I grumble in frustration. Months! I’ve been trying to guess his power for months.
“You did something to Evlynne in the mess hall,” I insist. “I heard her snap at you. She said not to calm her down. Is that what you do? You calm people down?”
The enigmatic smile doesn’t leave his face.
“Come on,” I complain. “I’ve pretty much guessed it.”
Chuckling, he decides to take pity on me. “Fine. You’re basically right. I’m a grounder.”
I blink. “What the hell is a grounder?”
“I can’t feel people’s emotions like an empath, but I can shift them.”
“Shift them how?”
“Soothe them. Calm them down. If they’re especially intense, I might not be able to soothe, but I can numb.”
As I try to process his words, my mind flashes back to any times I’ve been emotional with Gray. The night I broke up with Cross. That numb feeling that spread through my body as he hugged me, dulling the pain long enough for me to get back and dull it myself with glenshade.
“You did it to me the night I broke up with Cross?”
“Yes.”
“Any other times?”
That gets me a nod and a hint of a smile. “Often.”
I glare at him. “Often?”
“Your emotions are always so close to the surface. I’m surprised you’re able to function.”
“Fuck off,” I growl, punching his arm. “That’s not true.” I pause. “Is it?”
“It’s a little true,” he says quietly.
“I’m not sure how I feel about this. I don’t know whether to be grateful or freaked out. You do it to people without their permission?”
“Sometimes. If it feels right to ease their anxiety in the moment, I will. I don’t erase anyone’s feelings. But I’ll help if I can.”
I think about how easy it is to be with Gray, suddenly realizingthat his ability must be partially responsible for that. It’s easy because hemakesit so. Like the day I found out Fiona told the entire base I could incite, the anxiety I felt when everyone was staring at me in the mess hall. Gray squeezed my hand, and I remember the weight in my chest easing.
I’m momentarily distracted when I notice Kitty leaving the party with a tall, dark-haired man.
I shift my gaze back to Gray. “You really weren’t able to change Kitty’s mind?” He told me that his pitch to the Faithful leader about joining forces had been unsuccessful.
“No. She’s stubborn. When I asked her to bring it to the other Faithful leaders, she said she won’t waste her time. The Faithful have no interest in fighting the Company. They don’t care who’s ruling. They just want to live their lives.”
“On the run, though?” I point out. “In the shadows? Wouldn’t they rather be part of a society that welcomes and accepts them?”
“No, because they don’t want to be part of a society in the New Era. They wantthis.” He gestures at the debauchery all around us. The flickering embers from the bonfire reflect in his green eyes, making them dance playfully. “Not sure I blame them. This is a lot of fucking fun.”
“Emphasis on the fucking.”
He snorts softly.
I notice him shifting on the blanket a lot. He’s restless. Fidgety. At one point, he tries to discreetly rearrange his zipper, but I see exactly what he’s doing.
“You do know what’s in your drink, right?” I say in amusement.
