"You want to talk about not knowing yourself? Try to blame it on shape shifting? Are we really the first freaking teenagers to feel that way? Do you think that being a Protector makes you weak to admit it? Why? Why is it so bad to admit it? You are fighting for who you are, but if you buy into the lie that you're fighting alone then - then you're the one hurting yourself!"

The silence was as quick as her anger. She had raised her face, holding it tightly shut against any expression until the end, when whatever control over the rise of her voice had shattered. She looked scared. Not of me, but of what she'd said. She stared at me, nearly panting, waiting to see what I would do, if I'd fall into the bed she'd pushed me back against, or if I'd fight back. But it wouldn't be her I'd be fighting.

I could shift out.

I could disappear.

That would have been easiest.