“Where do you keep disappearing to? It seems like you’re always being whisked away on some secret mission,” Connor says when I return to our suite. Ben and Laura glance up from the movie they’re watching, and I plaster a convincing smile on my face.
“He’s right. What’s going on with you?” Ben asks.
“Nothing. I’m just helping Clausen with a project. You didn’t go to the main show tonight?”
“Laura wasn’t feeling well, and your boyfriend here was worried about you,” Ben says. Connor shoots him an annoyed look.
“Well, thanks for the concern, but there’s nothing to worry about.” I drop to the empty cushion beside Connor.
“So you’re helping Clausen with a project? Did you really think we were going to let that slide?” Ben asks.
Shit. I’ve been getting better at building reasonable lies. It was inevitable I’d mess up eventually, especially with the current pressure weighing on me. My mind races for a recovery, but it’s too late for one of the hundred other explanations I should have used.
“It’s nothing. We’re just testing my gift. Didn’t you do that when you started?”
“Of course, but not with Clausen,” Connor says.
“What kind of testing did they do with you?” I ask, curious in light of what Daniel had said about Clausen’s personal toybox.
“Lots of stuff. Brain scans, cognitive tests, blood tests. Plenty of psychologists got involved, too. They couldn’t figure much out though. We still do follow-ups. Mostly stupid stuff now. They give me pictures and I recreate the images on spreadsheets insome custom software. Seems like a waste of time, but it’s kind of fun. I’m getting really good at it.”
I swallow my alarm and force a smile. I can only imagine what nefarious activity they really have him doing. Probably coding advanced weapons or something.
“What about you two?”
Laura looks over briefly before focusing back on the screen. “Same as everyone else. Just learning to control it better.”
“Can you use other people’s abilities, even when they’re not present? Or is it more of a direct reaction?” I’m not prepared for the heat that fires back at me.
“How do you know about my gifts? No one knows except Clausen! Why would he tell you that?”
I shrink and shake my head. “I… I don’t know. I only guessed based on what I’ve seen.”
“Liar! Who told you?” She covers the distance between us and grabs me. Her eyes widen, and she throws my arm back in shock.
“He told you,” she whispers hotly. “How long have you been together?”
“What are you talking about?” I shoot back.
“Okay, ladies, calm down,” Ben says.
“Don’t tell me to calm down. This slut is sleeping with Daniel!”
I freeze. “What?”
“You heard me! I saw you with your own vision things.”
“I’m not sleeping with him, but yes we’re better friends than I let on. So what?” Connor’s disappointment when I catch his look is the least of my problems.
“I guess that explains why he always makes you cry,” Ben quips, and I glare at him.
“You’re more than friends.” Laura snaps. “Friends don’t make-out in closets!”
“You don’t know what you saw. And if it’s the future, fine. I can’t defend it.”
“So you’re saying you never kissed him?”
“What do you care if I have?”
