The Marked Read Online Free PDF

lot,” I said. “Before you came in.”
    It wasn’t hard to imagine that in a year or so, Hennie could be reading minds. When Cam told me how Delcroix developed Level Two Talents into Level Three Talents, he’d mentioned that Hennie might develop a mind-reading skill, just as Esther might someday be able to shape-shift. But that was not supposed to happen until they started their Program classes next year. Still, I tried to wipe the thought from my head as Hennie swung her gaze back to me.
    She was just over five feet tall and gorgeous—perfect dusky skin, long wavy hair, dark eyes surrounded by the longest lashes you could imagine. But her sweetness was deceptive: when Hennie wanted to know something, she could be relentless. “So, how did you get here before us? We were on the first bus.”
    Good grief. Had everyone noticed I wasn’t on the bus?
    I gave her the same explanation I’d given Catherine, but Hennie wasn’t buying it. She cocked her head. “You told me you got B’s in all your classes. Why would you need extra tutoring?”
    I hadn’t practiced a response to that question.
    I looked around the room, seeking inspiration for my next lie, and noticed my Program class schedule folded up on the desk.
    “Physics,” I said hurriedly. “They want me to start taking physics. I told them I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up, so they said I should come back early and get started.”
    “Physics?” Esther repeated. “But you’re already taking chemistry.”
    The two of them had me cornered. I could feel the slow, hot crawl of a blush traveling up my neck to the sides of my face. “It’s for my new focus: science. I’m also going to take a scientific ethics class with Mr. Fritz, and Mr. Anderson is going to teach me biology.”
    Esther sat back, nonplussed. I’d never shown much of an aptitude for science, so this was understandable. Usually, a person’s focus reflected her gift. Like Esther for acting, and Hennie for languages. No one could claim I was a gifted scientist.
    “A science focus,” she said. “I never would have guessed. Did you pick it, or did they tell you to do it?”
    “I picked it. I was tired of not knowing what I wanted to do. I figured I’d always liked the woods a lot, and I’m definitely into the environmental stuff.” I gestured at the window, making a vague attempt to convey some interest in the outdoors. “I wanted to study geology and environmental science, but they said I had to start with the basics, like physics and biology.”
    It was close enough to the truth that I figured I could fool Hennie. I was right. She had a grave expression on her face as she studied me, but then she nodded. “You do have an affinity for the earth,” she said. “That’s why you love running so much.”
    I blinked. “I never thought about that. I guess I do feel especially connected to the earth when I run.”
    “You are completely nuts about the whole running thing,” Esther agreed. “You even love to run in the rain.”
    “Yeah.” I grinned, relaxing once it became clear they believed me. “I’m crazy that way.”
    “But why didn’t you tell us you were doing this?” Hennie asked. “I mean, we talked on the phone a hundred times over break, and you never mentioned it.”
    “I…I didn’t want to make a big deal about it,” I said lamely. “You guys have had your focus all along. I felt stupid for taking this long to figure it out.”
    Esther made a sound of disgust. “Are you kidding me? You’re one of the smartest people I know. Besides, you’re supposed to tell us everything. I don’t care how dumb you feel.” She looked at Hennie for support. “Right, Hennie?”
    Hennie nodded. “Right. That’s what best friends are for.”
    “Now, let’s talk about important things,” Esther announced. “Like, when does Cam get back? Have you talked to him yet?”
    I fiddled with the hem of my sweater, not meeting her eyes. Esther was, to put it mildly,