She needed their location—Mayzie, the baby, and their captor. Veronica tried to broaden her view to include the surrounding area.
Kyla jerked her hand from Veronica’s. “What are you doing?” she demanded.
The vision vanished as every face in the circle turned toward her.
“I almost had them,” she said. “Now they’re gone.”
“Almost had who?” Kyla practically shouted the question.
“Mayzie and the baby. Who else?” Kyla had no reason to be angry with her, and Veronica made no attempt to hide her own anger. “Somebody had to do something.”
“Ed and Marta are doing something,” Kyla snapped. “You could have interfered with them and even put them in danger—and Mayzie and the baby, too.”
“Well, I didn’t. I saw Mayzie and the baby, but I couldn’t tell where they were. Ed and Marta weren’t with them; I’m certain of that.”
“Did you see Jerome?”
“I guess so. It didn’t look like him, though. He was scary-looking, big, a lot taller than poor Mayzie. Too tall to be human, even.”
“How close to them were you?” Kyla asked. “And where were they?”
“I don’t know,” Veronica confessed. “It was all hazy, like a dream. I just saw them, not anything around them. I wasn’t close enough to them to see details. I could see that Mayzie was real scared, but that was all.”
Kyla fell silent, looking thoughtful.
Abigail, who’d come back from the kitchen, frowned and said, “Are you certain you really saw them and didn’t imagine it? Or maybe it was a vision?”
That was Aunt Abigail, always questioning, always doubting. She still didn’t trust magic, even though she was gifted. And that thought led Veronica to say, “I’m certain. But why don’t you get the Breyadon and try a locating spell. That should settle it.”
She thought it was good advice, but Aunt Abigail made no move to follow it. Veronica stamped her foot. “Nobody’s doing anything!” she said. “At least I was trying, and if you hadn’t interrupted me I might have found out where they were and—”
“That’s enough, Veronica,” Aunt Kyla cut in, using her soothing voice the way she did when she thought Veronica might throw fire or something and hurt somebody as she had when she was nine. But then she’d just discovered her powers and hadn’t learned to control them. And Jerome had somehow transferred a lot of his anger to her. Now she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She glared at Kyla. Why couldn’t she see that her adopted niece only wanted to help? And had the power to do it?
Aunt Kyla gave her the look that warned her to be quiet and stay out of adult matters. Well, she’d show her. She’d show them all. They didn’t want her to do anything? They wouldn’t let her help? Okay, she’d put on her good girl act and not let on, but she would try again to find Mayzie and Baby Dreama. She’d just be more careful not to let Kyla and the rest find out what she was doing.
Scowling, she stalked from the room, heading for the kitchen.
Aunt Abigail followed her. “I’ve washed most of the dishes. You can dry them and put them away,” she said. “That will be a big help.”
Sure, washing and drying dishes and putting them away would be a real smart use of her talents. She didn’t bother to answer, just ignored Abigail and walked on through the kitchen to the back door, went outside, and slammed the door behind her. She stopped a short distance from the back door and waited to make sure Abigail didn’t follow her.
Neither Aunt Abigail nor anyone else came to call her back. No doubt they were all too preoccupied with planning what to do—instead of doing it. Well, she would show them. She headed out of the yard and toward a small park nearby where a bench in a shady arbor would provide solitude in which to work.
Seeing Abigail follow Veronica into the kitchen, Kyla assumed that Veronica would be under the older woman’s supervision. Abigail would certainly understand that the rest of the group could not waste precious minutes dealing with a temperamental teenager in this time of crisis. Ed and Marta hadn’t returned, and what that might mean caused Kyla greater worry. It might mean that they’d found Jerome and were dealing with him and would soon be back with Dreama and Mayzie. But she couldn’t block the thought of other possibilities. Nor could she risk leaving everything to Ed and Marta if they had found Jerome. After all, by their own choice they’d rarely used their powers in the five years since they’d gone off on their own. Who knew whether their abilities had not weakened from disuse?
