Riley pretends to pout. “But I enjoy being attracted to you.”
Is he getting over his anger at me? Maybe it's this new direction for my power, and I'll go with it. I’m working on not being a monster.
“Seriously. What's not attractive?” I ask.
“No Nightside is ugly.” Riley scratches his chin. “You can't be overweight, or disfigured, or anything like that. All Nightsides get in shape fast when they're turned. But I don't really care for red hair, so start with that.”
This will be hard. “I wish I had some fashion magazine to look at. I'll go for red hair, and short hair. And maybe a round face.”
Lily nods. “Great choice. You can carry around a fake temper and complete the package.”
I laugh. “Stereotype much?” But it's a good idea. “Learning how to make everyone think I'm a redhead with a round face and a bad temper might take some time. I'm building an alter ego here.”
“Those take time,” Lily says with a grin. “But if you get into the role, they work, trust me.”
I pace up and down the beach, eyeing the water. “Now, how do I pull this off? Will changing the perceptions of the High Council even work?” I turn to Riley, feet sinking into the cold sand. “I mean, Dad tricked me, but I don't know if I can trick the High Council. Or anyone else.”
Lily rolls her eyes while Riley grins. “Come on. If you can control Dominic, you have a chance. Just stick with fooling one sense, and I think you've got a better shot of succeeding. It might be easier to fool the senses than to get into someone's mind and take control of them. I think people will be less likely to notice that. Just don't try too hard.”
I see her point. Riley just keeps grinning.
“What's so funny?” I ask.
He leans against the car. “You lose all your confidence with things that aren't scary. But control Dominic? You were a pro. You can do this, Olivia.”
“Angry redhead,” I say, pacing around the car. “I'll get behind the vehicle, try to alter your perceptions, and then come out to unveil my fresh look.”
“Good,” Riley says. “Can't wait to see it.”
My heart pounds not just with nerves but with the anticipation of impressing Riley. I go behind the car, crouch, and let my senses sharpen.
The woods burst to life, with all the small animals scrambling through the winter landscape, trying to stay unseen. I sense a rabbit snuggled up near the entrance to a burrow a few hundred feet away, and a lethargic mountain lion on the other side of the lake, watching us with lazy eyes. The big cat is up in a tree, tucked away and hidden, and the branch creaks under its weight as it slips into sleep. But the mountain lion is no threat to us. Riley and I are the real predators out here.
Change my looks.
I close my eyes, shutting out the woods and the quiet life in them. I bring to mind the image of that round-faced girl, with red hair and a cut that complements her face. She's got narrow, angry green eyes and a few freckles that caress her cheeks. Riley's and Lily's slow footsteps fade into the background. The image of the girl is vivid, and as I pan my awareness out, I see that she's wearing tight jeans and a gray sweater that I'd never touch. It's not me, but this girl isn't too low-profile. The look on her face warns anyone that if they cross her, they won't be in for a good time.
I wait for a tingle to sweep over my body, but nothing comes. Of course. I won't actually change my appearance. I'm not a fae or anything. I have to make other people see me this way.
Well, I've got the image. And I shift my awareness outward, very aware of Lily and Riley's positions even though I can't see them. But I can hear the swishing of the air moving where they are, and I can smell Lily's blood clearly, like a strange type of spiced soup. Ignoring my stomach and the urges I hope I never fulfill, I focus on the sound of their feet slowly sinking into the sand. They're exactly five feet away from the car, opposite me.
Then I imagine them both seeing the redhead girl rise from behind the car. I'm almost in their positions, seeing through their eyes, and then I'm so sure that I've succeeded that I open my eyes and rise.
“Ta-da,” I say, spreading my arms.
Riley looks at me with a frown. “You still look and sound like Olivia. That’s not a bad thing, though.”
Lily blinks, though. “You looked blurry for a second to me, but that's all. It's a start. You won’t master this the first time you try.”
I shake my head and drop my arms. “Why can't I do this is I controlled Dominic of all people?”
Riley seems to think. “Controlling someone's perception is probably a finer skill. Controlling people and making them hurt each other is more, well, raw.”
“So I'm unrefined?” I ask, trying to stay lighthearted. It's difficult. What if I can only hurt and kill? No, that makes zero sense. I changed Mike Rivera's thoughts when he was interrogating us for Edward's murder. It was only for a moment, but I did it.
“I think what Riley means is that this power is like needle-point embroidery,” Lily says. “It's harder to master. And controlling people is like using a hammer which is easier to master.”
“I see your point,” I say. Frustration won't get me anywhere, except for maybe lashing out again. At least I'm learning what triggers my episodes, which gives me the chance to stop them unless they're necessary. “I'll try again.”
Lily digs her toes into the sand. “You were blurry for a second, so you're onto something. And since Riley saw nothing, start with just targeting me. He's got that powerful blood now, so Riley will be
