“I do,” he said.“Do you know what Henderson just told me?You’re over thirteen on the Matheson scale.That means your talent’s so huge we don’t have the means to quantify it.I need you to look out for me.I’ll teach you a couple of things while we’re running, so?—”
“I don’t want to,” she said immediately.“Idon’twant to.I’m a… a freak.You’re telling me I’m too freakish even for your Society.And I did it—I brought those awful people—it was because ofme.”
He hit the turn signal, and before Rowan could protest, he had cut across two lanes and onto the shoulder.Gravel crunched and spun under the tires.A plume of dust went up, and he brought the car to a sudden halt.
Rowan’s fingers curled around the handle on the door, hanging on.“What are you?—”
“Who did it?”He looked straight out the windshield.His knuckles were white on the steering wheel.“Huh?Who did that to you?”
“What?”She could barely find breath for the word.
“Who told you that you were a freak?”He stared straight ahead, his dark eyes fixed on some far-off point.“Who?”
“Nobody.I just know.Nobody else… nobody else knew what I knew.Saw what I saw.”
“So you decided to keep it a secret,” he said quietly.“You don’t have to keep it from me.You’re a normal person with some rare talents, that’s all.Don’t call yourself a freak.If you’re a freak, I am too.You get it?”
“But—”
“No buts.You’re a person, and you’re not responsible for Sigma.They’ve been around since before you wereborn,Rowan.You’re not responsible.Okay?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks again.“If I wasn’t a freak my father would still be alive.”
“That’s my fault.I should have figured Sigma would try to acquire you without witnesses.Blameme, Rowan.Not yourself.”
If he squeezes the steering wheel any harder, he’s going to break something.She reached out before she could stop herself.She touched the back of his hand with her fingertips.The prickling electricity slammed into her, submerging her in what he was feeling.
Rage.Red rage.Agony—a wounded animal, crouched low, blood on its muzzle, panting as it prepared to defend itself again.
She peeled her fingertips away, her stomach turning.Protective fury.And something else, something she couldn’t decipher.It hurt him to think of her pain—hurt him viscerally.Why?
“Why?”she asked.
“Because I can take it.”His dark eyes were hot with something Rowan didn’t want to name.“You shouldn’t have to.Okay?You’re a psion.It’s normal.Not freakish.End of story.”
Rowan shrugged helplessly.He was her only way out of this situation, so she probably shouldn’t make him angry.
But how do I know this Society isn’t just using me?If they think I’m so valuable?
“I don’t want to go to the Society,” she said.“I want to go away.Far away where nobody can find me.”
He stared at her, his mouth thinning.“You’re sure?It’ll mean that I have to get more hard cash to start us out, and some fake IDs.And?—”
“No,” she interrupted.“No, that’s okay.It’s fine, I might as well.I have no choice, do I?”
“You do.I’m trained for it.I could help you disappear, Rowan.Just… I don’t want you hurt.Or scooped up by Sigma.”
“What if I told you to fuck off?”Her voice broke instead of sounding bold like Hilary’s.
Oh, God.Hilary.
He shrugged.“I suppose I’d try to change your mind.I’m going to protect you, Rowan.It’ll be easier with the Society behind us.”
“Why?”Fresh tears trickled down her cheeks.“Why?Why are you doing this?”Her hands twisted, scrubbing at each other.Just like one of the patients, she realized.Now she knew why they did that.
“Because.”Then did something strange.
His fingers closed around her left wrist.Her hands stopped scrubbing each other, and the prickles raced up her arm again, jolted her stomach.She hadn’t touched very many people in her life, hating the overwhelming welter of sensations; none of them had felt like him.“Trust me, okay?Just a very little.I’ll keep you alive, Rowan, and I won’t let anyone force you to do anything you don’t want to do.I promise.”
