Gifted Connections #5

Chapter 18

“What do you mean she left?” Rachel asked as she sat down at our table.

“She quit,” Jaxson said bluntly, reaching for his fork with one hand while grabbing my upper thigh with the other. “Even though she doesn’t want to share Gavin, she’s still mad that they started making plans for their future without her.”

I looked over at the line to make sure Gavin, Sierra, and Mercedes were still there. We had settled into a routine of sorts. Our morning meals were typically shared with our friends, and our evening meals were with Pops, Megan, Hazel, Miranda, Greg, and the kids. Lunches were a toss-up. Jaxson, Rachel, and I generally ate with our classmates since it wasn’t always a guarantee that my other guys would have the same lunch time as us.

“Damn, it sounds like we really missed an epic showdown.” Dawn sighed, setting her tray beside Rachel.

The rest of my guys filled in around the table with Marcel, Anna, and Terrance. As Drake took the seat on the other side of me, I leaned into his side. This topic was still hard for him to talk about. He worried about Jem, and even though he couldn’t influence her decision, he still felt some guilt. He’d convinced himself that if he’d begged enough, she might have stayed. The rest of us knew Jemmy still wouldn’t have listened to him.

It had taken nearly two days for Rachel and Dawn to realize Jemmy was gone. Both of them had separated themselves from her as of late, too tired and frustrated with her recent behavior.They had thought it was odd when she didn’t want to go clubbing with them but hadn’t pressed her due to her mother’s presence. Sunday was spent recovering from the bad decisions they made, so they hadn’t sought her out.

Now, we were all having breakfast before heading off to our duty days. I was excited because they were allowing me to join in a field exercise this afternoon. Field exercises were typically something the military conducted, a coordinated training exercise for preparation purposes. There were rules and procedures trainees had to adhere to, so they felt it was safe enough for me to participate in.

I had a half day of school, which was a much-needed reprieve. I had already made some decent headway into many of my assignments. It was looking like I would complete all my graduation requirements long before my babies’ due date, so I deserved the break. Plus, pregnant or not, I needed to make sure my gifts became honed once more.

“But did we really miss anything?” Anna sniffed before opening a chocolate milk carton for Hailey. “I, for one, did not regret Saturday night.” Rachel and Dawn snickered, and I was sure there were stories we had missed about their night out.

“I love the girl, but I was tired of seeing and hearing her tantrums.” Anna looked at the girls before continuing. “She thinks running away from her problems will solve everything, but it won’t.

“She’s going to realize real soon her mom hasn’t and won’t change. Jemmy’s the type that needs to learn her lessons the hard way. Take it from the choir. I always have to learn the hard way before lessons sink in, too. By the way, can I buy into this neighborhood?”

In typical Anna fashion, she jumped from one subject to another like a rabbit creating new trails. It was becoming a running joke that she had both ADHD and multiple personality disorder as well. Her mere presence was sometimes exhausting, but in a good way.

“I’m kind of hurt that I wasn’t informed of his plan before today.” Anna pouted. “I want to be close to my nephew and niece too!”

“What neighborhood?” Dawn asked, pausing mid pour of hot sauce. “And I agree regarding Jemmy. I was so proud of the way she stepped up when Sierra was grieving. She was far from the princess I met when she had just turned sixteen and I had to go get her from a party.”

“This sounds like a good story.Do tell!” Rachel excitedly prompted.

Dawn smirked before obliging her. “I was new to the team, and we got a call that a few gifted kids were partying in one of the new construction sites on campus. We get there, and this preppy princess tries to convince me not to tell her dad. As soon as I found out Pops was her father, I had to tell him. She was so pissed at me and ran her mouth, but I couldn’t take her seriously. She was like a little chihuahua.

“I got to see a new side to her after Gav was presumed dead. She had shown tremendous growth. Then Gavin shows back up with Mercedes, and look, I get it. It’s hard to have to share because it really isn’t natural. Somehow, though, if the situation were reversed, we know she wouldn’t have such qualms.”

I nodded in agreement. “When I first met Jem and the guys, she pretty much told me the same thing. She always hoped to be the nucleus because she knew she would have problems sharing. However, like others have stated, she knew there was a possibility she wouldn’t be when she received her mark.”

“So, this neighborhood?” Dawn prodded, clearly over the discussion of Jemmy.

“We’re buying land and having houses built on it for when we get out of here,” Jace explained. “Lincoln already figured you would want to buy in, Anna.”

