Balancer's Soul

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  Mathew gave off a throaty, menacing laugh that sent a cold chill down her spine. Still laying on the floor he sneered “The Black Sheep going to kill me?” He laughed menacingly again. “He couldn’t do anything if he tried. He is nothing but an oversized retard. He…” Mathew stopped cold when he looked over and saw how dangerous Connor can really be.

  His face paled and his eyes went wide with true fear. Connor’s shaggy hair no longer covered his penetrating eyes at the moment, making the threat real. Getting up very slowly he backed out of the classroom then Sarah heard Mathew running for his life.

  Connor stepped forward to run Mathew down and finish the job. And knowing Connor he could easily catch up. Mark turned around with those calm silver eyes and looked Connor in the face, keeping his arms in the same wide protective spread. “Buddy, don’t do it! Mathew is not worth it. You saved Ms. Sarah just in time. It’s over. Calm down.”

  Apparently Connor didn’t hear his best friend. He took another step closer to the door, but Mark held his ground. “Nothing on this planet will stop Connor if it is a threat to me. The only one who can calm him is…Me!”

  Summoning up all of her courage, Sarah quickly stepped in front of Connor. Talking to his friend she said “Mark, get out of the way. You cannot stop him; you know that only I can.” her back stood to Mark, but he understood Connor’s strength better than she did and moved out of the way.

  Reaching up with both of her hands, Sarah cupped Connor’s cheeks tenderly. “Connor, it’s ok, I’m unharmed. You saved me, again. Mathew is gone and so is the threat he posed to me, so please calm down before you do something you’ll regret.” She kept speaking softly and reassuringly, but Connor didn’t hear her and took another step forward, nearly knocking her over. “Connor!” Yelling usually helps with stubborn men and she used her hands to force his head down to look directly at her.

  His raptor like hazel eyes looked and at first saw her as an obstacle. She held her ground through some miracle. The only thing Sarah could do at this time was smile his smile at him. It worked and his eyes and face slowly relaxed along with all the bunched muscles of his body. Sanity returned and bloodlust vanished.

  “I’m sorry.” His face became apologetic after he found his voice.

  “Everything is ok now, just relax.” She said reassuringly.

  After a few moments Sarah realized they were still in the class room, filled with immature eyes. Looking around the class she noticed that everyone sat silent and in shock. They were all looking at the three of them and especially at Connor and herself. She slowly removed her palms away from Connor’s face and put them at her sides.

  One student broke the silence “Nice punch Mark! I even felt it all the way over here.” The kid didn’t know that Mark was actually trying to save Mathew’s life while also dealing a semblance of punishment. Then everyone started talking quietly amongst themselves. Connor and Mark stood by each of her sides, close and alert. Sarah overheard a few comments from the small crowd.

  “I’m glad Ms. Sarah’s ok, but did you see how quickly Connor moved, especially all the way from the back? I sure didn’t. All I saw was a bolting shadow…” “How about that spinning, midair catch?” The next comment made her heart race in jealously over a girls comment “I’ll never call him Black Sheep again…More like a Dark Knight.” “No. he is my Knight and I’m his Princess you ignorant child.” “Wow, I didn’t know the Sheep was actually a wolf in disguise. Did you see his eyes? He was really going to kill our quarterback…” Sarah lost track as they continued to talk amongst themselves. Having a prideful thought she smiled “Yeah Connor is a wolf and he protects his mate.

  The bell rang not too long later and everyone left the classroom in excitement over the latest gossip that was sure to spread. Mark left not too long later waving goodbye and leaving them completely alone.

  Connor broke the silence and spoke tightly. “Sarah, can I ask for a favor?”

  No hesitation entered her mind as she replied “Anything.”

  “Will you please take Kara home?” He asked, leaning angst the wall.

  “Sure, but what are you going to do?” Her alarm’s rose, feeling a sense of malice rolling off him. “You are not going after Mathew, are you!?”

  His face still revealed an emotionless mask. “Nothing like that, Princess. I just need to blow off some steam and I can’t do it with my sister nearby.” He finally cracked a weak smile, but it was forced.

