Page 94 of Burn Like An Angel

Eyebrows drawn together, Lennox stands up. “No one is looking at you like that, baby. You’re not eating or sleeping. What’s going on?”

At the mention of food, an embarrassingly loud growl erupts from my stomach. I slap a hand over the offending organ. Why is it making such a fuss? I ate… hell, a few days ago. Maybe?

It doesn’t matter. I don’t have time to eat or sleep while I’m plotting my grand escape. I’ll never master my new superpower if I’m too busy resting like they’re always insisting upon.

“Have you ever seen her like this?” Lennox whispers.

Xander shakes his head. “Not to this extent.”

“What do we do?”

“No idea. I’m not a damn psychiatrist.”

See, this is exactly what I’m talking about. I may as well be invisible. They’re talking about me as if I am. Unless… Has it finally happened? I look down at myself, pinching my tattooed forearm to check.

“Stupid!” I hiss impatiently.

Someone is touching me again—Xander. Cursing him out, I attempt to peel his fingers from my bicep. He’s trying to direct me over to the bed. I don’t want to lay in that again.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Ripley,” he scolds. “You need to rest.”

“I’m not tired. I need to keep working!”

“On what?” Lennox follows us.

“My superpowers, obviously. You can still see me. How can I disappear if you can see me? I have to disappear!”

Lennox’s shoulders slump as he turns back to his best friend. “I think we need to forge more prescriptions. How did we not see this coming?”

“I did.” Xander exhales. “The signs have been there for a while.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“We’ve been a little busy running for our lives, Nox.”

I’m still trapped by his grip. It feels like he’s scalding me. When I pull free, Xander bands his arms around me, cinching me tight like a straitjacket. I’m strong-armed, bucking and protesting, over to the bed.

“Xan, I don’t think?—”

“I’m trying to get her to rest,” he justifies.

“You shouldn’t physically restrain her, though!”

“Do you have a better idea? I’m all ears.”

The bathroom door opens on their continued arguing. Spotting Raine, damp and redressed, I cry in relief. I know he’ll understand. Maybe he’ll help me practise my invisibility.

Raine is safe. Warm. Familiar. He never hurt me like these two did. I didn’t have to forgive him because he’s been nothing but genuine and respectful towards me since day one.

“What happened?” He tilts his head, listening closely.

Lennox clears his throat. “We’re concerned Ripley’s having a manic episode.”

“Help me, Raine!” I blurt out in panic. “He’s trying to make me sleep. I don’t want to sleep.”

One hand outstretched to feel for obstacles, Raine follows the sound of my whimpers. I sob in pure relief when he eases me from Xander’s imprisonment and wraps me in a warm, citrus-scented hug.

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