She concentrated and did what he asked. She felt his desire to match her energy with his own but he struggled to keep his feelings in check. His self-control was admirable. She didn't think she was capable of doing the same, if their situations were reversed.
Alec took a deep breath and forced himself to focus on the bracelet. He located the two target areas and gently probed them with Kayla’s energy. “Increase it now.”
She willed herself to tap into her energy resources. Amazed at the way the energy seemed to flow around her, she gathered it close and directed it toward Alec. It seemed as though the more energy she sent to him, the more loose energy drifted toward her, eager for her to scoop it up. It seemed to be attracted to her. Delighted with the playful energy seeking her out, she focused on the loose strands floating around her and channeled it toward him.
Completely immersed in the game she made up, scooping up lost energy and giving it a home, Kayla closed her eyes to get a better sense of the energy around her. Fairly humming with the power flowing through her, she stopped paying attention to Alec’s reaction to the increased energy she was feeding him.
Instead, she became intrigued at the path of energy he was channeling through the bracelet. Kayla followed its path and was surprised when she found herself in an enormous hub of energy. It pressed against her, swarming her senses and threatening to overwhelm her. She tried to pull back and was surprised when the pooled energy seemed to gather around her, not willing to let her leave.
Panic set in and she reacted instinctively, trying to channel the entire flow of energy. It was too much. Nothing in her experience had prepared her to handle something of this magnitude. She screamed Alec's name in her head, desperate to find their shared connection amidst the onslaught of energy threatening to drown her.
* * * *
The inactivity was driving Carl crazy. His gaze kept shifting from the monitor Cruncher was watching to the three motionless individuals in front of him. He'd get a sense of something happening almost peripherally, but it wasn't anything tangible he could describe. His fingers flexed and he had to keep resisting the urge to tap his foot.
Seara's sudden gasp brought him to full alertness. She stared in shock down at the bracelet and whispered, “It worked. It's been deactivated.”
Cruncher looked up in alarm. “I think we’ve got a problem.”
Carl jerked his head up to stare at the fluctuations on the screen. They were going haywire. “What the hell is going on?”
“The energy levels are still masked for now, but there’s been a huge increase in energy in the pool. I don’t know what this means.”
Carl turned back to look at Kayla and Alec, still motionless. Seara's hands flew to her mouth, her gaze darted back and forth between them. Carl wasn't sure what she saw that he didn't, but he didn't care much for the growing sense of unease in the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong.
At Seara’s panicked expression, Carl looked back at Alec and Kayla. They were both standing still with their eyes closed. Without taking his eyes away from them, he asked Seara, “What’s going on?”
Seara shook her head, visibly shaken. “I think Kayla and Alec may have somehow tapped into the energy pool directly. I don’t know what’s happening.”
That didn't sound good. “Kayla?”
Whether it was the sound of his voice or something else he didn't know, but Kayla suddenly staggered. Alec’s eyes flew open and he caught her when she started to collapse. He lowered himself to the floor with Kayla still in his arms.
“Alec, what’s happening?” Seara asked fearfully.
He ignored her, bending his head over Kayla. He traced his fingers over her face and closed his eyes again.
“What the hell is he doing to her?” Carl demanded, stepping forward to intervene.
Seara held up her hand to stop him. “I don’t know, but he won’t hurt her. They’re connected right now. He can feel everything she feels and vice versa. They’re sharing thoughts, emotions, everything.”
Carl reared back as though stung. “That’s what it means when they’re connected?”
Seara nodded. “It’s similar to telepathy, but it goes much deeper.”
He resisted the urge to tear Alec away from her. Until he learned more, he couldn't risk putting her in more danger. “You can’t tell what’s going on?”
Seara hesitated. “Not exactly, no. Now that the bracelet is deactivated, I can try to see. I can’t connect with them, though, unless they agree to it.”
