“I’ve been trying to get her to be more like a wolf,” Dastien said when he noticed my confusion. “She should be able to smell people’s emotions. Especially lies.” He said the last looking at Teresa.
I glanced between them. “You can smell a lie?”
“Dastien can. Me… I rely more on hunches. But I’m getting better at it.” She paused. “Nice deflection. I’ll ask you about the sleep stuff later. If I don’t eat soon, I might die.”
“Cherie. You’re not going to die.”
“You tell that to my stomach.”
They bantered back and forth almost faster than I could keep up with. Their auras glowed brighter as they walked. Meshing together. Bouncing off each other. I could see the deeper connection that their bond provided. That little bit of green envy eased its way back up my spine, and I headed to grab some fruit before the feeling could take over. I was happy for my cousin. Not jealous. Happy.
By the time I found the table, people were staring again. I didn’t mind speaking to people or being friendly, but some of the stares felt more than a bit hostile. That, I didn’t like at all.
I sat down next to Cosette, who was already exchanging not-so-subtle smiles with a table of Cazadores across the room. At least someone was enjoying the attention. “Anyone else feeling like you’re living in a glass bowl?”
Teresa sat on my other side. She had four plates filled with food balanced on her tray with one giant glass of orange juice. “I’ve been stared at most my life. Before people didn’t like me or thought I was a weirdo. Now everyone’s more interested in a friendly way. Mostly.” She paused and looked around. “They’re curious. Just don’t let it get to you.” As she spoke—still glancing around the room, a wave of golden energy passed from her to the gathered wolves. Everyone starting moving—going about the day—in an answering ripple.
“Thank you.” The list of things I owed her for was growing by the second. I wasn’t sure how I’d ever pay her back. Especially after what Luciana had done to her…
“No problem.”
“I don’t like the stares,” Elsa said. She was so petite that even with her striking brown eyes and dark brown pixie cut she usually managed to get overlooked. But she liked it that way. “It’s impossible to stay hidden.”