The Power: Building the Circle - Book 2 Read online

Thinking about Will's question of eating in other times, Sam went to see if there was food in the kitchen. It never occurred to him to look before. He had never tried eating in other times, either, but didn't think he could.

  There was no food in the kitchen.

  It's a dream. Can I put food in the kitchen? Sam wondered, thinking about peanut butter and jelly.

  No such luck.

  There was a sound from the living room. There had never been a sound in this dream before. Sam went to go look.

  The girl was standing in the middle of the room, looking confused. When she saw him, she ran for him, hugging him tightly.

  She couldn't talk. Had never been able to speak. But, when she touched him, her thoughts were clear.

  "Where are we?" She asked, amazed.

  "The house with the changing views. How are you here?" Sam asked.

  "I don't know. I was in the clearing, trying to find you. Then I heard love call, and I was here," she said. "You are sick?"

  "Hungry. Tired. I think I'm broken now. I think I went to Matilda when she called, and now I'm broken," he said.

  She shook her head. "No. You woke more. More of you is awake. Not all of you, not yet. Not even half. But, more of you. You need a tether. An anchor. Like the clearing for me. You need that."

  "How do I make that?" He asked.

  She thought about it, brow furrowed. "I don't know. I will ask Mama. But, she and I are of Life. We tether to Earth. You are of Time, constantly moving. I don't know how to tether time. I don't know if you can."

  "Why can't I eat? Even raw vegetables? It makes me sick," Sam asked, talking quickly. Sometimes dreams with the girl ended abruptly.

  She sighed and nodded. "For me, too. There is too much power. You have to release it."

  "How?" He asked.

  Her pale violet eyes shone with tears.

  "I will find you," he promised. "Can you tell me where you are? Outside the clearing, can you tell me?"

  "I don't have the knowledge, Sam. It doesn't come with me when Walking. The wards take it from me," she said.

  "Why?" He asked.

  "We are not the only ones to Walk, Sam. I am vulnerable without you," she said, not for the first time.

  He nodded, bending to touch his forehead to hers. "I will find you."

  Shifting herself up just a little more, she kissed his lips.

  Typically, at this point, Sam woke up abruptly, like the contact couldn't be sustained in the dream. This time, thunder cracked and lightning flashed outside the window of the house with ever-changing views.

  They both sighed in relief as some of the power eating at each of them was released.

  The girl gasped. "How did that happen?! The power doesn't work like that when Walking! Where are we?! Quick, Sam," she said, grabbing his head again, slamming her lips against his in a deep kiss as the whole house shook around them, and the storm outside exploded.

  Sam woke up, panting for breath, before the kiss ended. The morning sun was streaming in William's living room windows. His head was clear for the first time in over a week. He headed for the fridge immediately.

  ✽✽✽

  On Thursday afternoon, Darla had lunch at Claire Dermot's home. While they'd always been friendly, they were not close friends. So, Darla was surprised when Claire called and asked for a lunch date. Darla agreed, suggesting a restaurant between their respective homes. Claire said she'd prefer to play host if Darla wouldn't mind coming for a visit.

  Pulling up into the mansion driveway, Darla mentally rolled her eyes, wondering if they were going to eat cucumber sandwiches served by a butler. Thomas Dermot came from old money and was used to the trapping of it. He was also a dear friend of Hank's and one of Sam's earliest investors. Tom and Claire were good people, but Darla still mentally rolled her eyes at the manicured grounds as she got out of the Buick she drove herself around in.

  As Darla walked to the front door, Claire came out to meet her with a hug.

  "Thank you so much for coming all this way, Darla. I know this must seem odd, but I wanted us to be able to talk," Claire said as they walked into the house. "I've made some vegetable soup and paninis. Is that OK? We could also order in."

  "Claire, I didn't realize you cooked! It sounds wonderful," Darla said, surprised as they walked into a blended kitchen and dining space.

  "I love to cook. I have a garden in the summer and a greenhouse throughout the year. If I had my way, we'd live on a farm. But, here we are, just Tom and I in this stupid house," Claire laughed.

  Darla smiled. "You're full of surprises today. I always thought you enjoyed this lifestyle."

