She spread her hands wide to indicate the dark paneled hall and the portraits with antique frames. “These are some of the early owners and residents of Harper Creek. It was built by Albert Evans, who named both the creek that crosses the property and the plantation itself after his late mother, who was a Harper from Virginia.”
“It’s beautiful,” my mother sighed, gazing up the stairs and then peering around a doorway. “And this is where you work, Cathryn?”
Cathryn gave an elegant shrug. “I’m not here all the time. Harper Creek is more of a headquarters and research facility. But I do know it well. It was actually in my family for generations before ownership transferred to Carruthers.”
She paused, taking what I recognized as a dramatic beat to allow us to appreciate the grandeur. “Now, I’m sure we’re all hungry! If you’ll follow me, the dining room is right this way.”
I could feel that there were other people in the house even if I couldn’t actually hear them thinking. It was like a quiet buzz existed in the place of their minds. So I wasn’t surprised when a small crowd awaited us in the large oak-paneled dining room. Two discreetly uniformed women stood at the ready by a sideboard laden with food. An older man wearing a pair of gray slacks and a golf shirt sat at the head of the table, and a couple who looked to be about my parents’ age were on either side of him. I picked up a few stray thoughts coming from those two and discerned that although they weren’t really part of the Institute, they had a rudimentary training in blocking their minds.
As we wandered in, the man at the head of the table stood. “You must be the Vaughns. Welcome to Harper Creek, and welcome to Carruthers Initiative Institute. I’m Harley Watson, head of recruiting. Please, have a seat. Be comfortable.”
My father shook Mr. Watson’s hand, and we all managed to find chairs. I stayed close to Michael. It was eerie being surrounded by people but only picking up the thoughts that came from my parents, Marly and Michael. It felt as though I had a clogged ear, and I fought the desire to try to clear it.
Mr. Watson remained standing and gave a brief welcoming speech, in essence restating everything that Cathryn had shared with us up to that point. He placed a hand on the shoulder of the as-yet unidentified man sitting next to him.
“This is John and Theresa Landower. Their daughter Melissa works with us, and we thought that they might be able to answer some of the concerns that you’re bound to have. We’ll go ahead and eat now, and you can feel free to chat with them. When we’re finished, I’ll address any of your other questions.” He gestured to the two women standing by the food, and they immediately began uncovering dishes and moving around the table.
Michael leaned over to whisper to me. “This is quite a show, isn’t it?” I shot him a smile and nodded. I wasn’t sure how many of these people could hear thoughts, but I knew at least Cathryn was probably tuned in to Michael.
Within a few moments, I had waffles with soft butter and warm maple syrup, a slice of ham and home fried potatoes heaped on my plate. A glass of guava juice and a crystal goblet of ice water glistened in front of me.
“Miss.” One of the servers gently touched my arm. “Would you prefer coffee or tea?”
“Uhh...” I glanced at the silver coffee urn in her hand. “Coffee, please.”
“Regular or decaffeinated? Cream and sugar?”
If I had known there were going to be so many questions, I would’ve said tea. “Regular, please and lots of cream and sugar.”
The server smiled at me, the first genuine emotion I’d seen her display. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
At the other end of the table my parents were engrossed in conversation with the Landowers.
“I understand you have reservations,” John was saying. “We did, too. Our daughter Melissa is a manipulator.”
“Oh.” My mother was clearly nonplussed. She glanced down the table at me, but it was Cathryn who laid her hand on my mom’s arm and answered her.
“Nora, what Theresa means is that Melissa can manipulate minds. Some prefer the term ‘influencer’ or even the less formal ‘bender’.” She smiled broadly down the table at me. “Tasmyn, your friend Rafe was a bender, wasn’t he?”
All conversation halted. The only sound was the gentle clink of the servers replacing dishes on the sideboard.
The temper that I had been barely keeping in check all morning surged in my throat. I felt a tingling down my arms and into my face as I instinctively reached into a pool of energy I’d been ignoring for months. The goblet of water flew across the table, missed Cathryn’s head by centimeters and crashed into the wall behind her. Water and glass splattered the poor startled server and fell into a tinkling circle on the glossy wood floor.
“Tasmyn!” My mother’s horrified gasp left no doubt where the blame lay. I closed my eyes; the power had ebbed as quickly as it flowed.
Michael closed his hand over mine and directed his thoughts to me. It’s okay. You’re okay. No one is hurt. Take it easy...breathe in, breathe out. Find the calm.
Aloud he said, “Tasmyn and I are going to step outside for just a minute. I think she could use some air.”
He pulled me to my feet and out of the room, my face scarlet and my heart pounding.
“Excuse me.” The server who had poured my coffee followed us into the hallway. “Sir, if you go this way, the hall leads to the back veranda. It’s quiet.”
“Thank you.” Michael flashed her a grateful smile and drew me with him along the hall. I sucked in a deep breath as soon as the warm air hit my face.
Michael pulled me back against his chest and fitted his arms around mine. “Better?” he murmured into my ear.
I nodded. “A little.” I laid my head back against Michael’s shoulder and let his strong reassurance pour into me.
