“You are, but I think it’s earned.”
I smirk at the sass that’s been slowly but surely coming through more each day.
“Thanks for the support.” I sigh and internally fight with myself about telling her why my power is so weird and why it’s really bothering me. It takes me a millisecond to decide against it.
“So what are you about to do with the rest of your evening?” I ask.
“Havar’s lazy ass asked me to cook dinner for him tonight. He extended an invitation for you, but your secret admirer is going to be there as well.”
“Bummed I’m going to miss out on your cooking, but that’s a hard no from me. Did you tell Havar about him asking me out?”
“Absolutely not. Granted, in this case, I don’t think he’d say anything because he’d be worried about his friend losing his life. Not worth the risk, though.”
“Smart. Although I don’t think they’d do anything just because he asked me out. They’d probably give him ugly looks every time they saw him.”
“Really?” She arches her brow.
“You think they’d do more than that?”
“As reasonable as I’ve come to learn they are, I was right about how they’d act about you asking if you could date other people. So yeah, I think they’d do more.”
I shrug and nod. She’s got a good point there. When her smirk turns saucy and she crosses her arms, I know where she’s going with the conversation.
“Speaking of that…”
“I’m going for my run now. Have lots of fun and save me some leftovers.”
She chuckles behind me as I race toward the forest. Only a few paces in, I slow my sprint to a steady walk. I didn’t really care for a run. More so a stroll to clear my head.
It’s not helping, though.
I’m desperate for answers that would make life a little simpler.
“Seismet, V, are the two of you anywhere near me?”
Not a second later, a hoot sounds overhead, and I spin in a circle with my neck craned back.
“The grouchy old horse will be here in a moment.”
I snort as V lands on my shoulder and nuzzles into my cheek. The sounds of branches cracking grow closer, and I search the trees for Seismet.
“Why is he grouchy?”
“Because you are.”
“Me? I haven’t even seen him today.”
“You don’t have to see him. He’s been tapping into your connection increasingly in an attempt to solidify it faster. When he does that, though, he gets a great sense of what you’re feeling.”
“The way you pick and choose when to mind your own business is infuriating,”Seismet says as he trots into view.
“Says the one who’s been eavesdropping on my feelings without my knowledge.”
He doesn’t stop his walk until he’s face-to-face with me and lays his forehead against mine.
“Oh, please. He does it as well, but unlike our companion here, I do know when to mind my business. Any hint of feelings I shouldn’t feel, I pull away.”
My sigh is loud rather than mental, while their laughs bounce around in my head.“Thanks, I suppose.”
