combat with the girl. She swung, the other one ducked. The other girl aimed a kick at her knee, and she jumped. They continued like this for several minutes before someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned to see Tori sitting next to me, holding out a note. I took it from her and unfolded it.
I don’t care how stupid it sounds. Just like I don’t care that you won’t teach me. That doesn’t make it okay between me and you, so just forget it.
I sighed and put the note in my pocket. I was just going to have to deal with her another day. The sight of flames caught my eye.
Alexandra’s hands were on fire. My sister had her opponent by the throat, dangli
ng her a foot off the ground. My eyes widened. What kind of teacher would let this go on? Our people were brutal, sure, but these were kids. This was wrong.
Before I could say anything, the overhead bell rang.
“That will be all,” he said into a microphone on his desk, and Alexandra dropped her.
She landed on the ground with a thud, and Alexandra turned to leave.
“We’ll review tomorrow—”
The girl was on her feet with a pissed look in her eye, and she was holding one hand out as if she were gripping something.
Alexandra hovered several feet off the ground, her face turning redder by the second as she struggled.
I didn’t think. Within seconds, I’d silently slipped into the now-open room, and advanced on her. She didn’t notice me until it was too late. In the back of my mind, I heard someone scream—a warning, maybe?—but I wouldn’t listen.
I grabbed her hair, forcing her to break eye contact. She looked at me, and I knew she would try to hold both of us at the same time. It didn’t work. I punched her. I only did it once, and I didn’t hit her hard—just enough to knock her unconscious for a while. I was vaguely aware of the group forming around us when she fell.
I started to step away when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Professor Vonlowsky opened his mouth—
“I don’t know what the hell you were thinking,” I yelled. I would’ve gone on, but I needed to get to Alexandra.
I wove through the thinning group of children to reach my sister. She was passed out on the floor, but the color was steadily returning to her face.
When she regained consciousness, it took her a moment to realize where she was, and what had happened.
“I’ll kill her,” she spat, and fire danced in her eyes. She tried to stand, but I had her by the shoulder.
“You’ll do no such thing,” I said, forcing her to turn and look at me. “No such thing.”
She looked away but made no further move after the girl. She knew better.
“Can you take her back to her room? I think she just needs some fresh air,” I said to Lily. Michael appeared at her side, and they started coaxing her back to the dorm.
I waited until the girl started to stir before I went back to my dorm. Shit. Was it too much to hope that no one would mention this in the gym? I already had a reputation for being slightly dangerous.
I was the first back to the room—my roommates must’ve still been in Battle Simulation. Hurrying, I grabbed my things and shoved them in a duffel bag. As I made my way out of the dorm, the whispers started. I ignored them and kept walking.
When I got to the gym, I made a beeline for the third door and went straight to Coach. When I walked up to him, he appraised me, and I knew what he was seeing: school uniform, hair down, no workout clothes.
Before he could even ask, I spoke. “I had a slight mishap today,” I blurted before I could think of something clever. “Is there a bathroom or somewhere I can change?”
“Girls’ locker room. It’s always open.”
As I walked to the door, Lucas caught my attention. He was talking to one of the guys, but stopped when he saw me. I felt him watching me as I walked into the locker room. I changed quickly into shorts and a tank top. I hastily pulled my hair back and washed my face with cold water before leaving.
I threw my bag in the back and started my warm-up. In the middle of lifting myself out of a split, Lucas appeared in my line of sight.
“Coach wants a word with you before we run,” he said.
I continued until I was standing again. Silently, I walked over to Coach Avery who was already watching me.
Does everyone feel the need to stare at me today? I mean, goddamn, don’t they have anything better to do?
Lucas stood next to him, saying something too low for me to hear. I did a quick check to make sure my shields were up as I approached them.
“Coach?” I asked with hesitation. I knew I was in trouble.
“Some boxers have approached me with concerns about you.” He looked away. I didn’t think he wanted to be having this conversation any more than I did.
I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Like?”
“Selena, it’s not okay to interfere with a fight in Battle Simulation. Especially not when you knock them unconscious. Just because you have the power doesn’t make it okay.” He didn’t understand.
I had to look away from them to keep myself from screaming. No one gets it.
“You don’t understand,” I managed to say.
“Then explain it to me, because I can’t train you if this happens again.” He sounded frustrated.
Join the club.
“I can’t,” I mumbled. I had to say something. I was here for them, just like I’d intervened today for them. They come first. Even though it made me selfish, sometimes I wished things were different. And if wishes were fishes, we’d all eat sushi.
