Chapter 11. Carmen

I watch the ripples through the trees and foliage move in satisfying patterns with every turn and twist of my hand, sighing loudly that it’s become this easy, so second nature, and doesn’t thrill me as it did at the beginning of honing my gifts. The downside to having them is the ability to feel others’ emotions beyond Colton. Whether I want to or not, that, too, has been heightened in the past few months, so I must constantly dampen it down. I hate feeling what anyone near me feels, just from being within ten feet. Unlike when Colton and I share moods and emotions, it feels more invasive somehow, but it helps me deal with my people. Feeling when they are hurt, sad, or afraid, I can put them at ease or help in some small way. It’s like being psychic, in a way.

“Who knew you would turn out to be this gifted?” The familiar snooty female voice behind me startles out of my absentminded manipulation of the trees. I turn in surprise, bristling slightly to face Carmen as she stands b