“I didn’t ask your opinion on it,” I snapped. Ouch. Sometimes I even surprise myself. “Sorry,” I muttered.

“Don’t be sorry. You’re right,” Dylan said smoothly. “You didn’t ask me. And it doesn’t really matter what I think, anyway. I’m definitely a beginner-level freak.”

“Well, we’ve had years — our whole lives — to get used to it and figure things out. You’ve just been thrown into the middle of it. It’s actually kind of amazing that you’re not totally freaking out.”

You can help each other, Max, said the unwelcome Voice. You’re perfect complements to each other.

“Shut up!” I hissed under my breath, and Dylan looked startled.

“I didn’t say anything.”

Gritting my teeth, I nodded. “No, I know. It’s just —” I decided to take a risk and stared him down. “I hear voices, okay? If you’re gonna be here, get used to it. Or else keep your distance.”

If I’d hoped to scare Dylan away from me, he didn’t seem disturbed much. “Sure, Max. Whatever.”

“Okay, so, flying,” I started, taking a deep breath and focusing on the thing I loved most in the world. “Flying is … great. It feels great when you’re doing it. It’s fun. Pure freedom. There’s nothing better.”

Dylan smiled, a slow, easy smile that seemed to light up his whole face.

“So the first thing we’re going to do,” I told him, “is push you off the roof.”

Chapter 36

36

“HOW DID IT GO?” Jeb asked, when we got inside half an hour later.

“Great!” Dylan reported enthusiastically. “I did it! Max is a great teacher.” Before I had time to react, he put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed.

“He’s a natural,” I said, looking at Jeb and wiggling free of Dylan’s arm. “A quick study. Won’t need much more help from me.” I crossed the room and cut a piece of cake, feeling myself flush.

“The flock has been filling me in,” Jeb said. “And I see you all turned a year older today.”

“Yep.” I took a big bite of cake and perched on the sofa arm to eat it. Clearly Jeb had taken in the remains of the birthday party — the cake, the balloons, the decorations. Years ago, he’d organized the parties and bought the presents and got the ice cream. Well, he’d given up his right to do that. We didn’t need him anymore — not for anything. I hoped it broke his heart. “So, Jeb, why are you here?”