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  “Selena . . . ” Lily said gently. It was an unspoken warning to watch myself. I’d already been to the brink of crazy once today; twice was testing it.

  I took a step back, putting a foot of distance between my hotheaded sister and myself. Taking a deep breath, I walked around her to regain my self-control. I paused as I grasped the door handle. “I’m your sister, and I’m sorry you feel like this is a dictatorship. I’ve done everything in my power to make it up to you the past five years. I can’t change who or what I am, Alexandra. I’ve always had your best interests at heart, and the fact that you still question that . . . frankly, it pisses me off. I didn’t choose to be the strong one. I was born that way. I’m going to make you a promise, sister. If you pull shit like this again, I’ll give you a reminder why this isn’t a democracy.”

  Though the water was running, there was no doubt she could hear me. Her entire body went still; she knew what I was talking about. With her memories from that night resurfacing along with mine, I walked out, letting her decide for herself if she believed my threat, or if she was going to call my bluff.

  Chapter 4

  Even though Mariana’s house was miles from civilization, it was hard to get a moment of privacy with five other Supernaturals under the same roof. That was what had driven the three of us out onto the deserted road—a chance to speak openly. I hadn’t really missed Alexandra’s input on things in the last week, but I supposed it was necessary if we were to decide what to do. In all my grandest plans, I’d never considered boarding school . . . until my aunt announced that she was shipping us off with her brats.

  I didn’t know what bothered me more: that she’d waited five years to remove us from the human world, or the thought of this boarding school—Daizlei Academy for the Prodigies of Tomorrow and Home of the Gifted. ‘Gifted.’ That was what they were calling us nowadays. I’d laughed when I first heard it. My aunt had avoided going into the details, but we all knew what she meant. We were going to a school for Supernaturals. The thought should’ve thrilled me. I wanted nothing more than to be done with humankind, the parasite on our planet. But even now, at the end of the week, it was the why that still bothered me. Why wait five years? Why now?

  I’d manifested long before my parents’ deaths. Hell, even Alexandra had manifested years before. There had to be a reason. Something I was missing. My parents knew where we would go in the event of their deaths. They knew we were unstable. All Supernatural children are, to a certain degree. Physically and mentally unprepared to live undetected in the human world. The three of us together? I shook my head in disbelief. They had to have known the consequences. We should’ve gone to Mariana first, no questions asked. So why hadn’t we? Unless . . . they hadn’t wanted us to. Why wouldn’t they want us to, then? I sighed.

  “What?” Lily asked.

  “This is just all so confusing,” I said, more calmly than I felt.

  “Tell me about it . . . ” Alexandra mumbled.

  “It could be worse,” Lily said.

  Normally, I agreed with her, but not this time. “Not really,” I said quietly.

  “Oh, don’t you start too. Look, I know this is confusing, but we’ll get through it. We always do,” she continued, her stubbornness setting in. Lily was the sun that would not be eclipsed if only from her sheer willpower. Her voice was too high, and it gave away that she wasn’t nearly as optimistic as she tried to pretend.

  “How? Lily, I can’t control my temper. I don’t care what that bitch says, we all know what’s going to happen when I lose it,” Alexandra said.

  “Seriously? You’re going with that same old excuse? Grow up,” Lily retorted.

  Her tone was so cold she sounded both dead and alive. Alexandra’s escapades had cost her dearly, and it seemed she was tired of rolling over. She was ready to fight for something. If only that something wasn’t a boarding school that made my hair stand on end.

  “Grow up? Really? You’re one to talk. You still cry yourself to sleep every night. Grow some balls, Lily. Maybe take a step outside your books every now and then, and you’ll see that the world isn’t all rainbows and butterflies.” She sneered.

  “Rainbows and butterflies? Are you really that ignorant, or is it your arrogance? I take three different medications so that I don’t slip into severe depression. Every time I close my eyes, I see coffins and cliffs, and you want to judge me?” The color drained from Lily’s face as she gritted her teeth.

  “Stop,” I said, stepping between them. “This is ridiculous. Are you guys really going to sit here and argue about whose vices are worse? That’s hardly the issue at hand.” I glared at them.

  “You’re right. It’s not her issues that are the problem. It’s her.” Alexandra scowled down at her.

  “Me? You’re the reason we’re here in the first place!” Lily cried, throwing her hands up in anger.

  “And you’re defending every word that lying bitch says!”

  “I’m not defending her, you idiot. I . . . I agree with her.” Lily looked down, staring at her hands.

  Alexandra stared open-mouthed at her. “You seriously believe all that bull—”

  “No. I know she’s not telling us everything, and I know you both have your little conspiracy theories, but . . . but I think she’s right.” She met my eyes, pleading. “We won’t be roomed together, and we probably won’t have the same exact schedules, but I think it’s best for us. Honestly, I need some space from you. From all of this.” She waved her hands at the air around her. “And you need to get your attitude in check. I know you can’t ignore everything, but you go off at every other thing. I don’t know how Selena does it.”

  I rolled my eyes. Self-control.

  “How very self-righteous of you,” Alexandra said.

