CHAPTER 18
I walk up the three flights of stairs to English, red paint chips from the banister sticking to my palm like scars. I’m crazy to still be in this town when Daniel’s adding to the hate. But how can I leave Alex or Rachel—my first real friends in years? And how can I leave, knowing what Daniel is planning? Knowing the people he’ll hurt.
My skin prickles.
I turn casually, like I’m looking at the brick stairwell.
No one’s there.
I’m just jittery. I plod down the hall to Mr. Arnold’s classroom. I wish I could skip his class completely. I hesitate, my hand on the doorknob, then jerk the door open and walk in.
Mr. Arnold stops talking, midsentence. “Well, well, if it isn’t Ms. Ellis. Come in.” I quickly walk to my seat.
“Good. Now, where were we?”
I sense Mr. Arnold zeroing in on me. I look up at him, all attentive. He scowls and picks another student to answer the question.
The others’ thoughts slice through my head so loud it’s 180
HUNTED
hard to think.
. . . did you see? . . . how did she know? . . .
who would hurt Alex? . . .
I press the tips of my fingers against my lips. I can’t believe Daniel hurt Alex to get to me. And I can’t
believe
I let Alex know I’m a Para. That’s three people who know about me when no one should. Make that four.
Maybe I can do a mass memory-erase, make them forget it ever happened.
Shit. I pinch my bottom lip. I’m no better than the ParaWatch say we are if I misuse my power like that.
Even in self-defense?
a small voice inside me whispers.
Even if it doesn’t hurt them—if it just keeps you safe?
No. I won’t mess with people’s heads. I won’t do what Daniel’s done. Not even to protect myself. I’m better than that.
Then I think of Mr. Temple and I’m filled with shame.
e
Rachel waits for me at the end of class. “You’ve got to be careful, Caitlyn,” she hisses. “Mr. Temple suspects you.” My heart clenches, then releases.
“How do you
know?”
Rachel starts down the hall. I join her, my shoulder brushing against the wall.
Rachel stares ahead.
“He wants me to watch you,”
Rachel thinks.
“Said
there was something suspicious about the way you found
Alex.”
So my “persuasion” didn’t last long. Relief mixes with 181
Cheryl Rainfield
my fear.
“He practically accused me of being a Para until
I told him to get a trooper in. He must have fingered two
Normals in a row.”
Rachel shifts her backpack.
“That sounds like him. He hates Paras so much he can
hardly think past the hate.”
“Yeah . . .”
“But?” Rachel prompts.
“I think it’s something more.”
Rachel scrunches up her nose. “What more?” I feel again the way Mr. Temple blocked me, smell the metallic scent beneath his thoughts, see the way Daniel looked at me in the hall. I am sure Daniel did something to him. Maybe even made Mr. Temple suspect me. “What did you say to him?”
“I told him it didn’t feel right, and I wouldn’t do it,” Rachel says unevenly. “He looked like he wanted to hurt me—but then he sat back and smiled this horrible smile, and said that loyalty was a good quality in a friend, but that I should be careful who my friends are.” I suck in my breath. “It sounds like he was threatening you.”
“Yeah. Like a villain in a bad movie.” Rachel laughs shakily.
I feel weighed down. “First Alex gets hurt, and then you get threatened. You should keep your distance from me for your own safety.”
Rachel punches my arm. “I’m not going anywhere.
I’ve faced homophobes and bullies who wanted to beat me to death. And I’m still here.”
182
HUNTED
But this could be more dangerous than that. Paras have abilities that Normals don’t.
The crush of bodies and thoughts is overpowering. I flinch and pull myself inward, trying to deflect the mind-noise.
“Your defenses still down?”
Rachel asks.
“Yeah.”
An uneasiness creeps over me. Somehow Daniel is playing with my talent. It’s like he trained himself to use his power to hurt others, while I trained myself to protect others. He has the sword, while I have the shield.
How can I fight with only a shield?
183
CHAPTER 19
Alex is waiting for me outside my next class. Even with his face puffy and bruised, he is still beautiful.