“That was something in there.” His breath against my cheek made me shiver, and I gripped his hands under mine, pulled myself even tighter into his embrace.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “It just—it happened before I could think. That feeling—it hasn’t been that strong in months. I didn’t have time to control it.”
Michael was silent for a moment. I heard his intention before he spoke. “Was it Cathryn mentioning Rafe that made you so angry?”
I shook my head, feeling my hair brush against his chin. “It wasn’t Rafe. It was just all of it. Her neat little presentation, all sophisticated and put together, making me feel so inferior...and then chatting up my parents at the table—she called my mom Nora, did you hear her? And then she did that on purpose, you know. She mentioned Rafe’s name because she wants to come between you and me. And that was what pushed me over the edge.”
Michael turned me in his arms. He held my face in his hands and stared into my eyes. Nothing, no one, not one thing will ever come between us. She can talk about Rafe, she can wear her fancy clothes. . not going to matter. I love you. Lean on me. Trust in me.
I smiled up at Michael, feeling whole and healed for the first time all day. “Always,” I breathed, just before he lowered his mouth to mine.
The kiss began as a tender reassurance but quickly turned passionate, as Michaels’s desire surged into me. My lips opened beneath his, and I angled my head to give him better access. His hands moved to my back, holding me closer, ever closer.
I moaned against his mouth as my fingers played at the back of his neck. I pressed closer, standing on my toes to be nearer. Michael ran his hands along my sides, and there was no hesitation this time. His fingers tangled at the hem of my cotton shirt and dipped beneath until I felt their warmth against my skin. He skimmed the top of jean skirt, ran up my spine...
“Ahem!”
I jumped a mile. I was so involved, so focused on Michael and his thoughts, his lips, his hands...I hadn’t even heard Marly approach. And usually I was so sensitive to her mind.
Michael didn’t move an inch. He kept his hands where they were and just turned his head to look at his mother. I dropped my forehead to his shoulder, hopin
g that my face would stop burning before I had to look at Marly.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” She managed to keep the humor in her voice to the bare minimum. “Tas, your parents and the others were concerned. I volunteered to come check on you—I thought I was probably the best person for the job.” She leaned on the porch railing, gazing out on the expanse of green lawn. “So...are you okay?”
I peeked out around Michael’s arm. “Define ‘okay’.”
Marly laughed as she glanced at me. “I think ‘okay’ means that no one has to duck and run for cover from exploding crystal.” She moved closer to us and patted my shoulder. “Although honestly, I was happy to see you toss that glass at her head. If you hadn’t, I might have.”
Michael kissed the top of my head. “That’s my mom. Always willing to resort to violence in defense of those she loves.” He moved his hands from under my shirt and smoothed my hair. “Think you can handle going back in?”
I sighed heavily. “Yes. I can handle it. But Cathryn better watch her back. Or at least her head.”
When Marly, Michael and I returned to the dining room, it was as though nothing had ever happened. The glass was gone, no stain remained on the wall, and my parents were deep in earnest conversation with the Landowers and Mr. Watson.
“Oh, Tas, I’m glad you’re back,” beamed my mother. “It’s been so nice to visit with Theresa. You know, I’ve never talked with someone else who has an extraordinary child.”
“They actually have support groups through the Institute,” put in Mrs. Landower. “It’s been such a help to so many of us.”
I pulled out a chair near the doorway and sank into it. Michael remained standing behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
“I’m still not clear on how your daughter uses her gifts to help others, John,” my father, ever vigilant in his protection of me, remarked. At least one of my parents seemed to be maintaining some sort of neutrality.
“Well, we wondered about that, too, Rob,” Mr. Landower answered, slapping a hand on the table. “We’d worked hard all our lives to try to stop Melissa from using what she could do. And it wasn’t easy. But here with Carruthers, Melissa works with people who might make some bad choices, and she helps them to see thing more clearly. And it’s made her life so much better.”
My parents both looked impressed. I tried to keep from rolling my eyes.
Mr. Watson caught my eye. “Tasmyn, we’ve been answering your mom and dad’s questions, but of course, we want to find out what we can do to help you make the decision for Carruthers. So go ahead, ask away.”
I reached up and clutched at Michael’s hand. “I guess I want to know what kind of good work I can do through the Institute. Cathryn has hinted at a few things, but I haven’t heard anything concrete. How can my abilities help people? What will you do to connect me with those who need my help?”
Mr. Watson nodded. “Excellent. Well, of course, until you’ve committed to work with us, we can’t share all of our information. But I can tell you that we have people working discreetly in various companies, organizations...you name it. And they discern where help is needed, and then we can step in, offer our services. Sometimes that help is declined. I’m sorry to say that there is still a good deal of prejudice and misconception about extraordinary gifts. But of course, you’d understand.”
I forced a smile as Reverend Pryce’s face flashed in my mind. “Yes, I know a little about that.”
“Now that I’ve answered some of your questions, I hope you’ll indulge me. We’ve been following you for a little while, since Cathryn learned about your talents last year.” He paused to bestow a huge smile on Cathryn, who managed to look both smug and self-deprecating at the same time. I really did want to slug her.
