I sure as fuck am. “Don’t touch me,” I warn, shrugging her hand off me.
My blood is boiling, fists clenching involuntarily. I’m seconds away from knocking her and Neema on their asses.
As if sensing that, Saint moves closer, ready to intervene if needed. Our gazes lock for a second. I feel Gray watching me, too. I’m sure both men can see me trembling with anger.
Walk away.
I heed the thought, recognizing what a terrible idea it would be to fight these girls when I’m trying to earn their trust.
Exhaling slowly, I unclench my fists and step back from the group. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“What? Don’t feel like talking anymore?” Evlynne mocks.
“Oh, shut up, Evlynne.” I hear Luisa sigh.
I’m halfway down the slope when footsteps sound behind me, pebbles cascading along the ground as Gray finally catches up to me.
“Wren, wait. Are you all right?”
I shrug. “I’m fine.”
He falls into step with me. “I’m surprised you walked away. That’s not a Darlington move.”
A reluctant smile breaks free. “What would a Darlington move have been?”
“Remember when you beat the shit out of Kess from Silver Block after she mocked you about your uncle?” He grins at me. “That’sa Darlington move.”
“Maybe I’m maturing.”
“Well, that’s boring.”
We head down the path, guided by the moonlight. I can’t shake the weight on my shoulders, the depressing realization that I might never win over everyone here.
“I wasn’t lying up there, by the way,” I say, avoiding his eyes. “I don’t plan on inciting anyone, not if I can help it.”
“That’s why you need to control it. It’s too dangerous otherwise.”
I’m well fucking aware of that. My ability to incite is always lurking just beneath the surface like a silent threat. Like a wild animal that could break free at the slightest provocation. Why couldn’t I have manifestedanyother power? I’d even prefer to be an empath, and Ihatefeeling smothered by other people’s emotions.
But this, I hate so much more. Incitement makes me feel like an outsider.
“I don’t know if Kallister told you,” Gray says, “but I volunteered to be your lab rat for incitement training.”
“I heard. Are you sure you want to take that risk?”
“Wouldn’t have offered otherwise.”
“When did you want to start training?”
He glances over, shrugging. “How about now?”
We go to his quarters because he has more space, settling on opposite ends of the couch. I sit cross-legged and rake both hands through my hair to tuck it behind my ears.
“Why are you letting me do this to you?” I ask warily.
He rolls up his sleeves, making himself comfortable. “Because you need to train, and you can’t do that without working with someone.”
“Hawkins said no one wants to train with him.” A glum breath slides out. “And I see the way everyone looks at him. Nobody even goes near him in the mess hall.”
