“Yes, Jamie was able to get you calmed down long enough for the medication to be administered. Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t have been able to get it in, and then, well, I don’t know what might have happened. But it was crucial that we get that second shot in to your system, and his healing allowed that to happen.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t remember Jamie stopping the pain!” she exclaimed. She made a mental note to make sure and thank Jamie the next time she saw him.

“That’s pretty typical,” Aaron explained. “Now that we use this accelerated method, most individuals tend to suppress the entire Transformation process, so the fact that you remembered any of it on your own is pretty amazing, actually.”

She nodded her understanding. “And you gave me the shot of medication,” she remembered.

“That’s right, I did. First shot I’ve ever given anyone, and I’m extremely thankful I hit a vein or else, who knows where you might be right now.”

“That’s nice to know,” she muttered. “Speaking of where I might end up, I’ve been wanting to ask you, should my knowledge of the Clandestine Ternion change my religious beliefs at all?”

“I get that question a lot, and all I can truly say is, if anything, in my experience, it should make them stronger. You just went from a God you believed had somehow managed to create one amazing species of free-willed beings when now, as you know, it’s really four—at least four that we’re aware of. So, I would say that, if you were a religious person before, this shouldn’t change that.”

That was a relief for Cadence. She had been brought up attending church, and while she knew she was a sinner like everyone else, she felt better knowing that there was an omnipotent being out there watching over her.

They were both quiet for a moment as she pondered his response. He was looking away from her, and she was content to study his profile, admiring his flawlessly structured jawline, the way his nose was perfectly proportioned to the rest of his features. She knew he could feel her staring, and she chose not to care. He glanced in her direction and then looked away again, that shade of light pink that always took over when he was embarrassed just starting to make itself known. Her mother had always told her it was rude to stare, but she thought she could make an exception under these circumstances. She leaned forward just a bit as she quietly asked, “So, what’s your superpower? I know you must have one.”

He looked back in her general direction and gave her a small, shy smile. “You’d never believe me if I told you,” he said.

“Why do you say that?” she asked a little offended.

“Because, you don’t seem to think I have even the slightest amount of talent in this particular area, so there’s no way you’d ever believe that I’m actually better at it than practically every other individual ever born.”

She had to know what he was talking about. “Try me,” she said leaning even farther toward him.

Talking about his gift must’ve made him uncomfortable because he was changing colors again. She was surprised at how easily she could cause him to blush. Someone as powerful and experienced at life as him should’ve been less self-conscious, she thought.

Eventually, he cautiously replied, “Well, I can actually read other people’s thoughts based on their emotions. I’m what is referred to as a Sensitive.”

Her eyebrows flew up. “Really?” she asked a little surprised.

“Yes, it comes in very handy. Often."

“So, if you can read people’s minds why do you need the IAC?”

“It’s not quite the same thing,” he explained. “I can’t read minds; I can build understanding based on the perceptions of others. So, I can’t climb into your head and know Cadence is thinking 'Elliott is the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on,’ for example. The snickering and eye rolling is noted, by the way.” She couldn’t help but laugh at that interjection. “It’s more like, I know you’re thinking about love—or lust—based on the emotions I can read coming from you, and then, build a scenario for what you are actually thinking about. Chances are if you’re looking at a puppy, and I get emotions of joy and nostalgia, you’re not thinking about what you had for lunch. Does that make sense?”

“It does,” she confirmed. “Especially the part about me lusting after Elliott.”

“Oh, well, then I’ll let him know,” he said grinning as she rolled her eyes again.

“So, when I first met you, and I thought you were an unbelievable prick, you knew that?”

“Actually, no, I didn’t. See, that’s the funny thing, Cadence, I have a hard time reading you. I can’t quite figure out what it is. Sometimes I know exactly what you’re thinking—almost to the mental picture in your head—and then other times you surprise me. Like when you said I was ‘creepy.’ I did not see that coming.”

“Ha!” she laughed. She wanted to say that was a long time ago, but in reality, it just seemed like a long time. It was really just a few days ago. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t think you’re creepy anymore. And, honestly, I thought everything was creepy that night. Because it was.”

“I’m not sure about that. I’m pretty sure you really did think I was creepy when we first met. But I’ll let it slide.” It was her turn to blush now. He was leaning a bit closer

“So, do you think I still consider you creepy?” she asked, sticking her toes into the proverbial water.

