Talent

by Annie B Matthews

  “Not this one.”

  She rolled her eyes. “We weren’t about to stand by and do nothing.”

  He caught her arm as she tried to walk past. “You have no idea what could have happened.”

  Fury had her pulling away from him. “Let go, Jackson. I figured you’d be grateful that we’d stopped your ex from being mauled against her will in public.”

  Because it had been against her will, after all.

  When she met his gaze, she saw pain. She felt it too, his pain and fear throbbing at the heart of her. The anger drained and she felt the dark edge of shame.

  “That was out of line. I’m sorry.”

  Jack took a deep breath, rubbing his hands over his face. “You don’t know what some talents are capable of.”

  “And you do.” They watched each other warily for a long moment. Eventually Libby sighed and looked away, took a deep breath. Of course he did. One day she’d know too.

  “Sophie said hi.”

  “She’s not my ex. We were never together.”

  She knew that he was telling the truth of course and she felt something loosen inside her chest at his words. Some students walked past and Libby met their curious glances with a forced smile. “We need to talk. This isn’t the time.”

  “No.” He pushed his hands through his hair in frustration. “I’m sorry. I just…I can’t have you putting yourself in danger, Libby.”

  She blew out a long breath, trying to accept his protectiveness. Hadn’t she decided to embrace this relationship, this crazy life? It wouldn’t all be sunshine and roses, she’d known that.

  “You’ll have to accept that I won’t always agree with you.”

  He shook his head. “On this-”

  “No.” She held up a hand to stop him. “I acted as I thought was right. Handle it.”

  “You’ll have to accept that I probably won’t.”

  She smiled at that, and knew that they were past this when his amusement rippled through the air between them. Something of her previous mood stirred within her and she laughed.

  “I feel good today.”

  “I see that.” He caught her in a loose hug. “I’m sorry I ruined it.”

  “You didn’t.” She leaned forward to plant a hard kiss on his lips. “I love you.”

  For a moment she thought he hadn’t heard, and then his hands gripped her arms and pushed her back. Shock was written all over his face. If he hadn’t been holding her, Libby would have turned and run. She hadn’t intended to say it. She hadn’t wanted to say it, not before. Once she’d broken through the barriers she’d placed so carefully around herself, it was suddenly too hard to contain everything she felt for him.

  “Jackson-”

  “You…” He shook his head, not slackening his grip even as she tried to pull back. “Libby.”

  Embarrassed now, she struggled harder. “Just let me go.”

  “No.”

  He kissed her, without any restraint or caution. It felt like fire, a flash of heat that didn’t cool. Libby clung on, her heart racing, and let it consume her.

  “Enough.”

  She barely heard the interruption, took a moment to process it over the roaring in her ears.

  “Enough. Jack.”

  The voice was irritated. Dazed, Libby realized that she was plastered up against Jackson, her hands tangled in his hair. His eyes locked on hers, turbulent and exultant. She’d have bet anything that hers looked the same.

  “Jack.”

  He released her slowly, as though he knew she’d fall otherwise. Libby took a shaky breath before taking a step back. It took her a moment to realize where they were. Even so, she couldn’t work up any embarrassment as she turned to see a group of giggling students lingering at the end of the path. Quite frankly, she felt too smug.

  It was Danny who had interrupted them, his expression one of disbelief.

  “Really, Jack?”

  Jackson shrugged. “I’m only human.”

  “Next time, try thinking first.”

  Not really understanding the exchange, Libby smoothed back her hair and looked around for her bag. So many of their conversations were incomprehensible to her that she had long since given up trying to follow them.

  Danny passed her the abandoned school bag, eyebrow raised. “Looking for this?”

  “Thanks.” She looked at her watch, gasped. “God, we’re late.”

  “Shock horror,” Jack commented dryly. “Have you ever skipped a class?”

  “No, I have not,” Libby replied primly. She’d long ago decided that the class she’d missed after the incident with Mark didn’t count, since it hadn't been premeditated.

  He grinned, pulled her in for another kiss that had her head swimming. What had gotten into him? Libby wondered in amazement. More to the point, what had gotten into her?

  She didn’t do PDA. Did she? It was hard to know, since until Jackson she hadn’t involved herself with boys at all.

  “Let’s get you to class.” He tugged her quickly along the path, his good humour bewildering the stragglers they passed. She felt their surprise, their wariness, at his friendly greeting.

  “You’re scaring the townsfolk,” Danny murmured wryly before he peeled off to his own lesson. “Tone it down, mate.”

  Jackson didn’t respond, just smiled even wider. By the time they’d reached her classroom, Libby hardly knew what to make of it.

  “I’ll see you at lunch.”

  He squeezed her hand before releasing her, and then he was gone.

  When she slid into the classroom, everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her. The teacher looked surprised, but barely commented other than to churn out the usual ‘not okay to be late’ line. Being a good student meant that she got a bit of slack, Libby realized. Interesting.

  Tom grinned. “You look a bit tousled. Been behind the bike sheds?”

  Immediately Libby flushed and smoothed down her hair. “Really?”

