I wait a few seconds before stepping forward, pasting on a casual smile as I approach. “Sorry I’m late.”
“You weren’t late. You were lurking at the end of the hall pretending not to see Karra chewing me out.”
I can’t stop a laugh. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Good call. She probably would’ve ripped your head off.”
“Hey,” I protest, “what didIdo to her?”
“Technically, nothing.” He drags his hand through his blond hair, letting out a long sigh. “But there might be some…fallout from last night.”
“Why? What happened last night?”
“She found out about us fooling around in Silver Block.”
I falter. Shit. And I was really hoping to make some friends here.
“How did she find out?” I ask suspiciously.
“Well,” he says, pushing open the doors, “she asked me if you and I ever fooled around, and I said yes.”
My jaw drops. “Why would you do that?”
“Why would I lie?” He shrugs. “Look, KC’s hotheaded, but don’t worry about her. She’ll breathe fire and brimstone for a couple days, then reach the very sensible conclusion that she does not, in fact, own my dick. Especially when I’m single.”
In the mess hall, we’re mostly greeted by friendly faces, but I feel a strange shift from a few people who were quick to smile at me yesterday. One of the pilots Gray introduced me to, Lexi, won’t meet my eyes, and her friend whose name I can’t remember observes me with overt hostility.
When we pass the two women at the coffee station, their veins immediately start to ripple as their gazes flick in my direction.
“So,” Gray says lightly, “I should probably warn you about something else.”
I can’t contain my sarcasm. “Does it have to do with the reason your pilot friend is looking at me like I poisoned her eggs?”
He seems reluctant to answer. “Word’s gotten out that you can incite.”
“What? How?”
We find two seats in the back of the room, a quiet spot with nobody beside us. I spear my fork into my scrambled eggs with a little more force than necessary.
“My guess?” he says. “Fiona.”
“You promised disclosure was confidential.” My stomach starts churning. “Why would she do that?”
Regret lines his face. “Fi served with President Severn before the Coup. She’s not a fan of that particular ability.”
No, I suppose she wouldn’t be. It’s no secret that the former leader of the Continent used his abilities freely. Severn had no compunctions about inciting anyone who crossed his path, even his Modified allies.
“So now she’s warning people to stay away from me? To be afraid of me?” My eyelids sting, but I refuse to cry. I curl my fingers over the edge of the table to distract myself, my knuckles slowly turning white from the tight grip. “I would never incite anyone here.”
“I know that, and I promise you, most people won’t care that you’re an inciter. Best case, they’ll be impressed. Worst case, they’ll pester you about using your powers against the enemy.” His tone becomes gentle. “I get you wanted to keep it a secret, but you want to know my take? It’s better if they know. A lot of people at the Dagger choose to disclose their abilities, especially field operatives.”
“Really?”
He nods. “It fosters an environment of trust. You don’t want to be working with someone who’s hiding something from you, right?”
Maybe he’s right. But I feel so exposed now. I’ve spent my entire life hiding the fact that I can incite, and now all these strangers know about me, and it triggers a helpless feeling. I blink rapidly, trying not to cry. I don’t know what’s happening to me, where this deluge of emotion is coming from, but I don’t like it. I wish Cross were here right now to hold me in his arms and shield me fromeveryone’s eyes. And I wish Wolf’s voice was in my head, reminding me that I’m Wren fucking Darlington and the strongest person he knows.
“Wren. Hey.” Gray reaches across the table and touches my hand, gently prying my fingers off the edge of the table, forcing me to relax my grip. It’s a soothing gesture, and my agitation slowly begins to dissolve. “Listen, the ones who might be wary of you…just give them time,” he advises. “They’ll warm up.”
