Chapter 8

“Looks like you've made quite the impression,” Dot teases, snapping out of death’s trance as | breaks eye contact with Mason. | follow Dot’s gaze to a friendly smile. Theoo waves excitedly when my eyes meet his. | smile back at him before my eyes flick back to Mason's nervously. He scowls before turning to say something to Thien. “Earlier, you referred to Mason as Theo's boyfriend. Is that true?” | ask, trying not to sound too interested. “I've heard rumours about it,” she shrugs. “Theo is a huge flirt and definitely isn’t opposed to men. Mason doesn’t tolerate many people, but he has a soft spot for Theo. In fact, | don’t think anyone has ever made Mason crack a smile apart from Theo,” “Well, one thing is for sure, and that’s that Mason hates already,” | huff. I've been here a few hours and I've already made an enemy... great! “Mason hates everyone, don’t take it personally,” she reassures. “He tried to kill me,” | snort, rubbing my throat at the memory. “He was just protecting Theo. It doesn’t help that Theo was spouting off about The Spar, though. That boy is so to be loved that he probably imagined the whole thing, and if it is true that Mason and Theo have something going on... well, you are a big threat to that,” she shrugs like it's no big deal. Dot's harem return with their food and | change the subject, not comfortable discussing this in front of them. “So what kind of classes are taught here? I'm assuming it’s a lot different from the human studies,” | ask the table. “We have standard classes that we all take, such as fitness, history, and all the boring stuff. Then we have different classes to complement our gifts, I'm currently studying medicine as | have a healing ability,” Dot says around a mouthful of pasta. And Marcus is doing combat training, we will be guardians of the realm. | Have superior strength, hearing, and speed,” Cole grins proudly and | gape at him. “I have enhanced speed and telekinesis so far,” Marcus winks. “I'm studying politics and human relations, | just have an affinity for telepathy at the moment,” Joe says, sounding less than pleased about it. “I've only just turned 18 and my gifts haven't been revealed yet, so I'm studying manifestation. I'm sure you'll be joining my class,” Max adds shyly. “Well,l I'm relieved there will be at least one friendly face in there,” | smile at him and take a sip of my juice. I'm glad I'm not the only one here who doesn’t have samazingability. “We have company,” Dot says quietly. | look up to see Theo approaching our table, his eyes are locked on me, and | see hope there: He slowly places his tray down opposite mine and casts glances at the rest of the table as if waiting to see if anyone is going to try and stop him. When no one protests, he takes his seat. “Hi,” he says quietly with a smile. “Hi,” | respond nervously, flicking my gaze behind him to see where Mason is. When | see the empty place where he had been earlier |I shift anxiously in my seat. “Is your boyfriend going to attack again if | talk to you?” | ask, feigning sarcasm. | hope Theo isn’t telepathic, | don’t want him to know how scared | actually am right now. “He’s not my boyfriend, and no. That was a complete misunderstanding. He sensed my fear and pain and then found the feet of a stranger in our home. He thought you were attacking me. When | explained it to him, he was full of remorse and felt just awful about the whole thing,” Theo answers, and | raise my eyebrow at him in disbelief. “Very heroic of him,” Dot deadpans. “If he’s sorry, then why hasn't he apologised? And why is he still shooting death glares?” | quiz. “He's just like that,” he shrugs in defeat. “Can we forget about him and talk about what happened between us?” Theo asks hopefully. “Je,ez Theo, she’s only been here five minutes and something happened between the two of you already?” Marcus laughs and shoves Theo playfully. “It was The Spark,” Theo tells him proudly, causing the whole table to erupt into laughter.. “Can someone please explain this spark thing to me? Keepeep hearing it but have no idea what it is, or what's so funny about it,” I huff. “It’s a myth. Just forget about it, “Dot rolls her eyes. “No, it's not. | I felt it,” Theo protests. “You felt it too, didn’t you, Josie?” he almost pleads, reaching out over the fable to take my hand. | pull my hand from his reach, not wanting another shock from him. | don’t miss the look of hurt in his eyes and | scramble to think of the right words to erase that look. “| felt something, like a static shock maybe?” | suggest. “A static shock that stopped my heart beating for a second and knocked me on my ass?” he scoffs. “Maybe she has an electrical gift?” Cole shrugs. “No. If none of you believe, then that’s fine, but | know what I felt, and when the seer reveals as one of her bonds, then maybe you'll start listening,” Theo scowls at the group, and then his expression softens as he looks back at me. So what you are trying to say is Josie is the harbinger of the apocalypse, there's danger afoot, and we should all prepare for doom?” Joe asks. “Someone better explain this damn spark thing tight now,” | snapped, finally losing my temper. They're talking about me, and it sounds important, but they may as well be talking in a foreign language for all | understand. The whole room falls silent, and | panic I've done something until a voice behind me speaks up. “Miss Banks, Mr Henry, my office. Now!” Mr Collins demands, and my blood pressure rises at his presence.