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in frustration. Her fingers spread into claws and then clenched into fists. She closed her eyes and shook with anger. “You’re making me crazy. And I’m pretty much immune to your cuteness now. This is serious. Glade is so busy with his research that I rarely see him, and I don’t even have you for sanity support. That leaves me with Treva and Cleon. Thanks.”
    Bodhi pressed his lips together. “I heard you about yourfamily. I didn’t expect this report to be different from the caravan report last month. I just figured it would take time for you to come to terms with the outcome.” He hesitated. “We can’t be together right now. I have things to work out.”
    Her first real love . . . and now his rejection. She just didn’t understand men and wished her mother were here for advice.
    â€œOn a daily basis, I have no one to talk to about the physical and mental changes I’m going through. You deserted me. You don’t even mind-jump with me anymore.” Selah’s eyes filled with tears. Things he had to work out—indeed. She blinked back the moisture, refusing to allow herself pity at the coldness of his betrayal.
    Bodhi dropped his head and muttered something.
    Selah tipped her head to look in his downcast eyes. An errant tear splashed her cheek. She roughly brushed it away with the back of her hand. “What did you say?”
    Bodhi’s lip curled and he gritted his teeth. “I said I can’t hear you anymore.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous. I’m not blocking you.”
    â€œI’ve lost it. I can’t hear Lander thoughts. It’s as though I’ve turned human.”
    â€œBut you are—” Selah reined in her tongue. Shouldn’t he already know he’s human? Wait. He had given her an explanation once before. Did that mean Second Protocol Landers weren’t human, or did they just not know they were human? She needed to find out if being human meant the same thing for all Protocols of Landers. Could she bring it up with Glade? Or would he take away her privileges in the Repository for delving into things she shouldn’t?
    She leaned over and swept back the hair from his forehead. “I don’t believe you. It’s not possible. You still have the mark.”
    But she did believe him, and it was all her fault. Transitioning her into a novarium had done something to his body chemistry. Jaenen had tried to explain that Bodhi was going to have a dramatic decline in his abilities, but she didn’t completely understand. If Bodhi wouldn’t come out and say anything about it, Selah didn’t want to embarrass him by letting on she knew.
    The look in his eyes softened to longing. He quickly recovered and pushed her hand away. “Do you think I’d lie to you about something that important?”
    â€œWell, no. I didn’t mean to accuse you of any dishonesty. It’s just that I don’t understand how this could happen. Glade still has his abilities and so do the rest of the Landers who were in the prison with him.” Selah ran a hand through her hair. “Are you sure you’re not just stressed or something? Did you visit the healer?” Maybe Jaenen was wrong about Bodhi’s condition.
    â€œI don’t want those people near me.” Bodhi’s cheeks reddened.
    Selah raised both hands. “Then I can’t help you, or you won’t let me help you.”
    Bodhi jerked back. “I can take care of my own problems.”
    â€œSame goes for me. You don’t get to make choices for me. We don’t have a bond anymore.” Selah squared her shoulders, opened the door, and gestured him out.
    He stared at her, searching her eyes. For a moment she thought he was going to pull her close. Then his shoulders slumped. He hung his head and left.
    She leaned her head against the door. Why wouldn’t he go see the healer? He was suffering the loss of his