Remembering the water ball that Jillian made earlier Connor pictured that as a reference. Closing his eyes he focused on this new task. In the safety of his mind he pictured a baseball size orb of water. The power grew from within as he began to focus on the palm of his left hand, but it felt different this time. Instead of a circular spinning motion a cool sensation of a flowing current came from his chest and made its way down the arm of his focus.
Opening his eyes, a small stream of water began flowing from the cup and collect into a ball over his hand. A beautifully clear ball of water formed. Connor then felt a need for payback. “Here catch.” He tossed the water ball at a startled Jillian. From where she sat Connor felt her gather her power quickly and she caught the ball without spilling a single drop.
“Sooo you are able to use two elements now.” She sent the water back and controlled it with such precision to land back in the cup. Her expressive face became an unreadable mask for some reason. Sarah and Jack’s expression began to match hers.
Jack removed his hands, breathing harder from delivering so much energy. “This time it took less strength to use Liquid than it did with Pressure.” Connor admitted truthfully.
“The reason it was like that stemmed from the fact that you didn’t need to collect anything from the air and surroundings. It was already collected in the cup for you.” Jillian looked at Jack who was still behind them. “Let’s switch, you look like you’ve given him much power.”
“I have.” They traded positions. Jack walked around and Jillian put her hands on his back. “Let’s test the element Terra this time.” He left the room and came back in with a soda can. “Terra is the element that has the greatest defensive capability. A Terra Balancer can block and stop anything that heads at them. Pick up the stone.” Connor did and felt it to be smooth and cool to the touch. “Jillian’s mother is a Terra Balancer. She was able to make craters in the earth or fill in a sinkhole or make a deep well in moments. Take the stone and make it hover.”
“I have a better idea.”
“Connor what are you up to?” Sarah was now in his mind.
“I have a weird feeling and I’m going to act on it.”
In his mind he pictured breaking the stone in half. Closing his eyes he pictured making a small fracture and forcing the stone in two. This time the sensation didn’t flow like the others. The energy slammed into his hand like swinging a hammer and hitting a nail in with only one fast and massive strike. Connor opened his eyes just in time to see the rock split into two equal halves with a loud crack that shook the room for a moment. He then pictured floating the two of them up and had them dance above his right hand. The instantaneous force altered and replaced with a fast stream of energy. Connor cut it off immediately because the drain was very intense. As the stones landed on the table he said breathlessly “Now that was harder than doing the first two trials put together.” he looked at back at an exhausted Jillian. “I’m drained, can I get something to eat?”
“I’ll bring something for everyone.” Sarah ran into the kitchen.
Jillian walked around to stand in front of Jack. “Connor, we need to have a personal conversation, please give us a little privacy and try to not eavesdrop on what we say to each other.” He nodded while trying to stand up. “No, I meant don’t enter our minds. We’ll step out for a moment.” Connor sat down and waited while they got up and had their conversation. They went out the back door and closed it. He was unable to hear a word they shared.
Sarah came in fifteen minutes later with a large tray filled with food and several cans of soda. As she sat down the heaping tray, her parents entered the house again and took several items off the tray and started eating ravenously. Connor felt like he shouldn’t emulate them, but was unable to help it. It was as if he’d missed eating for three days without even a snack. He ate nine hotdogs, six bananas, and a large bag of barbeque chips along with drinking five cans of soda. The funniest thing was that Jillian ate almost double what he consumed. Connor wondered where she put it all and then remembered. Most of the food a Balancer eats is converted into usable energy nearly instantly.
An hour after they ate and his new in-laws finished their intense conversing, the tests resumed.
Looking much better, Jillian stood behind Connor like last time and Jack issued this test. “Connor, the next test is my element, Fire. Use the candle and take the flame away from the wick and use only your energy to supply the necessary fuel to keep it from dying.”
Jillian trickled energy through her hands on his back as he shut his eyes. Connor held the candle holder in his left hand as he held his palm to the side of the open flame. He didn’t want to make too big a big flame so he pictured it the same size as he did with the water. The energy flowed as commanded again from his chest and headed to his right palm. Instead of a cool flow of cold water, this felt like a stream of warm water flowing to his hand. Connor opened his eyes and saw the flame travel away from the wick and wax and went to the center of his hand. It seemed so small and it needed to grow bigger. Jack had said to fuel the flame with energy. He wanted it as big as the water ball and the energy obeyed his will without question or delay. The continuous stream of energy from his chest flowed from a small, steady stream into a controllable rushing current. The small flame grew bigger and bigger until it became a fireball. He was able to stop it from going any bigger, but only just.
“Very good, Connor.” Jack said, but something in his words sounded off. “Light the wick back and stem the flow of energy.” Connor did as asked and sat the candle back. “How did it feel?”
“It felt like the water; only much warmer.” He nodded knowing what was meant.
“Ok so you can use Fire as well.” He sighed. “Fire is life… It can be helpful for warmth or light, but it is also the deadliest element. If uncontrolled, people will die. It has only a single purpose, to consume. But without fire many more will die.” Jack looked at him directly. “Fire also has another use. It has the ability to take away heat and freeze any object. The problem is, not only does it use a lot of your stamina, it is uncontrollable. If a solid object’s heat is forcibly and quickly removed it will explode or shatter.
