Free Precipice (Tribe 2) by Audrina Cole Page A

mouth.  “Notice a difference?”
    I couldn’t even look at Kline.  I could only stare at Alex.  He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen…but he couldn’t even meet my gaze.  He stood, his arms crossed, looking down at the floor.  I could see the tension in his flexed arms, the shallow, rapid breathing…and worse…
    I could feel his cold fury.
    He hates me.  Oh God, he hates me! 
    Tears filled my eyes, unbidden.  Weston was asking me something, but I couldn’t focus on his words.  Only on Alex.
    “Miss Perry?”
    I shifted my gaze to Weston, but my vision was blurred with tears.  “What?”
    Weston stared at me, then glanced up at Alex.  “Mr. Baxter, why don’t you take a seat?”
    “I don’t want to be here,” Alex muttered.
    “Take a seat, Mr. Baxter.”
    Alex complied, choosing the seat next to Weston…and the farthest from me.  He flicked a glance my way, not quite meeting my eyes. 
    Kline sat in the empty chair beside me, and his eyes never left me.  I felt like a lab rat beneath his scrutinizing gaze.
    The pain of Alex’s rejection seared my heart.  I could see him glance at the old picture of him self in the wheelchair, and I felt his surge of anger.
    How could he be so furious with me?  Could he really be angry that I saved him?  No, he’s thinking of his family and friends…of how I put everyone at the fundraiser at risk .
    I knew what a loving, generous person he was.  I knew that if given a choice, he’d have forsaken hi s chance at being healed, if he’d known it could mean putting those he loved at risk.   It’s no wonder he hates me.  To him, I’m nothing more than a murderous monster.  To him, it was only luck that I didn’t devour his parents.  If I was him, I’d probably hate me, too.
    “Alex, how do you explain such an incredible recovery?” Kline asked, tapping the picture with his finger.
    “I don’t know.”
    My eyes flew to Alex.  He was still looking down at the table, his jaw clenched.  Here was his chance to get rid of me.  Why wasn’t he taking it?
    “Surely you must have some ideas?” Kline prodded.
    Alex glanced at me, then quickly away.  I felt the torrent of fear surge through him. 
    Is he afraid of me?  Is that why he’s not telling them the truth about his healing?  Does he think my family will come after him?  That we’ll hurt his parents?   Despondent nausea washed over me, and I clutched the edges of my seat to keep myself upright.  How could I have fallen in love with someone who thinks so little of me?  I would never hurt him!   But maybe it was for the best. 
    Let him think I’m a monster.  My family is all I have left now—if letting Alex think I’m a depraved predator will save my family…so be it.
    “I’m not a doctor.”  Alex shrugged, leaning back in his chair.  “How would I know?  Not even my doctor could explain it, and he’s the best oncologist in Spokane.”
    “That’s not what you told your mother.”
    Everyone’s attention shifted to Kline.
    Did Alex tell his mother about my ability?   I didn’t even know she had regained consciousness.
    “What are you talking about?” Alex asked.  His petulant demeanor vanished, and he sat up in his chair.  I could feel him holding back panic. 
    Why?
    “I came into your mother’s room a few nights ago,” Kline said, sitting back with a cat-that-ate-the-canary smile.  “You were by her side, talking to her.  She was still unconscious, of course, but you seemed eager to unburden your soul to her, anyway…”    
    Alex paled, but said nothing.  “I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”  His respirations had increased, and I could hear his heartbeat racing.
    He was lying.  He knew exactly what Kline meant. 
    “ Hold on,” I said.  “What night was this?  Thursday night?”  The tension broke, and all eyes rested on me.  “The night I came to see Alex, and you said he refused to see me?”
    Alex’s mouth dropped