I felt so uncomfortable. I did not want to hash out my sad sob story in front of these twenty or so people, all with their waiting eyes. Them, wanting the dirt and story of the life of the strange girl who had been thrust into their lives. I did not want their sympathy. I licked my lips nervously.
Then I felt a hand on mine and it all went away, like wind blowing fog to clear the air. I only felt calm and warm when I looked up into those blue eyes. He was rescuing me again, with a little encouraging smile to boot. So I told her.
“My mom left last summer. It’s just been me and my dad and he’s depressed and a little...bitter. I barely see him. I don’t have any other family except one adopted brother who lives in New York. No grandparents. No uncles or aunts. No cousins. Just us.”
I waited for the onslaught of ‘ahhs’ and ‘you poor things’ but they didn’t come. His grandmother just nodded.
“That’s hard. But if nothing else it’ll make this a lot easier on you. Do you have a plan for college or anything yet?”
“Um, no. No yet,” I said and picked at the fabric of my jeans.
“Well, we’ll talk about that later.” She glanced meaningfully at Rachel and Mr. Jacobson, the one I’d talked to, and then back to me.
“Um, what do you mean it’ll make it easier on me?”
“Well, honey, to be blunt, you can’t live without Caleb!”
Five
“Gran!” Caleb’s hand released mine as his hands flew in the air. “This is not the way I wanted to explain things,” Caleb said and I could feel how exasperated he was.
“It’s gotta be done. It’ll be worse on her if we don’t get it all out in the open. We all know it. She’s human. The deed is done. Nothing can be changed now. We can pretend all we want to that there’s another choice but the girl will have to be with you.”
“I have to be with him,” I repeated before Caleb could say anything else. “You mean with him physically around, like all the time, or I’ll get sick like I did this morning?”
“Yes. It’s worse in the beginning but it fades some. You will always need each other. After you ascend, things will be even more different than now, in a good way. I know it’s scary right now-”
I cut her off. I wasn’t scared. I was feeling an eclectic rainbow of emotions but scared wasn’t one of them.
“I get all that, don’t worry, I’m not scared. I’m not upset. I’m just not sure how to make it all work. This is...” I rubbed my temples and closed my eyes for just a few seconds. “Crazy. I mean, yesterday I was a nobody, seventeen year old who graduated high school and had normal problems like everybody else.”
“Look.” She leaned forward and patted my hand. “I know this is a lot to take in but you wanted the facts. I’m not a baker so I’m not about to sugar coat it for you. Thing is, there’s a reason this happened. You are the first imprint in twenty years in our clan. That’s a big deal. The fact that you’re human and incredibly young has to mean something.”
“This isn’t just because I saved him, is it? Some miss-fired imprint false alarm or something?”
Everyone laughed again, even Caleb beside me, I could feel him shake, and though I was slightly teasing, I was also dead serious.
“Caleb was right. You are fabulous.” I looked at him and he winked as she went on. “No, honey, no false alarms with imprints.”
“Ok. So, I’m not sure what it is I’m supposed to do. Or be. I mean, what happens to you after you imprint? Kyle said something about ascending and getting abilities. And if you don’t imprint you don’t ascend and you don’t get any abilities. That’s why this is such a big deal, right? Because no one is getting any of these...gifts?”
“Exactly,” Mr. Jacobson said.
Then I felt something. That little push I felt yesterday when Caleb was in my head. But this time, my mind didn’t welcome it. It didn’t hurt but it was annoying and fuzzy. I felt my brow furrow and something zapped in somehow. There were images moving in rapid form and fashion, images of kicks and punches and techniques. My eyelids fluttered and I heard my breath come in and out quickly. Then it all of a sudden just stopped.
Everyone was staring at me expectantly. Caleb had one arm around me and the other holding my hand. I looked up to his face. He looked a little peeved actually but waited for me to catch my breath.
“You could’ve warned her,” Caleb growled to someone and then looked back at me. Finally he spoke softly, though I knew they all could hear. “What did you see?”