  “No,” he laughed. “I could just tell by the glazed look in your eyes.”

  She pulled a face. “Funny.”

  He shoved his textbook between them. “We’re supposed to be discussing this. Did you read it?”

  “My eyes may be glazed over, but I’m not that far gone.” Although she wasn’t sure that was true. She was still bemused by the change in Jack, by her own quick-fire response. She had to admit that he’d been right on that score; if it hadn’t been for Danny’s interruption…she smiled.

  Tom heaved an exaggerated sigh. “It’s a slippery slope, my friend.”

  Renewed energy had Libby flying through the morning. She knew he’d felt the same. When the last class before lunch finished, she shot out of her seat and into the rapidly filling corridors.

  She had no idea where Jackson would be so she unblocked a little, just enough to amplify him. Relaxed…pretty pleased with himself. He must have done well in his stats test. Nothing that gave her a clue to his location, though. She wasn’t even sure how close by he was. Since this morning, for some reason, she’d felt his emotions alongside her own, muted to various degrees depending on his shield. They’d have to experiment, she mused. How close did he need to be for her to feel that connection?

  “As close as you like.” His laughing voice murmured in her ear and she jumped, whirling round to meet his amused gaze.

  “Very funny.”

  His hair fell in disarray around his heart breaker face and she grinned, lifted at the sight of him.

  “Let’s stand opposite ends of the field and see if I can read you.”

  He caught her hand and tugged her close. “That’s not how I envisioned spending lunch.”

  His lips were warm on hers, a brief kiss that had her eyes clouding.

  She drew back before she forgot where she was. “But it’s probably a good idea.”

  He blew out a long breath as he released her. “You’re right. Experimentation it is.”

  They walked out of the building together, heading for th
e large playing fields at the back of the school.

  “Tell me about Sophie.”

  He gave her a sideways glance. “Nothing to tell.”

  “Rubbish.”

  “Fine.” He shook his head a little in resignation. “She was interested. I have – had – something of a bad reputation when I came here so she never went beyond saying hello.”

  Libby heard the same wistfulness in his tone that she’d heard in Sophie’s. Jealousy bit hard and it was a moment before she could trust her voice.

  “She was afraid of you?”

  “No. Her brother warned her off and she looks up to him.” Jackson shrugged, but she could tell he had been bothered by it. Perhaps he still was.

  “You liked her.”

  He smiled at that. “Don’t be jealous.”

  She rolled her eyes, but obviously he could see right through her.

  “Don’t be. It wasn’t important.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Jack stopped, glanced around to make sure no one was close enough to listen. He threaded his fingers through hers, squeezed. “She’s lovely. She is generous and so kind, even in her head, that it made my gut ache. All that goodness, Libby.” He smiled sadly and she knew he was thinking of that year, that horrible year he kept from her. “It was nice to be on the receiving end of that.”

  “She still cares for you.” The words burned in her throat.

  “She felt sorry for me. She’s a nurturer Libby; of course she had a thing for the local bad boy.”

  “You still care for her.”

  He laughed at that, pulled her into a loose hug. “Of course I do. She’s a lovely girl. She was important, back then. But you…you are essential.”

  Jealousy ebbed a little and she took a moment to rest her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for being jealous.”

  “Don't apologize.” His arms tightened around her. “Although I didn’t want you involved, I am relieved that nothing happened to her.”

  She stepped back and carried on walking. That was all she needed to know, for now.

  “Talking of experimenting, Kelly says it’s likely that that’s what’s been going on. That’s why we thought we’d try checking out the pub.” She glanced at him worriedly, not wanting to set him off on that tangent again. He seemed placid enough, but she read his emotions carefully. “Don’t you guys know all the talents in the area?”

  Jackson frowned. “It’s not always as easy to spot. I knew you were, but mostly because I was hearing you all the time. Other talents know how to shield and, besides, we don’t exactly go around searching minds.”

  “But there is someone in town, other than your family, and Danny’s.” She looked at the students they passed, sprawled out in groups on the fields and enjoying the sun. “It could be anyone.”

  Jackson didn’t comment, but she could feel his concern. After a moment, he dropped her hand and gestured to her to stop walking. “I’ll head to the other side. See how far you can read me.”

  “No shielding,” she warned. “I want an open book to start. Then we can see what sort of difference shielding makes.”

  He grinned and she flushed under the heat of his emotions running as strong as her own. It was difficult to keep them separate when they were this close to each other. Pulling a face, she sat down on the grass, legs crossed, and gestured him away.

  She watched as he jogged across the field with an easy stride. He evidently enjoyed sports, unlike her. She wondered fleetingly if she should take up running and frowned as she felt his laughter echo through her.

  I could run, she retorted indignantly, even as she recalled the cross country disaster in Year 10. His increased amusement only served to irritate her. And make her aware that she could read him as strongly across the field as when he was standing beside her. He turned at the fence, hands on his hips. He seemed impressed, but she wrinkled her nose in annoyance. If her reading of Jack wasn’t affected by this sort of distance, she’d never be able to use it to locate him. Amused again, he started back towards her.

