He took our names and brief statements on how we’d come to see the blaze. And then he lifted one shoulder and shook his head.
“Who knows?” It wasn’t really a question directed at any of us. “Crazy stuff. Those palms go up fast, but nothing else was damaged. If any of you hear anything, let us know. Otherwise. . .” He waved his hand vaguely. “You know, go about your business.”
Michael gripped my hand, leading me toward the doors of Rollins Court. We climbed the steps in silence, but just before we started down the hallway that led to my room, he tugged me closer against his chest and brushed my lips with his.
“At least no one can say I don’t make you hot, huh?” he murmured.
I punched his shoulder, relieved that he could joke about this, and we made our way to my safe and boring room, where I could already hear Sophie studying chemistry.
Cathryn and I met on campus over the next two weeks, mostly hanging out in her small office or on the green. Our time together consisted of her testing my abilities, determining the distance at which I could hear thoughts and making me work on my mind guards, as she called them.
She seemed satisfied with my progress, and when we met on the first cool Monday in October, she had her car keys in hand.
“Today we’re going up to Harper Creek. I have some practice exercises for you that need to be done in a. . .more protected environment.” Cathryn’s face was impassive.
I followed her to the convertible. “What kind of exercises?” I focused on keeping up my guards so that Cathryn couldn’t gripe at me again.
“Practice that goes beyond your mind hearing. We want to test your telekinesis.”
I wanted to make a flip joke about nobody touching my telekinesis, but I’d learned that Cathryn had no sense of humor to speak of, and my sarcasm would not be appreciated. So I took a deep breath and answered her seriously.
“I’m not comfortable with that. You recruited me for my mind-hearing, didn’t you? Let’s leave the other stuff alone.”
“On the contrary. We hired you for the full package. Your mind reading is important, of course, but one of our main goals is to help you control your newer powers. Your parents seemed to think that was important, and we do, too.”
I thought of the crystal goblet so narrowly missing Cathryn’s head, and I smirked. “I guess maybe my aim could use a little work.”
She started up the car and pulled out of the lot. “You need to learn to control the emotions that feed those powers. Once you do that, being able to use them more precisely will be much easier. At least, that’s how I understand it. I don’t have those gifts.”
The ride up to Harper Creek was mostly silent. Cathryn was not one for small talk, and I definitely didn’t have much to say to her. I was less surprised—but still impressed—by the beautiful white home as it appeared over the rise.
Cathryn pulled the car around to the side, where I saw now that there was a small parking lot. I assumed the valet who had parked my parents’ car was only there for special events.
Apparently the front door was also for new visitors only, as Cathryn led me around to a small entrance on the side, tucked between two large bushes. She used a key and carefully closed the door behind after we entered.
We stood in a hallway, much narrower than anything I had seen in the house on my first visit. There were a few small rooms there, and I could see desks and filing cabinets beyond the open doors.
“This used to be the servants’ wing,” Cathryn explained. “Now it’s our administrative offices. We use this entrance when we’re just coming into work. The front door is reserved for clients and recruits.”
“So we work in the servants’ quarters?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“No, we work upstairs, but we use what used to be the staff’s staircase. Come on, follow me.”
The stairs were steep and winding, but the room upon which they opened was bright. There were couches and chairs flanked by simple wooden tables; it seemed to be a lounge of some sort. Two girls sat in one of the smaller sofas near a wide expanse of windows. They both looked up expectantly as Cathryn and I came in.
“Fiona, Emma, this is Tasmyn. She’s here on her first visit to the Creek as one of us.”
I attempted a smile, flashing back to all of my first days of school. But this time, it was really different. Fiona stood up with a genuine smile, extending her hand to me.
“Tasmyn, it’s so nice to meet you. I’ve been looking forward to it.” She cut a glance to Cathryn. “Does she know. . .?”
“No, I haven’t told Tasmyn about any of you. I figured it would be easier for her to keep you all straight if she met you first.”
