Ungifted

by Kelly Oram

  Russ rolled his eyes, but then reached up to rub them and sighed.

  This guy needed help, and suddenly I was determined to give it. Maybe it was only because he was gorgeous, and maybe it was because of the way he kissed me the night before—which I’ll admit are stupid reasons—but I trusted him. I couldn’t help it. The connection I felt to him had been immediate. I cared about this boy. I wanted to see his smile reach his eyes. I wanted whatever pain he was in to be gone, and I wanted to be the one to make it go away.

  I scooted over and patted the space on the bed next to me. I tried not to blush at the expression on Russ’s face. “It’s not an invitation,” I said, forcing my voice to stay light. “But you said being near me is relaxing, right? Maybe you can get a little rest.”

  Russ was reluctant, but he climbed across the bed and leaned back against the headboard with me. There was only about an inch of space between us, and for some reason I was dying to close the gap. Once he was settled I held out my hand, offering it to him. “It’s not what you think,” I said shyly. “I just wonder if it might help. Everyone who’s touched me this week seemed to like it.”

  Russ slid his gaze back up to my face and I turned cherry red. I’ve never been so forward with a guy ever in my life, but I was desperate to touch him, so even though he hadn’t moved I said, “Watch,” and pulled his hand into mine. He gasped the same way Caleb had, and his fingers curled around my hand involuntarily.

  “No one’s ever explained to me what it feels like,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I’ve just noticed their reactions.”

  Russ didn’t tell me what he felt, either, but a shiver ran all the way through him. He closed that inch of space between us, letting our hands fall to his lap. He slumped against me as if the weight of the world had suddenly been lifted from him, along with the strength he’d been using to carry it.

  The moment was surreal. Here I was, basically cuddling with a complete stranger who’d broken into my room, and yet I felt like I’d done it a million times. I never wanted him to leave. His presence was doing as much for me as mine was for him. He made the depression I’d been struggling with disappear.

  We said nothing for a few minutes, and Russ started to nod off. Part of me wanted to let him sleep, but I had too many questions. He felt like some kind of strange dream that I was terrified of waking up from. I needed to know everything about him. I needed to know he wasn’t planning on walking out of my life as abruptly as he’d stumbled into it.

  “You’re not from D.C., are you?” I asked.

  Russ shook himself alert and said, “Pennsylvania.”

  My heart sunk. “Just in town for the holiday, then?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Russ’s voice was hard when he answered. I let out a breath of relief that he mistook for fear. “Sorry,” he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m here looking for the resistance, and I’m not leaving until I talk to them—no matter how long it takes.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You said something about that last night. What exactly is the resistance?” I blushed again when Russ glanced curiously at me. “I’m really new to all this supernatural stuff.”

  Russ thought about this for a second, then asked, “Do you know what the council is?”

  The word made me shudder. “Some kind of supernatural Nazis?” I guessed.

  Russ smirked. “I’m definitely in the right city.” He laughed hard once and then said, “As you can probably imagine, supernaturals need different laws than humans.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “The council is a committee made up of one representative from every different supernatural race. Together they make and uphold the supernatural laws. Our laws are necessary for our safety, but the council likes their power a little too much. The resistance is a group of people who want to overthrow them. They’re so secretive that most people believe they’re a myth.”

  “My friends think they’re real enough.”

  Russ shook his head. “Your friends don’t just think they’re real, you’re friends are part of it. Trust me. Did you see the way they reacted to my name last night? They wouldn’t have done that if they weren’t with the resistance.”

  This startled me. “Are you someone important?”

  “My father is,” Russ said bitterly. “I’m just a stupid pawn in his game.”

  I matched his bitterness with a sour laugh, then felt bad when I realized I’d hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry. It’s just—do you know who my father is?” At his questioning look I said, “Alan St. Claire.”

  Russ actually turned his whole body to stare at me. “The one running for president?”

