Page 53 of Shifting Tides

“Are you trying to scare me?” she asked, her tone eerily calm.

“No, I—”

“I’m not going to pretend that what you said isn’t real or doesn’t matter,” she interrupted. “Iknowit’s real. My world was shattered by something I never thought existed until it happened. But it’s a little overwhelming learning that I grow a tail when I touch salt water.”

She laughed, but it sounded humorless and harsh.

“The first time I went under, I sprouted gills! It’s just really overwhelming and Ken…” she paused. “It’s nice thatsomepeople are helping me ease into this. And adjust.”

She began packing her notes and computer into her bag with assertive, jerky movements.

Crap, she was leaving. I’d really pissed her off. I needed to control this situation.

“You know, the first time I conjured fire, I set my mother’s favorite rug on fire,” I said, making a conscious effort to soften my tone. I prayed it was enough to make her stay. I hadn’t even found out anything useful yet.

And I honestly didn’t want her to go.

She stood to leave.

I stood, too. “What I’m trying to say is that I get it. Figuring out your powers and where you fit in the shifter world can be overwhelming.”

“You don’t understand,” she said and walked from the table.

“I know I don’t understand.” I rounded the table and chased after her. “I was born knowing what I was, but I still struggled. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. It terrified me the first time sparks flew through my fingers. My father had to disable the smoke alarm for about three months until I gained more control.”

I was hoping to receive at least a smile but got only an annoyed frown.

She did stop walking to look at me, though.

“How did you finally get control?” she asked, eyeing me cautiously.

I should’ve known she’d ask, but I’d already opened up so much more than I’d intended that the question caught me off guard. “I–I learned to play the piano.”

“The piano?” There was that skeptical look again.

“Yeah, I mean, the playing wasn’t what taught me control,” I amended. “Practice did that. But learning the piano was what finally calmed me enough to deal with all of the fear that was causing my powers to be so out of control.”

That got a small smile from her.

And I realized I’d accidentally led the conversation to the perfect line of questioning. “Do you play?” I asked.

She shook her head.

“Do you…sing?”I tried to sound nonchalant about it but heard the emphasis in my voice.

“No, my musical talent is limited to Spotify playlists,” she said. “I’ll see you later, Tobias.”

I didn’t want her to leave. I’d upset her, and though she infuriated me for lots of reasons, I craved her company. Deep down, I knew this need wasn’t just because of my familyobligations, but there was no way I was going to dissect that—not any time soon. I just…neededto keep her from walking away—from this conversation—from me.

I scrambled to think of anything that would make her stay just a second longer. “There’s a party this weekend,” I blurted out.

That did it. She turned back to me with that eyebrow raised beneath that errant lock of blue hair that insisted on covering part of her forehead.

“It’s at Jackson’s house off campus. A were.”

“I, uh—”

“You should come with me.” I hadn’t meant to add thewith mepart. But it was too late now. I braced myself for the rejection.

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