I hadn’t considered in the last six months? Would finding out his ability change
things for me?
I hadn’t shared my lovely little quirk in all the years we had known each other, so why should I expect him to share? Digging deeper under my superficial
excuses and protective anger, I found an ugly truth.
I was scared and jealous.
Jealous that Tag and Flash were chosen to be part of something without me.
Even though I hid my ability for years in an effort to be ‘normal’, there was no
doubt Tag’s answers now would redefine my idea of normal. But even more
intimidating, I was scared. Scared he would blame me for things I knew were my
fault. Scared he wouldn’t blame me. If we aired everything, would I recognize my oldest friend after everything was said and done? With Kelsey gone, my relationship with Tag was my last, steady anchor. I didn’t want to find out how
much of it was an illusion. If he wasn’t who I thought he was, I was in trouble.
Suck it up, Cyn. Running never did a damn thing for you. My little pep talk couldn’t calm the fissures of insecurity spreading through me like a spider web.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to wade in. “Fine, what is it you can do?”
“I’m a touch empath.”
I blinked a few times, processing. That little spark of electricity when he touched me at the cabin. It was such a typical occurrence around him, I hadn’t
given it a second thought. Now, though… “You’re a human lie detector?” An underlying accusation wove through my question.
His easygoing expression disappeared behind a blank mask and his negligent
slouch straightened. “Yeah.” No excuses.
“Would you have ever told me?”
“Why? So, you could wonder if I read you every time I touched you?”
“Do you?”
“Do I what?” he growled.
“Crawl around my head each time you touch me?” As soon as the question
hit the air, I wanted to call it back. It was a childish taunt, one brought to life by hurt feelings, but like any taunt it found its mark.
He covered his flinch pretty quick before anger had him leaning across the small table and grabbing my chin, holding me captive so I couldn’t look away. “I
don’t crawl around anything, Arden, ever.”
Behind his bitter words was a glimpse of a familiar fear. Instead of jerking away, which is what he probably expected me to do, I curled my fingers around
his wrist to hold him in place. “Fine, then tell me how it works.” My voice was
surprisingly level.
The pressure of his fingers against my chin relaxed, and then disappeared.
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.