He twisted his wrist until I let go, then leaned back. “I read emotions. Touch makes the reception clearer.”

What would it be like to know exactly what someone thought of you?

Considering how hard he was hiding his reactions right now, my guess is it would royally suck. “Does that mean it’s constantly on, or is there an off switch?”

“I’ve figured a few ways to keep the noise down.” He played with the glass

in front of him. “My control has increased since I joined PSY-IV.”

The mention of his current employer spiked my infantile jealousy. “Lucky

you.”

His restless movements stilled, and then he looked up and frowned. “After

Flash’s death it didn’t take much to put two and two together. I had been approached by Delacourt, and then those bastards targeted Flash. Considering how he died…” he shook his head. “Besides, your gut feelings turned out too freakin’ right too many times. Add in the fact at logic indicated at least two of us had abilities, it didn’t take long to figure out you were in our unit for a reason.”

He leaned forward, and his eyes reflected the same hurt swirling in my chest.

“You never said a word. What was I supposed to think?”

The raw emotion in his question pulled the rug out from under my

tumultuous emotions, leaving me exposed. The past crowded too close, and I had to cough a couple of times to clear the lump in my throat. “You left me.” My

unexpected accusation squeezed out, shocking us both. “You blamed me.” Now

that the words were free, I couldn’t stop them. “After Flash’s death, everyone disappeared. I get Liza, Nate, and Mike, maybe even Kayden. But you?” My voice cracked.

Stunned comprehension dawned and he reached out in a recognizable

attempt to comfort. The minute he touched the back of my hand the little zing reappeared. “Jesus, Cyn, I never blamed you for the attack.” He cocked his head.

“But you blame yourself, it’s why you won’t talk to me.”

I flinched. Hoping to block his too perceptive ability, I pulled my hand out from under his. “You all left me in the dark.”

“I was in the hospital for two months. As for the others…” He shook his head, his gaze narrowing. “Nope, that excuse isn’t going to work this time.

You’re going to tell me what you think you could have done to change what happened.”

I tightened my lips, refusing to look at him.

“Tell me what you think you could have done differently with a punctured lung, third degree burns, broken ribs, shattered femur, a broken wrist, and broken

fingers? Oh wait, let’s not forget the concussion.” By the time he was done listing my injuries his voice had deepened into a growl. “What could you have

done, Cyn?”

“I shouldn’t have thrown the damn knife!”

We sat there, my words ringing between us.

Confusion twisted his face. “What are you talking about?”

“Ellery had Flash pinned to the wall, but the flames, they weren’t burning him. They changed colors, but it wasn’t until I threw the knife that it all changed.

Until then, Flash was okay.” I rubbed a hand over my aching chest. “He was okay.”

“No, he wasn’t.” Kayden’s voice came from behind me, causing me to start

in my chair. He went to lean against the railing, facing Tag and me. “Flash was a

pyrokinetic. What you saw was Ellery’s ability in action.”

Kayden’s revelation confirmed my burgeoning suspicions. “Ellery’s

psychic?”

Kayden nodded. “He’s what we call a Syphon. Someone who absorbs other

psychic abilities. What you saw that night? The flames changing colors? Did they go from bluish white to yellow to orange?”

Stunned, all I could do was nod.

“Ellery was syphoning Flash’s ability. It didn’t matter what you did, Cyn, Flash couldn’t fight indefinitely.” He looked at the file on the table. “When you

read the file, you’ll realize Ellery’s getting more and more creative at how he steals abilities.”

My gut clenched. This was the monster hunting me? “Why didn’t anyone tell

me?”

“Hello? Hospital for two months, remember?” Tag said. “When I got out,

you wouldn’t talk to me.”

Looking between both men, I knew it all had to come out. If I didn’t lance

this wound, there would be no working together to stop Ellery. To let things go

and move on, I needed answers. “No one would tell me where you all were, or

what had happened. I woke up in Landstuhl and the higher-ups wanted answers.

I couldn’t tell them what happened. It didn’t even make sense to me. Ellery wasn’t talking to anyone, not even his lawyer.”

I rubbed my hands down my thighs. “All I knew was Flash and Ortega were