“Lincoln figured right,” Anna agreed with a large grin.

“Can anyone buy in on this compound?” Dawn questioned before taking a large gulp of her cold brew coffee.

I paused, my hand hovering over my juice cup. My immediate thoughts on Dawn referring to our land as a compound gave me the ick.When someone used that word, my mind went to cults.I imagined the secluded areas that cult leaders purchased to avoid the watchful eyes of fellow citizens, authorities, and the like.

I took a sip of my juice and shook off the thoughts, replacing them with images I had recently come across of family compounds. The homes were close, but not so close that they were on top of each other. They were also unique because they weren’t like neighborhoods where a lot of the homes had “cookie-cutter” architecture. I was sure some of our homes would have similar features, but we all had unique styles we would prefer regarding the places we settled in.

Pretending to be disgruntled, Remy placed a cup of pickles in front of me. “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have to have a family meeting sooner rather than later.”

He could continue the pretense that he was put out about the others joining our neighborhood, but I knew differently. After so many months together, it would be odd not to see them as often as we did now. Honestly, I loved the idea of having all our families and friends nearby.

I stared at the pickles for a minute, my nose wrinkled in distaste. These cravings—or should I say non-cravings—were becoming ridiculous. I had been getting annoyed at myself because of my lack of control over my cravings until Noah reassured me that it was completely normal. Sometime between yesterday afternoon and this morning, I had lost my taste for pickles.

“What’s wrong?” Remy frowned.“Is it the wrong flavor?”

The guys had purchased me several flavors of pickles. I hadn’t realized they had such a large variety of choices, and now, none of them sounded appealing. They were so perfect on so many levels. They had put in time and effort to please me, but now I couldn’t stomach the idea of taking a single bite of the treat.

“Thank you for getting them for me,” I said, attempting to divert his scrutiny.

I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He had run back to the apartment to get them for me without my knowledge. While he was gone, I’d learned the kitchens were out of pickles until a shipment arrived later today. It was then I realized I was okay with the concept.

“Not feeling pickles now?” Sierra sympathetically asked as she took a seat at the end of the table. “I didn’t have cravings except for dairy. I miss my ice cream phase.” She shuddered. “Now, the idea of it turns my stomach. Our baby’s been craving hot dogs with mayo and peanut butter.”

“She typically hates mayo and hot dogs,” Gavin explained before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “And of course we had to go through five different brands of peanut butter and ten different brands of hot dogs before our daughter was satisfied.”

I smiled at them. They were so darn cute together. Their relationship wasn’t quite where it had been before, but it was getting there. Every now and then, I could see Sierra fixating on his features. I was sure her mind and heart were still at war, trying to deal with the mind trip of knowing it was Gavin yet not “recognizing” him.

I could tell they missed Jemmy, but without her here, Sierra wasn’t constantly being harassed or made to feel guilty. She was a very loyal person, and she had been torn between one of her best friends and her connection. Jemmy had wanted one-hundred percent of her solidarity and loyalty, and that wasn’t fair to Sierra at all.

I missed Jemmy, and I was worried about how her mother would mess with her head this time, but a small part of me had to admit it might be better that she was gone for now. Her presence had been a wedge between Sierra, Gavin, and Mercedes. Mercedes didn’t deserve my loyalty in the least, and any other time I would have been on Jemmy’s side, but Gavin’s happiness trumped Jemmy. It might be callous and a bit treacherous on my part, but Gavin had been more of a friend to me than she was. Unlike her, he had never hurt me.

I had forgiven Jemmy, but she was still on probation in my books. I loved her dearly and she was basically a sister-in-law to me, but as a friend, she had been working her way back into my good graces. I would always want the best for her and pray for her happiness but not at the expense of others.

“Your daughter?” Dawn excitedly inquired.“Is there something you failed to tell us?”

Sierra playfully smacked Gavin’s chest.She snorted before squirting mayo and peanut butter on her eggs. “No. It’s wishful thinking on his part. He likes the idea of being a girl dad.”

“I’m pretty sure Lexus was what drew him to me to begin with,” Mercedes joked with an eye roll. “He essentially cared for her in my absence.”

“What?” I asked Gavin telepathically while the others voiced their surprise.

“We need a pow wow soon.” To the others, he explained, “I was assigned to help Lexus with her gifts once they started coming in. She talked about Merci and Bent all the time, but I assumed they were no longer in the picture.