She knelt down and put one hand on Kayla and the other on Alec’s arm. She closed her eyes and remained quiet for what seemed an eternity to Carl. When her eyes flew open, she stared at Alec in horror. Shoving at him, she yelled, “Alec, stop! You can’t do this.”
“What is he doing?” Carl demanded.
Alec looked up, suddenly aware of his surroundings. He shook Seara away. “Seara, I have to do this. She channeled too much. She somehow followed the energy through to the pool and tried to reverse the flow. When the bracelet deactivated, she lost control of the flow. I had no idea this could happen.” He looked down at her and whispered, “I should have never let her do this.”
“Then let me do it,” Seara demanded.
“She can’t forge another connection,” Alec said angrily, bringing his fist down on the desk. “She knows what’s going on but she can’t find her way out of there. If I don’t do this, what happens to her then? Are you prepared to lose your daughter again?”
Seara blanched. Alarmed at Alec's words, Carl demanded, “What are you talking about?”
Alec ignored him, his gaze focused once more on Kayla. Seara looked up at Carl, her expression one of sympathy. “He wants to exchange energy with her. Her energy is chaotic and she’s only partially channeling it. If he reaches for her with his own energy, he can stabilize her. The allure of sharing energy is strong enough that she’ll be able to find her way back.”
Fury lit through him and his insides churned like dark angry skies ready to erupt. “Exchanging energy? As in claiming her? Isn’t that what almost happened yesterday?”
Alec gritted his teeth. “I won’t do it if I can help it. Seara, get them out of here for a few minutes.”
“Like hell,” Carl declared. “I’m not leaving and you’re not doing this to her.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have a choice. If I don’t do this, there’s a good chance she’ll remain this way.”
Seara put her hand on Carl’s arm. “I don’t like it either, but he’s right. We shouldn’t have tried this without giving her more training. This is my fault as much as it is Alec’s fault.”
It wasn't what he wanted to hear. He might doubt Alec's intentions, but Seara's sincerity was indisputable. Seara's voice was soft as she added, “I know you care about her. This is necessary though. Do you want to wait outside?”
Carl shook his head. He might not be able to do anything to help her, but he wasn't going to leave the woman he'd grown to care so much about in the hands of someone like Alec.
Alec looked up at him, clearly irritated with his continued presence. “Fine. Stay if you want. Maybe a first-hand view of what you’re dealing with will clear up some of your illusions.”
Carl’s jaw clenched in anger as Alec effectively dismissed him, turning his attention back to Kayla while Carl was helpless except to watch.
* * * *
Kayla floundered in the darkness and gasped as the lifeline reached her. Alec’s energy poured over her and she felt the strong pull toward him. She instinctively channeled her energy back toward him. The moment it reached him, she felt herself once more aware of her surroundings.
She opened her eyes to see his concerned face. Feeling as though she could get lost in the blue depths of his eyes, she reached up to touch his face tenderly. His energy ran through her and she sent her own flow of energy back to him. He gave her an encouraging smile as he felt her energy become less chaotic and more purposeful.
“I
t’s working,” Seara whispered.
Kayla leaned forward and put her arms around Alec, wanting to be closer to him. The energy flow increased and she washed her energy over him. He pulled back slightly and withdrew some of his energy. Alarmed, she increased her energy and felt him hesitate with longing for her.
“I don’t understand. I know you want me,” she thought toward him in confusion.
“I do,” he admitted regretfully. “I want to complete the connection with you more than anything else. But not like this. As it is, I believe we’ve already formed a small permanent bond.”
She smiled at the thought. “Then we should complete it.”
He shook his head and told her, “Kayla, you have no idea how hard this is for me. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. But we can’t do this under these conditions. I want you to be fully aware and willing when we finally claim one another.”
He took a deep breath and withdrew the last of his energy from her. She whimpered at the lapse. He pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly.
She continued channeling energy over him. He struggled against the nearly irresistible desire to return her energy. He thought toward her, “Kayla, you need to pull back on your energy.”
“No,” she refused, her eyes pleading with him. “I know you want me as much as I want you. I’m aware and willing. I don’t understand why you won’t join with me.”