  "I love my husband, and this comes with him. There are worse burdens in life," Claire grinned. "But, Tom and I have always been a bit envious of you and Hank. All those kids running around, loud and chaotic. So much happy energy, always. You've always brought us joy. How is everyone? Is Jake engaged yet? I met his little sprite of a girlfriend at that fundraiser. So much fire and love."

  "They got engaged a little over a week ago," Darla said with a smile. "Adrian is seeing someone. The rest of the herd is unchanged - loud, chaotic, and mostly happy. Sam is struggling a bit, as he does every now and then. How are you? To what do I owe the pleasure of this lunch date?"

  After serving soup, Claire sat next to Darla, rather than on the other side of the table. Taking Darla's hand, Claire asked, "May I be direct, Darla? I know we're not close, but I've always loved you and yours."

  "Claire, of course. You and Tom have always been family to us as well. What's wrong?" Darla gave up on trying to set her expectations for lunch. This was not at all what she had anticipated. She'd roll with it.

  Claire took a deep breath. "Where is the cancer, Darla? Are they treating it?"

  Darla blinked.

  "I know you're sick. I can see it in your energy. I want to offer help if I can," Claire said.

  "Ah, I'm not sure how you know that. I'd like to understand that better, as Hank and I haven't told a soul. Not even the kids know," Darla said, tone sharper than she intended.

  Claire sighed. "I suspect most of your children know you're sick, Darla. But I'll explain. You'll think I'm nuts, but I'm being serious.

  "There is energy in living things. Surely, we agree on that. Living things power their energy sources with food and water and rest. It's what makes us alive. We talk about burning calories when working out, burning fuel for energy. With me so far?"

  Darla nodded. "That doesn't seem controversial."

  Claire grinned. "Good. Now we get to the part that will make you think I'm a lunatic."

  Darla laughed, preparing for something genuinely bizarre.

  "There are some people that can see life energy. It's typically genetic. When I try, I can see your life energy, I can see the energy you share with Hank and the love that binds you.

  "Your energy has always shown bright and clear. The night of the fundraiser where I met Jake's fiancé, your energy was duller than normal. It's more diminished now. You're sick. I don't think you're dying, but you're seriously ill. That distinction usually means cancer."

  Darla sat in stunned silence for a moment. She had no idea what to say or do.

  "I would not share this information with anyone, especially your children, Darla. As I said, I'd like to offer help if I can," Claire said, trying to alleviate concern.

  After processing things for a moment, Darla decided that she'd like to talk about this with someone other than Hank. The timing hadn't been right to tell the kids. She'd just gotten the confirmed diagnosis a week ago. Matty was just getting out of the hospital. "I have stage 3 breast cancer."

  Claire's eyes flashed with sadness, but not pity. Darla was grateful for that.

  "They're treating it?" Claire asked.

  "Yes, of course. It has not spread. They're doing some treatment now, trying to shrink the tumor before doing surgery."

  Claire nodded. "Good. Very good. Excellent news. Better than I had hoped. I'm so glad they're treati
ng it." She sighed in relief.

  "Me, too," Darla said. "But Claire, I'm not sure how you think you can help with this, even if you can see whatever life energy you're talking about."

  "Oh. Yes. First, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Darla. I'm sorry you're going through this. I've never known you to exude anything but love, light, and happiness."

  Claire paused to take a deep breath, eyes misty. "Your children are beautiful; each one makes this world a better place, as you and Hank do. I wish you didn't have to go through this."

  "Thank you, Claire," Darla choked out, giving her hand a squeeze. "I don't know how I'm going to tell the kids."

  Claire nodded as they each took a moment to gather themselves.

  "OK, on to the help," Claire said, briskly. "I can see the energy. Everyone in my circle can. Some of us can redistribute existing energy within the same person. Like, if you broke a bone, some of us might be able to help the break heal faster by focusing your energy at that spot. Some of us can move energy between people.

  "I have a cousin in Dallas that can move energy between people. I've talked with her. She's willing to talk to you if you're willing to try it. Ava is powerful; she actually has too much energy. Sharing it with others helps her."

