Page 19 of Missing

"Does it look like I'm joking?" I snapped, my temper flaring. "But she's... different. Stronger than any of us. When I touched her, it felt like my skin was on fire. She's got four powers, Dante – fire, healing, feelings, and transporting. And they're not just strong; they're fucking terrifying."

"Shit," Dante whispered, running a hand through his brown hair. "That's... intense."

"Intense doesn't even begin to cover it," I muttered, my mind racing with the implications of what I'd just revealed.

Dante's eyes widened, his charismatic grin replaced by a look of concern. "We can't just leave it like this, Griffin," he said firmly. "We need to go back and talk to her. We can't let her think that you don't want to be her friend if she is your mate. We're a package deal, remember? Where you go, we go."

"Let's just give it some time, let things cool down a bit," Orlando interjected, his green eyes flicking between me and Dante. He was the voice of reason, the one who kept us from acting on impulse.

"Easy for you to say," Dante shot back, crossing his arms. "Just because you don't trust her doesn't mean that I don't. It's not fair to put me in that position."

"Hey," Orlando raised his hands defensively, "I never said I didn't trust her. But we're a package deal, remember? And right now, Griffin and I need some time. We need to know more about her."

"Fine," Dante huffed, his brown eyes boring into mine. "But promise me one thing, Griffin – when you do talk to her, don't treat her like a threat. Treat her like a person."

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to argue. My heart pounded against my ribs, the memory of Harper's touch igniting a fire within me that couldn't be extinguished. The thought of getting closer to her both terrified and exhilarated me, but what choice did I have?

"Alright," I agreed, nodding slowly. "I'll try.”

Chapter 18

Harper Hillstrom

The taste of lunch still lingered in my mouth as we made our way back to class. I couldn't help but think about the next lesson, healing. It was something so foreign to me, and I was eager to learn more about it.

Melody's voice broke into my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "Are you excited for healing?" she asked with a smile.

"More like terrified," I admitted, my heart racing just a bit faster at the thought of what was to come.

"Relax, Harper. Trust me, it's not as scary as you think," Melody reassured me, her bright smile easing some of my nerves. "You'll do great."

As we entered the Healing classroom, it felt like stepping into a sterile hospital ward. The air was heavy with the scent of disinfectant and the walls were lined with pristine white beds and gleaming medical equipment. Students were gathered in small groups, their voices hushed as if they were already in a hospital setting.

"Hey Harper, over there!" Melody pulled me towards one of the groups. At that moment, someone caught my eye – Orlando stood at the back of the class, his green eyes piercing through the clinical atmosphere. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, but I forced myself to look away and stay focused on Melody and our task at hand.

The grand doors of the classroom swung open and Professor Sunny entered, his commanding presence filling the room. His deep, booming voice echoed off the walls as he greeted his students. "Welcome!" he exclaimed, "Today, we will be delving into the art and science of healing."

My gaze flicked to Orlando, who seemed just as captivated by the professor's words as I was. Despite the pull I felt towards him, I had to focus on the lesson at hand.

"First, let me explain," Professor Sunny continued, "Healing is a delicate balance of understanding the body, mind, and soul. It requires tapping into your own essence and channelling it to mend what's broken." He went on to demonstrate the technique on a volunteer, their minor cut disappearing before our eyes. A hum of excitement rippled through the class as we watched in awe.

"Remember," Professor Sunny reminded us, his voice rich with wisdom and experience, "this process can be emotionally draining, so be mindful of your own energy levels. Now, find a partner and practice on each other."

My heart raced in anticipation as I looked over at Melody. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, mirroring my own. We stood facing each other, small sterilised pins grasped tightly between our fingertips.

"Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of nerves and eagerness.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. "Let's find out."

We counted down together, our hands gripping each other's in support and determination. "One... two... three!"

With quick precision, we pricked our fingers simultaneously. A sharp sting shot through my hand, making me grit my teeth and squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. But when I opened them again, all focus was on Melody and the task at hand.

As I tapped into her pain and tried to heal it, I could feel a warmth spreading from my fingertips and throughout my hand. Melody's pained expression softened into one of relief as she whispered, "Shit, Harper... your energy is amazing. It's like a soothing balm."

"Really?" I murmured, surprised at my own capabilities.

Melody's eyes widened in wonder and admiration as she breathed, "Fuck yeah." Her words were barely a whisper, but they held a powerful weight. "You're a natural," she continued, her voice full of awe. "Now let's try healing ourselves."

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