Ollie showered, letting the peppermint bodywash open her senses. It always woke her up. According to some hoopla Ellis had read, peppermint was medicinal. But Ollie loved the cooling sensation it gave her skin. It felt like it was purifying her, cleaning away the evil. But nothing was strong enough to do that. The only thing close was her family.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, she wiped off the steam before looking down at the bruise. There was nothing Granger could do, but she didn't know how to tell Geo and Ellis or any of her family. She didn't have the heart to explain to them that it was hopeless. Because in truth, she didn't care. They feared for her welfare because they didn't understand her. If they understood her, this wouldn't even be an issue.
"You should take better care of yourself," Ric had told her after another fight in high school at the age of sixteen.
"If you don't think I am taking care of myself you should see the other guy." She had laughed as Ellis held an ice pack on her arm because she wouldn't do it.
"Ollie, this isn't healthy. You're self-destructive. Deliberately hurting yourself because of what happened when--"
"What the hell? Are you psychoanalyzing me, Dr. Ricardo Mason?" Ollie had sneered. "I didn't cause that fight. I ended it. He wanted my brother's blood, just 'cause his skanky girlfriend had a stupid crush on Ellis. Don't worry--I was the one suspended, not Ellis. He'll graduate this year. His place in Oxford is secured."
"I'm not worried about Ellis, I'm worried about you. We all are."
"Why? I know my past like I know my future. Hell, I know everyone's future. We die." She'd laughed.
Ellis had shaken his head. "Ollie, you are not listening."
"I'm tired of listening." She had snatched the ice pack from Ellis and thrown it at Ric. "The problem's that you idiots aren't listening to me. I am what the hell I am. Crooked, twisted, broken, whatever. I ain't in line to be fixed. Damn, if you want the perfect sister, you got Cee, Vlad, and Angel." She had stood up to leave. "Y'all some bitches."
The bruise was right above her buttocks, covering the lower portion of her right side and her back. Damn, it was dark. And it stung to touch. It was worse than the ones that had formed on her thigh over a year ago. But the pain would subside; it was what would be left behind that would be her reminder. She looked down at her legs and sighed before going back to her room and dressing. How long would she be able to hide it? Damn near forever, if she could help it.
Dressed in some loose, black sweatpants and large, purple T-shirt, Ollie slipped on some socks before heading for the door. When she opened it, she saw Cee and Wolfe kissing by the stairway. The bandage on Wolfe's leg was gone. Cee was getting better at healing.
"You leaving?" Ollie called to her. Wolfe wrapped his arms around Cee, and she nodded. "Be safe."
Cee broke away from Wolfe and walked up to Ollie. She grabbed Ollie's face between her hands, kissing her on the forehead. Usually she got a hug, but because of the bruise, that wouldn't happen. So thoughtful, her sister.
"Take care of my brothers and husband," Cee said.
"You know I will."
Cee never worried about her openly, because she had threatened her sister. The woman was a worrywart, and she wanted off of her sister's list. So she had told Cee not to let her know if she worried--but Ollie's exact words were far harsher.
The rest of the group was in the living area. It looked like Geo and Ellis were playing chess; Geo was on one couch, Ellis on the other, while the chessboard sat on a chair, since she had broken the coffee table. The stares they gave each other were the only indication of play. Joc watched, trying to figure out how they did it with only a game board, and no pieces.
Ollie laughed, knowing that the curiosity would wear off once he couldn't keep up with the game. It was good that Geo had volunteered to occupy Ellis's attention.
Granger was in the other bedroom with the door wide open, sleeping on the bed.
Ollie decided not to bother Granger and headed down to the second floor to the security terminal. Wolfe had walked Cee to her car, so he wouldn't be back for awhile. Checking out the computer, she accessed her e-mail. A reply had come back from Alice_in_Wales. It seemed that "Alice" hadn't considered expanding but would look into it. Ollie grinned to herself.
"Hey, Beautiful, what's up?"
She glanced up at Joc, who was coming from the stairs, looking at her suspiciously.
"Minding my business." She said as she quickly replied to the e-mail (Let me know how things work out.) before turning her attention to the television screen that was stuck on sports.
Joc sat down in the swivel chair beside her. "Ollie?"
She felt his eyes on her. "Hmmm?" It was clear what he wanted.
"Do you ever think you can forgive me enough to consider--"
"No." There was no way she was going back down that road, when there were so many other reliable avenues.
"I can't let go as easily as you have." Pain touched his voice. Ollie would've laughed, but she was afraid that her pain would worsen, and she didn't want him worrying about her. He had no right to it.
"Let go, Joc. It's healthier for both of us. I may not respect you anymore, but I don't want my family pounding you to dust because you think you still care for me."
"And there's nothing I can do?"
Ollie looked down at him, into his outward-slanted eyes, to make sure he understood her perfectly. "Not a damn thing." But she still saw hope in his eyes, for some reason. Fool.
"Hey." Wolfe walked over to the terminal, "Git outta my seat."
Joc looked up at the man with a curled lip and narrowed eyes. His body tensed, preparing for action.
"You ain't stupid. You heard me, sure nuff."