Fiona nodded. “Okay. So. . .I’m Fee. I’m a precog.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “Precog?”
Fee cocked her head to the side. “Precognitive. I can tell the future. See it, I mean.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t really considered any of the other talents that might be lurking up here. “How does that work? I mean, is it hard to do? To know what’s going to happen before it does?”
Fiona shrugged. “Now that I’ve learned more about it, it’s not so bad. The hardest part in the beginning was when I saw things and they didn’t happen. Then no one believed me.”
I shook my head. “Wait a minute, you see things that don’t happen?”
“The future is fluid. It changes because we change—our plans, our feelings. . .nothing is set in concrete. So right now, when I look at you, I might be able to say that you are going to see Michael tonight and. . .” She closed her eyes for a moment and then smiled. “Wow. Yeah, let’s hope for your sake I’m on target this time. He’s a cutie.” Fee winked at me, and I blushed, wondering what exactly she was seeing.
“Anyway, that’s what is going to happen at this point, but if anything changes for either of you, that scenario is out the window. You could get stung by a bee and end up having a bad reaction. Or Michael could find out that he has to study for a big test. Who knows? But right now, with the conditions the way they are, I can tell you about your evening.”
Beside me Cathryn radiated annoyance, which only made me smile.
Emma leaned around Fee and smiled at me. “Hi. I’m a broadcaster.”
This one I knew. “You’re my counter part then. I can--”
“—hear minds. Yeah, Fee told me. I guess you’re our mini-Cathryn.” Her ironic half smile made me feel in on the joke, not the target. Cathryn’s irritation ratcheted up one more notch.
“Emma is an influencer, too. She can plant suggestions in people’s minds,” Fee patted the other girl’s arm. “We work together sometimes.”
“Fee lets me know when my stuff is working, when the future has changed for the person I’m trying to help.”
I was impressed and would have asked more questions, but Cathryn grabbed my arm.
“Sorry, girls, but Tasmyn has work to do. I’m sure she’ll catch up with you later.”
I shot them a rueful smile and a little wave as I followed Cathryn out of the room and down the hall.
“They were nice,” I commented. I wasn’t positive, but it sounded as though Cathryn snorted as she opened a door and gestured for me to go inside.
“Yes, they’re great. Fiona and Emma have both been with us for a few years, so I’m sure they’d be good contacts. You know, reassure you we’re not running a spy ring or recruiting for vampires.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. So what are we doing here?” We were in what might have passed for a conference room if we were in a typical office building. There was a long oak table at one end surrounded by well-padded easy chairs. My eyes narrowed when I saw the line of glass orbs in the center of the table.
“I told you. We’re working on telekinesis.”
Setting my mouth in a firm line, I swung around and headed to the doorway. “If this is some kind of joke—it’s not funny.”
“Tasmyn, stop. What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Gee, I d
on’t know, Cathryn. Maybe it’s the orbs on the table. Did you get them from Marica? Is the athame in here somewhere?” Outside the room, I heard a loud crash, and both of our heads swiveled toward the sound.
Cathryn stepped out and looked down the hall. When she glanced back at me, her face was inscrutable.
“That was the portrait of my great-great grandfather that now lies in pieces. Tasmyn, if you don’t learn to get this under control, we’re going to have to start docking your pay. And believe me, with the number of priceless antiques in this house, you don’t want that.”
I dropped into a chair. “I’m sorry, Cathryn. It’s just the orbs—they threw me.”
Cathryn sat down near me and touched my arm. “I’m sorry. I had no idea, really. I know I haven’t always been. . .” She trailed off, gazing out the window. “I know I’ve tried to push your buttons from the start. But I truly didn’t mean anything today. The orbs are standard for this kind of practice. And since you seem to have a particular affinity for glass, I made sure to choose them.”
“Marcia used them to teach me. When I saw the orbs on the table, I just assumed—I’m sorry, Cathryn. Maybe you’re right. I do need your help.”
