“Hey,” I muttered, dropping my gaze to my plate.
He moved to the chair right next to mine and plucked a grape from my plate. His warm, clean scent swirled around me, turning my insides to mush. Screw Olivia, what did she know about anything? His hair was damp, as if he’d just taken a shower. He looked and smelled so good I had to curl my hands on in my lap to keep from reaching out to him.
“About…last night.”
Surprised, I stiffened. Was he really going to bring up the kiss? I held my breath and waited, part of me anxious the other half terrified.
“I…We…” His cheeks flushed and his thick, dark lashes lowered as he stared at the tabletop.
Please don’t say it was a mistake, please don’t say it!
“Will you go out with me?” He looked up, sincerity in his gaze. “I mean, on an actual date.” He smiled and my heart did an odd flip. “We can’t really leave the island, but there’s a nice restaurant—”
“Yes,” I blurted out.
His smile widened and he grabbed another grape. “Good. Tonight then?”
I nodded, too giddy to talk. Olivia had been wrong, the little witch.
We didn’t speak, merely sat there, staring shyly at each other. I wasn’t sure how long, but it seemed like it hadn’t been nearly long enough when Aaron suddenly appeared, totally ruining the mood. He was smiling like always, but when he saw us sitting so close, his smile wavered. I scooted back from Lewis, embarrassed, although why I wasn’t sure. It’s not like we’d been doing it on the table.
“Lewis, can you leave us for a moment?” Aaron asked.
My heart plummeted. This couldn’t be good. Lewis slid me an unreadable glance then stood and left the room. I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to call out and beg him to stay.
Aaron took Lewis’ vacated seat, his face fatherly serious. “Listen, I know you and Lewis have something going on.”
Heat shot straight to my cheeks. “Did Olivia tell you?” I demanded a little shrilly.
He brushed his hand through the air, dismissing my comment. “No, I…I read it, you don’t keep your thoughts to yourself very well.”
Not the first time I’d heard that. I frowned, dragging my fork through my eggs. Oh God, what else had he read? I guess I’d known all along that he could hear my thoughts, but I hadn’t really figured he would. I sure as hell hadn’t liked it when Grandma read my mind and I didn’t want Aaron to either.
He rested his hand atop mine, stilling my movements. “I know you like Lewis, but I think you need to take things slow.”
My gaze jumped to him. Was he seriously having a father daughter moment with me? I had the sudden urge to glance back to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else. It was an odd feeling, like I was watching a play. It was certainly something I’d never experienced before. My annoyance and embarrassment gave way to curiosity. I was like some anthropologist, trying to decipher how monkeys lived in the wild.
He released his hold and leaned back in his chair. “I just think you’re young. There are other things you need to focus on, like school and…” He stood and paced, obviously nervous. I smiled, having the sudden urge to laugh. This is what girls at school complained about? I found it rather…endearing. “And your abilities. And…”
“Okay,” I readily agreed. After all, it’s not like Lewis had asked me to be his girlfriend or anything. We hadn’t even been on a date…yet. I smiled at the thought of going out with him tonight. What would I wear?
Aaron arched a brow. “A date?”
I flushed and looked at my plate, trying to dampen down my annoyance. Aaron cared about me, I should be flattered. But I wasn’t. “Just one.”
He sighed. “All right. Fine.”
I grinned, hiding it by taking a drink of my water.
He rested his hands on his hips and looked at me, all stern-like. “But be back by ten.”
“Okay.” I picked up a slice of red apple, unsure how to continue. I’d never had a curfew. Grandma pretty much let me go wherever I wanted whenever. As long as she knew about it.
“Well then.” He started toward the door.
“Aaron?”
He turned and looked at me. Was that nerves that made his face all tight? Or was something else worrying him? “Yeah?”
I looked at the tabletop, wondering how to say what I wanted to say without offending him. “I don’t…I mean…is there a way for you not to read my thoughts?”
He frowned, silent for a moment. The grandfather clock in the corner of the room ticked the seconds by. “You don’t like the invasion?”