  “Ok.” He hugged and kissed her head.

  “I’ll go retrieve my sister and we’ll meet you out by your car.” He said, leaving the room fluidly and silently.

  Getting to her car while opening the door Sarah heard Kara from across the field yell “He did what to Sarah!? I hope you had him admitted at the hospital!”

  Connor said calmly “Well I didn’t. Just don’t tell anyone else ok?”

  “Ok Brother, I promise.” Now the siblings walked into view. They were polar opposites. He was big and brawny while she was small and skinny. Her clothes were bright and revealing while her big brother wore dark and conservative clothing. The only thing they had in common was the same hair color, and that’s all. Even their facial structure wasn’t alike. When Kara spotted Sarah she shouted “Hey Sarah! I’m so glad that you didn’t get hurt.”

  Kara entered the passenger side door and sat next to Sarah. Connor walked around to the driver side and stood before her, leaned down and whispered in a playful and seductive manner “I’ll beat you back home.” He was finally smiling the smile Sarah loved. He kissed her forehead and ran to the tree line, in an instant he melded into the trees like a flickering shadow. As he entered the leaves around him rustled oddly, but she didn’t see any wind. Kara, in a serious tone, said in the car “Let’s get going, drive slowly and tell me everything.”

  Driving slowly down the dirt road Sarah recounted everything that happened from her perspective, only leaving out the students comments. Kara actually sat quiet and didn’t fidget during the story. Finishing the story she had to ask “What is Connor really going to do?”

  “He promised that he was going for a run, right?” Sarah simply nodded. “If he makes a promise, Brother always keeps them. He won’t lay a hand on the fool who tried to hurt you. But for your information, knowing my brother, he will cripple Mathew if he comes near you ever again.” She smiled, wishing for it to actually happen and hoping to be there or could it have been something else?

  “Why are you smiling?” Sarah just had to ask.

  Sarah almost passed their houses when she clearly said “Brother must be truly in love with you.”

  Slamming on the brakes startled both of them. Luckily they were traveling slowly so they didn’t get whiplash. Dry dust from slamming the breaks surrounded them nevertheless. “W…What do you mean in love with me?”

  Kara had a serious expression on her face. “Brother would die to keep me safe, but the way he looks at you. He would go into hell without hesitation and bring you back unharmed.” She said, striking Sarah speechless. “What is with this family? Do they always speak from their hearts?” She continued “When you two get married I would be proud for you to be my sister-in-law.”

  So truly moved by this little girl’s words, Sarah hugged her.

  A tapping on the window broke up the hug. Connor smiled through the passenger window, Kara rolled down the window to speak. “Brother, we are having a girl’s moment. Get lost!”

  “Love to see you too.” “Love.” and Sarah blushed. “Mark is on the phone, he wants to talk to you.” He still smiled at her, as he turned to look at Sarah with her favorite smile, she knew he was already back to normal.

  Kara exited the car quickly and Connor said “I’m glad I was fast enough to catch you, Sarah. Since I ran to get rid of some of my excess energy, I need to shower and start dinner. I’ll talk to you later, Princess.” He leaned through the car and kissed her forehead.

  As Connor walked back to his house she called from the car “Thank you for ev
erything.” Sarah blew him a kiss saying “Good night, my Knight.”

  “Good night my fair Princess.” He bowed dramatically and walked inside.

  After getting home and within five hours Sarah showered, cooked dinner, and washed her delicates. While watching TV she heard a knock at the front door.

  “Who can it be at this late hour?” Instead Sarah said “Coming…Who is it?”

  Opening the door stood a young woman about her age and height. She has darker hair though. It is closer to black than Sarah’s, but it is still brown though and it was only shoulder length. Their facial structure is about the same, but she has a slight widow’s peak and her jaw line is slightly rounder. She is slightly plumper but by no more than ten or fifteen pounds in all the right places. And her breasts were larger along with more attractively curved hips. Her excited golden eyes studied Sarah carefully. Finally she glanced at the garage to see a Fire Engine red convertible sports car.