Kayla recognized Seara's voice in the background but ignored it, intent on convincing Alec to join with her.
“Kayla won’t break the connection. I don’t know how much longer Alec can resist.”
“Why won’t she break it?” Carl asked in concern.
“It’s instinctual,” Seara explained in a hushed voice. “She hasn’t grown up learning our ways, so she hasn’t learned temperance. Alec is able to harness her energy. I suspect he’s one of the few people who can. If he weren’t as talented, she wouldn’t have any hesitation in breaking the connection. But the fact he can match her strength is appealing to her.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You could try talking to her,” Seara suggested. “I don’t know if she’ll even be aware of you, but it’s worth a try. Just don’t touch her. I’m not sure how that will affect their connection.”
Kayla was dimly aware of movement off to her side but she wasn't willing to look away from Alec.
“Kayla, sweetheart, you need to break the connection. You don’t want to do this.”
Carl? At the sound of his voice, Kayla turned to look at him. The concern and longing in his gaze surprised her and she started to reach out to him. Her energy flow faltered and she felt Alec wince from the lapse. Her eyes immediately flew back to Alec. She realized she was hurting him from the withdrawal and started to increase the energy again. Alec shook his head.
“No, Kayla, you have to stop. It’s just like before. It’ll hurt for a few minutes but it’ll be okay. I’ll still be here for you. One day, we will complete the connection. But the time isn’t now.”
He leaned toward her and pressed his lips against hers in a promise. When he pulled away, she withdrew her energy from him. She felt his agony and yearning. It hurt her almost as much as it hurt him. He held her for a long moment, simply stroking her hair. His voice was gentle when he said, “Break the connection now, Kayla.”
She nodded and pulled the threads of energy away from him. She gasped at the sharp stab of emptiness where she had once felt completely connected. It seemed even more painful this time than it had been the previous day.
“It’s because we have a more permanent bond now. Too much energy was exchanged. If we were fully bonded to one another, you wouldn’t feel that pain.”
She nodded and then looked over at Carl. His expression was full of agony. “I’m okay, Carl.”
Holding out his hand to her, Carl helped her up. He yanked her to him and held her tightly as though he was afraid to let her go. Kayla wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. She'd scared him. Hell, she'd scared herself. She needed to try to make sense of her chaotic emotions, but she felt too raw.
Seara looked at Alec in concern and asked, “Are you all right, Alec? I didn’t think what you did was possible.”
He stood up and looked at Kayla and Carl in each other’s arms. “I’m fine.”
Kayla turned to look at Alec, feeling torn between the two men. She couldn’t deny her feelings for both of them. They each represented something distinctly different. Carl was part of the world she had grown up knowing, whereas Alec touched her on a primal level she was strangely drawn to but didn’t understand.
Alec gave her an understanding look. His thoughts touched her mind. “I know you’re torn. I can be as patient as you need me to be, Kayla.”
Kayla swallowed and didn’t answer. She turned to Seara and asked, “Did it work? Is the bracelet deactivated?”
“Yes,” Seara admitted and jingled the inert piece of jewelry on her wrist. “It’s an ordinary bracelet now. But you two can’t do that again. It’s far too dangerous until you’ve been trained.”
Kayla looked as though she was about to object. Alec stepped forward. “She’s right, Kayla. I don’t think either one of us can go through this again. It’ll continue to be more painful.”
Carl lifted his head, his grip tightening on Kayla's waist possessively. “Painful? It looked as though you were enjoying it well enough a few minutes ago when you were kissing her.”
Alec regarded Carl with a look that would have sent most people running in fear. “You know absolutely nothing about us. Your ignorance is the only thing that makes your presence remotely tolerable.”
Carl met Alec's look with one of his own. “And since you stepped in Kayla’s life, you’ve done nothing but try to use her for your own means.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed and he said in a dangerous voice, “You’ve crossed the line, Trader.”