She stood. “Actually, I’m not the one who can help you. But I know someone who can.”
Zoe Hamilton was perhaps the oddest womea I had ever met, and considering my recent acquaintances, that was really saying something.
She appeared in the doorway that first day, her multi-colored hair wild around her pixie-like face and her eyes huge. She wore a diaphanous black blouse over tight denim capris and adorable silver slippers. Her cheeks dimpled as she grinned at me.
I couldn’t hear her mind, of course; I’d stopped being surprised about that anymore here at Harper Creek. But I could feel her delight and enthusiasm, and they were contagious.
That first day, Zoe just sat across from me, sipping some kind of odd-smelling tea from a thin china cup and talking about all of my abilities. I found it much easier to talk to her about the moving things with my mind and the elemental magicks, even sharing details about fire casting and my water work.
When I finally stopped talking, Zoe set down her cup with a definitive thunk and clasped her hands. “All right then! Let me see what you can do. Move these orbs around.”
Obediently I focused on the glass and worked on lifting them above the table one at a time. It took considerable concentration and left me a little worn out.
Zoe watched me without comment, and then suddenly she sprang to her feet and strode to the door.
“Cathryn!!” she bellowed. “We need you in here.”
The person in question appeared a moment later, consternation on her face. “You rang, Zoe?” There was uncharacteristic humor in her voice.
“Yes. Antagonize Tasmyn.”
Eyebrows lifted, Cathryn turned to me with a smirk. “I’m not sure this will work, but I’m game. Let’s see. . .”
I waited for her to speak, but instead, I sensed a sudden release as she lowered her mind guard. And then abruptly an image floated into my mind. It was Michael, and he was sitting quite near her, his face drawn and his eyes bleak.
“. . .and I think. . I think she’s seeing someone. At home. I heard from friends. . .” Michael’s voice matched his expression, and my heart plunged.
I saw a familiar hand touch his arm. “Michael, I’m so sorry. But you know, maybe it’s for the best. . .”
My heart pounded, and the power surged. The orbs were whipping about the room, flying at a frightening rate. Cathryn ducked out.
“All right then.” Zoe reached over and laid a cool hand on my arm. “Feel the power, Tasmyn. Recognize it. Now harness it. Take control.”
The glass balls didn’t stop, but I clenched my teeth and found that I could hold the stream. I tried to rein it in without letting anything hit the floor.
“That’s it. Now. . .slowly. . .set them back down. Use the same power. Just lessen it.”
I pulled it back, little by little, until each orb was back on the table. The last fell with a loud thunk.
“There we go.” Zoe clapped. “It’s a beginning. You see, don’t you, how much the emotion fuels the power? You can do it without, but not as efficiently. Now, we will work from that point.”
And work we did. I made the trip up to Harper Creek every Monday and Wednesday, sometimes with Cathryn and sometimes driving the Mustang, and Zoe was always waiting for me in the room upstairs. Within a few weeks I could manage the surges of power much more easily. When Zoe brought Cathryn in to make me angry, I was able to listen without knocking anything off the walls or tables.
Aline was pleasantly surprised by Zoe’s work with me. I told her about how Zoe taught me to handle the rage through careful breathing and deliberate thought redirection.
“That’s great,” Aline enthused. “I’m glad to hear you’re making progress there, Tasmyn. How does it make you feel?”
“Wonderful. It’s so nice to feel like I have little bit of control over this. We haven’t started to work on fire or water yet, but Zoe says we will next week.”
Aline smiled. “I know fire is something that worries you. You’ll be happy to have a better handle on it.” She winked and added, “And I’m sure Michael will be relieved, too.”
I blushed, regretting that I had shared that particular episode with my therapist.
“Are you still feeling uncomfortable about working with Carruthers?”
