The walk had been Cymber’s idea. Not that Ruddy didn’t want to see her at every opportunity, but he felt like a fool every time he opened his mouth around her.

  It had been a week since she tried to kiss him. That hadn’t happened again, but she did still seem to like him.

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he said.

  She leaned into him. “Seeing what Teri went through was painful, but it must have been worse for her. I’m just really sensitive to that sort of thing.” She smiled. “You’re feeling better too, I can see it.”

  “Better than what?”

  “You seem … brighter,” she said. “Like the first time I saw you.”

  “Brighter? Uh ... thanks.”

  Cymber laughed. “You still haven’t figured out what my talent is, have you?”

  “Yeah,” Ruddy said. “You’re a mentalist, right?”

  “Yes, but I’m not like other mentalists. I don’t hear people’s thoughts. I see their emotions … or not really emotions, more like their intentions. It’s like looking into their soul. I call it an aura, for lack of a better word, but I can’t really explain what it looks like.”

  “That’s pretty cool,” Ruddy said.

  “It can be trying. Most people’s auras are a battlefield. But not you. I could spend days just watching you.”

  She gazed up at him. He felt his face flush. God, how bright am I now?

  They walked past an old soccer field. The goals no longer had nets in them, and various pieces of equipment littered the area—monkey bars, a gymnastics horse, a balance beam.

  “What’s all this?” Ruddy said.

  “It’s our training area. I’m surprised Sean hasn’t brought you here yet. He must not want you to show him up.”

  Cymber pointed to a big contraption in the middle of the field. Ruddy had seen one before, but never up close. It was one of those sleds that football players used to practice hitting each other. This was one of the big ones, made for seven players at once.

  “Sean and Lloyd like to see who can push that thing the furthest,” she said. “Sean always wins, of course.”

  Ruddy smiled. He strengthened his muscles and shoved it with one hand. It moved a few inches.

  “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride.”

  Cymber climbed up and turned so she was facing him. “Be careful. I’m wearing my favorite skirt and I don’t want to get it muddy.”

  “I promise, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Ruddy leaned in and the sled started moving. “Sooo … I didn’t know there were different kinds of mentalists.”

  “As far as I know there aren’t, other than me,” Cymber said. “But there’s so much we don’t know about talents. It’s only been a few years since the Event, and most people who have them are snapped up by the government before anyone else can study them.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean,” he said.

  She leaned forward and rested her hands on his shoulders. She was wearing a v-neck and it gave him an interesting view. He stumbled, and the sled lurched to a stop. Cymber bent farther over, her face close to his. He swallowed.

  She looked into his eyes. “What are you thinking?”

  “Um … how heavy this sled is?” He looked away and saw Xeke, April, and Tamara walking toward the field.

  Oh, hey, Ruddy said. Me and Cymber were just talking.

  Still just talking, eh? Xeke said.

  “Why don’t you three hop on?” Cymber said. “Let’s see if Ruddy can push all of us.”

  The sled wasn’t any harder for him to push with four passengers, and before long, half the village had assembled to watch, including Fred. More and more people crowded onto the sled until they looked like some sort of acrobatic clown act, but nothing slowed Ruddy down.

  “I didn’t realize the changeling talent had this much potential,” Fred said. “I’d love to see how far you can go.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Ruddy’s eyes went wide. “Ooooo. Maybe we can have Xeke push against me.”

  “Interesting idea,” Fred said. “Xeke?”

  Xeke shrugged. “Sure.”

  “Everyone off,” Fred said.

  Ruddy positioned the sled on one end of the field with Xeke facing it from the other end.

  You ready? Xeke said.

  Let’s do it!

  Xeke let Ruddy get some momentum before he pushed back. The sled nearly came to a stop, but Ruddy grunted and it picked up speed.

  Damn, Ruddy, Xeke said.

  You’re not exactly making it easy on me, Ruddy said. I’ve never worked this hard in my life.

  Same here, Xeke said. He swallowed. He hadn’t let this much power in since Bethel.

  Old fears crept in.

  You aren’t even scratching the surface of what you can handle, Fred said. We’ve talked about this.

  What do you want me to do? Xeke said. He’s pushing as hard as he can.

  This isn’t about him, Fred said. It’s about you. You have to get past this fear of your powers. No excuses.

  Ruddy was halfway across the field and still gaining momentum. Xeke took a deep breath and pushed harder. The sled groaned and clanged between them as it slowed.

  Xeke took another breath. Adrenaline coursed through him and he almost laughed aloud.

  It was like running downhill. The more he drew, the more he wanted. The sled creaked and slowed to a snail’s pace. Xeke could hear Ruddy panting, could feel him sweating and striving through their bond.

  Another deep breath. Goosebumps.

  Very good, Fred said. Now let it all in.

