Keeping Secrets (An Anonymous Novella)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Ethan looked down at Chloe, a bemused smile working over his face. "Look at that."

Chloe brushed her finger over where the cut used to be. The smooth skin felt normal and soft. How was that possible? She healed him. "How—?"

"I think we've found it." He curled a warm hand on her cheek.

She took a step back, shaking her head. "I thought—I thought I'd never have an ability." Ethan had met her when she was born. That meant that at any time during her life she could have developed an ability. Usually, people got theirs right after they met their mate. After so many years passing, she thought her window of opportunity had passed. Now, she'd grown used to the idea of being ability-less.

"It's always freaky the first time you figure it out." As if to show her, Ethan help up two fingers, a single line of blue electricity jumping between them.

"What did you do when you found yours?"

"Honestly?" He stepped closer to her, wrapping his hands around her waist. A shiver shot down her spine in response. "The same thing you're doing right now. Panicking."

She hadn't been too aware of herself panicking, but indeed she was—her heartbeat had escalated, her breaths coming out faster, and her legs shakier than before.

"This will not change you." He told her. "It will help you. That's what it is meant to do."

But how could she not have known about it until now? What made these conditions just right to bring it ou—? "Oh my gosh, Danika."

Ethan's eyebrows came together. "Danika?"

"Remember when Danika was in the infirmary? She wasn't waking up and the doctors said—"

The sudden connection lit Ethan's eyes. "It was you."

"That weird lightheadedness must be a side effect. It happened with Danika too."

"I don't think I like the idea of side effects."

There had to be a side effect. If there wasn't, what would stop her from healing everyone she could? That would put too much strain on her body. "Does yours have a side effect?"

"Sure, if I use too much there's an energy drain, but that's to be expected."

The two were quiet a moment. Then, Chloe said, "we have to test it."

Ethan shook his head. "No way. Not if there's a side effect."

"How am I ever going to know how to use it if I don't try it out? What if I need it?"

"I'm not going to let you risk hurting yourself just to see if it works."

"I won't. I'll do little things—"

"No, we will wait until there's a doctor on hand."

"But Ethan, there won't always be a doctor on hand." She said. "I'm sure you didn't have a doctor on hand when you tested out yours. Let me do this."

"Elizabeth, you are not going to hurt yourself."

Her eyes caught on the dying little basil plant in the window. She'd put it there the other morning with the hopes that it would get better if it was in the sun. Half of its little leaves had browned and withered and now drooped down sadly. "What if I try something else?"

Ethan followed her line of sight and mulled it over. "I suppose. But if anything even feels like it's going wrong, I'm pulling the plug."

In the end they decided the table was a good place to start. Ethan wanted her sitting, so if the lightheadedness got to be too much, she wouldn't fall to the floor. He'd scooted his chair closer, ready to act if needed.