Drawing Blood

by Mary Lou George

  She said, “Ah, I thought I smelled chocolate.”

  Holly offered her a brownie and Avery followed her to the brownie pan on the counter.

  In a low voice so Stryker couldn’t overhear, Avery said, “If I’m interrupting, I’ll take off.”

  Holly shook her head adamantly. “No, please stay. I’d rather you stayed.”

  Looking a little disappointed, Avery nodded. “Okay, but when you want me to leave just give me the signal.”

  “And that signal is?”

  “You could always pick your teeth or your nose.”

  Holly laughed quietly and whispered, “If I did that, he’d race you for the door.”

  Avery took a bite of brownie and with her mouth full, she said, “Not a chance.” She moved to the kitchen table and took an unoccupied seat. She smiled at Stryker, completely at ease.

  Stryker proceeded to tell Avery about Holly’s new drawing and their visit to Lydia’s.

  “I’ve met her I think. The name is familiar.” Avery thought for a moment and said, “It’ll come to me. You say she’s psychic?”

  Stryker nodded, meeting her eyes steadily. “I’ve known Lydia for years. Trust me, she has a gift.”

  Avery raised her eyebrows. “I don’t doubt it. I could hardly be Holly’s friend and not believe that such things are possible. In fact, I’d say I doubt the supernatural less than she does and I have no gift other than mother’s intuition.”

  He shook his head adamantly. “Don’t underestimate your intuition under any circumstances.”

  Avery narrowed her eyes and gave him an assessing look. “I never underestimate my gut. Do I, Holly?”

  “That’s true, Stryker. If anything, Avery’s been the one person in my life who has helped me to embrace what I can do.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. Have you ever thought that Holly might have even more abilities than she’s shown thus far?”

  “I’ve considered it.” Avery turned to her friend. “Well, I have, Hol. You just never seemed to want to hear. Your family hasn’t exactly been supportive of that side of you.”

  Holly was reluctant to admit it, but she knew Avery was right.

  “I’m convinced you’ve barely tapped the surface of your abilities. I’m glad I can help you in that area as well,” Stryker said.

  Struck speechless Avery swung her head around and focused on her friend. Holly shrugged. Avery nodded and smiled reassuringly. “Has Holly told you about her recent visit to a psychic named Margaret Wickham?”

  Chapter 13

  As Avery told Stryker about Holly’s experience, Holly moved to her desk and pulled out the notes they’d made together in an attempt to remember exactly what Margaret had said.

  When Avery stopped talking, Holly said, “We’ve written it down so I wouldn’t forget. She took my ring.” She lifted her left hand and wiggled her pinky finger and the garnet circlet at him.

  He said, “Psychometry.”

  Holly and Avery exchanged questioning looks. Stryker caught them and explained.

  “If Margaret Wickham took your ring and gave you a reading based on what she felt when she touched it, then she is a psychometrist. A good one can tell you a great deal about the history and associations of an object that way.”

  “Okay…” Holly was unsure.

  Avery frowned and demanded that he tell them more.

  He obliged. “Everything is alive, but exists over a vast range of frequencies. Obviously, the life frequency of a rock is infinitely slower than that of a dog. It’s evident even within the animal kingdom. The life frequencies of a sloth or a humming-bird are near the two extreme ends of the animal spectrum.” Both women nodded indicating they followed his train of thought so far. They waited for more clarification and he continued after taking a large bite of brownie. “An example, red and violet light are at opposite ends of the spectrum of visible light. Radio waves and X-rays are like light, but because they’re outside the frequency range of our eyes, we cannot see them.”

  “Gotcha...I think.” Avery nodded carefully.

  He smiled. “What we consider normal, human life-awareness is limited to the animal and plant spectrum of frequencies. Anything outside of that, we think of as being lifeless, but we’re wrong. Some people have an extended awareness.”

  “You’re saying that Margaret Wickham is one of those people?” Holly asked.