  Putting all of the pieces together Sarah knew exactly who it is. “Mother! I completely forgot you would be home today.”

  “I’m sure you did my dear.” Jillian said with a little giggle.

  Changing subject wasn’t easy, but she managed. “Mother, Father is still asleep. Would you like for me to wake him?”

  Jillian had a gleam in her eye before exclaiming “No Sarah. I want to meet Your Man first.” and then she arched an eyebrow.

  “Oh No. Not now.”

  “Oh Yes… Now!” Jillian said, using her power to read her daughter’s mind.

  Jillian grabbed Sarah’s wrist and ferried her across the street to Connor’s house.

  “I didn’t realize my final test was so soon.”

  Past and Present

  Crossing the road and walking up Connor’s driveway, Sarah desperately pleaded to her mother, who continued to hold her child’s wrist in a vice like grip. “Mother, what are you doing?”

  “I want to see what your man is like for myself before Jack has the opportunity to meet him tomorrow. He doesn’t suspect anything… Oh how long I’ve been waiting for this day. At long last, my little girl has finally found a love interest, after all this time.” Jillian sounded giddy and very amused at the prospect, but Sarah felt terrified and a little humiliated by her mother’s actions.

  “Tomorrow?!” It was the only word Jillian said that rang through Sarah’s entire being. “Are you positive that this can’t wait until… later? What if he gets hurt or worse? What if he wants nothing to do with me? I can’t live think what Father will do.” Sarah was truly pleading at this point and with a sharp tug she somehow managed to break her mother’s hold. Jillian was stopped physically, but her excitement was easy to read and impossible to quench.

  Jillian remained grinning and then she shocked Sarah by becoming serious. Coming out of nowhere she calmly asked “Do you love him?” Sarah’s face answered of its own accord by going beet red. Sarah then wrung her hands together nervously, feeling a little insecure at the moment. “I thought so. Now Sarah, do you want him to be your mate?”

  “Yes.” She replied very quietly towards the ground.

  “Good. Now just follow my lead and let’s see how he reacts to meeting me.” Jillian could no longer contain her excitement or impulsiveness behind the serious mask any longer. Like she could ever do it to begin with?

  Stepping on the entryway of Connor’s front porch Sarah’s noticed that Jenny’s car wasn’t there. It was quiet inside his home…too quiet. She hoped they left the kitchen light on for security purposes and no one currently occupied the residence, but her mother would already know if no one laid within.

  Standing shoulder to shoulder in front of the door, Jillian knocked firmly. Then terror set in. Sarah clearly heard Connor’s deep voice coming from the kitchen to say “I’m coming.”

  When he opened the door Connor looked immediately at Sarah and her stomach filled with a ravenous horde of butterflies again. She could barely draw breath let alone be the first to speak. “Good evening, Princess. Is something wrong?” Now she was really blushing and her heart began another cross-country marathon.

  Why do I react so strongly towards him? This is all so confusing…

  “He calls you Princess? Oh that is sooo adorable, wait till I tell this to Jack. And oh my Sarah he certainly is a Big one.” Jillian said by pushing her excited thoughts into Sarah’s head. She usually does this when she can’t speak naturally in public.

  Connor wore his usual black long sleeved shirt and black pants. His shaggy and sandy blonde hair was washed and brushed back, showing his rugged handsomeness openly. His sharp masculine features were awake and apparently happy to see Sarah so unexpectedly. Just the sight of him took her breath away and she remained unable speak.

  Jillian was closing the mental link as Sarah glanced at her. Connor’s piercing stare followed hers and finally looked at her mother carefully. “Mother, this is not a sick joke, I really care about him. Please don’t push him too hard…”

  Connor looked between them only once and offered his hand to her mother as a greeting. “Hi. I’m Connor.” Shaking Connor’s hand, Jillian returned the gesture in her chipper voice. “Hello Connor, I’m Jillian. I am Sarah’s big sister.

