Page 137 of Glutton for Punishment

He notices.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” he says. “I know where I fall on the food chain between the three of us.”

“Alexi, this is ridiculous,” I lower my voice to a whisper. “We’ve barely spoken. I was under the impression that the bond was off the table for us. You’re a Luster!”

It’s hard to read him, but he looks sheepish, so I continue. “What’s this really about?”

“It’s not working anymore, is it?”

“What?” I ask, confused at the change of topic.

“During your monologue, I got to thinking. Why would Arwen, poor little previous sinless Arwen, be upset after a class where she gets to use her new big bad power?”

He taps his chin, like he’s thinking. “And then it hits me. Your power’s not working. Or you’re not controlling it? Something has gone wrong. Or maybe you just don’t like using it?”

Damn him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alexi snorts behind me as I walk away. He catches up quickly.

“I think you do.”

We turn down a quieter corridor, the noise from the bathhouse lounge fading behind us.

“Fuck off, Alexi.”

“Did you know you get aggressive when you’re embarrassed,” he continues.

“I get aggressive when people annoy me.”

“Just slow down and talk to me,” he says, grabbing my arm lightly. “I’m trying to help. Maddox isn’t here. Clearly something is going on with Atticus. I’m assuming his father is involved.”

I shoot him a surprised look. He really is damn observant.

“When was the last time it worked properly?” he asks.

I decide to give in. “I don’t know… before the academy, I guess.”

A little information, sure. But he doesn’t need to know the full bloody details of the appendage removal.

“Hm,” he responds like that answer alone told him something important.

“So what’s changed?” he asks.

“Nothing has changed.”

“Lying doesn’t suit you.”

“Universe, are all Lust students this insufferable?”

He leans one shoulder against the wall beside me, expression relaxed.

“You came back to Gluttony with power,” he says. “You use it multiple times. Successfully. And maybe a little violently, from the stories I’ve heard.” His eyes flick to mine. “Then suddenly it stops responding.”

I swallow hard.

“Trauma can affect powers,” I say defensively.