"Yeah, I'm sure."
It was three hours later. School had ended, and now Tristan and Jared stood out on the lawn, comparing notes. Tristan had found two more Others, and Jared had identified them as Thomas and Allison Greene, cousins. Tristan was starting to suspect that the difference might be somewhat genetic. Jared had told him everything about the exchange during Latin, and now Tristan was frowning in thought. "And she said it was none of your business?"
"Yeah."
Tristan shook his head. "No one says that unless they don't want anyone to know what they're doing. If Destiny was really just starting a study group or making friends, Blair wouldn't be defensive."
"I know." Jared stuck his hands in his pockets. "So what now?"
Tristan sighed. "I guess we create a study group of our own."
__________
Before an hour had passed Jared had gained the cell numbers and cooperation of Kyle, Megan, and Allison. It was just a study group, he said--with one of the school's best students heading it. The two girls now sat in Tristan's living room, chatting, and Jared had coaxed Kyle into building a house of cards with him. Tristan finished tying Chira to the porch, using the long leash he'd kept to remember his old dog. Liz was at a friend's house, and their mother wouldn't get home until late.
Thank goodness.
Tristan walked inside and sat on the couch with a sigh. Auras, monsters, and Destiny Hunt somehow paled before the task that lay before him: explaining something he didn't understand to a bunch of teens he didn't know. Untested theories and personality profiles couldn't replace actual understanding. He didn't know how to approach these people, how to reassure them and keep them safe. He didn't know what any of them could do, or why they were different. He didn't know anything!
Well, nothing important.
He looked up at Megan and Allison. The aura was there, in equal evidence around both of them, but something had changed. He focused, and their auras became different, in color and feel. Allison's was earthy and green, gentle but unyielding. Megan's, on the other hand, had gone red and crackly, bright and a little too warm for Tristan.
Well, what did you know. They controlled elements.
Jared and Kyle came around the corner. Jared's aura had turned soft and warm, luring people in and keeping them safe. Jared didn't even know about his powers of charm and persuasion. Interesting...and it explained his connections.
Kyle's was difficult to describe. His felt rebellious, hazardous, and if he tried Tristan could hear faint screams and explosions. Kyle's ability wasn't dangerous in and of itself, however. He didn't cause the trouble; he just felt it, and gravitated towards it. Probably the reason he got detention every day.
Tristan sighed and stood. "Does everyone know why we're here?" They didn't, but it seemed like the best place to start.
Megan frowned. "To do our homework?"
"I've got a geometry test tomorrow," Allison offered.
Kyle shrugged. "I was bored."
Tristan sighed again.
Thank goodness.
Tristan walked inside and sat on the couch with a sigh. Auras, monsters, and Destiny Hunt somehow paled before the task that lay before him: explaining something he didn't understand to a bunch of teens he didn't know. Untested theories and personality profiles couldn't replace actual understanding. He didn't know how to approach these people, how to reassure them and keep them safe. He didn't know what any of them could do, or why they were different. He didn't know anything!
Well, nothing important.
He looked up at Megan and Allison. The aura was there, in equal evidence around both of them, but something had changed. He focused, and their auras became different, in color and feel. Allison's was earthy and green, gentle but unyielding. Megan's, on the other hand, had gone red and crackly, bright and a little too warm for Tristan.
Well, what did you know. They controlled elements.
Jared and Kyle came around the corner. Jared's aura had turned soft and warm, luring people in and keeping them safe. Jared didn't even know about his powers of charm and persuasion. Interesting...and it explained his connections.
Kyle's was difficult to describe. His felt rebellious, hazardous, and if he tried Tristan could hear faint screams and explosions. Kyle's ability wasn't dangerous in and of itself, however. He didn't cause the trouble; he just felt it, and gravitated towards it. Probably the reason he got detention every day.
Tristan sighed and stood. "Does everyone know why we're here?" They didn't, but it seemed like the best place to start.
Megan frowned. "To do our homework?"
"I've got a geometry test tomorrow," Allison offered.
Kyle shrugged. "I was bored."
Tristan sighed again.
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