“You’re back!” I touch his chest tentatively. “You okay?”
“Yep. Now let’s go find that a-hole who’s got it in for you. Daniel, right?”
I look away. “Let’s just drop it.”
“Can you still hear me? What if he exposes you? You
have to find a way to shut him up.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
Alex crosses his arms. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
I swallow.
“I—I already tried.”
I flush with heat.
“Mr.
Temple told me he suspects me. And I made him forget.”
“You made him?”
I nod, bracing myself.
“Good!”
My mouth opens.
“Good?”
I can’t believe he’s not freaking out.
“Good! Then he can’t tell anyone.”
184
HUNTED
“Well . . . the effect already wore off.”
“It wore off—and he can finger you anytime.”
“Yeah. And that’s not everything. I don’t think it’ll
work on Daniel; he’s a Para, like me.”
I feel a giggle push up inside my chest, even though nothing’s funny.
“Daniel’s
my brother. He was taken years ago; we never found him.
But he’s shown up here—he’s a Para-slave. He hates Normals for what they did to him, and he’s trying to convince
me to oppress them, the way they’ve oppressed us. He’s the
one who did this to you.”
“So your brother—he’s a power-hungry fanatic.”
“I wouldn’t say that. He’s hurting, Alex.”
“Okay, he’s hurting. And he wants to hurt back. And
what will he do if you don’t join him? Will he finger you?”
There’s a dangerous note to his thoughts.
I suck in my lower lip.
“I don’t think he wants to inform on me. He wants to bring me over to his side. But if I
don’t . . . yeah, he might turn me in.”
“But damn it, he has to know what it’s like, he has to
know how bad it would be for you. If he cares about you at
all, he wouldn’t go there.”
Alex clenches his hands into strong fists.
“Tell me where he is. I’ll talk some sense into
him, one way or another.”
“Alex—no.”
“He wants to hurt you. And he already hurt me.”
I wrap my arms around him, not caring who sees us, not caring that it blocks people’s way as they rush to class.
“I’m sorry,”
I send.
Alex arches back to look at me. His eyes focus on my lips. I have just seconds to think that I don’t know how to 185
Cheryl Rainfield
kiss, don’t want to be clumsy, am not sure I’m ready though I want it so much, before his lips touch mine, soft and gentle. I shiver, and press up against him harder. His kisses me again, and again.
I can’t believe how good it feels. How right. I’ve never even kissed anyone. Never wanted to. But this—it’s better than I thought it could be.
Alex pulls back to look at my face, and I follow him, draw him back to me.
. . . get a room! . . .
The thought thrown at us is angry, jealous, but it can’t pierce my happiness.
This
is what it’s like to be in love—
to feel like nothing else matters.
Alex pulls away, separating his body from mine, but I still feel the connection between us. He puts his lips to my ear. “You have to talk with your brother, make him promise not to inform on you.”
“I know.”
“Good.” Alex nods firmly. “Now we just have to figure out where he is.”
“He should be in my next class,” I say reluctantly. “If he’s still working undercover.”
We rush there, but Daniel’s not in the room. We wait in the hall, but he doesn’t appear, not even when the bell rings.
“I need to get in there,” I say.
“See you at lunch? We have some talking to do.”
“Yes.” I can barely get the word out.
Alex kisses me and leaves.
Daniel never shows up for class, but I don’t expect him to.
186
HUNTED
e
I close my locker, turn to Rachel. “I’m meeting Alex.
We have to work some things out.”
“Does he—
know
?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” Rachel whistles. “Good luck.”
“He’s changed! You’ve seen that.”
“Uh-huh.”
“He has!”
. . . the way my family “changed” to accept me?. . .
piling on the platitudes but never comfortable with me anymore . . . never leaving me alone with another girl . . .
I want to tell her that it’s not like that—want to tell her I’m sorry—but that would make her uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to listen in; her thoughts were just so loud.
Warm happiness mingled with calm approaches me.
Alex. I turn.