Carl released Kayla and took a step toward Alec. “So have you.”
“Stop! Both of you,” Kayla said in frustration. “Carl, Alec didn’t do anything wrong.” At Alec’s smug expression, she added, “And Alec, stop baiting him.” She looked back and forth between both of them. “We have enough to worry about without having to worry about your egos. If you two are determined to have this out and kick each other’s asses, fine. But leave me out of it. I don’t feel like dealing with this crap.”
She gave them both an irritated look and stormed out of the room.
* * * *
Seara smiled in amusement at the surprised look on Carl’s and Alec’s faces. “Excuse me. I’m going to join my daughter.”
Carl and Alec turned to glare at each other once again. Cruncher cleared his throat. “Well, that was exciting. If I wasn’t awake before, I am now. Anyone want some breakfast?”
Carl ignored him, focusing on Alec. “I don’t know what sort of mind games you’re playing with Kayla, but this needs to end. She doesn’t belong to you. If you hope to change that by creating some sort of mental connection with her, you’re wrong. It won’t happen.”
Alec looked at Carl with contempt. “You are an outsider and oblivious to our ways. Let me be clear so you don’t misunderstand. Kayla has always belonged to me and she always will. She may believe she cares for you and on some level that might even be true. But don’t delude yourself into thinking you’ll ever be more than a distraction to her.”
Carl's fists itched to wipe the smug expression off Alec's face. The only thing that stayed his hand was his knowledge that Alec didn't truly understand Kayla. Trying to possess someone like her was like trapping sunlight in a jar. “Have you tried telling Kayla she belongs to you? I guarantee she’ll set the record straight.”
Alec looked amused. “I don’t need to tell her. On some level, she already knows. The only reason we’re not fully bonded at this moment is because I refused. One day soon she’ll come to me again and ask me to claim her. I won’t refuse again.”
Rea
son left him. Carl leaped forward toward Alec. He'd kill him if he touched Kayla again. Cruncher grabbed him, holding him back while Carl struggled against his grip. “Boss, he’s an Omni. Come on, man. Don’t do this.”
“At least your crew has some sense,” Alec said coolly and walked out of the room.
Carl jerked away from Cruncher and punched the wall in frustration. He paced back and forth, furious for losing control and letting Alec get the upper hand. Cruncher rubbed his chin. “Look, the guy is an ass but I’m not sure this is the best way to handle it.”
“I’ll tell you how I’d like to handle it,” Carl fumed.
“I bet.” Cruncher clapped his hand on Carl’s shoulder. “A day or two more and we’ll be out of here. I have a hunch Kayla’s going to be coming with us regardless of what happens here. You have to keep it together until then.”
Carl ran his hands over his face. He just hoped she was still willing to leave after everything that happened with Alec a few minutes ago. He couldn't get that damn kiss out of his head. “Yeah, that’s what she said this morning.”
“There you go then. He’s not worth it, man. Taking him on will only end badly for us.”
“Shit, Cruncher, what the hell is wrong with me?”
Cruncher chuckled. “My guess? You’ve got it bad for our little dark-haired firebrand.”
Carl rested his hands on the table and sighed. When it came to Kayla, he seemed to lose all sense of reason, and logic flew out the window. “Yeah, I do. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing anymore.”
“My advice is to ignore him. Kayla’s going to do what she’s going to do. But she had a point. This guy is trying to bait you. Don’t let him get to you.”
Carl frowned. “You’re right. Dammit, you’re right.”
“So how about that breakfast?” Cruncher grinned and lifted a brow.
“Yeah, sure. Why the hell not?” He didn't need to leave Alec alone with Kayla any longer than necessary.
* * * *
She felt Alec approach behind her but she didn't turn. Wrapping her arms over her chest, she tried to rub away the chill. She should be glad about what they accomplished with Seara's bracelet but she couldn't help but wonder at the cost. She'd spent so much of her life simply trying to survive; she never had to think about the consequences before.
Beneath the Fallen City Page 28