Powerful (The Powerless Trilogy, #1.5)

by Lauren Roberts

But it seems I do neither of those things, because I spin on my heel at the same moment I harshly whisper, “You’re a Phaser, too?” If I had a single rational thought left, it vanishes when I lay eyes on him. If there is a God, this man is certainly proof that He has His favorites. He’s breathtaking in the way I would imagine a stab wound to be, so handsome it’s piercing. Like a blade, everything about him is sharp and cold. And I suddenly have a vague sense of familiarity at the sight of him. Tipping my head up, my eyes find his dark ones before trailing down to the sharp cheekbones beneath them. I follow the curve of his Cupid’s bow until my gaze traces the scar slicing through his lips. Everything below his face is hidden beneath thick, partially leathered clothing, though the sheer size of him is obvious. His dark sleeves are sloppily rolled to his elbow, displaying muscled arms streaked in the black dust that made me— “You sneezed in my hand.” His arm is stretched out in front of him as he blinks down at his palm in disbelief. “Well…” My whole body flushes as I struggle to form words. “Your hand made me sneeze.” “You don’t say? I hadn’t noticed.” He says this with a stony sort of sarcasm while running his palm down the side of his pants. I stiffen slightly at his tone, but at the reminder of my poor first impression, I force myself to smile in the hopes he will offer one back. “Sooo,” I say slowly, drawing out the word, “you’re a Phaser?”