  “There’s always the tracking device,” he consoled her. “Besides, I can find you if you need me to.”

  Disquieted, she shrugged. “It’s just a funny feeling I have, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to track you down. A bad feeling. Is that weird?”

  He considered a moment. “Weird how?”

  “Weird, as in you might think I’m obsessed with you.”

  “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a stalker.” He mused, his face a picture of solemnity. “Could I be about to find out?”

  Libby shoved his shoulder, mortification staining her cheeks red. “I don’t mean that. I don’t think. I just have this bad feeling, but I don’t know why.”

  And it just wasn't her. She wasn't the girl who couldn't get by without a boyfriend. She wasn't the girl who would put her dreams on hold for a guy. She didn't want to be that girl.

  “I think you’ve been through a lot in a small amount of time,” he said quietly, hesitating slightly. “Don’t over think it.”

  She eyed him dubiously. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing.” He frowned. “Maybe you should talk to Kelly about this stuff. You know Libs, I’m not going to change my mind about you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “You know what I’m thinking,” she pointed out peevishly, wondering why she had to speak to Kelly about her relationship with Jackson. It made no sense.

  “But just clarify things for me.”

  “What?” She regarded him suspiciously.

  “You are obsessed with me, right?”

  Giving him another shove, she stuck out her tongue. “Jerk.”

  His laughter had her biting back a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll work with it.”

  Since he was in such a good mood, Libby tried bringing up the experimenting again. She hadn’t missed his deliberate change of topic earlier.

  “So I’ve been thinking about this talent and how he’s manipulating the students,” Libby began cautiously. “I know going to the pub was probably a bad idea, but I was thinking that I should get more of a feel for the other students, keep an eye out for that…taint.”

  His answer was instantaneous. “No.”

  She threw him a bemused glance, recognizing the concern that promoted his response. “It’s not as though I’d be throwing myself into harm’s way. At least if I spot something I can tell your parents, and we can intervene.”

  “No.” He scowled. “This isn’t some sort of high school drama, Libby. This person knows what they’re doing and, judging by Mark’s near miss, and Sophie’s, they’re really powerful. You’re not getting involved.”

  “I’m already involved,” she pointed out, “so that’s a moot point. I can be useful here; you’re not being reasonable.”

  “And you have no clue what you’re getting into. I’m not risking you.” He got to his feet and held out a hand to help her up before he started walking, his grip on her hand tight enough that she had little choice but to follow. There was something in his mood that had her pausing before losing her temper at his high handed attitude. Something dark and angry and frightened.

  Biting her lip, she followed him towards the library. She didn't know what to say, and he clearly wasn’t intending to acknowledge what she had picked up from him. What on earth could have made him feel such a way? What had he been thinking of?

  She knew he wouldn’t be telling her any time soon.

  His eyes were hard when they met hers and she was reminded of the reasons he had such a bad reputation amongst the other students. “Don’t play the hero, Libby. Trust me. I’ll see you at lunch.”

  He disappeared into the sea of students before she could reply.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “He said I should talk to you about it.”

  They sat side by side in Libby’s garden, leaning up against the old oak tree that dominated the small square lawn. It was still light, although dusk
was falling.

  The sky was pink, bleeding into red where the sun sank low. Good weather forecast, she thought idly as she waited for Kelly’s response. Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight.

  “Coward.”

  “What?” Startled, Libby whipped her gaze to Kelly’s face.

  “Jack, I mean.” She sighed in a martyred fashion. “I can’t believe he hasn’t told you himself. I guess he thought you might freak out.”

  Shifting nervously, Libby faced her. “Freak out about what, Kelly?”

  Her friend blew out a long breath, pressed her lips together in annoyance. “Okay, just don’t shoot the messenger.”

  Alarmed now, Libby spoke sharply. “Just spit it out already.”

  “Okay. Okay. When I met Danny, he became the focus of everything. He was all I cared about…well,” she smiled a little, “obviously alongside my family. But if I was forced to choose, it’d be him.”

  Taken aback, Libby just stared at her for a moment. “That’s…intense at our age. At any age.”

  “That’s the connection,” Kelly corrected.

  “What connection?”

  “The connection that links two talents. You know, that feeling that you’d known Jack before. The feeling that, if you aren’t together for a while, you can’t quite settle to anything.”

  Libby felt the blood drain from her face. That was it exactly, that need to have Jackson around which had her so worried.

  “I don’t understand. Jack and I are linked?”

  “I didn’t understand it at first either, being so young. But the link is there forever, Libby. I’ll always be with Danny, til death do us part.” She laughed a little as she pulled at a loose thread in her jumper. “And that’s what Jack hasn’t been able to tell you.”

  Libby didn’t think she could feel. A strange numbness settled over her but she didn’t fight it. “Not obsessed, then.”

  “Yes, obsessed, and completely, because no one else will ever matter to you as much as he does. And vice versa.”

  Libby recalled her conversation with Jack that afternoon, when he’d said she was essential. She hadn’t realized quite how literally he meant it. Her stomach lurched unpleasantly.