“Now it’s time for your final test. Metal is the densest of the elements. It requires the most energy to manipulate… As far as I have been told. I have seen a Metal Balancer only fifteen times within my life use their ability in front of me. My other daughter Amber is one of them. She is able to change the form of the metal she carries and made it into any weapon her imagination desired. Metal is an element of change.” Jack stood up and handed over the cube of metal.
“Jack, if what you say is true, I know that if I can use this affinity, I can feel it in my chest that it is going to require a massive amount of energy.” He nodded and stood in front of Connor placing his hands over his bare shoulder.
“Connor, something isn’t right!” Sarah said quietly looking at the piece of metal in his hand.
“What’s the problem?” He went instantly on the defensive.
“Sarah, be quiet... We need to see if it’s even possible.” Jillian said from behind, still transferring energy in his back.
“Sarah, what is the problem? Are you alright?” he felt her concern flowing through their bond.
“Connor, just finish this affinity test, and then we will explain after Sarah takes her own test.” Jack stated, still pouring his energy inside. Connor looked at Sarah and she nodded to continue.
“Alright.” But he didn’t like how worried Sarah felt.
Holding the metal cube in his hand Connor closed his eyes yet again and concentrated on the image of the metal. In his mind he saw it change. The cube became circular, then elongate into a cylinder. One end started to flatten and become the tip. Half of the cylinder flattened and it finally took the shape of a small knife.
Watching all of this within his mind he finally opened his eyes and felt the power flow forth. It became the same feeling when the rock cracked in two, only th
is time instead of one solid, huge burst of energy it was a continuous and massive current. Too much to be sustained for long. Looking down at the cube in his hand he watched it gently hover over his palm and it started to change shape. It played out liked it did within his mind, but the only thing that looked different was that the metal gave off incredible waves of heat as it morphed into the small, fix bladed, knife. As it finished transforming and cooling the handle gently fell in his hand. Connor felt like he was as weak as the time when Jack made him go unconscious, but his voice remained strong. “Now that is a handy little trick!”
Jillian and Jack took their hands off and from behind, Jillian said “Well isn’t this an interesting turn of events.”
Setting the newly formed knife down Connor demanded “Alright what is going on around here? Tell me.”
“Not just yet Connor. We need to test our daughter now.” Jack said in a way that he didn’t have any room to complain.
“Sarah, please tell me what they are hiding.”
“I can’t, at least not until I know for sure myself.”
***
“Will I have to wait long?” He asked with piercing eyes.
“I doubt it.” Sarah thought sincerely while trying to guard her emotions.
She reached to grab the lit candle, but Connor caught her wrist. He held it in his hand instead. He looked at Sarah’s mother. “Jillian will Sarah need energy like I did?” She nodded to him. “Ok. Now how do I pour my energy into her like you did with me?” Jillian looked at him like a cat ready to chase a mouse.
“Well since you know how to call on your elements, it is even easier than that. All you need is to picture in your mind giving energy over to your mate from wherever your skin touches. Mates can transfer power between themselves easier than how Jack and I worked together to pour our powers into you.”
“Thanks Jillian. Wait…” Connor has a slow growing smile over his face. And it meant Sarah is in trouble. His exciting emotions caused her dread.
“Connor what are you up t…” He turned quickly to Sarah on the sofa.
“Do you trust me?” He said with a boyish smile.
“Completely… Why?” She didn’t get a vocal answer, but what she did get was Connor standing quickly, dragging her up with him. With the candle in one hand and her in the other, he let her hand drop as Sarah began standing under her own power. He quickly pushed the couch back with one hand and dropped to the hardwood floor, sitting cross legged. “Connor, what are you doing!?” Sarah probably looked hysterical, asking the question.
“He is doing what is known as a Balancer’s Chair.” It came from her father who looked at Connor with wide eyes like he’s one of the new wonders of the world.
“What’s a Balancer’s Chair?” Sarah asked while glaring at her father. “Why have I never heard of it before?” Jack ignored her and kept staring at Connor who sat on the floor shirtless. “How did you know the best way to transfer energy?”
“It just felt right. Jillian said skin contact and I figured that this was the best way for me to touch with as much skin as I could.” Connor retorted.
“Sarah, come with me. You need to change into something better.” Jillian grabbed her hand and led her into her bedroom. She sounded serious and yet ecstatic which only meant that Sarah is in some form of imminent danger. “Mother, what is really going on in there?” Sarah pointed at the wall that separated her room from the silent living room.
Jillian opened up her dresser drawer and rummaged in the clothing. As she did, she explained “Sarah, what you need to know about the basic technique of sharing energy with your mate is difficult to explain.” She stood up straight and turned, holding some skimpy red clothing in her hand. “When enough skin is touched between mates their power increases two fold. If your father needed more energy over what he can use, I can be like an extra battery.” She shook her head trying to find the right words. “Look my dear, take off your clothes and put these on.” She handed over what was in her hand and shut the door as she left to give some privacy.
