Page 167 of Glutton for Punishment

The first guy tilts his head. “I suppose people are curious whether the stories are exaggerated. If you ever actually had a power. No one has seen you do anything,” he continues. “People deserve to know the truth.”

My pulse kicks hard against my ribs. Without thinking, I reach for my power. Not to use. Just for support. Like holding it will reassure me it’s there.

Pain answers. A sharp, twisting ache beneath my breastbone. The moment only lasts a second, but it’s enough.

That’s not right? There’s never been pain, only emptiness.

Something flashes across the students’ faces. If anyone figures it out—

I straighten my shoulders and take a slow step forward. “It’s not uncommon that people keep the nature of their powers hidden. It’s only the weaker or more common powers that go around showing off. I don’t need to prove anything to you or anyone else. if you’re trying to provoke me, you’re wasting your time.”

Then I take another step forward to go around them before the brown-haired girl side-steps in front of me. Combat settles into my muscles like a second skin. Power or not, I still know how to break a nose.

She notices. Her eyes flick downward, tracking my stance.

“You should move,” I tell them. Something in my voice makes them hesitate.

Before anyone can respond, another voice drifts down the corridor.

“You know,” Ryker drawls, “they’re supposed to weed out the dumb ones in the first year, but the three of you have remarkably poor instincts. Did you cheat?”

All three students stiffen, and I glance over my shoulder. Ryker is leaning against the wall several yards away, one hand tucked into his pocket. At first glance, he looks relaxed. But I see the cold in his eyes where there’s usually warmth. The kind of cold that reminds everyone exactly whose son he is.

The first student manages a scoff, though it sounds thin. “We’re just talking.”

Ryker’s voice stays pleasant. “Funny. From here it looks like three people blocking a corridor to intimidate someone they think can’t fight back.”

All traces of casual arrogance drain from their postures.

“And just so we’re clear,” he adds, the pleasant tone evaporating, “she absolutely can. Like I said, you have poor instincts.”

Silence falls over the corridor. Suddenly, none of them seem interested in continuing this interrogation.

The young guy mutters something under his breath before backing away, and the others follow. Within seconds, all three have decided they have somewhere else to be. I watch them disappear around the corner before releasing a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Ryker waits until they’re gone before approaching. “You alright?”

“I’m fine. I didn’t need you to step in.”

His gaze drops to my clenched fists. “I know. But you looked seconds away from hitting her, and I figured you didn’t need another student mentioning your name to the school doctor.”

I look at him in question.

“You know, after clocking Daphne.” A faint smile tugs at one corner of his mouth. “Which was so fucking hot, by the way.”

“Fair point.” I respond, ignoring his other remark. He’s right. I need to be more careful about picking my battles and staying under the radar. For a moment, we stand there in awkward silence.

Then I sigh. “So, what is this really about? This is the second time you’ve stepped in for me.”

Something unreadable passes across his face as he shrugs. “Just the right place, right time, I guess.”

I study him carefully. Not long ago, I would have assumed he had some sort of hidden agenda. Using these opportunities for manipulation. Now I’m not so sure.

“Arwen, I know I’ve given you plenty of reasons not to trust me, but my standards aren’t that low. I’m not just going to let assholes push you around like Atticus Willshire.”

“Thank you,” I mumble. “And I’ll ignore the dig at Atticus… for now.”

“You’re welcome.” His expression softens, but his cheshire grin stays in place.