  He shrugged. “Could be. You are too of course, given your abilities.” He took her hand and looked at the garnet ring. “Your ring is alive on its gem and gold frequencies, which are both far slower than you are. But there are harmonic frequencies between the two.” He kept her hand.

  Holly nodded. “Okay, I think I get it. It’s like striking a top C on a piano with the pedal down. The bottom C string hums as well. Actually all the intervening Cs and related notes respond too, but not as much.”

  “Exactly,” Stryker said. Approval stoked the fire in his eyes when he looked at Holly and he stroked her hand. “If the ring has been on your finger for years, all the events on your non-physical levels will cause a harmonic response or vibration in the corresponding levels of the ring.”

  Excitement sounded in Avery’s voice as she got it too. “The ring will ‘remember’ them. Like memories…sweet.”

  Stryker smiled at her enthusiasm. “Yes. A sensitive psychometrist, handling the ring, will pick up these ‘memories’ by the same harmonic resonance.”

  Holly said, “Then I guess you can’t read plastic because it is neither organic nor mineral.”

  “You understand.” He sounded so proud of her she felt her skin heat up a notch.

  Avery said, “Yeah, we’re with you now, but don’t expect us to explain it to anyone else. Let’s just say we get it and leave it at that.”

  Holly nodded and smiled at her friend. As usual, Avery nailed it. She said, “Will this be on the test, Professor?”

  “No, but it will be on the final exam,” Stryker teased.

  Holly smiled and looked down at the notes she and Avery had made. She scanned the pages for a second or two. “Margaret mentioned my mother first. I guess that makes sense because it was her ring in the first place.” Stryker and Avery nodded agreement.

  “What did she say about your mother?” he asked.

  After a quick glance down at her notes, Holly said, “My mother knew happiness and tragedy and a love that was short lived but intense enough to last lifetimes.”

  “Does that make sense to you?”

  “Yes, I guess. She died so young. My father can never forget her. It stands to reason. They must have loved each other very much.”

  Looking over Holly’s shoulder, Avery said, “She also said that Holly made the right move coming to Muskoka. There’s love here for her.” Proudly, she put an arm around Holly and squeezed. “The woman knows her stuff, eh?”

  Stryker raised his eyebrows. “She does indeed. What else?”

  “She saw secrets, old secrets, misunderstandings and violence,” Holly said. “She told me that I will be tested. Then she got very upset and yelled out words like, ‘hunger, madness and betrayal.’ After she said that, she snapped out of it and asked me to leave. She didn’t even want to get paid.”

  “Sounds like quite the experience. That is not customary. Not a great way to initiate you into the world of psychometry,” he said.

  Holly laughed. “You’re telling me.”

  He took both her hands in his and stroked them with his thumbs. He looked directly into her eyes. “She could have been picking up parts of your mother’s life. You have to admit, Holly, your mother is a big mystery to you.”

  “I’ve been telling her that for years,” Avery said as she leaned back in her chair and rested a slim arm on the back.

  Holly nodded. “I guess I’ve been too scared to find out. My father has discouraged it all my life and I’ve respected his wishes. I didn’t want to cause him unnecessary pain.”

  Stryker said, “She was your mother. You have every
right to learn about her life. It’s your history.” He brought her hands to his mouth and kissed each palm, sending a tingle of electricity up her spine. “My brother and I know all about our family’s history. We’re proud of our lineage, our bloodline.”

  “What if all I succeed in doing is hurt my father? What if there’s nothing to be proud of in my mother’s past?” Holly could hear her heart pounding in her head.

  Avery said gently, “Wouldn’t you rather know? You’re not responsible for the acts of your parents. None of us are, thank God.”

  Holly smiled at her friend. “You’re right of course. This is something I need to do. I’d like to know.” She slipped her hands out of his grasp and sat a little straighter. “Stryker, I think I might take you up on your offer after all. Will you help me?”

  “Of course I will.”

  Avery glanced at her watch and cried, “Ah! Look at the time.” She stood and moved to the door. “If I don’t get to Beth’s in the next five minutes, we won’t have orange juice for breakfast tomorrow.”