  I sighed. “The one and only. Trust me. They play up the poor widower, loving, single dad thing in the media, but it’s crap. He parades me around when it’s good for his image, but when it’s not?” I tried not to frown too much. It didn’t work. “I’m just a headache for him. Someone he had to hire a babysitter for so he doesn’t feel guilty about ignoring me. That’s what Ethan is.”

  Russ’s eyes narrowed. “Your jerk-off boyfriend who almost ripped me apart for kissing you last night?”

  “Not,” I grumbled, “my boyfriend. He’s my stupid bodyguard. He hates me because I’m human.”

  Russ looked as skeptical as Caleb had yesterday. “He came to your defense quick enough for someone who hates you. Your dad must pay well.”

  “I’m sure he does, but that’s not why Ethan protects me. He says he doesn’t have a choice. He has some kind of bond that links him to me or something. It’s why he took the job even though he hates me. He says that—”

  I stopped when I realized Russ was staring at me with eyes as big as saucers. “A nephilim warrior’s bond?” he asked once he could speak.

  I swallowed, uncomfortable all of the sudden. Russ was looking at me now the same way Andrew and Caleb both had—full of wonder and awe. I pulled my hand out of his and looked away. “Um, yeah, I guess. I think that’s what he called it.”

  “What the hell is going on here?” Russ muttered to himself.

  I gasped when I felt Russ’s hand under my chin. He turned my face back to him. He studied me with that sharp look in his eyes, but I didn’t think his wariness was directed at me personally.

  “Not just anybody is assigned protection by the Creator,” he said, and let go of my face. “Not even Dani has a warrior, and she’s the Chosen One.”

  He was still speaking to me, but it seemed like he was talking to himself more than anything—thinking out loud.

  “Your girlfriend is special, too?”

  Russ nodded. I was really hoping he’d dispute the girlfriend part, and my heart sank a little when he didn’t.

  “Is she human, like me?”

  Russ looked away, trying to hide whatever emotions were escaping him. “I always thought she was,” he said. “But no. Turns out she’s a new kind of supernatural, and the most powerful one on the planet.”

  I knew I should be curious about his last statement, but I was much more interested in the first one. “You fell in love with her when you thought she was human? I thought most supernaturals didn’t really like humans.”

  Russ frowned. “I’m not particularly a fan of most supernaturals. At least not any of the ones I’ve met. Plus, my mother was human.”

  “Really?”

  “I used to think that was a good thing, but then I learned she went nuts when she found out what I was. She thought I was evil and tried to kill me, so my dad murdered her.”

  I clamped my hand over my mouth. I felt bad for being so horrified, but I couldn’t help it. Russ didn’t seem too offended by my reaction. From the look on his face, he felt pretty much the same way I did about the news.

  “Why do you think I was so surprised when you said you were human?” he asked. “Humans aren’t supposed to be able to handle the truth of the supernatural world. They either go crazy and end up in a mental hospital, or they turn violent like
my mom because they’re scared. If there’s no one around to stop them, like my dad stopped my mom, they usually become hunters and devote their lives to tracking down supernaturals and killing them.”

  I shivered and Russ looked at me again with appraising eyes. “No human ever just goes along for the ride and parties with the monster crowd. But then…” Russ picked up my hand again and pressed it to his face. “You’re not the average human, are you?”

  “Honestly?” I asked, trying to cover up the nerves in my voice. I liked touching his face way too much. “I don’t know what I am.” A thought struck me then. “Hey, maybe we can help each other.”

  Russ looked at me warily.

  “You said your girlfriend is special too, and as much as we look alike, maybe there’s a connection between us.”

  Russ nodded, as if he’d already been thinking that.

  “Well, I’m guessing that connection is the reason someone tried to kill me.”

  “Excuse me?”

  I smiled at Russ’s horrified expression. “I told you—you weren’t the scariest thing that happened to me this week.”