“I saw...um, karate?”
“Very good, Maggie.” Mr. Jacobson scooted to the edge of his chair and smiled at me. “I was teaching you basic karate actually.”
“I’m sorry?” I squeaked.
“That’s my gift or ability or power; whatever you want to call it. I can learn at an exponential rate. Then, I can help my family by teaching them anything I’ve learned that they need to know to protect them or help them do a task by sending those images to their mind. I learn just as quickly as you just did and I then teach you that quickly as well. You for example, just learned basic beginner’s karate in less that ten seconds. I figured if I was going to teach you something, it may as well be something useful to you,” he said and smirked.
“You mean, I know karate? Like...real karate?” I made a wide motion with my hands to accentuate. “I don’t feel like I do. I don’t remember anything.”
“That’s because you haven’t used it yet. Right now it’s just an…imprint burned in your mind of my memory of how to do it. The first time you need it, it’ll fire your brain receptors and teach you along the way, but you’ll remember instantly how to do whatever your instincts thinks you need to at the time.”
“Ok.” I took a deep breath, taking it in. Trying not to frown or show discomfort at what he was telling me. “So, is that what everyone does? Is that everyone’s ability?”
“No. Everyone is different.”
“When will Caleb get his ability? And what will it be?”
“It usually doesn’t take long after the imprint. But as far as a what, we have no idea. He’ll show us when he’s fully ascended. And so will you.”
I looked up at him gaping.
“Me? You mean I’m gonna have some ability too?”
“Absolutely.”
I thought of something and fiddled with the hem of my shirt.
“This is what you meant by ‘easier for me’, that my parents aren’t involved because not only do I have to stay in physical contact with Caleb or I go crazy but because my family would be suspicious of my abilities pretty soon.”
“Yes.”
I was shocked to say the least. I pulled my hand free from Caleb, not meaning to upset him but I just needed myself for a minute. I needed to feel whatever it was that he was shielding and taking from me with his touch.
Then it all rolled over me. Now, I was scared; to death. I didn’t want to be a freak in their clan that everyone wanted to observe because I was so special. I didn’t want to be different or strange to my own world either. I didn’t know what I wanted.
My breathing began to be loud and erratic, my hands were shaking. I closed my eyes and steepled my hands in front of my face. I heard someone tell Caleb to help me, he said he was helping. He was letting me work through it. I was grateful that he seemed to know exactly what I needed but it didn’t calm me down any.
I felt the tingling push of his mind in mine, checking to make sure I was ok. I knew he was listening to me but I couldn’t stop the string of thoughts that followed.
Does this mean I’ll never have any privacy in my head? Caleb told me I’d learn to control it. Do I love him? Is that what this is? Would I have wanted him if we hadn’t imprinted? Yes, I knew I had but would it have evolved into more? What would have happened if I hadn’t been at that light? What’s going to happen to me now?
Are we dating now? Do we just jump right into kissing and whatever else dating people do because we know we’re soul mates? I had no idea how to proceed wi
th him. I felt embarrassed and naïve all of a sudden. It was all too much, too fast. I heard a commotion in front of me but I couldn’t break free from my panic.
Kyle.
“What are you doing? Don’t just sit there. Help her!”
“She pulled away from me. She needs to work through all this, Kyle. If she doesn’t do it now, she’ll do it tonight or tomorrow when I’m not with her and it’ll be a lot worse for her. She knows what she needs. I would never hurt her. ”
“Bull. You just want to act like you know her so well, now. You don’t know her. Just because you can get in her head and read her feelings doesn’t mean you know her.”
“Yes, I am in her mind and I’m going to do what’s best for her. Always. Go away, Kyle, if you can’t handle it. She’s my responsibility.”
“She was my friend before she was your responsibility!”
I heard shuffling and finally a booming voice, Kyle’s father, saying Kyle’s name and pushing Kyle’s voice further away.
I felt my hysteria dwindling. Finally dying down as I felt the push and pull of Caleb in my thoughts and mind and a steady pulse ran through my body. It was loud and a little bit fast but steady. I realized what it was. Caleb’s heartbeat.