“Would you?” I asked bluntly. When he didn’t respond, I quickly continued, afraid I’d pissed him off. “It’s just that my Grandmother read my thoughts and it drove me nuts.”
He leaned against the door jamb and stroked his chin thoughtfully as if the thought that I might be offended over his intrusion had never crossed his mind. “I understand.” A smile spread across his mouth. “Sure, I can do that. But actually, before I forget, I’m here for another reason too. You have a lesson today.”
My embarrassment gave way to excitement. I pushed away from the table, standing. “Oh, okay.” I was eager to learn more, whatever it was he had to share. “What about?”
“Ironically, how to block your thoughts.”
“Are you serious?”
He winked. “The most important thing you’ll learn.” He took a step back. “Now, eat up. It’s going to be a long day.”
********
“We call it lockdown,” Aaron explained.
“Lockdown?” I was settled on the floor again, sitting cross-legged. Aaron sat across from me, and Lewis was sitting a few feet back. It was hard to concentrate with him in the room, at the same time, he was the one who could make me focus like no other.
“Whereas before to block others’ thoughts you projected out, pushing their thoughts away, this time you’ll project in, pulling your thoughts toward you. So the wall won’t be pushed out, but pulled in, close to you. A steel wall.”
I tried to concentrate on Aaron’s words, but felt off today. Was I excited about tonight’s date, or was it Olivia’s warning ringing through my head? It was an odd jumbled mixture of highs and lows and now that I had time to sit and think, I found her annoying comments were pushing to the forefront.
“Cameron,” Aaron’s deep voice shook me from my thoughts.
I blinked up at him. “Yeah?”
He leaned forward, his blue eyes twinkling with laughter. “Are you listening?”
I flushed. Crap, he was reading my mind. He’d warned me he would for this lesson only. “Yes, yes of course.”
He smiled, knowing very well I hadn’t been but being too polite to call me out. “Good. Now then, close your eyes.”
I did, but the moment I closed my eyes, I thought of Lewis. The other night flashed to mind. Lewis grinning at me. Lewis pulling me toward him. Lewis pressing his lips to mine…
“Cameron,” Aaron’s sharp voice was my second warning.
“Sorry,” I muttered, even as my face grew horrifyingly hot. Concentrate, concentrate. Right. Sure, I could concentrate.
Thunder rumbled menacingly outside, rattling the glass in the windows, so easily drawing my attention. Concentrate. Concentrate on the thunder. Our little cottage would be freezing right now, wind seeping in through the windows. Was Grandma warm? Or was she being stubborn and keeping the temperature at 65 degrees because she didn’t want the heating bill to be high?
Concentrate, Aaron’s voice whispered through my mind. “I’m going to count backwards from five. Just keep breathing. Five.”
I released a breath. A storm was coming. I could practically feel the energy in the air. I imagined the waves crashing against the shore, could practically feel them pummeling the island.
“Four.”
Concentrate. Breathe in and out.
“Three. You’re feeling very relaxed. Two. And one.”
Aaron paused as I took in a
deep breath, my body oddly weightless.
“You’re in a room,” Aaron’s voice was soft, calming. I’d grown use to that deep voice. Almost as used to the tone as I was to my own. “The walls are steel, metal. But you’re not afraid. You feel safe in this room. Do you see it?”
I was in the room. It came unbidden to mind, not forced, and easily accepted. It was coming so quickly now, this meditation thing, as if I’d always done it.
“Nothing can get into this room. No one can hurt you when you are in this room.”
The warm sensation of peace settled around me. Slowly, the imaginary me turned around, studying the steel area. It had soft carpet, a big fluffy couch, but no doors and no windows. For some reason that didn’t bother me. I settled on that couch, sinking into the cushion. I imagined feeling safe, protected. I could hear the thunder and wind outside, but it didn’t reach me. Nothing could reach me.
“Now think of those walls as being completely steel. Think of your own mind as steel, as impenetrable. Nothing can get through your mind unless you let it. Pull your thoughts in, hug them close to you. They’re in that room with you. Can you see them?”
