Blue Violet - By Abigail Owen Page 0,55

thrill of excitement. She still couldn’t quite believe that he was her te’sorthene, and she his, and that she could kiss him like this freely. It would take some getting used to.

“I can access Griffin’s defensive shield from the school if it makes you feel any better,” Ellie said, attempting to sooth his obvious concern.

“I’d rather he drive you to school himself. You’re still pretty weak,” Alex replied. “It’s pretty obvious, Ellie.”

That would also take some getting used to, this ability of his to read every emotion and thought without the advantage of a power that allowed him to do so. It was more like he knew her as well as he knew himself.

Suddenly, Ellie frowned. “What exactly is your power anyway, Alex?”

His eyebrows shot up. “You mean you don’t already know?”

She shook her head. “Not really. It has something to do with freezing stuff, maybe. You’re very good at hiding what you can do. So what is it?”

“Nope,” he said with a grin, “I’m not telling you yet. And you’re not allowed to use your power on me to figure it out.”

“Why won’t you tell me?” Ellie was perplexed.

“You kept who you were from me all this time. Put me through hell, I can tell you, fighting what I felt for you. This is my turn for a little payback…” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her as he rubbed his hands together, anticipating the different ways he could torment her.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “I’m going to have to find out pretty soon,” she reminded him. “I really should start practicing if I’m going to master using all these skills at once. In fact, now that I’m thinking about it, we should get started on that tonight after school.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t put us in danger making you wait.”

“Huh.” With that, she headed for the bathroom. She took a long, hot shower, which felt ridiculously wonderful, and then got dressed for school.

“The kids are just getting their gear and are about to head off,” Lucy said as Ellie made her way to the kitchen. Everyone else was already eating breakfast. “It’s good to see you up and about,” she added as she came around the table to give Ellie a hug.

Hugh stood beside her. “Do you mind?” he asked Ellie, indicating his desire to use his power on her. Ellie held out her hand with a smile. Hugh concentrated silently for a few moments and then smiled. “All better I see.”

“Thanks to you.” She grinned back and snagged a piece of toast off the table. “I’d better get going or I’ll be late for school.”

“Hey…” Alex caught her wrist, tugging her to a halt. “At least take Griffin with you.”

“I can’t,” she said with a shake of her head. “If he comes with me, he can’t protect you here at the house.”

Alex frowned. “But he’s been at the school the last two days protecting the others,” he protested.

“Only because he knew that I could tap in to his power to protect the house if I had to,” she explained.

“And how would he know that? You were out cold.”

Ellie looked at him patiently. She knew he’d already figured it out. Alex turned a glare on Griffin, who just shrugged. “You didn’t think I’d leave my sister undefended did you?”

“I was here,” Alex insisted. “So were the rest of us. But I guess I should have figured.” He turned his attention back to the girl standing beside him. Not that he’d admit it to her yet, but she really was adorably sassy in her confidence in her powers and her brother’s. “This twin thing is going to take some getting used to,” he muttered under his breath.

Ellie threaded her fingers through his and brought their hands up to her lips. She kissed them softly. He knew she was wordlessly telling him that Griffin would always be her twin brother, and they would always have their connection, both as siblings and through their powers. But she was Alex’s te’sorthene now. A bond greater than any other for a Svatura. That’s where her heart lived now and forever.

Lila, Adelaide, and Nate chose that moment to appear. “Hey, Ellie!” Nate greeted jovially, giving her a thumbs up. Lila also grinned.

Adelaide crossed the room to give her friend a big hug. “So now you’ll truly be my sister!”

Ellie and Alex looked only slightly less surprised than everyone else at this statement.

“You’re te’sorthene. You have a connection that I’ve only seen a few times, and most