He stared at her for a moment and bit his bottom lip, which made Cadence’s heart flutter a bit. “No, I don’t think you think I’m creepy.” She nodded, realizing she was beginning to sink into those piercing blue eyes.

As if he could sense they were treading on thin ice, he leaned away from her and added. “I do know when you’re mad at me though; that’s for damn sure.”

Cadence burst into laughter, happy to relieve the tension. After she caught her breath, she said, “Well, stop sneaking up on me! Seriously, you do that after you train me and I might hurt you!”

“Oh, really?” he asked. “You think you could do that?” She could tell he was teasing her, and she played along, nodding in agreement. “Actually, you probably could. I’m anxious to see what we discover once we get you out in training. I have a feeling, which is my superpower, that you’re going to be able to do things we’ve never seen before.”

“Well, I hope I don’t disappoint you,” she said quietly.

“You won’t.” He shook his head. “I’m certain of that.”

It was getting late, and they both knew it. Aaron didn’t have to sleep like Cadence did, and her need to sleep would lessen over time as her body figured out what to do with all of the new energy she was able to produce. He glanced over his shoulder at the window, and she assumed he was thinking about leaving.

She felt like maybe she was the mind reader now, as she stifled a yawn. “I think it’s just about time for me to go to bed.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “What are your plans for tomorrow? Do you want to stay with your family a bit longer, or are you ready to go to headquarters?”

She pondered that question. She wouldn’t have minded staying with her family a while longer, but she knew some time away from her friends would be for the better. “Well, Eliza wanted to take me shopping before we went, but whatever you think is best is fine with me. I’m ready to get started.”

He absorbed that information momentarily. “Why don’t you go shopping with Eliza in the morning and then come to LIGHTS tomorrow afternoon? Do you know where she was going to take you?”

“No,” Cadence stated, “but she did say to ‘trust her.’”

“Oh, Lord,” he said, “You’re going to need a plane. All right, I’ll set that up. I’ll also get her your phone number so she can let you know when she’s here. Sound like a plan?”

She nodded in agreement. Now would come that really awkward goodbye routine that neither of them wanted to confront. He stood first, the window he used to get in and out just a few steps behind him. She stood also, but she didn’t step toward him; in fact, she didn’t move at all. She was wondering if he could tell how badly she wished he would kiss her.

It was almost as if she was transmitting the thought directly out of her head and into his, like she was using an IAC, it was so strong. Aaron opened his arms slightly, and took one cautious step toward her. Before she knew what she was doing, her hands were on his chest, the feel of his chiseled pecs evident as she slowly slid her arms around him. She leaned her head on his chest and melted into his embrace. Something told her that, if she turned her face toward his, he would probably kiss her. However, she’d given him more than one chance before now, and since he hadn’t done so, she thought there must be a reason he didn’t want to do it. Hopefully, it was just a matter of time. He was smoothing her hair with his right hand, his left rubbing her back, and she would have stood that way for a very long time if he’d let her. After a few minutes he released her. Cadence stepped back, looking up at him intently.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

She nodded.

“Please try to remember that, when I am your boss, I can’t be your friend. When I am a friend instead of a Leader, individuals die. Do you know what I mean?”

Again, she nodded, though she wasn’t quite sure what he was trying to say. And maybe she didn’t want to know.

“Good night, Cadence” he said, gently stroking her cheek before stepping toward the window once more.

“Good night,” she said as she watched him disappear. She walked over to her bed and flung herself down, elated and dismayed all at the same time. At least tomorrow morning should be fun before the real work began. She was looking forward to training, but she was also a bit terrified that she wouldn’t live up to everyone’s expectations. She knew they would all find out soon enough.

***

Aaron had parked his motorcycle several blocks away from Cadence’s house so as not to disturb her parents, but as he made his way back to it, he couldn’t help but think about how close he’d been to kissing her just now. Despite what he’d said to Elliott, there was something there he couldn’t deny. Cadence roused feelings in him he couldn’t remember having felt for decades, and with standing there looking up at him between those long eyelashes, it was almost impossible for him to keep from leaning over and pressing his lips against hers.

Luckily for him, self-control was another of his superpowers, or at least it was tonight, and he was able to resist the urge to kiss her, once again. Having her in his arms had brought out feelings he wasn’t ready to admit to, and he wondered how long he could keep up this charade. Clearly, it was too soon for him to complicate matters by pursuing a romantic relationship. But his pull to her was undeniable. He’d have to find a way to fight it, although, as he headed back to the airport, it seemed like defeating a legion of Vampires would be easier.