My breath is all swept from my chest as my butt hits the floor, my hand going instantly to my nose. I gasp, my eyes smarting as I wonder whether or not I’m bleeding – “Oh my god,” a voice says, “what the hell are you doing!?” My eyes instantly snap up because obviously, obviously it’s not a piec
I’m absolutely buzzing with energy as Jackson and I emerge through the castle door and out into the sunshine. I keep stealing glances up at him, which he either doesn’t notice or pretends not to, his defined features set in their usual harsh lines. I, however, cannot keep the smile from my face. W
“Jackson,” I murmur, shaking my own head now. And then I hesitate, wondering if I should ask. He lifts his chin towards me, seeing the question in my eyes and telling me to ask. “Why don’t you want to tell anyone what you can do, especially if you know?” He sighs, even more serious than he was
“Don’t you just want to see what else you can melt, Clark?” Jackson asks on a long inhale of breath, looking at me with sad eyes. “Come on, I bet you could melt this whole tree if you wanted to.” “Well, one, that’s not good for the environment,” I say, rolling my eyes at him – which makes him laug
“I suppose,” I murmur, turning my head. “Though didn’t you get bored, when everyone else was asleep? And like, get sick of the taste of food?” “Yes!” he says, his eyes going wide as he laughs. “That’s exactly what happened – and nobody gets that. Like, after eighteen blackberry pies…you never want
We spend a long time under that tree as Jackson tells me the long story about how he stayed up for three weeks in a row, only giving in because he was so incredibly bored by the end of it. About how he just wandered around at night all alone, doing chores and going for runs just to have something to
And I grin, and twist the handle, pressing into the room. Dr. Neumann looks over at me, clearly annoyed. “And what emergency has kept you away today, Cadet Clark?” “Apologies, sir,” I say, hurrying to my seat. “No emergencies. Just…lost track of time…studying.” “Your tardiness will make itself
I stand back, looking confusedly between Rafe and Jesse. “What?” I ask my brother and my cousin, “what’s so funny?’ “Ari,” Rafe says, shaking his head at me as he puts a hand around my elbow and tugs me towards the door. “Not hitting on your friends? That has never been a rule.” “That has always