The Healer's Hellion - Miranda Bridges Page 0,24

and my newfound power, my life will never be normal again. Ever.

Teresa wets her lips before making a popping noise. “I want my new normal to be looking at these Dravian men, and eventually getting one for myself.” She lowers her voice and leans forward. “I was told that if they don’t have a cuff or a piercing on their ear, then that means they’re single. Do you know how many of them don’t have one? I’ve already set my sights on the doctor, since his ears are bare. Maybe I can persuade him to be my new gynecologist.”

Again, everyone laughs. Again, my temper flares.

“Has he shown interest in you?” The room goes silent at my question. It probably didn’t help that my voice came out sharp, like the striking of a whip.

Teresa studies her nails as if she doesn’t have a care in the world. “Of course.”

“How?” I ask through clenched teeth.

Mary’s gaze, filled with worry, darts back and forth between Teresa and me. “Guys, I think we should drop the subject. We don’t need to get involved with these aliens anyway.”

“He practically told me,” Teresa says, giving me a pointed look. “It’s only a matter of time before he puts me in stirrups to examine me.”

There are a few nervous chuckles, but I barely hear them. My blood is pounding in my veins and my vision is red at the idea that Braxton has been coming on to both me and Teresa simultaneously. Even though I clench my fists, my power still gathers in my palms, making my hands shake as I try to control it and keep it from escaping.

“That’s enough,” I say, my words practically making a hissing noise as they pass through my teeth.

Teresa tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder and gives me a smug look. “We,” she says, waving a hand to indicate the other women, “have been here together this whole time, but where have you been? I see you’re in your fitness garb, the same slut getup you used to wear on campus. Maybe you’ve been in the doctor’s stirrups already and beat me to it?”

I tremble as my anger pumps through me, igniting my power. Teresa’s smirk is like a lit match, and as soon as it hits me, I all but explode. She continues to give me that taunting look as the others sit there in stunned silence. And then her eyes widen to the point the whites are fully showing. She claws at her neck while making choking noises, and the other women jump to their feet and rush to her. Mary grips Teresa’s shoulders, asking her what’s wrong, while the others hover nearby.

I watch the debacle while trying to calm down, but there’s something about her suffering that gives me great satisfaction. Shame fills me at the thought, deflating my fury, and as soon as I relax, Teresa sucks in a deep breath. She coughs and sputters while my mind whirls and comes to a dark conclusion.

I did that to her.

After jumping to my feet, I leave the room, unable to believe I just strangled someone with my power. I’m not a murderer, but I have no idea what would’ve happened if I hadn’t calmed down and released my hold on Teresa’s neck. Sure, she was being a brat, and I’ve never liked people who act the way she does, but that doesn’t give me the right to kill her. I’ve been a victim, and it makes me sick that I’ve become an attacker.

I race blindly through the ship, my eyes filling with tears. Even though I have no claim on Braxton, I’m upset that he would act that way with another woman. I feel beyond stupid for assuming I was the only one he was being intimate with. Of course I would pick a two-timing asshole as the first person to sleep with after my assault. It just goes to show I didn’t know how to pick men then and I certainly don’t now. The only difference between then and now is that Braxton didn’t rape me.

With my cheeks damp and my vision distorted by my tears, I smack into a hard, immovable structure. One that talks.

“Are you all right?” the male asks, gripping my shoulders.

I blink rapidly, bringing Erix into focus. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“All is well with me, but are you okay?”

I jerk from Erix’s hold as a familiar panic shoots through me. My power surges, ready to come to my defense,