  Connor leaned down and looked at her mother, face to face, and smiled at her, but his smile said ‘I’m on to you.’ Only he said one clear and confident word that cut through everyone like a sharp blade. “Liar.”

  Sarah’s eyes widened in shock, but Jillian could only manage to blink several times in obvious surprise by being called a liar. She composed herself and asked “Excuse me?”

  He stood erect again and continued to wear the same knowing smile. “I called you a liar, Jillian. You are not Sarah’s big sister. You are Sarah’s mom.”

  Sarah’s mother smiled knowingly from how she’s been caught and instantly turned to her dear daughter. “He is good.” She turning back to him and said “I’m impressed Connor, what gave me away?”

  “A few things tipped me off, but first, please come inside.” He gestured by stepping back and raising an arm towards the living room. “Both of you may speak openly with me. My mom and Kara will not be home tonight. They are having a mother/daughter night out and won’t be back till noon at the earliest. Sarah, please show Jillian into the living room while I make some refreshments for both of you.”

  Their eyes met again and he smiled her favorite and personal smile.

  Connor left them and went to the kitchen, while quietly Sarah led her mother into his charming home. “Mother, please be nice. I like him.” She said very quietly because she knows how well Connor can hear.

  “Ok, but give him some credit. He’s better than you described him on the phone.” She giggled quietly. Jillian had intrigue and amusement written within her golden eyes.

  “You have no idea.” Sarah admitted with glee, knowing he had already impressed her. But what would happen next she knew not.

  Jillian and Sarah moved over and sat on the plush couch when she asked “Wow these are beautiful paintings and this couch looks custom made.” Jillian seemed just as impressed as Sarah had been when she first saw them for herself.

  Sarah smiled gently “Kara, Connor’s little sister, is the artist of these paintings and Connor is a very capable carpenter. He built this sofa, the tables, the kitchen cabinets, the beds and their dressers.”

  Her mother whistled in amazement and said cheerfully and amazingly truthful “He has some good qualities.”

  Connor entered the living room with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and two glasses of milk. He sat down the plate and drinks on the coffee table in front of them. He then walked over and pulled a recliner around to sit front of them, wearing a comforting smile. He looked so calm and commanding, even when he looked relaxed.

  Jillian reached forward to grab a glass and a cookie. When the dessert touched her palate she moaned in appreciation. Sarah took one for herself and gave a similar sound as the still warm and chewy cookie melted in he
r mouth. It was absolutely delicious. Jillian finished off the treat and sipped on the drink before admitting aloud “This is good. Thank you for being hospitable.”

  “I’m glad you are enjoying it, but back to your earlier question…” He started to say until her mother interrupted him.

  “And which question would that be?” Jillian looked confused, but she was faking her confusion.

  “Where I knew that you lied to me.” She nodded in understanding with barely a hint of a smile. “A few things tipped me off. The biggest was how Sarah looks like a beautiful combination of you and her Father. Another was the way you move, you wasted no excess energy as you walked. That proved that you have had a lot of lifetime experiences despite how you look age wise.” Taking a breath he continued “But what really tipped me off were your eyes.”

  “My eyes?” She looked skeptical.

  “Yes Jillian, your eyes.” Now Connor smiled in confidence. His tone remained calm and completely secure in his observations. “You have ageless eyes Jillian, but they are far older than Sarah’s. The eyes never lie, especially to me.”

  “Really? If I am far older than my daughter, how old is she?” She was simply playing with him now. Only she didn’t know was that Connor only really play’s with Sarah, to make her blush continually.

  “Around three hundred years old.” He sounded unconcerned with her age.

  Jillian nearly choked on her drink as he spoke truthfully and without pause. When her mother stopped choking and caught her breath she nearly shattered the glass on the table. She turned to Sarah in astonishment and her golden eyes flared in accusation and anger. “You told him about WHAT WE ARE!”

  “NO, she didn’t.” Connor defended, gaining complete command of the room, he walked around the coffee table and sat between the angered mother and timid daughter. Connor grabbed Sarah’s hand gently and they laced their fingers together out of a natural habit. Sarah had no choice, but to look down at her shaking drink.