The power circle had broken up with Veronica’s defection, and the guests milled aimlessly about, talking among themselves or merely standing apart looking lost and confused. Grandmotherly Winnie Calder, a new member of the Community, had her arms around Leah, consoling her, using her newly discovered gift of spreading calm and peacefulness. Kyla suspected that Winnie also had a gift of healing, a gift she hoped they wouldn’t need.
“Listen,” Kyla addressed the group, “we’re all upset, but we have to stay focused and pool our strength. I’m sure Ed and Marta, wherever they are, will do all they can. We have to do what we can from this end. We can’t afford to waste time just waiting for them.
“Now, Veronica said she saw Mayzie and the baby. Maybe she did and maybe she didn’t. If she did, we ought to be able to see them, too. But we need to be careful not to let their captor know we’re spying. I only hope Veronica didn’t alert him. She means well, and she has great talent, as you know, but she doesn’t think things through before she acts.”
She gazed around the room, assessing the talents that were spread among the guests gathered here. Several had gifts that would prove useful if they could discover Jerome’s whereabouts. Others might be a hindrance and should be sent away. She disliked hurting anyone’s feelings, but this was not the time to tread gently.
Winter, being a powerful empath, was already looking ill. He would be relieved to be sent home. She went to him. “Winter, I’m sure you’re picking up on everyone’s grief and confusion. Please feel free to leave. There’s no need for you to suffer, and there’s really nothing you can do here.”
He gave her a grateful look and nodded. “I am feeling a bit sick,” he said, rubbing his forehead. “Please don’t think I’m not willing to help.”
She patted his shoulder. “I know you’re willing, and if there’s anything you can do, we’ll send for you. Right now, you’re only making yourself miserable by staying.”
“Thanks.” He turned toward the door, then turned back and whispered, “The fear and anger and feelings of helplessness are horrible enough, but somebody registers as excited and pleased.”
He whirled away before she could ask who that somebody was and rushed for the door like a man pursued.
He must not have known who, she thought. Otherwise he would have said. Unless he’s afraid of the person. He’s such a timid young man.
It was hard to believe that someone, a member of the Community, would rejoice at calamity. Excited, he’d said. And pleased. How could anyone feel that way? She had to think—and hope—that whoever it was, the pleasure and excitement were due to the prospect of having the opportunity to show off his or her power by participating in the rescue.
Zauna Raye, an older woman, approached diffidently and tapped her arm. When Kyla turned toward her, she said, “I believe I can help, but I need my crystal ball. I’m sorry I didn’t have the foresight to bring it. But I’ll toddle along and get it and come right back.”
Zauna was not one of those Kyla would have asked to leave. The woman’s slovenly dress and unkempt appearance belied a kind and generous nature and a calm acceptance of her lot in life. Kyla found her a steadying influence. But if Zauna needed her crystal ball, she should get it. She might see something helpful in it—maybe even discover where Jerome had taken Dreama and Mayzie. So she thanked the woman and watched her make her way to the door.
“Why are people leaving?” an imperious voice demanded.
Kyla knew without turning to face him who’d spoke
n. Professor Firstan Morence was highly gifted, but unfortunately he had little regard for the feelings of others, believing himself to be superior to most if not all the other members of the Gifted Community. She didn’t need to cope with his arrogance now of all times.
“Professor, there are too many of us here all exercising our power. We’ll get in each other’s way. I’m suggesting that those whose powers aren’t immediately needed leave now but stay on alert to return if we need them later. And that includes you, please.”
“You’re ordering me out?” He demanded, his eyebrows raised. “My gifts could certainly prove valuable.”
“They could indeed, Professor, if we had anyone to use them on. But at the moment, we don’t.” Professor Morence had the ability to project his thoughts into the minds of others. He also practiced coercion. Both were dangerous gifts, and although he was careful in his use of them, Kyla found it hard to trust him fully. She kept herself well shielded when in his presence, and she knew many of the other gifted did the same. “Surely you can see, Professor, that we have no time to waste bickering.”