  Russ looked shocked. He started to ask me a question, but I didn’t want to talk about it. “Anyway,” I said quickly, “I was thinking that maybe you could help me figure out what’s going on with me, and I’ll get my friends to take you to the resistance.”

  “They’ll never do it,” Russ argued. “My father used to be on the council. The resistance will never trust me.”

  “But they’ll trust me. Cynthia will, at least. She’s my best friend. If I ask her about the resistance, she’ll tell me.”

  Russ thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “Okay. Deal.”

  We shook on it and I tried to ignore the fluttering in my stomach. An impossible task when Russ didn’t let go of my hand. He’d threaded our fingers together absentmindedly. When he noticed me staring, he looked down and was startled by what he’d done. He started to pull away, but then sighed and tightened his grip. “Do you mind?” he asked, grinning sheepishly.

  The fluttering in my stomach intensified, and since I didn’t think I’d be able to say anything without squeaking, I just shook my head.

  “Thanks,” Russ said. “I haven’t felt this relaxed in over a month. Not since they took…” Russ’s voice trailed off. Whatever he was thinking he definitely didn’t want to share. He shook himself of his thoughts and forced a smile at me. “So explain this whole attempted murder thing.”

  He was utterly cheerful in discussing my impending death, but somehow that seemed natural for him. It made it easier for me to think about it without having panic attacks. “I was supposed to give a speech in school on Thursday, and when I got up on stage someone spelled the stage lights to fall down on my head. If Ethan hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have survived.”

  Russ frowned. “Not a very dignified way to die, if you ask me. You have any enemies?”

  Me? Enemies? I did this weird laugh/snort thing before I could stop myself. It was humiliating. “Only the entire school. No one would miss me if I were gone, but I doubt anyone hates me enough to try and off me.”

  “And you’re sure it was spelled? You’re sure no human tampered with it because of your father’s election?”

  I shook my head. “That’s what I assumed at first too, but the FBI went over everything and couldn’t find anything out of place. They’ve declared it an accident.”

  “Could it have been one?”

  I shrugged. “Ethan said he sensed the magic. He said that’s how he knew something was going to happen and was able to get to me so fast.”

  “Witch magic or warlock magic?”

  “There’s a difference?”

  Russ nodded.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I think if Ethan knew he would have said something. I mean, that would narrow down the possibilities quite a bit.”

  “It would,” Russ agreed. “So it looks like we have a place to start.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Magic spells always leave behind traces of energy, and witches and warlocks can always tell the difference. It sounds like it was probably a minor spell, so the traces will fade quickly, but it’s only been a few days. If we go today, I should still be able to tell which kind of magic was used.”

  “Today?” I asked. “But it’s Sunday. No one will be there.”

  “Even better. No one will see us when we climb into the rafters looking for traces of magical energy.”

  “You mean break in?” I hated to sound like a goody two-shoes, but… “Not that I don’t want to find out who is trying to kill me, but I seriously can not do that. If we got caught I could cost my father the election.”

  Russ acted as though it were no big deal. “So we won’t get caught.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t risk it.”

  Russ glanced sideways at me. “Have you ever done anything illegal in your life? Like ever?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Awesome.” Russ grinned in a way that was slightly terrifying. “I love corrupting newbies. Let’s go.”

  He tugged me up from the bed, but I put on the brakes fast. “Russ, no. Seriously.”

  Russ chuckled as he stood me in front of my mirror. I was appalled by the condition of myself—bed-head and frumpy pajamas.

  I forgot about my appearance when Russ stood behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. My body went crazy and I had to fight it in order to keep myself from leaning back against Russ’s chest. I wanted so much for him to slip his arms around my waist and hold me close. He didn’t, of course, but I wanted it badly enough I was tempted to ask if he had put some kind of love spell on me.

  “What if I can guarantee we don’t get caught?” he asked. “Would you be adventurous with me?”

  “You can’t guarantee that.”