  “Self-righteous? Do you even know what that means?” Lily said.

  “Probably not,” I said dryly.

  Lily snickered.

  “Don’t even start with me,” Alexandra shot at me.

  I raised my eyebrow, daring her to do something.

  “Or what? You’ll flip out and burn her alive?” Lily motioned to me, letting out a cold laugh. “Did you ever think that she’s given up everything for us? Every time you make a mistake, she fixes it. Every time I wake up screaming, she’s there. Every time. I know you have your reservations about us going to Daizlei, but if not for yourself, do it for her.”

  I held up my hand to stop her there. “Those are beautiful words, but I’m fine, thank you. And I think you’ve made your case.” My tone was short. I didn’t leave room for argument, and yet she continued.

  “See? You don’t even know how to handle normal human interaction. If someone says something you don’t want to hear, you just dismiss them . . . ” Lily faltered slightly in a tirade that was coming far too close to the truth.

  “Firstly, we’re not human. Secondly, when did you become a psychologist? I think we’re done here,” I said.

  Lily snorted and turned to Alexandra for help.

  “She has a point, ” Alexandra muttered under her breath.

  I turned on my heel, fed up with the bullshit.

  “There you go again!” Lily called.

  “What do you want me to say?” I snapped. “I’m not this way because I take care of you two. I’m this way because of what I am. Maintaining control has never been more important.” I pointed at Alexandra.

  “Case in point.” Lily nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Hey—”

  “If you want to go there, that’s great. I’m happy for you. I don’t. I’ve already got enough shit to deal with, so forgive me for not sharing your enthusiasm. We’re going because we have to. We have no other option at the moment.” My chest start to constrict, my frustration getting the better of me. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes, feeling the earth beneath my feet, and the wind in my hair. Only when I was calm did I open my eyes and turn to Lily.

  “I have no choice. So I’d really appreciate it if you wo
uld back off.” There was a warning in my tone. Silence that spoke of danger and an edge that was almost desperate. It wasn’t the kind of lapse in control that would kill someone, but it stirred something in me.

  Control and power are two very separate things that dance on a fine line. Sort of like love and hate. Having one without the other is useless; having both or neither can lead to self-destruction. The key is balance. I’d spent over a decade perfecting the scale. Yet, as I stood there, I felt the scale tip. Slightly—oh so slightly—but it did, and I knew in my heart that there was no coming back. It was only a matter of time now.

  “If something happens, will you move us again?” Lily asked suddenly.

  I flexed my fingers, contemplating my answer.

  Would I? If I did something, we would have no choice, but even getting out of boarding school wouldn’t be enough to make me come undone. Life or death. Nothing less would draw it out of me. Nothing.

  “I don’t know,” I answered, turning to face them.

  “Can you do it again?” she continued.

  I frowned a little and looked past her at the horizon. “I don’t know,” I said.

  She nodded twice.

  “I think if it really came down to it, or if you guys really wanted it . . . I could,” I said quietly, turning back toward the house. I was tired, and this conversation was going nowhere.

  “You do realize you may not have to move us again. I could, like, end up burning down the school before it came to that,” Alexandra said, and my lips curved up in a half-smile. If there was one thing we shared, it was our twisted sense of humor.

  “Yep. I’m banking on it.”

  Chapter 5

  “I trust you talked it over.” It wasn’t a question.

  I took a seat across from my aunt in her medieval dining room. My sisters took their seats, and Alexandra eyed our cousins with suspicion. Red walls and that godawful chandelier set the mood for a very disagreeable conversation. I silently hoped I was wrong. I’d dealt with too much this week. I didn’t think I could take any more surprises.

  “We came to a mutual understanding,” Lily responded stiffly.

  “I believe the term is impasse,” I said.

  Lily shot me a glare before stabbing her lasagna.

  I sighed. I knew how badly she wanted to go—to get away. She always had. At what price? I couldn’t blame her for wanting friends, but then, by the same token, she couldn’t be angry with me for my reservations.

  “Impasse?” Mariana’s voice curled around the word like a snake. “I must say, I am mildly curious. Might I ask what you’re disagreeing about?” Her haunting, familiar gray eyes never left my face.

  I stiffened almost imperceptibly as a chill ran down my back. “Your school.”

  Mild surprise and immediate interest danced in her eyes. I pushed the lasagna around, suddenly not hungry. “Hmmm. What about it?”

  “She’s concerned with the safety aspect,” Lily cut in.

  “Ah. Well, you can rest assured that you will be completely safe there. I understand your hesitance, but the campus is in a very secure and remote location.”

  She’d misunderstood. Of course, most Supernaturals would be concerned with attacks from the outside, not within. I should’ve been thinking the same thing, and yet . . . the need to protect my secrets overrode my distrust of the human species.

  “And what about from within?” I asked tentatively. I didn’t want to give anything away, but I had to know.

  “What exactly are you asking?” She cocked her head, examining me.

  “Are the students safe from each other?” I said, choosing to be blunt as I leaned forward and returned her gaze.