Trille approached and gave Kyla a kiss on her cheek. “I agree, and I’m going to leave. My abilities really don’t fit this situation, and I do have a concert to prepare for.”
The renowned singer possessed great power, but she was right, her particular gifts would not be of benefit at this time as they all had to do with manipulating water. Kyla returned her kiss and accompanied her to the door.
“If you should have use for my gifts, send for me and I’ll come at once,” Trille said and took her leave. Kyla was relieved to see Professor Morence follow her out. She couldn’t have endured more argument.
The Honored Camsen Wellner approached her and, not meeting her eyes, said, “I feel I, too, should leave. You have no more need of me, and I am due back at the Temple of Ondin for afternoon devotions.”
“Thank you, Honored Camsen, for your blessing,” Kyla replied, knowing his reluctance to use his gifts. She would have preferred that he stay. His ability to create illusions and to throw and sculpt fire could well prove useful in a confrontation with Jerome. But could she trust the priest to use those gifts? Having no time to explore that question, she said, “If we should need of your gifts later, I hope we can call on you?”
“Uh, yes … yes, naturally,” he said, reluctance clear in his voice. “And I’ll pray to Ondin for all of you.” Hurriedly he took his leave. Kyla hoped they would not have to call on him, that his abilities would not be needed. Why was it, she wondered, as she often had about Abigail’s similar distaste for using her powers, that so much talent was given to someone who was loath to use it?
Next came Gorvy and Darnell Mack, husband and wife. Kyla could see no need at present for Darnell’s ability to shape-shift, and her husband’s only ability, so far as they knew, was as a quencher of power. If they caught Jerome, that ability could be useful, but until then neither of them could offer much help.
As they prepared to leave, Petros Birge who had lost his legs in a tragic childhood accident, rolled up to them on the wheeled platform on which he got around. “Gorvy, Darnell, I intend to stay,” he said, propelling the wooden platform by turning its two large wheels with his hands. “I hope I can be of use. But would you be so kind as to stop by my house and tell my folks I’ll be here as long as I’m needed?”
They not only agreed to notify Petros’s parents, they turned to Marchion Blandry and asked whether he was staying and would like them to inform Mrs. Blandry. The wealthy merchant looked questioningly at Kyla.
Kyla nodded. “I don’t know whether your gift of seeing auras will be helpful, but we will certainly need your ability to enhance power.”
“Then, yes,” Marchion answered the Macks. “Please do let my wife know I’ll stay here as long as I can be of service. She’s not a worrier, but she will fret if I’m gone overnight.”
When the Macks departed, those remaining, with one exception, would all be invaluable in the search. Kyla gave the exception, Renni Natches, the newest member of the Gifted Community, a meaningful look, but the young woman failed to take the hint. Could she be the one to whom Winter had been referring, the one whom he’d described as excited and pleased by the tragic turn of events? Kyla reminded herself not to make snap judgments.
“Renni, your gifts may be needed later, but at present it would be best for you to leave and get some rest in case we have to call you back.”
The young woman narrowed her eyes. “Oh, no. You aren’t getting rid of me. I can find a way to be useful here, and I don’t need rest. If nothing else, I can lend power to those whose gifts you will use right away.”
Kyla could find no way to insist on her leaving without revealing the mistrust she felt. She didn’t want an argument. They needed to get to work right away. “All right,” she said, though she saw no way the young woman’s gift of altering memories would be of use. “If you agree to let any of us draw on your power when we need it, that will help.”
Renni nodded. “I agree to that.” Her triumphant grin strengthened Kyla’s suspicion that she was the one whose excitement Winter had felt.