  More memories of Bethel flashed through his mind, and the Niagara waterfall of power flowing through him changed into a polluted mire. It sucked him under. He couldn’t breathe.

  That’s all in your head, Fred said. The power isn’t good or evil any more than a gun or a knife is. It can’t control you unless you think it can.

  It did before, Xeke said. It made me into a mass murderer.

  No, Fred said. You didn’t understand your power then. You were a child with a match. If that child sets a building on fire, it doesn’t make them a murderer. You’re not a child anymore. You understand what your powers can do now, for good or ill.

  Those people are still just as dead, Xeke said. I still killed them. And if I wasn’t afflicted, they would still be alive.

  So you’re saying that our powers are inherently corrupted? In that case, people like us don’t have a right to exist. I don’t believe that, and neither do you.

  Xeke didn’t respond.

  I know what you’re capable of, Fred said. And I trust you with that power. Now trust yourself.

  Xeke dragged his mind up from the mire and let the waterfall in. Pure, raw force. With a thought, he could fling Ruddy and the sled halfway across the state. He wondered if Fred could stop him if he tried, but it didn’t matter.

  He was in control.

  Teri bit her lip as she watched Ruddy and Xeke struggle against each other. So much power colliding. She couldn’t shake the feeling she was watching a train wreck in slow motion.

  Sweat dripped from Ruddy’s face. Massive cords of muscle bulged in his shoulders and calves, and he grunted with effort as he pushed against the force of Xeke’s power. This was the first time she had seen him really push himself.

  On the other side of the field, Xeke stood relaxed, hands in his pockets. The look of concentration on his face was the only outward sign he was doing anything at all. With her powers, Teri could see what was really happening. He was a lightning conduit of pure energy.

  How is Ruddy still on his feet? She wondered.

  Xeke’s power made a blinding surge. The sled rolled backwards, leaving furrows from Ruddy’s dug-in feet trailing it. There was a scream of steel twisting and the sled crumpled like paper. Metal scrap slammed into Ruddy from every side.

  A collective gasp of horror arose from the audience, but Teri sensed no pain or fear from Ruddy.

  They all ran to meet Ruddy as he crawled out of the wreckage. “Oh shit, are you okay?” Xeke said.

  Ruddy nodded. “Fine.”

  “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have— Thank God you’re not hurt.”

  “What are you sorry for?” Ruddy said. “You beat me. Good game.”

  Teri froze as Ruddy’s emotions washed over her.

  Fred put her hand on Xeke’s shoulder.

  “Well done,” Fred said. “We’ve finally made a breakthrough. Thanks to you, Ruddy.”

  Ruddy shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Sure you did,” Fred said. “You inspired Xeke to get off his lazy butt. He’s been half-assing it since he first came to Penatuka.”

  “No, I haven’t,” Xeke said. “I was just being careful. We’re lucky Ruddy didn’t get hurt.”

  “Ruddy’s instinctive ability to protect himself with his power is unprecedented,” Fred said. “He was never in any danger. I doubt blunt force trauma is ever going to be an issue for him.”

  Ruddy stared at his feet. “Like I said, I’m fine.”

  “Xeke, this is what I’ve been trying to teach you for years,” Fred said. “Even though your powers are all but unlimited, you control them, not the other way around. You have to know that.”

  Xeke frowned. “All right. I get it.”

  “I’m not sure you do,” Fred said. “You still have a lot to learn, but we’ve made progress. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of both of you.”

  Cymber pushed past Xeke and hugged Ruddy. “That was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I lost,” Ruddy said.

  She took a step back and looked him over. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “How many times do I have to say I’m fine?”

  “You did great,” she said. “I can’t believe you managed to stand up to Xeke for so long. Finally. Someone who can put him in his place.”

  He turned away from her. “You don’t have to act like it’s a big deal. It was just a game.”

  “What?” Cymber’s eyes narrowed. “Ruddy, don’t be like …” She gasped as she was lifted into the air by Xeke’s power.

  “Put me in my place, did he?” Xeke said. He laughed. “How about I put you in your place?

  “Oh, no, Xeke, not now!” she said. “Put me down.”

  Xeke laughed harder and lifted her higher. “Oh, please. You love to fly.”

  “Seriously,” she said. “This is not a good time. Put me down.”

  “Or what?” he said. “You heard Fred. My power is unlimited.”

  “Put ... her ... down,” Ruddy spat.

  Xeke saw Ruddy’s face and took a step back. He reached out to him through the link, but for once Ruddy’s mental shields were impenetrable.

  Xeke lowered Cymber to the ground. “We’re just playing around, Ruddy. We do this all the time.”

  “Whatever.” Ruddy unclenched his fists. “I’m tired. I need a nap.” He turned and stalked away.