I breathed deeply and did as he said. I thought of Lewis. He appeared inside the room with me. Easy Peasy. My many other thoughts weren’t so quick to catch. They flittered and floated around me like a thousand butterflies on the wind.
Did Lewis really like me?
Did Aaron?
Was I doing well here?
How was Grandma?
Did anyone at school miss me?
Each thought fluttered around me, annoying and persistent. I jumped up, grabbed hold of one butterfly and held it close; a tiny, white butterfly nestled on my palm. An odd, calming sensation settled over me like a warm blanket. There was a soft swoosh, like a falling star, then another and another. Suddenly, the butterflies danced around me, landing softly all over my body, their delicate wings tickling my exposed arms and neck.
“Think of something…anything,” Aaron’s voice intruded.
My father came unbidden to mind. I saw him as I’d seen him in the photo. Young and happy, full of life. But seeing him didn’t thrill me as it had before. My sadness weighed down, heavy and suffocating. I’d never met him, never truly know him, and never would.
“Hold that thought,” Aaron whispered.
I did, kept thinking of my dad, even though it depressed me, even though there were a million other things I’d rather think about. My room shook slightly, sending me stumbling off balance. I frowned, glancing up at the walls, but they were still there. What had just happened?
“Do you feel it?” Aaron asked. “The ever so subtle pressure of my mind delving into yours?”
The room shook again, sending me stumbling backwards. Almost immediately I felt an odd pulling sensation on my body, as if someone was inside me, moving, tugging at my brain. I froze, standing my ground. My heart hammered madly in my chest as I waited for what would happen next.
A crackle of electricity branched across the ceiling. The lightning burst anew, reaching out and stabbing me. Fire exploded inside my body. I gasped, stumbling back. I’d been shocked, the tingling sensation was still there. I was under attack. The walls suddenly disappeared and I was surrounded by empty blackness, floating in nothingness.
“Aaron!” I screamed.
That’s me, Cameron, Aaron warned. I’m in.
Frustrated, I wanted to give up, but my pride wouldn’t let me. I felt my thoughts burst into the universe, like stars flying past me. It felt good to let go, as if a pressure had been released. Yet, I scampered to pull those thoughts back to me, knowing I needed them.
“Now, I want you to push me away, push me out of your universe and throw up those walls.”
And if I didn’t, would there be more pain? I gritted my teeth, rolling my shoulders to relax my body. Keeping my eyes shut, I gave up on trying to recapture my thoughts; those damn stars were long gone. Instead, I pictured my steel room. The walls appeared.
“Good, you’ve set up the walls again; you’re keeping your thoughts inside. Now keep your thoughts close.”
I looked around my room. Same metal walls. Nothing out of the ordinary…except for the little girl who was sitting on the couch. Startled, I stumbled back a step.
Hi, she whispered, watching me with those large, knowing eyes.
The girl I’d seen outside my window that first morning here. I froze, Lewis and Aaron forgotten. Who are you?
She plucked at the hem of her green dress. Someone like you, she said.
“Keep your eyes closed and relax,” Aaron interrupted our conversation and I realized that he had no idea this child was here. “I’m going to try to break through your walls. No matter what, do not let go of your thoughts.”
No, wait, I muttered. But the girl disappeared. Damn. I spun around, looking for her. I even tried to imagine her in that room. It didn’t work. Then I felt it and I had no more time to dwell on the girl…that subtle pressure that said Aaron was attempting to break through.
Picture the walls, Lewis said, his voice urgent. Push against those walls.
So I did. I pictured that steel room, those steel walls. I felt the tentative push on my brain, the slight shock of someone trying to invade. Panicked, I rushed to the closest wall, settled my hands on the cold steel and pushed back. An odd tingling sensation rippled up my arms, electricity branching through my body. I bit my lower lip, squeezed my eyes shut and pushed back. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. My arms were trembling. A sharp pain pierced my head. It was too much. All too much. I sucked in a breath, my knees folding.