"Wolfe." Ollie stood up, grabbed the man's arm, and pulled him back before Joc got up in his face.
"Yeah, awright. Fine." Wolfe frowned. "But ya need me, holler." He turned to head upstairs.
Wolfe couldn't beat Joc, and if he tried, he would only get his ass whipped. Then her brothers would be pissed off and gang up on Joc--if she didn't kill him first. Then Granger would have to step in. A mess. Why was Joc still hanging around? His very presence was a damn catalyst for some serious craziness.
But she had far more important issues to worry about right now. Like finding out what was happening outside these walls.
She looked down at the troublemaker. His eyes were fixed on her, completely into her. Well, hell, there would be no television today. Ollie went up the stairs and met Granger heading down. They stopped.
"When do you want to do this?" he asked. He looked groggy and had disapproval all over his face. It always had been clear that he didn't like her. He would make sure they finished as fast as humanly possible, so that he could get as far away from her as possible. She was surprised that he even had accepted the task.
"No time like the present." Let's get this over with. Leading him upstairs, she let him in the room first before closing the door. "Sit where you want." He sat down on the white wicker chair with pristine posture, hard and ridged. Ollie went to the bed; sitting down, she folded her legs under her.
After a long, staring silence, he shook his head, "Are you going to tell me what I'm supposed to be helping you with?"
"Nope, you'll have to figure it out." He had the ability, and she wanted to see the extent of it.
His frown deepened. Yeah, he really didn't like this. "You don't care about what I'll see."
"You've read me before. I figured you got all you needed then."
"Like Geo, you are hard to read."
"So we do have something in common." She had to laugh. Mama always said the two of them were more alike than Ollie thought.
"I'd prefer not to read you." His words were flat. Because Granger would prefer not to be in the same room with her.
"You might want to prefer it, because if I've got to explain, that'd require me stripping, and I know you wouldn't feel comfortable with that."
His brow loosened, and his e
yes widened slightly. That had got his attention. No matter how strong he was, he was still a man. "Then we'll do it your way." The gray of his eyes became like glitter--a silver disco ball. The change was subtle and hypnotic. Glitter transitioned to a solid iris of polished silver. That captivated her. She couldn't feel him reading her, but his eyes made her feel completely bare. She grinned as chills went up her spine.
His eyes were not the only thing about him that amazed her. Growing up, she didn't have many idols; she'd followed her own path for most of her days. But when she'd learned about Augustus Granger, she was instantly captivated by him. Most Structure children and teenagers were. Even adults were in awe of him. At the age of ten, he became a House of Heart prodigy, completely devoted to enlightenment. His father, Marlon Granger, was a multi-million-dollar real-estate developer well known in the Structure for his talents in the business world. It was said that though the man didn't approve of his son's pursuits, he allowed it only because his son's popularity was good for business.
Granger had totally mastered Level Two by the age of fifteen and was done mastering Level Three of enlightenment by the age of twenty-five. It was a major milestone in the Structure. In Structure history, no one that young had ever learned to master Level Three. That was the first time she learned about him, and she had followed his story ever since. She had just turned thirteen and started training to work in the underground.
He was between Level Two and Level Three when his father insisted he give up his ideals and work for him. And it was a choice the retired real-estate mogul soon regretted.
During that time, at the age of seventeen, Granger lost his mother. She was the driving force of his enlightenment. After his father put Granger in charge of the underground portion of his business, Granger not only took his father's clientele, branching off with his own business, but he reached Level Four enlightenment, all by the age of thirty-two, breaking yet another record.
Now at the age of forty, Granger was practically the underground and the giant behind Grandia Properties--casinos, clubs, and hotels. Most of them were fronts for his underground operations. He had the kind of connections and influence that got presidents elected and that buried corporations. There were few with more power than him, and that was not even counting his abilities.
Many stories circulated about his abilities. Like how he was able to read a person's soul and even possess it; he was able to make people puppets if he chose. He didn't seem real, but here he sat, reading hers. She wondered what he saw and how powerful he truly was. How close was he to Pillar status?
The silver began to dull as the gray returned. He took in a deep breath, rubbing his eyes. "Give me a moment." He closed his eyes and leaned back his head.
"Okay. Whatever."
"You show no fear and no resistance, and still I can only read surface thoughts, memories, and emotions without causing discomfort."
He could see all that, just on the surface?
"Yes, I can." He had answered her without looking up.
Damn, how awesome was he?
"There is something wrong. Even in those with higher levels, I haven't had this much trouble." He lifted his head.
Ollie began to see what the problem was. She'd had her defenses up the whole time, hoping he could see around them. But if security cameras couldn't, what made her think Granger could?
"What do you mean by your 'defenses'?" He frowned at her.
Damn, she liked him reading her mind as much as she liked it when Mama did it. It took the guesswork right out of everything.
"Try again." Ollie said, closing her eyes.
