Page 126 of Coerced

Confused again, I looked over - and my jaw dropped.

Kerry was lit up with power.

I mean,lotsof power.

Like, more power than I knew was possible from one neph. Lightning spat and crackled along his skin, his hair stood straight up, and his eyes—

Normally, I’d say he had the most beautiful eyes in the world. Siberian-husky blue and as smooth as glass. Now, they lit up the room like cold hellfire.

“I’m okay, Kerry.” I kept my voice low and even, not wanting to be the match to this gasoline fire. “Settle down.”

“I’m sorry!” He locked his hands behind his head. “I’m so sorry! Are you alive?”

“She’s standing here talking to you, isn’t she?” Rome snapped.

Kerry lapsed into swearing again, and I traded a look with Rome. He shrugged, his face saying it was up to me how I wanted to handle this. I turned back to Kerry.

“Calmdown!” I frowned. “I’m fine!”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You hit the wall pretty hard.”

“So I’ll have a few bruises. I’ve had worse.”

“You grabbed me.” He dropped his arms. “You can’t do that.Pleasedon’t do that. Okay? I think I had a heart attack when you hit the wall.”

“You and me both. No touching. Got it. Good to know. I’m sor—”

“Don’t say you’re sorry! It’s not your fault, so don’t apologize. Look, I’m messed up to begin with, but right now I’m half crazy with worry and afraid of what—” He glanced away and swallowed hard. “Look, if you could help me out by not touching me, I would appreciate it.”

“Understood.” I moved closer to him, aware of Rome flanking me. “Now, release all this energy so you can try on the masterpiece of armor I’ve wrought for you.”

He didn’t dissipate the power like I expected. Instead, he kinda … swallowed it. Absorbed it or something, I guessed.

I haveneverseen anything like this guy!

“Sorry, Mira.” He shambled toward me with his head down. “I really, really am.”

“I know.”

“I’ll let you punch me if you wanna.”

“I’m not going to punch you.” I smiled a little. “It was a misunderstanding. They happen between people all the time.”

“Yeah, but misunderstandings with me can be fatal.” He closed his eyes, misery in every line of his face. “I tried to tell Gigi I can’t do this right now. I need to go!”

“What can’t you do?” I cocked my head and studied him.

“Be all civilized and crap! I don’t wanna hurt any of you!”

Hmm. Go hard or soft? Which would his beloved Gemma use to get her way?I almost smiled.Oh, soft, I’m sure. I can see her giving him the ol’ doe eyes, and this boy - this fearsome, fierce boy - caves to her in a heartbeat. I’d bet good money on it.

“Kerry Harker,” I layered the words with menace, “are you telling me you’re leaving after I put my heart and soul into this cuirass? Why are you being so mean to me today?”

“Huh?” His eyes flew open.

“I puteverythinginto this,” I raised my voice just a tad to sound angry, “and now you wanna leave without even trying it on? Don’t you appreciate my hard work at all?”

“No, I— Wait. What?”

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