There was no denying it. As much as I was confused about all this, I was intrigued. As much as I was wary of how to proceed, I was excited at the prospect of being important to someone. As much as I was scared of what was to come, I was dependant and leaning on someone who had all the answers. His heartbeat pulsed in my veins. How could I deny that?
I felt him rub my arm soothingly and my mind instantly cleared at his touch. I opened my eyes and we were alone. Just us. His family gone.
He was watching me cautiously, waiting for my reaction. He squinted and looked guilty. His fingers came up to brush a tear away, barely brushing my skin. I hadn’t even realized I was crying. His guilt flooded me. He was worried that he let it go too far and he’d hurt me, that I was ready to bolt. That I didn’t want any part of this. Any part of him.
I felt an ache to soothe him. My hand moved, almost on its own accord, to touch his cheek.
“You didn’t hurt me.”
He looked surprised.
“You did it. You can read me?”
“Yeah. I could last night too.”
“Wow, Maggie,” he breathed as I dropped my hand back to my lap. “It usually takes a while to adjust, to have any control. Especially humans.”
“I think we’ve established I’m not a normal human,” I joked.
“No, you’re not.” He smiled but then sobered. “Maggie. I’m not expecting anything here. I mean, I know it’s awkward. It’s even awkward for Aces when they imprint with each other, to just wake up one day and have all these feelings for someone you didn’t have before. We’ll take it slow. You can set the pace, ok? I’m not gonna rush you into anything. I just want to...spend time with you and get to know you. Everything else will just fall into place when it’s the right time, ok?”
I could have cried with relief.
“That sounds perfect.”
“Are you ok?” He scooted closer so our legs were touching. “I know it’s a lot to take in. It must sound pretty crazy.”
“I’m...fine. I mean, I should be freaking out. This is crazy. I guess I would be if you weren’t here. But you are here. So it doesn’t matter I guess,” I said softly.
He smiled slowly and I gave in to the innate urge I’d had since I’d opened my eyes. I needed to touch him. I worried my bottom lip with my teeth, then timidly reached my arms around his neck to hug him. His arms went around my back and he sighed into my hair. One of his hands moved to hold the back of my head. His neck, where my face was pressed, smelled heavenly. The warmth I felt from his normal touch warmed even more. I felt so put together, so content. He was like a balm to every sore.
“Ahem,” an annoyed voice said, interrupting.
Kyle.
We pulled back reluctantly but Caleb was still holding my wrists.
“What, Kyle?” he asked, looking at me.
“Just checking on Mags.”
“I’m fine,” I said, still not able to look away from Caleb yet either.
“Of course you are. You let everyone run all over you and lover boy here is no exception,” he said sarcastically.
“Kyle, that’s enough of that, son,” the lowest baritone voice I’d ever heard spoke from behind Kyle. We all looked up to see a man who I could only assume was Caleb’s father. He was tall and broad with brown hair. I could see Caleb in him. “Give them some slack, why don’t ya, Kyle? Sorry, Caleb. I got held up.” He walked around Kyle to sit in front of us. “Hello, Maggie. I’m Peter, Caleb’s father.” He smiled. “How are you doing this morning?”
“I’m ok for the most part. How are you?”
He laughed, deep and wonderful.
“Splendid. Thank you for asking, my dear.”
“Dad is the champion of our clan,” Caleb explained, “like I was telling you last night. He’s the main man around here.”
“Alright, now.” His dad laughed. “Don’t go filling her head or bloating up my ego. I’m basically a glorified superintendent. So,” he slapped his hands on his knees, “you’re my son’s significant. I never thought I’d see this day. I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet you, young lady.”
“Alright, Peter.” Grandma came back in and resumed her seat from before. “Why don’t we give the girl a break. She’s had a big day already. It’s almost lunch time anyway. Maggie, I was wondering if you might wanna stay. You can help me whip up something for dessert if you like.”