  Holly pointed to her fridge. “I have a full jug of orange juice. You can have it.”

  Avery shook her head and looked at Holly then Stryker and back again meaningfully. “That’s okay. I’ll make it. I drive fast, besides Beth’s been pressing me about the drawing of Irene O’Neill. I have some explaining to do.”

  Holly explained to Stryker that they’d enlisted Beth’s help to identify Irene.

  “Have you decided what you’re going to say to this Beth?” he asked.

  Avery nodded. “For now I’m going to ask her to bear with me. I’ll tell her all I can when I get more information and that’s the truth. We will eventually tell Beth everything. She deserves to know.” She gave Stryker a steady look then smiled at her friend.

  Before she left, Stryker said, “I enjoyed meeting your kids today. I hope I get to see them again sometime.”

  Avery laughed. “Count on it.” She lifted a brow and said, “Maybe the two of you could do some babysitting for us. I don’t usually let my sitters have boys in, but for you I might make an exception.” She winked with exaggeration and slipped out. As the screen door slammed, they could hear her laughter.

  Left alone with Stryker, Holly started to clear the table. He immediately stood up to help her. She smiled at him and they worked together silently. It felt right. Their movements were in sync. Amazed, she realized that to an outsider it might look like they were dancing. When she passed him something she didn’t have to check to make sure his hand was there. It just was. Holly could have worked with him with her eyes closed. He anticipated her every move. She looked up at him and wondered if he’d noticed how effortlessly they moved together. She didn’t have to wonder for long. The bemused look on his face told the story. He’d noticed.

  When they finished straightening up, Stryker said, "It's been a long day. I should go now.”

  Holly didn’t object. She simply nodded.

  “Could you dig out those pictures of your mother at university? I think we should start there.”

  She nodded, moved to a bookcase in the living room and pulled out a photo album. She cradled it in her arms as she returned to stand in front of him. “This was my mother’s. I’m ashamed to say that my father does not know I took this. I needed a part of her with me.”

  Stryker smiled gently and ran his index finger down her nose. “I’m sure your father would understand.”

  Holly gave him a skeptical look and opened the book. She pointed to a dark-haired beauty with wavy hair and laughing eyes. “That’s my mom.”

  “She was beautiful. You are very much like her.” He was serious.

  “Thank you…” Holly said. “I guess we’ll start trying to find out about my mother’s life tomorrow then.”

  “The sooner the better, don’t you think?”

  “Yes.”

  He rubbed his thumb gently against her chin. “It’ll be okay, Holly. I’m willing to bet your mother’s past is nothing you should fear. Your father tells you that you’re just like her. That confirms that there couldn’t possibly be anything shameful in her story.”

  “What a nice thing to say.” Holly smiled with gratitude.

  He laughed. “No one has ever used that word when referring to me. Don’t people hate the word ‘nice’ these days? Nice guys finish last…it’s weak and pathetic…milquetoast kind of thing…not exactly what a man considers a compliment.”

  Holly shook her head vehemently. “I couldn’t disagree more. I think the world could use a little more ‘nice’. In fact, we have too much ‘mean’, too much ‘cruel’. I think we should bring ‘nice’ back.” She waved a hand in the air and snapped her fingers twice.

  “Hmm. When you put it that way, I have to agree. This could catch on. Do we make fridge magnets?”

  She laughed. “I think word of mouth will do this time.”

  “Speaking of mouths. I love to watch yours. I can’t help but kiss you.” He bent his head and tried to take her lips with his.

  Holly hadn’t forgotten what had happened earlier. She pulled away from him. “I told you it wasn’t going to be easy next time. This is next time.”

  He smiled ruefully. “I understand. I’m sorry for taking the liberty.”

  She put up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong, Stryker. I don’t mind you taking the liberty, as you so charmingly put it. You’re a guy. It’s a biological imperative, just don’t expect me to fall into your arms ever again.”