“I was training her for three weeks before I met Mercedes and realized their connection and what Horatio was doing to them. And I adore Lex, but you’ve grown on me too.” He playfully winked at her before squeezing her hand.

It was the first time I had seen him initiate contact with Mercedes outside of comforting her, and Sierra didn’t seem to mind the show of affection at all. Then again, Sierra never seemed to care as much about sharing his attention and time. I knew Gavin wouldn’t have been as comfortable showing Mercedes any attention had Jemmy still been around. She had barely liked it when he kissed Sierra in front of her.

Mercedes seemed just as pleased by his affectionate touch.“Gee, thanks!” Then she looked at us. “Mind you, he was training her while also attempting to navigate his new gift.”

“What is your new gift?” Jaxson excitedly asked. “You haven’t been participating in the simulations with us. I can’t believe it hasn’t come up yet. It still blows my mind that you have two gifts now.”

“Kade said Max lulled him into a sense of complacency,” Jace said, looking just as curious.

Gavin seemed uncomfortable with the line of questioning, which wasn’t surprising. He might have been in Max’s body for over a month, but he was still coming to terms with it.

“So… no more pickles?” Troy asked, barely managing to hide his giddiness.

I knew he wasn’t terribly put out by the notion. It hadn’t escaped my notice that he rarely kissed me after I consumed pickles. I also knew him revisiting the topic of my food aversion was to give Gavin time to get comfortable.

I looked at Remy, hoping he wouldn’t be hurt by my new discovery.“I don’t know.”

I hated the disappointed look on his face, but the others seemed to find amusement at his expense. I really hated the control my pregnancy had on my desires—well, regarding my food choices, anyway.

“What do the babies want now?” Troy indulgently asked.

“Nothing,” I insisted, shaking my head.

I didn’t want to tell anyone about how my thoughts had been centered around frozen strawberry yogurt and Andy’s hot fries. I couldn’t remember the last time I had either treat, yet only seconds after waking, my mind had become obsessed with the notion of finding some. It was with much shame that I had to admit I had a problem. Especially after I found myself texting Micah and Victoria while I got ready.

They had come over, and I asked them to go to the nearest well-stocked grocery store. Micah looked at me like I was crazy, but Vicky had laughed and assured me that they would find the items I asked for. I felt legitimate shame for asking Micah to use his gift to aid in my new addiction, but I didn’t know what else to do.

“We’ll find out soon enough.” Noah smirked before turning back to Gavin. “Ready to tell us your new gift, Gav?”

Gavin cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to describe it. It’s similar to Jaxson’s gift of illusion, but not.”

“How so?” Drake leaned forward with interest.

Gavin sighed. “It would probably be easier if I showed you.”

Before anyone could ask any more questions, the room shifted and changed in front of my eyes. The cafeteria faded away. We now sat at a round, roughly hewn table, our plastic chairs replaced with sturdy wooden ones.The lighting above us was dimmer now, the bright fluorescent bulbs no longer illuminating the space. Instead of the typical light fixtures above us, candles burned away in wrought iron fixtures. The whole room appeared to be a tavern of sorts.

I looked around, and it appeared as if we were now surrounded by strangers. As I scanned everyone’s features and attire, it became more obvious that this wasn’t a modern establishment. All the females wore long dresses made of wool or some other rough fabric. The men wore breeches and tunics with hooded cloaks. It was as if we were in a set of Robin Hood or something.

“How is this not an illusion?” Jaxson asked as he stood up on his chair. `

I knew what he was going to do before he did it.Jaxson was always a leaper, and he never looked before he leaped. I didn’t know how many times he’d had to learn lessons the hard way. Some of the guys began to snicker, obviously knowing what he was going to do as well.

“Jaxson,” I said in warning.

Gavin smirked. “You probably shouldn’t.”

“Relax, Blake, it’s just an illusion.” Jaxson gave me a smile and a wink before he reached out to touch the flame.

“Shitake mushrooms!” he yowled, clutching his hand.“That’s real .” He gave Gavin an accusatory glare.

“I tried to warn you.” Gavin snickered before taking a bite of his oatmeal.

“Did you actually burn yourself?” Noah chortled, attempting to grab Jaxson’s hand.

I stood to inspect his hand, but he seemed to be preoccupied by the candle burning away in the candelabra. I knew he was attempting to understand how Gavin had made his “illusion” so believable.