  "You have a cousin that gives away her life energy? She wants to die young?" Darla almost laughed. Almost.

  "Oh. Ha! No, the energy comes back. Just like you wake up refreshed from a good nap or feel better after eating when you're truly starving. Think of it as a rechargeable battery. I'm like an AA battery. Ava's like a car battery," Claire explained.

  "How does this happen? How does she move it around?" Darla asked.

  "That's a better question for her. But, conceptually, she'd help you maintain healthy energy levels so your body can withstand the cancer treatment. With some cancers, the treatment is worse than the disease. It weakens the body, weakens your immune system. Makes it harder for your body to keep doing its thing. The energy boost from standing a circle with Ava can help even that out. Rejuvenate you.

  "You can go down and have lunch with her, like this. She and her husband run a restaurant," Claire said. "Regardless of where you decide to go with this, you and Hank would like Ava and Clyde. She can demonstrate. Explain better than me. I can't do it, and it's awkward to explain with words."

  "Can I think about it? Get Hank's opinion? Would you mind if I shared this with him?" Darla asked.

  Claire waved a hand. "Not at all. Please do. Tom and I would love to have dinner with you and Hank if you want to talk about it again. I know it must seem strange. But, I need to tell you a couple more things about this, OK?"

  Darla nodded.

  "It would be best if you didn't discuss this with anyone outside your immediate family, and not just because they'll look at you like you're goofy. We're talking about energy and power and life. Think what you will of this, but some people would like access to that kind of thing. A person can feed off others.

  "I would strongly caution you to NOT pursue this with anyone other than Ava. There are people here in Chicago that can do what Ava does. I would not trust them to help, even if you were paying them serious money. OK?"

  "Claire, I wouldn't even know who to ask about this," Darla said, again almost laughing.

  "That's what I'm saying. Don't ask anyone about this outside your immediate family unless you trust them with your life. Because that's what we're talking about. Done wrong, this can weaken you, make treatment harder. Done right, well. Ah. Let's talk about that. But, do you understand? Don't ask anyone you don't trust. OK?"

  Darla nodded again.

  "Ah, OK. So. I'm an AA battery. I can't do much else but see the energy and maybe help my garden grow a bit more. Ava holds life. She can see it, move it within, move it outside, create new energy, and so on. She is very powerful in our crowd. Her abilities are highly coveted. Her power is some of the strongest around.

  "Darla, uh, just hear me out on this. It's a little awkward on both sides because I don't know what you know, but I'm guessing it's not much.

  "If Ava's like a car battery, most of your kids are like Niagara Falls. Forces of nature on a different scale. They don't seem to know it, for the most part. One of them understands a little bit, but even then. I don't think much. If you were to bring a kid or two with you, and their power is as I think it is, she may be able to just kill the cancer, like it was never there ."

  Darla opened her mouth to speak.

  "Wait. Not yet. Let me finish," Claire said. "Niagara Falls. Most of them. Uh. Jake's Matilda. She is like the sun. Fire. Light. She absolutely radiates energy. Her life energy is the brightest I've ever seen or heard about. Even knowing your kids. And I don't think any of your kids fall on the usual scale of power. If you're going to take her to Ava, I need to warn Ava first."

  Claire paused, taking a deep breath.

  Darla stared at her. "And Sam?"

  Claire nodded. "Yes, that's where I'm going with this. Don't take Sam. I don't know how to classify him. I can't even see his life energy-"

  "You think Sam is not alive?"

  "No, I think Sam doesn't allow me to see his energy. He wields energy, tosses it around, speaks with it. The night of the fundraiser, he pulsed giant waves of it for hours. I don't think he knows what he's doing when he does it. But, you know how his voice booms and echoes sometimes, even when he's talking softly? I'm talking about that. If Ava is a car battery, your other kids are Niagara Falls, and Matilda is the fire of the sun. Sam is gravity, the rotation of all the planets, and the power of time, combined."

  They were quiet for a moment.