  “I’m not sure I can keep myself from touching you,” he said.

  “That’s okay. I like that in a man.” She looked at him impishly.

  He laughed. “Well, you’re going to love me then.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “That remains to be seen.”

  “I live in hope,” he said then he sighed and murmured, “Oh what the hell…” He reached out and pulled her into his arms. His kiss was devastating and Holly had to struggle not to respond too enthusiastically. Her word would be worth nothing if the first time he kissed her, she caved. He wasn’t making it easy though. What would it hurt if she responded just a little? She acted on the thought and kissed him back. If she had hoped to resist him, she’d just made a big mistake.

  He could be a bit of an opportunist when it came to kissing. He immediately took advantage of her response, touching his tongue to hers, teasing it before sucking on its tip erotically. He pressed her body against his. She couldn’t miss the fact that he was as turned on by the kiss as she was. She loved how it felt when he grabbed her leg, lifted it and pressed his hips closer to hers.

  Holly was losing control and longed to ignore the little voice in her head that reminded her of his earlier rejection. But her better judgment won out. Dragging her body away from his, she leaned against the counter, breathless. He looked at her with such heat she could feel it echo in her lower body and almost closed the distance between them. Almost, but not quite. She forced her gaze away from his and looked down at the ceramic tile on the floor of the kitchen. Their breathing was the only sound in the room. It pleased her that he was as affected as she was.

  Tied to him with an invisible bungee cord, Holly had to make a concentrated effort to keep her distance while the cord kept pulling her back. The right, the relaxed state was to be in his arms, everything else felt like needless tension. Her spirit tried to reject the unnatural restraint. Resisting the pull was exhausting when all she wanted to do was let go and snap back into his arms. It felt right. Her pride wouldn’t let her give in though. Instead, she turned away from him.

  He reached out a hand to touch her, but she forestalled him.

  “Weren’t you leaving?” Her voice was more husky than usual.

  His voice wasn’t its normal timbre either. “Yes, I was. I got distracted.” His grin crinkled the corners of his eyes the way she loved and all she wanted to do was kiss those smiling lips. By the look on his face, he knew it too and, opportunist to the end, he made a move towards her.

  His moveme
nt caused a small breeze and papers slipped from the counter to the floor. He paused and bent to pick them up. Glancing at them, he rose. He stood motionless for a second then, very methodically, shuffled them back in order.

  Holly froze when she saw his reaction to the last page. The page she hadn’t told him about.

  He looked at her sharply. “I see you didn’t tell me everything Margaret told you.”

  She looked directly in his eyes and admitted the truth. “No, I didn’t tell you everything. Can you blame me?” She pointed to the papers. “You can read.”

  He nodded. “I sure can. ‘He is not what he appears to be…so much blood…he swims in it…betrayal…’.”

  Holly didn’t back down, but kept her eyes locked on his, bravely. She waited for him to speak again.

  “I guess you think she was referring to me.” He said the words in a clipped tone.

  “I don’t know who she referred to, but you’re the one person who’s just recently come into my life. I know nothing about you. I’m not a fool. Not everyone is what they seem to be.”

  He stood silently for a long moment then finally said, “You’re right, Holly, I am not what I seem to be. If it makes it easier for you then I will admit that Margaret could have been talking about me.”

  Shocked at his easy admission, she stared at him. Calling on her courage once again, she said, “And the blood part? Does that refer to you?”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 14

  Stunned, Holly didn’t know what to say. She knew she was staring at him agog and struggled to contain her shock. Stryker remained silent waiting for her to say something.

  She didn’t disappoint. “You have to explain that to me.”

  He shook his head and looked away. “I can’t right now. Please forgive me. I need a little time. This isn’t my secret alone. Telling you the truth could impact upon so many people. If I’m going to take the chance of jeopardizing the safety of others, I’ll have to clear a few things away first.”

  She frowned. What the hell was he talking about? “Just how do I pose a threat to anyone? Is what you’ve told me about yourself a pack of lies?”