“Sure. That’d be great.”
She extended her hand to help me up and I took it. Once standing she took my arm in her other hand and laid her fingers precisely lining up to lay over the black handprint on my arm. She looked into my eyes and I saw her gray eyes swirl a bright green. I gasped a little and she smiled at me.
I began to see the scene in my head of when Marcus had grabbed me but it was all backwards. It played like a movie in reverse. It was freaky. Then the vision stopped just that quick. When she removed her hand, the handprint was gone. My jaw dropped.
“How did you do that?”
“It’s my ability, dear. I can heal things of the supernatural. But broken arms and cuts from slicing tomatoes, now those have to be healed by your significant.”
I jerked to look at Caleb.
“You can heal me?”
“We can heal each other, after we ascend. It’s one of the things all significants can do for each other.”
I blinked.
“Are there a lot of things that we can do like that?”
“Yes. Lots,” Grandma answered. “You complete each other, two halves to one circle. You are no better matched physically, mentally, temperamentally, spiritually and by abilities than with your significant.” She pulled up Caleb too by his arm and spoke to us both quietly as she held our hands. “Now, listen. I know what you’re feeling right now. And I know how quickly things can get out of hand if you aren’t careful. You’re human. It’s gonna make your feelings and reactions to him much more potent and stronger than it would for someone else.” She looked at Caleb. “And you’re gonna have a hard time too because you’re gonna feel what she feels. You’ll have to keep yourselves controlled. Aces get pregnant the human way, ya know.”
I wondered if Caleb was blushing as furiously as I was. I looked over and saw that he was. This was by far the strangest and most uncomfortable conversation I’d ever had with a grandma. But at least he said something.
“Gran, I’m only gonna ask this once. Please don’t have sex talks with me, ok? Especially with Maggie in the room. Do you think we could do that?”
“Oh, now, don’t be embarrassed. It’s natural-”
“Dad! Little help here,” he called out.
“Alright, Gran,” Peter laughed. “Why don’t you take Maggie to the kitchen and I’ll talk to Caleb. But first.” He came and stood
in front of me. He smiled and reached around me to hug me to him. “Thank you so much for saving my son, Maggie. Even if you weren’t his significant, I would still owe you everything.” He pulled back and released me.
“It was nothing, really,” I insisted.
“Nothing, smothing. Come on, pretty girl. I need help with the banana pudding,” Grandma chimed.
“Aces eat banana pudding?” I asked as she looped her arm through mine, but I felt stupid for my question.
“Yep. Aces love banana pudding. Well, my Aces do anyway.”
She towed me with her. I glanced behind me at Caleb and he mouthed a ‘sorry’. I smiled and shrugged and made my way to help a bunch of Aces make dinner.
Six
Gladly, Gran did not continue her plight for safe sex with me. In fact, she didn’t speak of anything about our imprinting at all. She just asked me questions about school, my dad, my brother, growing up.
The other ladies in the kitchen listened intently when I answered. The little girl I’d seen in the window had apparently been held back from the meeting we had earlier and was now bouncing around me as I sliced bananas. She was about seven years old I’d guess and was very cute in her green dress and ponytail.
Everyone decided to eat outside so I helped set the tables and bring out dishes of hot concoctions. I texted Bish really quick while I had a few seconds.
Hey. Thanks for the congrats. I miss you. I can’t wait to see you. The sooner the better. Dad’s pretty bad but we’re making it. How’s things in NY?
As expected, the fasted typer in NY, who always had his phone attached to his hip, answered within thirty seconds.
Man, I miss you too, kid. I’m sorry about dad. I’ll try to send a little bit more money in a couple weeks but things are crazy expensive here. Other than that, things are...ok. I’ll start looking at when I can get a few days off soon. Love ya.
I typed back.
Don’t worry about us. We’re fine. Love you too.
When I made my final trip into the kitchen to help I saw the men had moved outside and were already parked in their chairs. Most of the woman had sat down too. I saw the empty seat next to Caleb, put my dish down and started to make my way over to him.