The Serpent in the Stone (The Gifted Series) by Nicki Greenwood

ferocious defense of her family. It only made him angrier to have any kinship with her in that way. He shrugged, trying to ease the knots in his shoulders. “ What about the wolf? How do you do the wolf? ”
    She fidgeted. “ It ’ s a shapeshift. I just think about it, and it happens. It ’ s harder than telekinesis. ”
    He paused for a long minute, struggling with conflicting emotions. “ You saved my life. Thank you. ”
    She gave a stiff nod.
    “ How did you get away from me at the cliff? ”
    “ I changed into a bird, ” she said.
    Excitement flashed along every nerve in his body, betraying him. He had to force himself to remain still, when all he wanted was to jump up and grab her in his surprise. “ Can you talk to them? Other animals, when you change? ”
    “ I—I ’ ve never tried. ”
    His mouth dropped open. “Do you realize the advances we could make in animal behavior if we could communicate with them?”
    “What do you expect me to do, start a road show?”
    “ Sara, this could change science as we know it. ”
    “ I can ’ t tell anyone! ” she protested. “ If people find out I can do these things, what do you think is going to happen to me? ”
    He watched her a few seconds more. Her shoulders arched as if she expected an attack. Her fingers, clasped on her knees until the knuckles were white, shifted once, twice, three times. He realized then that her fear lay not in his knowledge of her abilities, but that he would expose her to others.
    Would I?
    For a frightening second, he thought he might. Her very existence made her dangerous. And valuable, to the right people.
    She looked away, rubbing her arms. When she met his stare again, her eyes had changed back to hazel, wide and intent. He knew she was wondering what he’d do, now that he’d heard her secret. And he knew he couldn’t betray her, no matter what she was.
    But he could learn about her. “ I ’ ll make you a deal. ”
    She jerked in her seat and pursed her lips as if she were trying to bite back words. For a moment, there was only the sound of water lapping against the boat.
    Hardly able to believe his own mouth was forming the statement, he added, “ You help me with my birds, and I say nothing about any of this. ”
    “ Are you serious? ”
    He tossed her the boat keys and cursed his own madness. “ Let ’ s just get off the water. ”
    ****
    They arrived back at Ian ’ s camp by midday. He entered the tent ahead of her. Dropping her coat, he grabbed a flannel shirt lying rumpled at the foot of his bed.
    Sara caught sight of several long, faint scars criss-crossing his back. Lean muscle rippled under the damaged skin. She drew in a breath, but couldn ’ t stop staring.
    He pulled the shirt over his shoulders and turned around. He stiffened as their gazes met. She felt the blood drain from her face.
    Hostility flickered in his expression, then vanished into resignation. “ Don ’ t ask. ”
    “ How do you expect me to trust you if you get to ask all the questions? ”
    He shoved his hand into his pocket, then came out with the amulet and demanded, “ What is this thing? ”
    “ I don ’ t know. ”
    “ You don ’ t know. You ’ re getting shot for it, and you don ’ t know what it is. ”
    “ That ’ s right. Can I have it back now? ”
    He came forward and handed it to her. She took it and looped it over her head, then tucked it into her shirt.
    “ If you have no idea what it is, why do you hide it? ” he asked.
    “ You tell me about those scars on your back, and I ’ ll tell you what I know about this necklace. ”
    He opened the first-aid kit on his table. “ Sit down. ”
    Stalking to his cot, she flopped on the edge and began pulling at the strips of cloth over her wound.
    “ I ’ ll get it, ” he said, sitting beside her and putting the open kit at his feet. He slid the point of a pair of scissors under the makeshift bandages and cut them away.
    She gave a nervous chuckle. “ Next injury ’