I hated sushi.
“If you can’t be open with me, I can’t do anything.”
I stayed silent for a few moments, trying to work out how much I should say. “It was wrong.” I paused. “I didn’t step in until I felt it was necessary. The fight was over. He’d told them to stop, and Alexandra did. I knew if I didn’t do anything, Alexandra would. I couldn’t let her,” I said quietly. It wasn’t intentional, but emotion seeped into my voice. “I was careful. I didn’t break anything. I just couldn’t chance it. Alexandra’s my sister.” I looked away and fought the strain in my jaw to grit my teeth. I hated talking about myself, my sisters, any of it.
“I understand that, but you can’t hit someone for no reason,” he reasoned.
Even though I heard sympathy in his voice, I instantly recoiled. I’d just explained to him why I’d done it, and he still thought I was wrong? No, I refused to believe that. I would do it a thousand times over before I let Alexandra get hurt.
“It wasn’t for no reason,” I said with my face completely void of expression. I wiped all emotion from my voice, and looked on with indifference.
“That’s not the point, Selena. I understand that you were worried about your sister, but I’ve seen what you can do. That hit could’ve been a lot worse if you’d slipped up. My point is, that next time you need to find a different approach, or let your sister take care of herself.”
“I can’t do that,” I said.
“So you’re telling me no?” An edge slipped into his voice, as if I were questioning his judgment.
“She comes first.” I stood my ground.
We stood in silence for a minute before Lucas turned and whispered something to him. Damn him for being quiet enough to get past me.
Coach nodded then turned his gaze back to me. “Okay, that’s all for now. Go start on your run.”
I walked away. Lucas followed close behind, but I needed out. Out of this skin, and these responsibilities. I broke into a run across the gym, bracing myself for when I hit the door to the outside.
I heard his footsteps behind me and knew he was trying to keep up, but I wanted to be alone. I burst through the gym door and took off at a sprint, leaving him in the dust.
As I ran, my thoughts came pouring down on me. I was suffocating. Drowning.
I knew we should stay. I knew this was best for us. That didn’t mean I had to like it. My father once told me that there was a perfectly easy, straightforward solution to anything. He was wrong. Sometimes what was best for you was also difficult. Growing pains came to mind.
While I wasn’t happy, I was happier here than I’d been in years. I was more distant from my sisters, but I had my own life now. I had boxing, school . . . I even trusted a few people—not that I’d admit it.
There was a movement to my left, and Lucas came into view. I ran faster, but I couldn’t outrun him.
Still, it was obviously a struggle. His breath was coming short and heavy, and sweat glistened on his tanned skin. His eyes; they’d never looked so alive, so green. In them, I saw determination, but he was distracted. His ga
ze flashed toward mine, and I immediately looked away.
For the rest of the run, I faced forward, not even daring to glance toward him. I was too unsure of where we stood. We were partners—equals, according to Coach Avery. Anything more felt like asking too much. I trusted him, but only to a degree. A very small degree.
As we approached the gate, I steadily decreased my speed, coming to a gradual stop in front of it. I turned on my heel and started toward the gym.
“So what grade are you in?” he asked, suddenly appearing at my side again.
“Tenth,” I said in a clipped voice.
“What grade is Alexandra in?” he asked.
“Tenth.”
“Twins?”
“Triplets,” I replied.
“Is she weak?” He was testing the waters on the day a hurricane had blown through.
“No,” I snapped. I knew he was trying to find out more about the Battle Simulation incident. That didn’t mean I wanted to tell him.
“Then why did you get involved in her fight?”
“Because she’s too powerful and I’m the only one who can stop her.” I didn’t know why I was telling him this. It wasn’t the whole truth, but then again, it never was. It was close enough to make me question myself, however.
Before I could get lost in thought, he spoke again. “Your parents can’t control her?” he asked, turning the conversation to even darker topics.
“My parents aren’t around,” I mumbled.
“What do you mean?”
Without breaking stride, I told the truth for the first time in a very long time. “They’re dead,” I said in a hollow voice. There was no point avoiding it or covering it up. He would find out eventually, even if I didn’t tell him.
He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off with my hand. “I don’t want sympathy. It is what it is. Just don’t go snooping in my head, and we won’t have a problem.”
I took a deep breath. Remember, they come first.
The mantra that had once brought me peace now felt like the bars in a cage of my own making.
Chapter 21
Daizlei Academy Omnibus Collection Page 13