“You feel like getting a hotdog?”
. . . something that
doesn’t taste healthy . . . don’t know how much longer I can
take that place, even for her . . .
He smiles his easy smile at me.
“Sounds good!”
Rachel’s sadness reaches me, her loneliness. But I know if I invite her, she’ll feel even more left out.
“Rachel—”
. . . she’s happy . . . gotta be happy for her . . .
Rachel makes shooing motions at me. “Go!”
“Come on.” Alex grabs my hand and tugs me down the 187
Cheryl Rainfield
hall and out into the sun. The tense, oppressive feeling of the school leaves me.
I wait for the overwhelming rush of thoughts and emotions that comes with skin contact, but I only feel happiness.
I feel it all the way to the vendor in the park, breathing in Alex’s vanilla scent, feeling his strong hand in mine.
Alex gets a hotdog for him, a veggie dog for me. I take a bite, piled high with onions and tomatoes.
Suddenly I am ravenous. I gulp the veggie dog down.
Alex grins at me. “I like to see a girl eat.”
“Then you can buy me another,” I say, surprising myself.
Alex buys one more for me, and two for him, and we walk slowly through the park, the sun warming my skin.
Alex finishes his two in the time it takes me to eat my one. I laugh and wipe the mustard from his chin—a bold move for me. I act so different around him—but he makes it easy. He doesn’t flood me with thoughts and emotions, yet I know he likes me. Really likes me.
Alex leans against a tree, pulling me up against his hard body. He leans forward to kiss me. His lips are soft and wet, and they feel so good against mine.
I press closer to him. His lips get firmer, more insistent, and my whole body feels alive.
I feel a rush of desire. I don’t know if it’s his or mine, and I don’t care. I don’t care about anything except the feel of his lips, his body rocking against mine gently, the heady scent of him—
No. We’re going too fast. How do I know for sure I can 188
HUNTED
trust him with my life? I know what I sense from him, but it’s hard to trust it, especially after everything with Daniel.
I yank back.
Alex groans.
. . . why did she stop? . . . feels too good
. . .
“I know. But we haven’t talked yet.”
“Did you just—?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“Geez.” Alex blows out his breath. “That’ll take some getting used to.”
I bite my lip. This isn’t going to work. How could I have thought it would?
I wrench away from him.
“Hey,” he says, catching my hand. “What’s wrong? I thought you wanted—”
“I did! I do!” I’m practically shouting, but Alex doesn’t pull away.
“Okay, so what’s—”
“I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Alex looks at me steadily. “I am not going to betray you. I would never do that. Even if we broke up—and I hope we never will—I would never turn you in.” His breath shudders in his throat. “A long time ago, I couldn’t protect my mom. My dad almost killed her. And I swore”—his eyes are fierce—“I swore I would never do that to anyone, not ever. Never threaten anyone’s life, and I would try to protect anyone who needs it.”
“A hero complex, huh?” I say, my lips trembling.
“I’m serious, Caitlyn,” he says.
“I know.” I look away. “I’m just scared. I’m sorry.” I 189
Cheryl Rainfield
look up at the tree branches, trying to keep the tears from falling. One rolls down my cheek anyway.
Alex gently brushes it away. “I don’t know how to convince you,” he says and shakes his head. “I made a promise to myself years ago that I would never be in a relationship because I didn’t want to be like my dad. But when I saw you, all that flew out of my head.” He takes a shaky breath. “The way you really
see
me—and you still like who I am—no one’s ever done that for me before.
That’s something I don’t want to lose.”
“I
do
see you,” I say quietly. “And I love who you are.
There is nothing in you that makes you like your dad.” Alex’s eyes moisten. “And you can tell?”
“You know I can.”
Alex blows out his breath. “Wow. Don’t you see how special you are? To see into me like that? With or without your . . . talent, you see me, you believe in me. I know I’m just a—a Normal . . . but I promise I’ll protect you and your secret. I won’t let you down.”
His gaze sharpens. “If you can see into me with your gift, can’t you find out if I’m telling the truth?” I nod.