Victoria giggled. “What is he doing?”

“It’s Jaxson,” Micah quipped.“His mind and actions will forever be unsolvable mysteries.He should be up there with the Twin Prime conjecture.”

“What?” Victoria inquired in a mystified tone.

Micah gave himself a self-mocking laugh. “Mr. Bates was telling us about these math problems that seem remarkably simple, yet the greatest minds in the world have been unable to solve them. Jaxson is extremely obtuse, but some of the most intelligent people would be incapable of understanding the workings of his mind or actions.”

Wait! Victoria and Micah were back. I whirled around, excited to get my hands on my frozen strawberry yogurt and hot fries. I frowned when I realized they weren’t there. Instead, I met the eyes of a wizened old woman, stooped over from age. The hunch in her back was visible through the brown woolen dress she wore. A large mole was on her chin, a long strand of dark hair growing from it. She gave me a leering smile that revealed quite a few missing teeth. The ones that remained were a dark yellow.

I inadvertently shuddered.I hated to gawk or judge strangers, but it was hard not to when faced with peculiar-looking people.

“Um, Blake?” Micah asked in concern.“Why aren’t you grabbing it?”

“Are you okay, beautiful?” Jace asked, mystified.

I turned back to them with my brows knitted in concern. “Tell me I’m not the only one that hears Micah and Victoria.”

I was faced with several blank stares and worried looks. Gavin was the only one who wouldn’t meet my gaze, and I was pretty sure I even saw a smile curve his lips before he dipped a piece of toast in his oatmeal and took a bite. My gaze narrowed on him.

He seemed unaffected by our surroundings even though he also wore a weird tunic-like top and woolen trousers. His tray had also disappeared, having been replaced by a wooden bowl and spoon. The whole scene felt off to me. I could see that it wasn’t an illusion, but I had no other explanation for seeing, hearing, and experiencing things that weren’t there.

“This illusion is pretty cool, but Victoria and Micah aren’t here.” Noah reached out to caress my face.

My brows knitted when I realized he wasn’t just caressing my face, but checking to see if I was running a fever. I scoffed and turned around.

“Okay, Vic, that’s pretty neat,” I said triumphantly, figuring out what was happening. “When did you discover you can make other people invisible with you?”

Victoria didn’t answer my inquiry. Instead, she said, “When I was younger, I was really close to my cousins on my mom’s side before they moved to Alaska. Makenna was the same age as me and my best friend. Brennan, her younger brother, could be such a pain at times, so we would pretend like we couldn’t see him. One day, we had him convinced he was invisible for nearly an hour. Do you think that’s what’s going on?”

Why wouldn’t she tell me how she was making them invisible? I let out a humorless laugh.“Very funny. Can you just show yourselves and hand me the goods?”

“We’re trying to,” Micah said.Then he added, “I don’t think she can see us.”

I huffed, realizing someone was playing games on me.“I can’t.”

My pregnancy brain was in full effect that morning.Gavin was behind this show-and-tell experiment, that was for sure, but I wasn’t connecting the other dots quite yet.

“I recently read a study regarding hormones and the cause of some psychoses,” Noah murmured to someone. “Typically, it occurs in mid-life or during menopause, though. I didn’t think pregnancy could affect her in this way.”

“Maybe carrying two gifted children can affect her hormones more,” Anna worriedly stated. “When I was carrying Hailey, my hormone levels were abnormally high. I had to find a gifted doctor because the civilian doctor was concerned.”

“She did tell us that the other doctor already said our children will be strongly gifted,” Remy stated. “I’ve also heard of other gifted pregnant women acting strangely while their bodies adjusted to their gifted children.”

“You know, I’m standing right here and can hear every word you guys say. I’m not crazy. My hormones levels are normal—well, normalish. Victoria and Micah are right here. I can hear them,” I snarked.

“But we can’t,” Lincoln said, his voice soft like he was trying not to startle a spooked animal. “Victoria may have figured out a way to make others invisible if she was touching them, but she can’t muffle any of the sounds she makes.”

“Have you tried that?” Micah asked at the same time Victoria snorted.

“I’ll have you know I can sneak up on anyone now, and they’ll never hear me, not even if I scream in their ear. And no, Micah, I don’t think it’s possible to make anyone else invisible.”

“Maybe you’ll be able to once your connections are made,” he said in a sad tone, but then his voice brightened. “How cool would that be?”