Kyla turned to the remaining gifted, reasonably confident that she could rely on all of them to do their parts in the rescue attempt. She could imagine ways in which each one could use his or her gift to rescue Mayzie and Dreama and in a confrontation with Jerome if they faced that.
Lore Kaplek had the ability to transfer to another place and to bring items, but not people, to himself from another place, if he could visualize the location. Young, good-looking, and personable, he might well be the reason Renni had wanted to stay.
Petros Birge possessed the marvelous gift of transferring his consciousness into other minds, from which he could observe events without being observed, an invaluable ability if only they could send someone to wherever Jerome had taken Mayzie and Dreama. But so long as they remained ignorant of that location and had no way to reach it, Petros’s gift would be of little help. His acute hearing also could only prove useful if they had someone to listen to. Hoping to discover the whereabouts of the kidnapper and his victims, Kyla welcomed Petros’s decision to stay.
Marchion Blandry downplayed his gift of seeing auras and webs of power, but Kyla wished she could ask him privately what Renni’s aura looked like and signified. She felt certain they would find other uses for his abilities, but at present his most valued gift was that of enhancing the power of others.
And finally, Winnie Calder’s ability to calm others and keep them focused would certainly prove useful. Feeling increasingly worried and tense, Kyla could have used that gift now, but she did not ask Winnie for that comfort, not wanting to give the impression of weakness when they needed her strength.
The time for action had come. She considered calling Abigail and Veronica in from the kitchen, but decided that it would be better to leave them out of this for the time being. Veronica had great power but her lack of control could jeopardize the group effort. If Marta were here, she could help Kyla prevent Veronica from acting rashly, but without her help the danger was too great. And where were Marta and Ed?
As if in answer to her question, Zauna returned, bearing her crystal ball and wearing the gaudy and well-worn garment she habitually wore for fortune telling. She was breathing hard, and her face was flushed. She must have run all the way. Kyla pushed a straight chair up to the table of baby gifts and piled those unceremoniously on the floor along with the extinguished candle. Zauna placed the crystal on the table, and sank down onto the chair Kyla provided.
She said, “Now, please, everybody be very quiet and let me concentrate.”
Kyla waved the others back when they would have crowded around. Even if they looked directly into the crystal globe, none of them would see whatever it was that Zauna saw.
Reminded by the crystal of Alair’s crystal residence, she sent a mental message to the Power-Giver: Alair, please, help her locate Dreama and Mayzie. And Marta and Ed.
She wished for a reply but didn’t expect one. He’d been silent for so long. This was not the time to think about that problem.
Zauna stared intently into the crystal while her audience, it seemed to Kyla, held their collective breath. It was almost unbearably quiet. No sound came from the kitchen, and looking around, Kyla saw that Abigail had joined the group and was standing next to Leah, who had remained despite not being gifted.
Where was Veronica?
“Aha!”
Zauna’s cry swung Kyla’s attention back to her and the globe into which she was peering.
Petros and Lore both moved nearer to Zauna, probably expecting their talents to be needed.
“Oh, no!” Zauna straightened and turned her gaze to Kyla. “I had them. Marta and Ed. They were standing together in what seemed to be a very desolate place. And then, suddenly, Ed disappeared, and Marta is looking all around. She seems distraught.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
SEPARATION
“Since we can’t go anywhere, we’d better start searching this desolation,” Marta said, taking a firm hold on Ed’s arm. He nodded, but did not otherwise move. His eyes were pools of despair.
“Ed, we can’t just stand here.” Marta took a couple of steps and tugged him along after her. “We won’t save Dreama this way.”
“Jerome’s gotten stronger,” he said, gazing off into the distance. “Much more powerful. While we’ve let our powers grow rusty these past five years. He’s too strong for us.”
“So you’re just giving up?” Marta released his arm and stepped in front of him. She put a hand under his chin, tilting his face upward so that his eyes met hers. “You’re just going to let him have Dreama?”
A Mix of Magics (Arucadi: The Beginning Book 3) Page 4
