But he was getting an earful the second he was done.
“Okay,” Georgie said nervously, her eyes on the Enforcers. “What exactly are we doing out here?”
Forcing her mind to the subject at hand, Tarun quickly explained about shifter gifts. “Luke’s gift is the ability to force shifts, but he struggles with controlling it. So we’re out here so he can practice and try to get better control over his ability.”
“So there are going to be a bunch of shifters in animal form this morning?”
“Hey, it’s okay. I told you, we’re always present when we’re shifted. We’re in control. And these are the good guys. I promise, no one’s going to hurt you.”
“The good guys?”
“Yeah. Just like with humans, there are good shifters and bad ones. These guys are Enforcers. They’re shifter law. We have laws just like humans do, and they’re part of our police force, if you will.”
Georgie swallowed hard. “That’s something, I guess. It’s pretty unfair, you know.”
Tarun glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. “What is?”
“You can turn into animals. You have enhanced senses. And now, you’re telling me you have supernatural gifts. So unfair. Y’all have a lot of advantages.”
“Maybe. But there are downfalls, too. Having to hide ourselves, our natures and abilities, from almost everyone. Being hunted by those who do know about us. And meeting people who, like you, are scared of us. We’re just people with feelings too, you know.”
Georgie cast her eyes down, looking embarrassed. “I can’t help it. Hopefully, I’ll get used to it one day. But for now, shifters make me nervous. I’ll never be able to be with one. Like, a relationship. But I think I can try to be a friend.”
Tarun smiled at her before turning her attention back to Luke and the others. “That’s all any of us could ask for. Don’t stop being our friend, because we’re the same people you knew as normal humans just a couple of days ago.”
She watched as Luke narrowed his eyes with a look of concentration, and she knew it was beginning. She really wasn’t worried about him permanently hurting someone. It was a valid fear for him, she knew, but she had faith in him. He wouldn’t let it go that far.
But she had her fingers crossed that he’d manage to achieve the level of control he wanted—the level that would let him relax and feel normal again. She wanted to give him the world, but that was one thing only he had in his power.
Sweat beaded on Luke’s forehead as he concentrated on Blake. He’d been using his gift, fighting to control it, for a good two hours. The good news was, he hadn’t killed anyone. The bad news was, he was using so much control, trying to make sure he didn’t kill anyone, that not only was it exhausting, but he hadn’t managed to make even one of them shift yet.
“All right. Time out. Fuck, Luke. What the hell is going through your mind right now?” Blake barked out.
Bending over with his hands on his knees, Luke shook his head helplessly, blowing his sweaty hair out of his face. He felt a hand on his back and straightened to find Tarun standing next to him, holding out a hair tie. He took it with a grateful smile, immediately pulling his hair back into a stubby ponytail.
“You got this,” she whispered with a wink before heading back to the bench she was sharing with Georgie.
Blowing out a breath, he looked back at Blake. “I’m thinking I don’t want to kill you.”
“Fuck that shit. Don’t be an idiot. What’s my gift, Luke?”
He was unable to resist rolling his eyes. “Causing pain with a look.”
“Exactly. I can do some damage with a touch, too. Know what that means? Unless I’m paying attention and work to block it out, I feel a constant electrical pain blanketing my body. And you know what else that means? My pain tolerance is off the charts high. I can withstand a lot. Even if you use the same amount of power in your voice as you used with Vynn, I won’t pass out, let alone die. So stop being a pussy and use. Your. Gift. There’s no point to this practice if you’re not willing to try.”
He’s right, you know. You want to learn how to control it better, but you never will if you don’t actually use it, his lion said.
Shit. They were both right.
Arching an eyebrow, he smirked at Blake. “You know, calling me a pussy doesn’t have the effect you think it does. I’m a lion. That means I’m literally a pussy.”
“Oh, for the love of—”
He never knew what the rest of Blake’s sentence would have been, because he focused on him and turned up his gift. Gasping, Blake bent over, his body subtly blurring in a way only Luke could see when he used his gift. Almost, but not quite. Kicking it up another notch, he smiled as a huge, dark brown grizzly burst out of Blake’s human skin.
Success.
Noah stepped up. “Me next. Don’t hold back. I’m not Blake, but if you use the same amount and I come out of it okay, then you know the exact amount to use. Don’t give me that look. I’ll be fine.”