“We had always planned to speak with you once you were up here at Perriman. We don’t work with anyone under college age. But we were surprised to find out that you had...broadened your repertoire of gifts, as Cathryn reported, and as we’ve seen first-hand this morning.” Mr. Watson gestured to the wall where the goblet had shattered. “Fascinating. Has telekinesis always been one of your powers?”
I squirmed a little, and Michael rubbed my shoulder. “No,” I answered softly. “That’s been fairly recent.”
“Ah.” Harley cast a glance at my parents, who I saw were looking unhappy at this turn of conversation. “And I imagine those powers are still a tad volatile, a little out of control, as new gifts often are.”
“Yes, they are,” my mother answered for me. “And you haven’t even seen the half of it. She can--”
“Mom!” I interrupted, aghast. “Please.”
She stopped, her hand still in the air mid-gesture. My father patted her leg. “Tasmyn’s right, Nora. She can fill Harley in on everything when she starts working with them.”
“Of course,” Mr. Watson agreed. “You don’t have to go into details right now, but you should be aware that we can help you learn to control your new abilities. We can offer you a safe place to explore them and channel those energies into a positive use.”
I suddenly felt smothered, as though the walls were closing in on me. I turned in my chair to cast a pleading glance to Michael. “Can we go now?”
He nodded without hesitation. “Yes.” Turning to my parents, he said, “Tas is ready to leave. She’s not feeling very well, and it’s been a long morning. I think we should take her home.”
Mr. Watson rose at once. “Certainly. I understand completely. This can be a lot to take in, particularly when you’ve been as—as private, shall we say, with your abilities as you have been. We appreciate your time.” He stepped around the table to offer me his hand. “Tasmyn, you have our contact information, and of course, you know Cathryn. We’ll give you some time to think about all of this. We only ask that you keep our discussion within the people who were here today. Our success is dependant on the discretion of those who work with us.”
I nodded. “I will.”
I stood awkwardly in the doorway to the dining room as my parents said good-bye to the Landowers and Mr. Watson. Cathryn waited to lead us out, but she avoided looking at both Michael and me. Marly remained to the side, taking in everything.
I felt the same claustrophobic sensation as before and glanced toward to hallway. As I did, I caught the eye of the server, still standing at the sideboard. She was gazing at me with a mixture of intensity and empathy, and suddenly I caught a few stray thoughts from her.
...careful...be careful...
The ride back to Perriman was very quiet. Michael kept his arm around me, and I lay my head against his chest, listening to the reassuring steadiness of his heartbeat. On my other side, Marly kept one hand on my knee as she mentally broadcast her support.
I had eighteen years of practice in blocking my parents’ thoughts, and it was easy to do it now. That was one positive lesson Marica had taught me; I was more efficient at tuning into specific minds and shutting out the ones I didn’t want to hear. But I could tell even without delving too deeply that my mom and dad had been pleasantly surprised by Carruthers, by Harley Watson and even by Cathryn. The idea that there were people who could help me to control my newer powers was very appealing to them. They’d grown used to the mind hearing over the years, but moving objects around, casting fire, moving the wind and water—those abilities scared the heck out of them.
When we pulled onto campus, my father spoke at last. “Marly, Michael, would you mind if we dropped you off at Michael’s dorm and had a little time with Tasmyn on our own? I’d like to discuss this opportunity with her, just the three of us.”
“Daddy, no,” I protested. “I don’t have any secrets from Michael, and he’s part of this decision. I want Marly’s input, too.”
Michael held me a little tighter, comforting, but I heard him clearly thinking. If they want to talk to you on their own, you should do it. It’ll make them feel better, and we can talk later.
At the same time, my mother said, “Tas, we’re not trying to hide
anything, but we’re still your parents, and we want this time. Please. We’re not cutting out Marly or Michael.”
I heaved a weary sigh. “Okay. Fine.”
Michael pulled me close when the car stopped in front of his building. He dropped a tender kiss on my forehead and then climbed out with a quick squeeze of my hand. Marly kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “Hang in there, kiddo. I’ll see you in a few.”
As we drove in the direction of Rollins Hall, I spoke up. “We can’t go up to my room. Sophie will be there studying, and unless you want an audience...”
“Where do you suggest?” my father asked. We finally settled on the green, where there was always some empty bench or nook.
The early afternoon sun was very strong, and I sought out a shady spot, leaving my parents trailing in my wake. I dropped to ground, carefully pulling my skirt around my legs and hugging my knees to my chest.
My mother sat down on the bench behind me, and after a moment of hesitation, my father joined her.
We all sat without speaking as the minutes ticked by. I rested my chin on the top of my knees, looking out at all the activity on the green. Two boys were tossing a football back and forth, and under another tree, a group was gathered with books open. Curious, I focused on their minds...ah. It was some kind of Bible study. I tuned them out as my dad began talking.
“Tas, your mom and I were prepared to protest against you being involved with this Carruthers in any way. The idea of it goes against everything we’ve done to protect you. We only agreed to come up this weekend because we didn’t want any chance of you getting in over you head—again.”
King Series Box Set Page 81
