Unravelled. Cheryl Ntumy S.

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ Tshiamo’s hand closes over my wrist and he starts pulling me in the opposite direction from my gifted quarry.

      “What are you doing?” I yank my arm from his grip and glare at him.

      “I just thought you might want to dance,” he sputters.

      “I already said no.”

      “Yes, but…” His gaze keeps flitting away from my face, and his anxiety is mounting. I see sweat breaking out on his forehead, and it’s not from the fancy lighting. “I’m supposed to keep you away from other guys. Especially those guys.”

      I gape at him, perplexed. “What are you talking about?” I let my gift slide slowly towards his mind. This is no time to be ethical – something’s got this guy worked up and I want to know what it is.

      “Forget it,” he blurts out, backing away. “I made a mistake.” He hurries off before I can lock onto his thoughts, muttering, “Crazy jealous types.”

      I’m about to go after him when someone behind me says, “Hi.”

      I turn to look into the adorable face of the baby of the Cresta Crew. His eyes are like molten chocolate, sweet, warm and inviting. He’s so irresistibly cute I have to clench my hands into fists to keep myself from pinching his cheeks. It’s ridiculous – he’s baby booties, puppies and kittens all rolled into one. He oozes wholesome innocence. It’s too overwhelming to be natural, so I can only assume it’s supernatural. So far I’m certain that three out of the six members of this group are gifted, and that’s already a rarity. Lebz’s theory might hold water, after all.

      The boy turns on a sunshine smile that smashes my innate wariness to bits. “You must be Conyza.”

      Fragments of suspicion stir from the wreckage. Sure, he’s sweet, but how does he know my name? “Do I know you?” I venture.

      “Not yet. I’m Duma.” He holds out his hand.

      Before I can shake it I sense someone behind me. The light-skinned one with the curls has materialised at my side. I jump, startled. “Where did you come from?”

      He doesn’t even glance my way. “Duma, didn’t I ask you to get me a drink?”

      “In a second,” says the kid, grinning at me. “I was just saying hi to – ”

      “Now,” the other boy insists.

      I look at him. “Let me guess. You’re the big brother.”

      “Cousin, but he acts like he owns me,” Duma grumbles. “He’s Elias, by the way.”

      “Nice to meet you, Elias.”

      “Ja, hi.” He hasn’t taken his eyes off Duma. “Drink. Now.”

      Duma mutters something incoherent and turns away. “See you later, Conyza.”

      “Call me Connie,” I call out.

      He turns around and beams, then vanishes into the crowd.

      “And what exactly is your – ” But Elias is gone, leaving me baffled and a little annoyed. Why did he have to be so rude? Does he think I was making moves on his cousin, or is he just worried that I’ll figure out he’s gifted? Too late. And how did Duma know my name? Did he ask around because he sensed that I’m gifted, too?

      I glance around for Rapunzel and Hulk, but they’ve disappeared as well so I head back to my corner. Wiki pulls out his earphones and gives me an enquiring look.

      “This party is turning out to be interesting,” I report, taking my place beside him.

      His eyes widen when I tell him what happened. “You think all of them are gifted?”

      “I don’t know. At least four. That Elias moved like a cat. Definitely gifted.”

      Wiki frowns. “That’s odd. A group of gifted relatives, hanging around together like some kind of…”

      “Gang? Pop group? Coven?”

      “You tell me.”

      I shrug. “Being gifted doesn’t mean they’re trouble. You know what bugs me?” I lean close to him. “I’ve never heard of an entire family of freaks.”

      “Doesn’t the power get passed on, like you and your grandfather?”

      “Yes, but not always. Rakwena got his gift from his dad, but Ntatemogolo and I have different gifts, and we’re the only gifted in our family. It’s just…weird.”

      Wiki frowns at his laptop, radiating concern. “So what happens now?”

      “I need to know more about them, and since Duma seems to be more sociable than the rest, I’ll have to try to get him alone.”

      “Maybe I should come…”

      I pat his knee gently. “He might not talk in front of an ungifted. And you’re in the middle of an episode.” I pick up a biscuit, finish the rest of my drink and get to my feet.

      “Good luck. And be careful!”

      I wink at him and head back into the thick of the party. I spot Tshiamo near the door, but the minute he sees me he bolts. And I’m supposed to be the weird one. The loud music and densely packed bodies are starting to give me a headache. Number six finally makes an appearance at the far end of the room. Spencer. Lebz didn’t exaggerate – the boy’s a walking dream. In jeans that fit like magic and a T-shirt that shows off a ripped torso, he has a face so pretty it makes me want to cry. Poor Kelly didn’t stand a chance.

      Unfortunately, the effect is hampered by the fact that Spencer is drunk, and if the cup in his hand is anything to go by, he’s not done yet. He leans against the wall, looking self-satisfied and ignoring the gaggle of girls giggling nearby. A moment later he’s joined by Kelly, and I’m struck by how good they look together. If they procreate, the world is in big trouble.

      It seems they’re eager to get cracking on that; Kelly plasters herself against him and kisses him with abandon. He drops the cup, unconcerned about the amber puddle at his feet, and wraps his arms around her so tight I feel suffocated. They’re not kissing, they’re trying to swallow each other whole.

      For a moment all I can do is stare. I’ve seen Kelly play the game of seduction countless times, but I’ve never seen her like this. She’s clinging to Spencer with a desperation that borders on terror, as if they’ll die if they let go. When it comes to boys, Kelly always has the upper hand.

      When she and Spencer finally pull apart, I can tell by the dazed expression on her face that the tables have been turned. She’s fallen, hard, and the realisation sends wild tendrils of panic shooting through my head. That look on her face doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy, and it’s not because of the antagonism between us. Even I wouldn’t begrudge Kelly the thrill of true love – but this isn’t it. This is something else. Something dangerous. Something wrong.

      Spencer keeps his arm possessively around Kelly, and they vanish into the crowd. I try to follow, but I have no idea where they went. Her room, maybe. The thought fills me with dread. СКАЧАТЬ