“Hold it,” Lewis urged, speaking to me out loud, his voice so demanding, I didn’t dare refuse.
I squeezed my eyes more tightly shut and focused on that room, focused on the walls, focused on my trembling arms pushing back. Hot tears stung my eyes and I had to bite my lower lip to keep from crying out. The pain pulsed through my body, streaming through my veins, an electrical burning sensation that ate at my flesh.
“She’s had enough,” I vaguely heard Lewis say.
I ignored his words, tried to stay focused on those walls. I couldn’t fail. If I failed, they might send me back. I felt Aaron pushing; I knew it was him now. Sweat trailed down my temples. I felt this insane desire to win, to prove to myself and to them that I was the prodigy they seemed to think I was.
“She’s in pain,” Lewis snapped.
True, but I didn’t care. Besides, I’d had worse headaches. Perhaps I should have been grateful he was concerned about me, but I wasn’t. I wanted to prove my worth and I didn’t want him screwing it up. So I ignored the pain and I tried to ignore Lewis.
I took in a deep breath, gritted my teeth and with an internal roar, I pushed as hard as I could. The pressure gave way instantly. The shock moved from my body and I was left cold, alone in my steel room. For a moment it felt as if I floated. Then I heard the cry. Not in my mind, but outside my body. Shocked, I jerked from my dreamland and dove back into cold reality.
I opened my eyes, my breathing harsh. The room wavered in and out of focus. For a brief moment, I wasn’t sure where I was; I wasn’t even sure who I was. There was a movement across from me and it all came rushing back.
Aaron lay on his back, staring up at me with wide, unblinking eyes. His face was pale, sweaty. For a horrifying moment I thought he was dead.
“My God,” he whispered. “That was…”
“I’m sorry.” I crawled toward him, my body too weak to walk. “Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry.”
He laughed, sitting upright. “No. Don’t be sorry.” He paused for one long moment, breathing as harshly as I was. “That was unbelievable. I wasn’t using full strength, but close.”
Tucking his feet underneath him, he stood, his body trembling with the movement. I jumped to my feet, searching the dark room for Lewis. He stood back in the shadows, his face unreadable.
“Seriously, I’m so sorry,” I said, hoping he believed me.
/> “Don’t be. Are you kidding? That was amazing.” Aaron looked at Lewis, but Lewis was looking toward the windows. “Did you see that?”
“How much did it hurt?” Lewis asked, ignoring Aaron and glancing back at me.
I pressed my hands to my temples. They were thumping slightly, but it wasn’t unbearable. The numbness in my body had given way to an odd shimmering current. “I’m okay. Just a slight headache.” Is that why he was frowning?
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
Aaron laughed and thumped Lewis on the back. “She’s fine, in fact, she’s great.”
He clasped my shoulders. “I knew it; I knew you’d be just like your father.”
Shockingly, he pulled me close for a tight hug. Although I should have been embarrassed, I liked his affection, craved the attention like some pathetic druggie.
I sank into his body. And I wanted to be thrilled, I should have been thrilled, but when I looked over Aaron’s shoulder, I saw that Lewis was still frowning.
Was he jealous? Worried? Or was there something more to that dour look?
Chapter 12
The drive to town seemed to take forever, every moment lasting an eternity. I wasn’t sure what to talk about and apparently neither was Lewis as we remained awkwardly silent. I still had a little bit of a headache, but the thrill of being on a date overrode the pain and I didn’t want to be home right now.
“You’re doing really well, Cam,” Lewis said, finally breaking the silence.
I smiled, but I didn’t want to talk about my abilities or lack thereof. Besides, if I was doing so well, why had he looked so dour after I’d thrown Aaron on his butt? “Thanks.”
No, I didn’t want to talk about me, and I didn’t want to talk about Lewis’s odd reaction. I couldn’t stand the thought that he might be jealous of my powers. There was only one thing I wanted to know about and that was Lewis himself. I wasn’t sure where he’d come from, who his family was, nothing. Of course I couldn’t read his mind, so that didn’t help.