I took a deep breath before answering, the kind that felt like it scraped my lungs on the way in. "The more contact we have, the more powerful my ability becomes, and the easier it is to both sense and manipulate my switches," I said carefully. To make it clearer, I told her what had happened with my father, how a simple touch had amplified everything beyond what I had expected.

She was silent for a long time. Too long. Her hands stayed clenched in her lap, her shoulders rigid, and I braced myself for the explosion I was sure was coming. When she finally spoke, it was with a calm that caught me completely off guard.

"You mean sex."

The word landed between us, heavy and blunt.

"Not if I don't have to," I replied quickly. "If I can do this without resorting to that, then I won't go that far. I don't want to cross that line unless there's no other choice."

"You're not stupid, Nick," she shot back instantly, her voice sharp with frustration. "I know in anime and on TV they always wait until the last second to use their full power, but that doesn't mean you have to. That's how people die." She paused, then added more quietly, "Besides, it's not like you haven't already slept with her."

She reached out and grabbed my hand, her fingers tight and warm, forcing me to look at her. Her eyes were fierce, determined, and scared all at once. "If I've ever meant anything to you," she said, "then I only ask one thing."

"You do mean something to me," I said immediately. "You mean a lot. That's why I'm telling you all of this. I trust you." My voice wavered despite my effort to keep it steady. "I've never told anyone else everything. Tina knows about my ability, but she doesn't know about Vage or the demons. Loveth only knows because of her own ability. I want you to understand… no, I need you to see what I'm up against."

She shook her head slowly. "No. I know you could make me forget if you had to, by using one of your switches. And don't tell me you wouldn't, just because you don't want to manipulate me." Her gaze softened, but the hurt underneath was unmistakable. "I love you, Nick, and I don't want to lose you."

She took a shaky breath before continuing. "I want to be there when you fight these demons."

I opened my mouth to protest. A dozen arguments rushed to the tip of my tongue. That it would be too dangerous. That Vage's ship would be the first casualty if I failed. That watching someone I loved get hurt would destroy me. But before I could say any of it, she leaned forward and pressed her hand over my mouth.

"I'll be there," she said firmly, "or we're through."

She tilted my head up and down, forcing my agreement, and despite everything, a short, incredulous laugh escaped me. It was such a Stephanie thing to do, stubborn and fearless even when terrified.

"Now get out of my car," she added. "I have a lot to think about, and I want to make sure they're my own thoughts."

I nodded, understanding what she meant even if she didn't fully believe I could control her thoughts outright. Still, the implication mattered. Silently, I stepped out of the car, closing the door behind me with care. I'd done all I could. The rest was up to her.

Before she pulled away, she rolled the window down and leaned toward me. "Oh, and Nick?" she said. "All of the others stop, unless I'm there."

Then she was gone, tires crunching against gravel as she sped away.

I stood there for a moment longer than necessary, watching the empty space where she'd been. I wasn't looking forward to breaking it off with Tina, but I knew I could do it with minimal pain. The others would be harder emotionally, but manageable. What I couldn't stop asking myself was why I was willing to accept this kind of ultimatum at all.

I could have any woman in the world with my switches. It wouldn't even be difficult. A little effort, a little compromise of my principles, and doors would open everywhere. But that wasn't who I wanted to be.

Stephanie was the first woman who liked me for me. Not the power. Not the mystery. Me. She was a geek on my level, someone I didn't have to pretend around. Someone who could beat me at video games and quote the same obscure sci-fi references without missing a beat. And I genuinely cared about her.

So I turned toward home and started trudging back.

When I got to the apartment, I found Rose and Dennis sitting in the main room. They were watching TV, mercifully not screwing, which I was grateful for given the emotional wreck I already was.

"There you are," Dennis said as I walked in, like I'd been gone for days. "Have you been watching the news?"

"About the satellite?" I asked, already dreading the answer. Images of the demon scout ship exploding flashed through my mind, and I shoved them aside.

"No," he said. "About some of those freaks with abilities."

My temper flared instantly, but I forced it back down. Did he have any idea that one of those "freaks" was standing right in front of him? That I might be the only thing standing between him and total annihilation?

"Looks like someone's been going around burning and killing them," Dennis continued, studying my face. "You alright, man?"

I nodded and headed toward my room, nausea curling in my gut at the thought of who might be responsible.

"Oh hey," Dennis called after me. "Did I see you coming out of Mrs. Stilinski's office earlier?"

I almost laughed at the timing. The memory of that incredible deep throat surfaced unbidden, and for a moment, it was a welcome distraction. "Yeah," I said casually. "Small cut on my hand. She insisted on checking it. Turned out to be nothing."

I showed them my palm.

"Is it true what they're saying?" Rose asked eagerly, leaning forward with a grin.

I frowned. "What are they saying?"

"That she's giving blowjobs to every guy who goes in there."

My face burned instantly. I didn't need to answer. Their laughter followed me down the hall as I shut my door behind me, finally alone with my thoughts, my guilt, and the war that was coming whether I was ready or not.

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