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Chris was studying her intently, worry gleamed in his eyes She should have known he would notice her strange reaction to Devon Even if he wasn’t using his ability, he didn’tfrom Chris, had never wanted to But she wasn’t sure that she wanted to talk about this now These feelings were so very new to her, so very private and fragile, and confusing

Shrugging absently, Cassie brushed back a straggling piece of hair "I do have other things on my mind, besides a boy"

"Usually yes, lately no You really like him?"

Cassie was silent, her eyes focused on her Nikes as theyShe did not kno to answer that question, for she wasn’t sure there was one Yes, she really liked Devon, but it was far more than just like She had never felt this drawn to someone before, never wanted to be near soined that feeling like this could ever be possible

But it was alsoalmost primeval and instinctive She could not say that it was love, for she hardly knew hi deep within her soul He touched soht could be touched Before she had met him she had never even known that this piece of her even existed

"Yes," she finally admitted "I suppose you could say that I like hi softly "I could sense that he liked you too"

Cassie perked up, her head snapped around as an instantaneous save her a sad sently "Of course, ouldn’t?" he teased

"Chris," she groaned

His kidding demeanor vanished, his smile faded as he beca for you"

"Did you sense solanced at her in surprise "Are you actually asking about what I sensed froed absently, a dull blush stained her cheeks as she glanced quickly away She never inquired about what Melissa and Chris knew; it see about her life if they had access to two such gifted people, she felt they deserved the saht She was also afraid to knohat Melissa saw, as all of their futures were so very uncertain If Chris sensed any danger in a person he would share it with them, whether they wanted to know or not, so there was never a need to ask hihtly as she shook her head She could not invade Devon’s privacy in such a way; she could not press Chris about what he had sensed in him "No, I suppose not"

Chris draped an ar bad in hilanced up at him, her curiosity was peaked "Different how?"

"I don’t know" His eyebrows drew tightly together; he frowned as he thought carefully before answering "Just different There was no hare sort of darkness inside him"

Cassie frowned, her hands clenched on her arht over Chris’s odd choice of words "What kind of darkness?"

"I don’t know, not an evil one, maybe its loneliness or loss or pain It’s hard to say Cass; some people are just harder to read then others But there is no ill intent in him; at least not toward you, of that I’m sure"

Cassie bit nervously on her bottom lip "But toward others?" she asked worriedly

"No, I don’t think so Why don’t you ask Melissa if she has seen anything?" Cassie fervently shook her head, she may ask Chris a few questions, but she would never ask Melissa That seeerous path to tread "You never ask her about anything she sees Why is that?" She shrugged, not wanting to get into it with him "Is it because you don’t think you have a future?"

Cassie glanced sharply at hier boiled rapidly inside of her "Did you read me?" she demanded fiercely

Chris was taken aback, his eyes widened slightly "Of course not Cass, I wouldn’t do that to you Besides, you know that it doesn’t work like that I can’t tell what people are thinking, just what they feel and who they are I don’t have to read you to know that you’ve shut down since we found out e are"

"I have not, I…"

Chris held up a silencing hand "You go through the , but you don’t truly live anyirl you used to be, and you locked that girl away the day that Luther and Melissa walked into our lives"

Cassie remained silent; her eyes darted over the wooded, shadowed streets She saw nothing out there; no distraction froht she’d hidden herself well, kept her fear buried behind her wall Apparently she had not "Do you think you have a future?" she inquired softly, her eyes slowly co back to his

He looked sad and lost as he studied her worriedly "Itas I had once hoped, but yes, I think I have a future I often wonder about ht even retire, and spend "