Shrugging, I tilted my head. “Not so much. I really like Zoe, and Emma and Fiona are cool, too. I’ve gotten to know them pretty well. They seem. . .” I thought for a moment, searching for the right word. “I don’t know, normal. Like anyone you might meet at any job.”
“Hmm.” Aline nodded. “And that must be reassuring to you.”
“It is.” My tone must have reflected my hesitation.
“But. . .?” Aline prompted.
“But I’m still waiting, Fee and Emma don’t say anything about their assignments. I asked them a little, and they said they’re not supposed to talk about the specifics of the work. I just wanted some idea of what they’re doing, and I still feel like I’m missing some information.”
“I’m glad to hear that. It means you’re being cautious, as we discussed. Nothing wrong with it.”
“I guess so. At least they’re teaching me how to handle my power.”
The only real downside I’d discovered about my work with Carruthers was that it cut into my time with Michael on Friday afternoons. If I spent the day up at Harper Creek, as I did more often than not, sometimes I didn’t get back to campus until after dinner. And then once I was at Perriman again, I was exhausted from the day’s work and usually fell asleep early.
I was drowsing on Michael’s couch one such Friday night, struggling to keep my eyes open while we watched a movie. It was mid-October, and a steady rain beat against the dorm window.
“Are you following this at all?” Michael’s voice roused me once again, just as I slid closer to oblivion.
I pushed myself upright, away from the back of the couch. “Yes! Of course. He’s going to. . .umm. . .try to get the girl to go on the mission with him?”
Michael snorted. “She stole the thumb drive with the secret files on them and took off about ten minutes ago. She was a double agent.”
“Oh.” I rubbed my eyes and smothered a yawn. “Yeah. I guess I might have closed my eyes for just a minute.”
He reached for the remote and turned off the television. “Maybe movies aren’t such a good thing on Friday nights. Come on, I’ll drive you back to your room.”
“But I’ve hardly seen you!” I protested. “I hate this. Between my work at Carruthers and studying for mid-terms, and you with your classes, we never have any real time together.”
Michael rubbed my back. “Don’t worry about it. Once you’re finished this part of your training, you won’t need to be up at Harper Creek as much, right? And mid-terms will be over next week.” He threaded his
fingers through my hair. “We’ll make it. We’ve been through worse.”
For a moment I thought he was talking about Rafe and Marica. Then he slid his hands around my neck, tracing the scars that were only just visible on my throat. I closed my eyes again, this time sinking not into sleep but into Michael’s memories. I saw again his view of Nell sliding the athame along my skin, the blood—my blood—dropping into the bowl she held. I shuddered.
“The Harvest Moon Dance is tonight, back in King,” he murmured. “Two years ago. Can you believe it?”
“How on earth did you know that?” I asked, amused. All of our friends had graduated in either Michael’s class or in my own, and we didn’t really know anyone still in high school.
“Didn’t you get Amber’s email? She sent it to both of us, to say thank you again for saving her life that night.”
“I haven’t had time to look at email today,” I replied. “That was sweet of her. I’ll give her a call this weekend.” I covered his hands, still at my neck, with my own. “That was the beginning of our friendship with Amber. The beginning of the end for Nell, I guess.”
“Maybe.” Michael clasped my hands, drawing them up and around his own neck. “Or maybe her story still has a few chapters left.” He smiled, shaking his head. “When I remember her holding that knife to you, a few weeks after the dance. . .I wouldn’t have cared if she were put away forever. But then she saved you. So I guess if she ended up having a decent postscript, that would be okay with me.” He bent his head to mine, brushing the lightest kiss over my lips.
I laid my head on his shoulder. “It makes me think I need to stop putting off going up to see her. Nell, I mean. There’s no reason I haven’t gone. I think I’m afraid of what I might see.”
Snuggling me closer to him, fitting our bodies together, Michael tucked strands of hair behind my ear. “Do you want me to go with you one of these days?”
“Thanks, but I think this is something I need to do on my own. Nell and I have history, and I owe her at least this much.”
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