I pouted. “It would be cooler if you showed yourselves.”

“Do you think we should go to the clinic and get some bloodwork taken?” Drake tentatively asked.

“Am I the only one to realize we are surrounded by gifted people?” Rachel questioned in vexation.“I believe you, Blake!”

“Gavin!” Troy prodded.

I briefly flashed her a smile before tentatively reaching out to see if I could touch Micah or Victoria. I completely ignored Troy’s ire toward Gavin, too focused on trying to contact my brother and his best friend.

“I don’t think this is a game,” Victoria suddenly said. “I’m reaching out. You’re touching me, but it’s like you can’t feel me. What kind of new fuckery is this?”

I let out a startled burst of laughter at her use of a curse word. Typically, I would have reminded her about the other children, but, alas, there were no children in the room. Just the two teenagers I could hear but couldn’t touch.

“Okay, guys, can we stop poking the bear?” I said, exasperated, and to my growing horror, tears entered my eyes. “I just want my hot fries and frozen strawberry yogurt.”

“Okay, Gav!” Mercedes exclaimed.“I think you’ve gone far enough.”

Mere seconds after her impassioned plea, we were back in the cafeteria. Micah and Victoria stood in front of me, looking frustrated and puzzled. I did a slow circle and noticed everything was just as it was. Jaxson was frowning down at his hand. my other guys looked sheepish, and Sierra was slugging Gavin in the shoulder.

“I’m sorry!” Gavin immediately pleaded with a yelp.“Typically, when I put people in that state, no one can hear, see, taste, or touch anything unless I want them to. Blake is the first person to be able to regain any of their senses.” He gave me a guilty look.

A plethora of emotions ran through me. I was both amused and upset that he had tricked me, and if I wasn’t so hormonal, I would be laughing. I was also perturbed that some of my guys and friends didn’t believe me when I told them I could hear Victoria and Micah. It kinda hurt that they’d immediately begun questioning my sanity.

“So, Victoria and Micah were there the whole time?” Noah doubtfully questioned.

“They were,” Jaxson resolutely stated, which was confirmed by the two of them a second later.

Gavin still looked torn between laughter, smugness, and remorse.“Did you know that point-one-percent of the population that are diagnosed with mental conditions really have none? As far as I know, there are rumors of two other people like me.”

I was confused by his words, and I really wanted to know what he was talking about, but my stomach and ire were winning. I smiled and gave my thanks to the teenagers as I took my food from them.

“You can select a person or a small group of people to experience things you want them to!” Drake surmised with shock.

Gavin nodded. “Yes, and it can be done on a subconscious level. Max—” Gavin caught himself with a rueful smile. “I mean, I can literally make a person go crazy. I can phase in and out of the setting and experience I want them to have, to the point that they start questioning their reality.

“Like Jaxon’s gift of illusion, I can make a person believe what they are ‘seeing,’ but my gift digs deeper in their psyche. It can dig into someone’s subconscious—or mind if you will—and make it a reality. I can reveal a person’s deepest desires or biggest curiosity and make it come to life, and then, if I so choose, I can keep the individual in that state for as long as I want without me being present or even draining me much.”

“Whose psyche did you delve into?” Jaxson dubiously questioned.

“I’m reading a historical romance!” Dawn exclaimed after realization seemed to dawn. “I was listening to it while I was getting ready, and it left off in a tavern scene. How did I not realize you made the book come to life?”

“That’s how powerful this gift could be. When scientists say we only use a small percentage of our minds, they’re correct. With some gifts, there are parts of our brain that no one has ever explored, and if they have, I’m sure it would all be top secret and done in some lab.” Gavin ruefully smiled before resuming eating.

I paused momentarily, my mind blown by his revelation, but my hunger won out. That, and my anger was still simmering, so I decided to take my treats and leave. I wanted to find peace while I dipped my hot fries in my ice cream and ate it.

“Thanks again,” I murmured to the teens.

“You’re welcome. Anytime!” Micah looked worriedly between the guys and me.“Are you okay?”

Victoria snorted. “What do you think? Some of them were basically ready to commit her. Don’t worry, boys. The weather’s warming up, so your doghouses shouldn’t be too cold to sleep in.”

Inwardly, I laughed. Outwardly, I was peeved that a thirteen-year-old girl could recognize the error of her ways, but grown ass men couldn’t.I decided to walk away before my hormones got the best of me. I might not be clinically crazy, but I knew I could get preggo psycho.