“Then do it,” he says simply. “I’m all yours.” He holds out his hands.
I grasp them and a rush of emotions flood over me.
Love. Awe. Respect. Guilt that he couldn’t protect his mom.
Hope that he can protect me. Determination that he will.
Nervousness and relief that I can read his thoughts, that I could have an early-warning signal if he ever starts turning into his father.
190
HUNTED
I let go of his hands. “Thank you.”
“I won’t betray you,” he says again.
“I know.”
I see the tenderness in his eyes, the deep love and sweetness. No one has ever looked at me like that before, like I’m someone they want. Damn it. I feel too good around Alex to fight it anymore. “Okay,” I whisper, knowing it’s a mistake, knowing I’m already falling in love with him and I can’t stop it.
Alex grins widely. He tugs at the copper bracelets on his wrist and slides one off. “I want you to have this,” he says.
I slide my hand through and the warm bracelet against my skin feels like a promise.
e
As soon as I walk back into the school, my senses overload, the lights too bright, the sounds too loud, people’s thoughts rushing at me harder than before. My eyes water, and I am grateful for my dark glasses.
I feel it again—someone watching me, stalking me, hiding inside others’ minds. Daniel.
I reach toward the faint hum, and it vanishes.
I stumble to science class, get out my notebook, and stare at the Bunsen burner on my desk while Mr. Kinley drones on about electrons and ions. None of it means anything to me. I wish he’d teach something that matters—like how to create a mind shield against Para-haters or people who think they’re doing good when they’re not.
191
Cheryl Rainfield
I try to focus more in my next class, and the one after that, but I can’t stop reaching for Daniel. Every time I find him, he disconnects. It’s like he’s having fun eluding me.
Taunting me. Showing me that he’s more powerful. I have to make him see that Normals are important, too. That no one group is better than another. But I still haven’t figured out how to convince him by the time the last bell rings.
In the hall, boys run past me, hollering at each other.
A huddle of girls squeal together, their laughter reverberating in the air.
All around me lockers slam shut, books are tossed in bags or backpacks, gossip is whispered. Most people are ready to head home or go to their afterschool activities. But I’m still waiting for Daniel’s next move.
If Daniel can get into my head—sometimes without my even realizing it—why can’t I get into his? There has to be a technique.
I head for the library so I can think. Mrs. Vespa looks up from her desk and smiles when she sees me. “Caitlyn.”
“Mrs. Vespa—you going to be open for a while? I need a quiet place.”
“Of course. Why don’t you use that nook I showed you the other day?”
I nod gratefully, and make my way there.
I heave my backpack onto the floor and perch on the empty chair. I’m used to going into Normals’ minds unnoticed. But other Paras? It’s like a crime. It’s an unspoken etiquette to announce your presence, to not misuse your gift. And another Para would sense me. So how does Daniel do it? How does he get around my awareness?
192
HUNTED
I chew on a piece of cuticle sticking up from my finger and rip it off with my teeth. Maybe it doesn’t matter how he does it. I have to find my own way.
I close my eyes, breathing evenly, and notice the rigid-ity of the chair against my butt, the solid floor beneath my shoes, grounding myself in my surroundings.
I visualize my mind-voice being invisible—no weight, no sound, no emotion. I visualize it until I believe it.
Then I picture Daniel as I last saw him—the coldness in his eyes, the firmness of his jaw, the hardness in his core.
I pull up each detail—the steel blue of his eyes, the sweep of his blond hair—until I can almost see him in front of me.
I breathe slowly, focusing on him until I can feel his chest rise and fall with breath, can feel the rage and pain warring inside him. I layer that on top of my own thoughts, try to think like him.
“Stupid Normals think they’re so superior.”
Then, like a wisp of air, I slip into his mind.
I let his thoughts vibrate through me.
. . . am more
powerful than anyone . . .
Deep beneath that fierce bravado, under hardened layers of scar tissue, I feel the hurt, quak-ing boy I once knew.