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a crazy person who watches way too many X-Men movies.”
    She wondered the same thing. “Because I saved your life. Because you're a reporter and you know there's a story here. Because you're not a complete asshole, even though you may think you are.”
    He snapped his jaw shut and tapped his temple. “Do us both a favor and stay out of here, okay?”
    Cassie cleaned up the bloody gauze and screwed on the cap of the whiskey. “Don’t worry. Not only would I not breach someone’s privacy like that, but you’re too thick-skulled for me to read. Forget mind pushing you altogether. I don’t need that kind of migraine.” She shook her head. “Pardon my attempt to psychoanalyze. Seems easier in the movies.”
    He barked out a laugh. “You’re telling me I'm an unreadable son-of-a-bitch. You and my ex-girlfriends would agree.”
    “Not unreadable exactly, but every time I've tried, the resistance causes me a good deal of pain. I’m not anxious to repeat the experience. Your mind is strong. And the stronger the mind, the harder it is on me. Those soldiers in the woods were easier. Although, the higher the rank, the more they exert free will.”
    Seth let out a long breath. “I want to close my eyes and pretend none of this is real. But I saw you take down that guy tonight. I watched as he picked off his own guys. I stood there while you levitated my car off the edge of the road. For now, I’m clinging to my dream scenario, even though I'm in too much pain to make that believable.” He reached toward her and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I have to tell you, as hallucinations go, you’re beautiful.”
    Cassie wanted to hold onto the beautiful part of his statement, but she couldn’t. She had to concentrate on healing him. The sooner she started, the sooner they could both get some needed rest, and the sooner she could search out Jeremy and the others. “I’m going to try and heal you, but I'm not sure it'll work.”
    Seth’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, heal me? How many powers have you got?” He held up a hand. “Wait. Never mind. This is all kinds of complicated.”
    She sighed. “It's been a while since I took inventory. Different powers showed up for a while then would disappear as they changed up the cocktail. The powers that stuck are the mind pushing and mind reading. Those are the strongest. I'm also mildly telekinetic and have some healing ability. The base skills are increased strength, agility, and keener senses. But that's about it.”
    His brows smoothed out and he smiled, as if playing along with the crazy lady. “Are there others like you?”
    “Peter’s definitely done this to others. Sometimes I can hear their screaming in my dreams.”
    Seth stared at her. “Okay, let’s just say I believe you.  I have seen your serious Buffyesque fighting skills after all. What's your plan?”
    “You mean besides putting more distance between me and those labs? Once I know you’re safe, I’m going after the others. But right now, I'm mostly thinking about sleep. We both need the rest. If you lie down I’ll do my best to heal you. If I can’t, then we'll need to take you to a hospital.”
    He eyed her, his gaze level. “They will ask questions at a hospital.”
    She eased off the bed to change into the T-shirt she commandeered from his duffle bag. “I won’t let you die because of me. Even if you are a pain in the ass.”

Chapter Six
     
    Seth registered the scent of heaven as he woke. Citrus and something sweet. Maybe vanilla? Feminine. His searching hands met warm, silky-smooth skin and he wrapped his whole body around the satin softness. Her skin scorched him like the hottest kind of fantasy. But as he stroked her skin, he knew this was different.  More substantive.
    He dreamed of long raven hair and icy green eyes that bored into his soul. In her eyes, there was no duplicity, no treachery. Only strength and caring. The urge to hold on tight was fierce.
    She nuzzled him as he