“Blake?” Troy called in concern.“Where are you going?”

I didn’t turn or acknowledge him, continuing my trek for solitude. I was sentencing myself to a time-out so I could enjoy my unconventional breakfast.

“Blake?” Remy was getting closer.“Are you okay?”

It was the wrong button to push. It hurt that they hadn’t believed me. What if something was really wrong and they didn’t believe me then?

“I’m fine,” I huffed.“I think.Maybe.Or perhaps I’m becoming delusional!What’s my name?Who am I?Where am I?How did I get here?”

I pretended to stumble, but I stopped when I spotted Ben, Mike, Taylor, Tamara, and a few other Knights sitting at a table closer to the exit. I braced my hand—the one not holding my goodies—on the table and wildly looked around, intentionally widening my eyes like I was insane. Then I whipped my head around and met Ben’s startled gaze.

“Can you see me?” I pitched my voice in a creepy whisper.

Ben shifted uncomfortably and looked around as if hoping someone would rescue him.He gave an uncomfortable laugh.“Blake, everything okay?”

“I fear I’m going cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs because I’m pregnant and all.” A big sigh followed the words, like I was letting go of all the air in my lungs.

Tamara let out an uncharacteristic giggle. “Let me guess, you acted hormonally, and suddenly you’re insane. I think my girl Brittany said it best. ‘You say I’m crazy? I got your crazy.’” She gave me a sly smile, raised a brow, shrugged, and dug back into her eggs.

I smiled and winked at her. A week ago, if you had told me I could find camaraderie with Tamara , I would have laughed at you and questioned my own sanity. However, after our heart-to-heart, we had reached a truce of sorts. I understood where her pain had been coming from, and she realized how powerful connections could be. Looking back, the way Jaxson had dumped her had been callous despite me being his connection.

I wouldn’t say we were friends, but I could see a future where we could be one day. She was in class on Friday morning while Herman was with their daughter. We had sat at the same table without barbs being thrown in any way. We didn’t shirk away from the conversations at the table, and the uneasiness had been gone.

Mike groaned.“I swear, I’m never knocking up a girl.Bitches be crazy.”

It was the wrong time for him to say such an insensitive comment, especially since he had been rubbing me wrong for far too long. We had resumed band practices, and I swore the man loved the sound of his own voice, but in an obnoxious way. Typically, I ignored him, but today I couldn’t.

“Somewhere out there, there’s a tree producing oxygen for you. You should apologize to it,” I said, giving him a deadpan look.

The others laughed, and I couldn’t help but smile. Out of my peripheral, I saw the guys coming over, so they must have cleaned up our table. It was nice of them, but I was determined to avoid them for the time being. My hormones might cause me to act insane at times, but I recognized it every time. I didn’t deny it when it happened, so it hurt that they doubted me at a time when my hormones had nothing to do with the situation.

“Blake, we didn’t mean anything by that,” Jace said in a cajoling tone.

As they drew closer, I decided to exacerbate the situation. If they wanted crazy, I’d give them crazy. I wracked my brain for “stun-factor,” something off the wall and totally unrelated to the situation at hand. Suddenly, I recalled a scene from Big Daddy with Adam Sandler. A mischievous grin curled my lips before I abruptly stood back up. Without a single care given, I wailed at the top of my lungs.

“But I wipe my own ass! I wipe my own ass!” I cried to the ceiling, my face scrunched up in sorrow.

There was a moment of silence before someone laughed. Some people looked at me in horror. Others looked at me with amusement. Some of them glared at me with judgment. Some of them—a majority of them being female—gave me a look of encouragement and understanding.

“Thank you! Thank you!” I awkwardly curtsied before whirling around and quickening my steps.

“Blake!” Noah called with a whine. “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to.”

“Blake!” Lincoln cajoled.“We should talk.”

I distinctly heard Jaxson, Troy, and Rachel’s peals of laughter followed by a pained sound from Jaxson. I refused to turn around because I knew they understood where I was coming from.

“What? It’s funny!” Jaxson breathlessly stated. Jace, Remy, or even Noah had likely hit Jaxson because of his amusement.

“I mean,” Rachel said in a smug tone,“you guys did immediately jump to she must be crazy. ”

With her statement, I felt justified in doing something I’d promised I’d never do again. I used my gifts on them so none of them could follow.