()()()
9
When she didn't open her eyes, Granger began his reading. Reaching inside of her, he noticed something was different. A veil had lifted, and the foggy images were clearer now and less elusive. He reached beyond her knowledge of her mother, the Oracle, her worry for her twin, and her distain for Joc. It was the menace within her that always stopped him, not letting him go farther. The sea of darkness that had held him back now seemed to welcome him. Diving in, he navigated memories of family, memories of missions, and memories of childhood.
"Mama," twenty-year-old Ric said quietly at the kitchen table as the woman fixed dinner. "When I picked her up from school, the principal had her in his office again. Another fight, this time with a group of girls. And of course Ellis was in there with her."
"Did they win?" the woman asked.
Ric laughed.
"Well, that's one less thing we need to worry about."
"Troy's mother expressed a … concern that Troy is starting to pick up … bad habits." Ric continued.
"Like?"
"She asked him to help her wash the dishes, and Troy replied, 'Wait a few more weeks until they sprout arms and legs, so they can wash themselves.' Needless to say, he was punished for that comment." Ric sighed. The woman tried to stifle a giggle. "Mama, this is serious."
"I know," she said before laughing, "but just imagine the smell."
"I think we need to separate Ellis from her to keep him from getting into any more trouble," Ric suggested.
"No. He would fight us every step of the way." She grew silent. "Come on in, Ollie."
Ollie had been crouching in the hallway, listening. She made her way into the kitchen.
"Sit," said Mama. The woman turned to look at the eight-year-old girl. Ollie lifted up her hand to cover her cheek. "I already know it's there."
"They said Ellis looks funny because he's mixed and Troy isn't my brother because his skin is darker. I told them they were retarded and stupid. They think they know everything, and--"
The shaman's hand went up to stop her. "What did I tell you?"
"They are just words," Ollie recited, rolling her eyes.
"So why didn't you ignore them?" The woman looked over the girl with those knowing eyes.
"I hate them."
Ric stepped forward. "Ollie--"
"No one talks about my family and gets away with it!" she shouted.
"Ric, go call your brother."
"Are you …?"
"We'll be fine." She smiled at him. He looked at Ollie with hard eyes.
"He hates me," Ollie said after he left.
"No, he's worried."
"About everyone else."
"No, dear. Because he doesn't understand you."
Ollie scoffed, "What's to understand?"
The shaman came over to the table and sat down. "Olivia, listen to me, and listen carefully--"
"I don't care."
"I know. And in truth, I'm glad. It means you have a mind of your own. However, you must learn to control your tongue and your actions before you hurt someone worse. You have power--power people fear. Power that can do harm to others if not used appropriately. So you must show restraint. Do you know what that means?"
"I think so."
"Tell me."
"Having power does not mean using power," she recited. "Knowing you have the power is power in itself."
"Just because you can beat up those girls does not mean you should. Delight in the fact."
"That I can smack them anytime I feel like it."
The shaman grinned, biting her lip. "Exactly."
Several days later, Geo had come home to start Ollie and Ellis on self-defense training to help her build self-discipline. It was her first step toward being Fire Eye.
Geo ground his teeth as he looked down at her in pure frustration. She had managed to out-shoot him again. It was no longer luck.
She grinned up in his face. "Not only can I out-load and out-shoot you, I'm a better aim," she taunted.
"And still you cannot manage to get past my defenses without cheating."
"One milestone at a time, Grand Exalted One." She was now sixteen, bored with school, and itching to learn more about the underground.
"Are you confident you want her to start work in this business? Is it safe?" Ellis frowned, rubbing his hand over one of his arms repeatedly, clearly n
ot liking the idea. He was always such a worrywart.
"You can come with me Ellis. Just think, we'll be a team." She grinned.
"It's simple," Geo reassured him.
"Sending two adolescents overseas to Europe, neither one recalling ever being on a airplane, for the sake of delivering a disk of information, with no knowledge of its contents--to a man, might I add, that we have never met or seen--this is your idea of simple?"
"Ollie will do all the grunt work, and you'll be her … advisor. I trust you two."
"Yeah, E, this will be soooo much fun. Come on," she encouraged, tugging his arm. "Our first mission. Just think, soon we will be working for Augustus Granger," she squealed.
"Fine."
That was the mission that not only had introduced her to the underground but also to her mother's family in Europe, and she had learned about the life that Olivia Ellington lived before she died.
They were both named after their mother--a gift from the shaman after they had come to live with her. A name change? Why would they need a name change? Granger waded through the darkness of memories to find a closet door. A memory that was a shrine in her soul.
It was her central focus. Her drive was all coming from this one area. Getting closer to the door, he became a young girl of about the age of five, playing with her twin. The young boy read while she played with dolls around him. Suddenly large hands grabbed her, alarming her twin. The boy rose from the floor as a young woman grabbed him, hugging him, letting him know it would be okay. The girl was carried down a hallway and taken upstairs to a room. Into the closet. Confusion coursed through the tiny girl as she reached out to the closing door. Then it locked. The sea of darkness was so overwhelming that Granger pulled out of Ollie's presence.
The darkness had lasted forever in that moment. Though for him it was only minutes, it felt like days. Days without food, without water. Days of tears, of darkness. Her cries and pleas had turned to silence. Loneliness and fear was ever-present.
Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy) Page 14
