SOLVED. YA Sci Fi/ Fantasy. 4 or more teens, don't know each other yet, have different X-Men type abilities (no academy). One saw black auras around those who would soon die. Cover: inkblot pattern like a butterfly. Read around 2009. [s]

[Ｓｈｉｆｒａ]

These rules have me as nervous as a first time customer in the soup nazi line, so forgive me for any missteps. I read this book around 2009, I believe it had a prominent inkblot pattern on the cover- the kind you would encounter in the Rorschach test- that resembled a butterfly; or at least that is what I interpreted it as. It was a modern (Mid 2000's) time period, and I believe set in the USA. I read it in english in the USA. One character saw black auras around those who would soon die. The character was bereft when it appeared on his mother. There were several teens who the story narrative jumped around. They didn't know each other at the beginning of the story, and they all had different abilities. I think two characters formed a romantic attachment. I believe the cover color scheme was a yellow background with the black butterfly inkblot on top. It was a fat book, maybe around 350- 400 pages.

I have been trying to find this for years, as I lent it a friend and never got it back, as goes between friends (Pre Social media & I moved around). Any clue/ suggestion that will relieve the gnawing at the back of my mind this has caused me will be warmly welcomed. This book and plot has made me question reality and whether it was all a fever dream. TIA.

[Kris]

Ｓｈｉｆｒａ, would you say this is fantasy or science fiction?

How do the teens meet? Do they go to a special academy?

I added some details to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it.

[Ｓｈｉｆｒａ]

Kris wrote: "Ｓｈｉｆｒａ, would you say this is fantasy or science fiction?

How do the teens meet? Do they go to a special academy?

I added some details to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it."
Thank you for improving the title. I can't recall exactly how they meet, but I know there is no academy. It was closer to sci fi; it framed the teens as having their abilities due to a quirk of nature, rather than through fantastical or whimsical avenues. It was a little gritty & dark, one kid I think has a tough home life.

[Juels]

Betwixt by Tara Bray Smith?

[Ｓｈｉｆｒａ]

Juels wrote: "Betwixt by Tara Bray Smith?

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Yes! Thats the one! Thank you very much!

[Juels]

You're welcome.