  A smirk played on her lips. “Of course. Students are heavily supervised at all times. Especially when using their abilities.” She laughed, and my cousin Blair joined her.

  “What kind of abilities are we dealing with here?” I continued, ignoring the snort that came from Alexandra two seats down.

  “That’s a complex question, dear. You may as well ask how many kinds of flowers are out back. Every ability is different. They can be physical or mental. Weak or strong. It all depends on the individual. Daizlei has over three thousand students . . . so your guess is as good as mine.” She smiled, but I suddenly felt very, very sick. Three thousand Supernaturals . . .

  I could barely manage the five people at the table. Three thousand was incomprehensible. It would be physically impossible for me to shield myself from that many people. I’d go crazy just trying.

  “That does brings up a very good point. What are your abilities? I should let the headmaster know before your arrival,” she went on, unaware of my silent breakdown.

  My heart skipped a beat. I still hadn’t found an excuse—not a respectable one anyway.

  “I can heal people,” Lily spoke up beside me.

  “Really? That’s a very unique gift. Can you heal yourself also?” She looked fascinated.

  “No.” She shook her head delicately. Her soft blond hair swished back and forth, light as a feather.

  “Shame . . . ” she murmured.

  Lily frowned in surprise at her disapproval, but didn’t speak.

  “And you?” She turned to Alexandra.

  A wicked grin spread across her face as she did something I should’ve expected. Opening her hand palm up, she allowed a small flame to dance across her skin. Safe. Contained. Until she lifted it to her lips as if she were blowing a kiss. It fanned eight feet high and arced over the already burning candles, melting them to stubs as they splattered all over the food.

  Mariana jumped back as part of the white tablecloth caught fire.

  “Alexandra!” Lily and I admonished in unison.

  She giggled like a four-year-old with her hand in the cookie jar.

  I scowled at the fire as it spread.

  “Blair,” Mariana commanded.

  My cousin stood, lifting her hand the way Alexandra had when commanding the fire. She wasn’t a fire user, however; she was ice. Her fingers turned an unreal blue as frozen flakes blew from her hand and settled on the fire until it died out.

  Blair turned an icy glare on my hotheaded sister, who looked rather pissed off that someone had stolen her thunder. “You’re arrogant and foolish. Just because you have power doesn’t mean you should abuse it like a parlor trick. Maybe Daizlei will do you some good. You obviously need it more than we need you.” She turned on her heel and strode out the room. I listened to her walk away until she reached the second floor and silence overshadowed the table.

  A sharp clap pierced my ears as the brunette stood, applauding slowly. “Well, this has been the most interesting family dinner we’ve ever had. I’m going to head out now, but we should do this again some time. Thanks for the entertainment, cousin.” Elizabeth made a grand bow with a sweep of her hand. It was comical in a way, and amusement danced in her eyes.

  “And, Mother, I told you to get rid of that ugly chandelier three years ago. You can blame yourself. I do.” She smiled sarcastically as she looked up at the chandelier, shaking her head. Her cocky grin was admirable, and I appreciated the easygoing tone in her voice that was a warm contrast to those icy stares and clipped voices. When she swaggered out of the dining room with an arrogance so like my own, I couldn’t help smiling.

  “Well, I’ll be going now. It’s about time I turn in for the night.” I got to my feet and started to leave.

  “Not so fast,” Mariana said harshly, moving to block the door.

  I raised an eyebrow, but remained where I was. Alexandra stood to follow me, and Lily sighed. “Yes?”

  “I don’t know who you think you are, but you will not turn my house upside down. You may think you’re something special, and you might be, but you’re in for a rude awakening in three days.” She looked from Alexandra to me, and I rolled my eyes. “While you may know how to use your enhanced senses, I doubt you’re even a level three. I suggest you drop the attitude before you get to Daizlei.” She looked
at me like I was filth on the bottom of her shoe. That would’ve pissed me off if she hadn’t just been my saving grace.

  Without realizing it, she’d provided me with the perfect alibi to hide what I was. Enhanced senses. Strength. Speed. Reflexes. Due to my real ability, mine were far greater than most Supernaturals, but she didn’t know that. We could really do this.

  I could do this.

  If I didn’t go crazy first.

  Chapter 6

  Sunrise. I loved to see it. When I was a kid, my dad would take me out on the roof to watch it every morning—we were always early risers—and even five years after he died, I’d never missed one. I used to think of him when I saw it. The time we spent together, and the talks we had. I would think about boxing, living, my promise . . .

  But not today.

  Not now.

  I had too much on my plate. Too many things depended on me not screwing up. How was I going to handle a school full of Supernaturals? I may be able to pretend I had enhanced senses, but I couldn’t ignore the situation Mariana had put me in. What she was asking for could ruin me, and my sisters. It could ruin their shot at a better life. My parents’ dying wish wouldn’t be fulfilled.

  Normal? I tested the word. No, we would never be normal. I could hope for happiness—for them, at least. Would they be happy there? Lily wanted it so badly she could taste it, but Alexandra didn’t know what she wanted. Who was to say they wouldn’t hate it?