We’re really going to do this.
Our palms connect, and he wraps his fingers around his hand, holding me to him. It’s not unlike the other night, but the heat that first hits now is vicious and scalding. It feels like anger. I look at Ten, who’s already tensing his jaw.
I don’t waste any more time, and I focus on what he’s thinking.
Fury flares through me, and frustration next.
It’s a jumble, emotions flipping through me, and the calm water in my chest turns choppy, far from smooth.
“Ever, calm. That’s all you, not me.”
Shit.
Deep breath. In. Out. Again.
I see colours and images before my view lands in an office, the vision slipping into place. I’m in his father’s office, but it’s like I’m watching from the side.
They’re shouting at each other, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. I lean in as if I might hear if I’m closer, and that’s when it hits me.
I can’t hear, but I can feel.
Emotions, reactions.
They are Ten’s emotions: worry, then interest and concern, all pushing him to ask more. Then that spike of fear, which doesn’t quite fit in the picture, and I realise that’s what he picked up from his father, just as he said.
The scene continues to play out, coloured only by the emotions and feelings that went through Ten, all one-sided.
Rage burns through his whole body as he draws the knife and slams it into the desk, and I gasp for a breath, but Ten clenches my hand to stop me from pulling away.
The final feeling, utter determination like the steel of his blade, that he’ll find answers.
All the answers.
The vision fades and is replaced with a cold, unwelcoming sense, and I wonder if Ten is pushing me out by his own will.
I relax, letting my focus drop and drift from his mind, my fingers following.
As experiments go, it’s probably been the most successful, and I wonder what will happen when someone else joins our connection. A strange, oily feeling washes over my skin at that thought, like my entire body repels the idea of someone else between us. But wasn’t training geared around that? Finding the new powers or gifts, and how they worked with others?
Ten pants, breathing in for a few moments, and I see how much it took from him to do this.
“I was never trying to keep you in the dark. I just wanted more answers. I wanted to give you that,” he says.
“Okay.” I nod.
“You can read his memories?” Calix looks between us.
“Not quite. Ten showed me the memory he wanted to share. Like a vision, he showed me, or I found it, I’m not sure how it works.” I wring my hands together and focus on Ten.
“Are you okay? More pain?” I ask, as if the state of his damp brow, locked muscles, and heavy breathing isn’t enough of a giveaway.
“I’m fine.”
“But you still can’t touch me without feeling pain.” My voice is shy. I was hoping it might be easier, mightgeteasier, the more we do this. But that, like so many things here, seems to be a foolish hope.
His silence is my confirmation.
“Calix, we need to fill everyone in on the plan.” Ten turns to his friend.