Sarah tried to telepathically talk with her new mate but all she saw were her green eyes fixed in Connor’s mind. He was probably trying to block her parents. Lucky he was blocking because her next thought could have scared him. “How was Connor able to manipulate all of the elements? I thought…”
In her hand sat a rose red, two piece bikini. She had to look again to be sure her imagination wasn’t playing tricks. Sarah put them on, under extreme protest. As she finished putting on the scandalous garments Sarah walked back into the living room, feeling fully self-conscious.
Jack’s eyes were shut tight with his back turned. Jillian looked at her daughter and smiled. “Well don’t those look sexy on you!” and Connor’s expression was firmly fixated in her mind. He said nothing, but his eyes explained that he thought he might die a happy man.
“So what do I need to do?” Sarah looked her mother and she answered “Let’s see how he does by himself.” Jillian pointed to the still seated Connor. The burning candle sat a foot away from his left knee, on the floor.
“What do I need to do?” She asked her ogling mate.
“Come over here and sit down.” He lifted his hand as a gentle offering. Sarah walked over and took it. He turned her by grasping her hips as he guided her down to sit on his lap. “We need our skin to touch as much as possible. Cross your legs on top of mine… Good now lean back into my chest.” and as she did he felt like the best seat she has ever sat on; firm yet perfectly comforting. His body heat seeped into hers and his breathing, along with his delicious smell became tantalizing. “Here Princess… hold this.” He handed her the candle. “After knowing how much energy it took for each element, I am going to try and regulate the flow of energy you will need.” Connor’s right hand wrapped around her abdomen and around to her lower back in an embrace. His left arm wrapped over her left collar bone, between her breasts and wrapped around to hold her bottom. It was an intimate embrace. He put his face down and laid it on her right collar bone and he kissed the side of her neck. Excitement shot through her. He whispered in her ear “Good luck. I love you.” It did more than simply give Goosebumps.
“Very good Connor, that’s the best position to achieve perfect energy transfer. Ok Sarah, let’s get started.” Jack said while finally glancing at his youngest.
Sarah felt Connor’s strength slowly pour into her from everywhere they touched. Slow and steady. She made her very first non-migraine fireball. “Liquid!” Connor looked up at her mother. And Jillian grabbed the cup of water while handing it to Sarah and taking an unlit candle away.
Sarah said to her loving Connor “Fire was my affinity before we became one. I was used to it. Can you give me any pointers for this test?”
“I can do you one better. Read my thoughts on how I did it.”
“Ok. Let me in!” She wanted in, but Connor still had his defenses up. “Let me all the way in.”
“Oh… Sorry.” Apparently he didn’t realize he was blocking unintentionally. “Thanks…” and she read every detail about how he was able to instantly manipulate water and every element on his first try.
Sarah easily made her first water ball. For the first time she felt a little petty. Since her mother soaked her mate, “It’s only fair right?” Before Jillian could react this time Sarah threw the water ball at her father. He can’t control water so he was defenseless and an easy target. It hit dead center between his shoulder blades because his back was turned for a moment. He jumped like a gazelle that just got spooked by a hungry lion. Jack turned around looking for the culprit, but all he received was laughter from everyone.
Next came the balloon Pressure test. Thanks to Connor’s energy and his idea she was able to make it rupture.
Then came the Terra try. As her mother handed her the stone Connor whispered in her ear “Sarah, please do not try and crack it. We will need the energy for the final trial. Trust me.”
“Connor why do you sound and feel worried?”
“Just please only float the rocks.” She did as asked and it worked, Connor increased the flow for every trial, she finally noticed. And why did he worry about Metal?
“Ok now for the last test.” Jillian’s face became impassive and Sarah understood what she was thinking about, without even reading her mind. They were all realizing what was miraculously happening, except for her loving mate.
“Sarah, I need you to do something for me?” Connor said loud enough to call her parents attention. “What do you need?” She answered, turning her head to see his piercing hazel eyes focus on her.
“When you have the picture of what you’re going to change the cube in your mind, lean into me just before you release your energy.” She said nothing because she put faith into what he planned.
Sarah closed her eyes and mentally molded the cube into the perfect shape. She leaned into Connor’s chest and he was ready because she felt a massive intake of his energy on a level that she’s never felt before. It was almost overwhelming taking in so much energy all at once and dangerous for both of them. With her eyes still closed, keeping focus, Sarah felt the weight of cube lift out of her palm. As she opened her eyes to watch the metal change shape, for some reason she looked up at her parents instead. The room looked brightly lit and they were standing next to each other looking at the two newest pair in utter disbelief and shock. What Sarah noticed next made her understand why they were looking as they were.
Looking down at Connor’s arms, that were wrapped around her body, Sarah saw that they were different. Instead of his normal tan colored arms that embraced her, these arms were glowing as brightly as the sun. She had to avert her gaze and instead she looked at his face. His face glowed just as brightly, his eyes were shut tight, along with his clenched jaw. He was pouring all of his excess energy into her. A dangerous, suicidal amount.
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