  Russ shook his head. “You’re not thinking like a supernatural,” he said. “Prepare to be amazed.”

  It dawned on me that Russ was talking about using magic, and a thrill of excitement ran through me. I couldn’t help feeling like a kid waiting for a magician to pull a rabbit from a hat. “What are you going to do?” I asked, somewhat giddy.

  Russ laughed. “This.”

  He dropped his hands from my shoulders and squeezed my hands. I held my breath as I waited.

  And waited…

  And waited…

  Russ frowned and squeezed my hands again. He let go of me, waited a moment, then grabbed my hands again and gave them another squeeze. Still, nothing was different. “Um,” I asked, “is something supposed to happen?”

  Russ’s frown got even bigger. “You’re supposed to be invisible right now.”

  He stepped back and studied me a moment, his arms folded across his chest. After a minute of serious scrutiny, he held his hands out my direction and whispered something in Latin. He was putting a spell on me.

  When nothing happened again I said, “And now?”

  “Now you should be naked.”

  I gasped.

  “Kidding,” he said, but from the smile on his face I’m not sure he was.

  As I stood there, face as red as a cherry, he tried one last thing and then shook his head, frustrated. “It’s like magic has no affect on you at all.”

  Not surprising, I suppose, considering vampire blood and werewolf bites had no affect either. I slumped down on my bed with a heavy sigh. “Russ,” I groaned. “You’re supposed to be helping me answer questions. Not raise more of them.”

  Russ dropped down next to me and threw his arm over my shoulder. “Patience, young grasshopper,” he teased. “Good things come to those who wait.”

  I smiled at the cliché. “How very wise of you,” I teased back.

  Russ shrugged. “I eat a lot of fortune cookies.”

  That made me laugh outright, and my mood was suddenly better than it had been for weeks.

  Russ ruffled my hair playfully, then pulled me into his side. It wasn’t until we’d sat in compan
ionable silence for a minute that I realized what we were doing. “This is so strange.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Russ promised, serious for a change.

  “No. I mean this…” I gestured to the two of us sitting together. “It feels right—familiar. You’re a complete stranger, and I’m usually so awkward and shy, but it’s as if I know you. Do you feel it, too? Or am I just crazy?”

  “Definitely crazy,” Russ quipped, and then laughed. “Kidding,” he said again. “I don’t know,” he finally admitted. “This whole thing is beyond weird. Tell you what. I’ll go down to your school by myself and see what I can find out.”

  “Really?” I couldn’t hide my relief. “You’d do that for me when you don’t even know me?”

  “Sure.” Russ rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “What else am I going to do?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Russ’s face took on a bitter, determined look. “I need answers as much as you do.”

  Now I was the one reassuring him we’d find them. “How long will it take you to check the school?”

  “Not long.”

  “And you’re sure you won’t be caught? I don’t want you getting arrested for my sake.”

  “Okay, I know that pitiful display a minute ago was a bit of a let down, but trust me. I wont get caught. I’m a B&E master.”

  “B&E?”

  “Breaking and entering,” Russ explained.

  This time I was sure he wasn’t kidding, and I felt it better not to ask. “All right. Then why don’t you go and come back at about ten? I’ll take you to meet Cynthia. We’ll take her to breakfast, butter her up with wild berry crepes, and ask her about the resistance.”

  “Sounds good,” Russ agreed. He smiled as he headed for the door. “Especially that part about the crepes. Will there be whipped cream?”

  I laughed. “You bet. Oh, and Russ?” I asked before he left. “Try not to break in when you come back. My dad and his security team don’t react very well to that sort of thing.”

  Russ stopped, his hand on the door, and flashed me a smile I didn’t think him capable of—a cocky grin so big it lit up his entire face. His big blue eyes sparkled with mischief, making him nearly irresistible. “They’d have to catch me first,” he said with a wink, and then disappeared right in front of my eyes.