Page 69 of Stealing Embers
“He was knocked unconscious for a while.”
Steel’s narrowed eyes snap toward me with a clear warning.
“What?” I shrug, “It’s the truth. Get over yourself already. You’re not invincible.”
He scoffs at me. “I’m about as close to it as you’ll ever see.”
“Conceited much?”
“It’s not conceit if it’s true.” He throws open his arms. “This is just me stating facts.”
I bare my teeth. I’m too far past annoyed for a simple eye roll.
“Yeah, you’re not God’s gift to mankind.”
“In fact, that’s exactly what I am.” With a smarmy smile he adds, “Womankind as well.”
“You disgust me.”
“I highly doubt that’s the emotion you feel when you think of me.”
“Guys?” I barely register Greyson’s voice past the blood pounding in my ears.
“How would you knowanythingabout how I feel?”
I don’t even attempt to conceal the venom in my voice. Instead I shoot the words at him like bullets. Steel returns my lob with slitted eyes.
“How could I not knoweverything? You wear your emotions like an open bottle of cheap perfume. I couldn’t escape the fumes if I wanted to.”
“At least I have emotions,” I spit at him. “You sure you have a beating heart in that chest?” I can’t stop the purge now. “Nothing gets through that hardened shell, does it? And if anyone gets close, you shove them away. Shove—ha, that’s too mild of a word. It’s more like you punch and kick them until they run screaming in the other direction. But who cares if you hurt someone, right? As long as you can stay protected on your island of one, the ends justify the means. What was it exactly that turned you into an emotional zombie?”
“Emberly!”
Ash?
I’m so caught up in my rant, I ignored the spectrum world around me, choosing instead to hyper-focus on the object of my frustration. My friend’s voice snaps me out of the red haze of anger.
I find myself standing in front of Steel, chest heaving, my finger shoved up against his chest.
When did I do that?
Turning my head, I see Ash and Nova now standing with Greyson and Sterling. Matching looks of shocked horror are splashed across their faces.
I’ve gone too far. Stepped over some line I didn’t know existed.
Taking a physical step back, I drop my hand to my side.
Steel glares daggers at me, and I can’t say I blame him.
“That. Was. Awesome! Way to put my big bro in his place, Em.”
“Do you ever shut up?” Greyson sighs.
“What are you talking about?” Sterling directs an injured look at his twin. It’s fleeting and most likely not sincere. “You just got a full five minutes of silence from me. That was like watching a younger Steel pull a girl’s pigtails on the playground and then getting slapped with a mud pie in return. Priceless, man.”
Steel stomps forward and grabs the nape of his brother’s neck, forcing him to hunch over. “Shut it, Sterling.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me to stop talking?” Sterling tugs out of Steel’s hold, only to have his arm twisted behind his back. “Ow, ow! All right, uncle, uncle! I call uncle!”