  "I could have it wrong," Claire admitted. "Absolutely wrong. I don't see any of the kids clearly. Wherever they fall on the power scale, they're all stronger than me, without question. They also have more juice than Ava because I can see her clearly. They might not have a capability, but they have the raw power. Matilda is a different scale than the others. I think she's elemental, not life energy.

  "Sam is something else entirely. He's dangerous when he chooses to be. Ava won't be able to hold that much power, even if he pushes it at a trickle. Don't get in a circle with him for healing. Ava can't hold that circle. It'll blow. And it isn't always clear that he has that kind of power. She might not notice throughout a conversation. He hides it very well when he chooses to."

  Chapter 14

  The week passed quickly for Adrian and Lucy. By Friday morning, things were almost starting to feel routine. After bending to give Lucy a quick kiss, Adrian sat down next to Henry in the hospital lab as they waited for bloodwork.

  "Woo, how far down the waiting list are we?" He asked. "I'm starving."

  "You're always hungry!" Henry laughed.

  "It's true. I am. You will be too when you're older. What do you want to eat?" Adrian asked Henry.

  "When do you have to be back?" Lucy asked.

  "One. It's 11:15. Depending on how long this takes, we can go out."

  "I like the cafeteria," Henry said.

  Adrian shrugged. "We can stay here. It doesn't matter to me. Not exactly fine dining, though. Pizza Friday!"

  When they were called back for the draw, Adrian followed.

  "Gah! Be gentle, Jackie. Gentle. No more gossip, for the love of God," Adrian laughed. "If one more person collapses in my arms saying, 'Dr. Adrian, you're my hero,' I'm going to cry."

  "Bahahaha! Really?" Lucy chuckled.

  "It's extremely awkward. Especially when I don't expect it. I failed to catch Jose earlier. He got dumped on his ass."

  "He deserved it. He makes a terrible damsel," Jackie said.

  "I thought you were off on Fridays?" Adrian asked.

  "I usually am," she said with a snarky smile, "I traded days just so I could see your pretty-boy face. Figured you'd be down here with Miss Sweetie Pie."

  "Jackie, please get them to stop leaving things in my office. Please? I'll fund your retirement," Adrian offered. "I changed the lock and everything."

  "No, that's
not going to help," Jackie said, shaking her head. "There are women that work in building services."

  "How do I make it stop?" Adrian whined.

  "Get married," she said without missing a beat.

  "Woo, let's go out to eat," Lucy said with a laugh.

  ✽✽✽

  "Now, when we walk into the house, what do you say to the dog, Ree?" Adrian coached on Sunday evening.

  "ROSCOOOOE!" Ree yelled.

  "Just like that. Perfect," Adrian complimented him.

  "How come the security consultants get the night off when we come here? They've been carting my butt around all week," Lucy said. "You don't need security consultants? Just me?"

  "William and Hennessy are in that house, Lucinda. They count," Adrian said with faux terseness.

  "Lucinda, even?" Lucy asked.

  "I love it," Adrian laughed. "I like to pull it out randomly."

  "This is a giant driveway, it takes up half the yard," Lucy observed.

  "I have eight siblings and a Hennessy. Those cars have to go somewhere," Adrian commented.

  "True," she acknowledged.

  "Why are we still sitting in the car?" Adrian asked.

  "I'm nervous," Lucy admitted.

  "Really? Why? You've met most of these people before," Adrian reminded her.

  She shrugged. "What if they don't like me?"

  "Oh. OK. Get out of the car, Lucinda," Adrian said, laughing again as he opened the door for Ree. "You come with a ready-made grandchild. Darla will disembowel anyone that gives you a hard time."

  Lucy could hear the dog's claws scrambling on the tile as the front door opened. A giant, fat rottweiler ran around the hallway corner.

  "Roscoooe!" Crowed Ree. The dog immediately flopped on his back and slid the rest of the way to them.

  Lucy grinned at the dog antics as Darla came bustling around the corner from another room. "Ah! There's my favorite boy!" she called.

  "Aww, thanks, Mom!" Adrian said. "I've always been the favorite," he explained to Lucy. The effect was somewhat diminished when Darla reached up and smacked his head.

  "Shut it. Beth is my favorite, and you all know it," Darla said, unrepentantly.