As the metal finished changing so did Connor’s light show. When the metal hit the floor with a clang, Connor’s full weight fell upon her and his arms slacked. “Are you ok?” He sounded exhausted and sleepy.
“I’m fine, what did you just do?”
“Saved your life…” and his head fell on her shoulder with dead weight. Sarah wanted to scream, but instantly heard him snoring on her shoulder.
Jack ran at his full speed around Connor and pulled his arms away from Sarah’s middle. Jillian ran and picked her up as if she were weightless. Jillian stood with Sarah as they watched Jack access the situation. Fear etched in his middle-aged features and on everyone’s faces from what exactly had happened. Her father straightened Connor’s crossed legs and grabbed the cushion off the sofa, making a pillow for Connor to rest his head. Jack stood up and looked at Sarah and asked “What were his last words, when you asked him what he did?”
Finally finding my voice she answered “He said he saved my life. Why? Is something wrong? What did he do?”
Jack shook his head in disbelief. “He really did save your life and ours as well.”
“WHAT?!” Sarah shrieked and ran down to Connor’s sleeping body. “Connor! Tell me what happened! How did you save our lives?”
“I can answer that better than he will right now. Let him rest.” Jillian said in a calm, soothing voice. “He knew the cost of manipulating the metal better than any of us. Your father and I didn’t have a single clue because we don’t have that affinity. We were only guessing as to how much power it required. Somehow Connor knew that since we expended so much energy on him, your mate knew that if we tried to do the same for you that all of us would die during the test. Plus you didn’t eat with us so your reserves were already low from mating. What was even more amazing was how much energy he had stored within him already, let alone how fast he poured it into you. Never in my life have I known anyone who could pull of a feat like this and still survive. I’ve only seen a body glow like that on very rare occasions. When we mate for the first time and when we deliver our children. To glow like that shows he can contain much power.”
Connor awoke moments later saying softly “FOOD!” and everyone looked stunned and then started to laugh.
After Connor fully regained consciousness, he found his way to the sofa and started eating again. They could all witness how quickly he could recover. While he ate like a starving Blue Whale he asked, sitting up “So Princess, what did you make for us?”
“I made a…” Sarah started searching and found it hiding under the couch. “Here it is.” She handed it over to him.
“What a nice sheath.” He put down the soda can and picked up the manipulated knife he made for the Metal test. Sliding the six inch blade into the sheath he smiled. “It’s a perfect fit.” He tossed it to her father. “Here take this to someone who buys knives. It should cover the cost for feeding me today.”
Her mother started to giggle. “Connor, for the entertainment you have provided this day has been payment enough for us.” And Jack added seriously “Connor, thank you.”
“For what?” He said with a mouthful of fruit.
“Not letting my mate and I do the tests for our daughter.”
Connor looked at each of them parents slowly. “When did you know?” He said after he finished swallowing.
“When you gave us that little light show. By the way, why did you glow so intensely? I’ve never seen a male Balancer give off so much excess energy before.” Jack shook his head. “Never mind, let’s add another thing on your unique circumstances.” he admitted in front of them all.
“I glowed?” Connor thought, looking at Sarah with questioning eyes.
“Yes, Connor you did. It was amazing. You were a giant glow stick.”
“Ok I understand.” He smiled and sighed. “Now what else is unique to our circumstances have you three been hiding since I took the affinity test?” He gently laid his arm across her exposed back because she forgot to change out of her mother’s bikini. It still made her feel uncomfortable with their present company.
Sarah looked at her parents who sat there looking at her. Jillian firmly pushed her thoughts in and Sarah now had a choice to block her for the first time in her life, but for now she let her through the defenses “Sarah, you should be the one to tell him.” She agreed under extreme protest.
Turning to Connor; who now had his fill of food for the moment, looked directly back at Sarah with those predatory eyes. She took a breath, trying to find the right words. “Connor, there are a few problems with what we just achieved during our test today. Normal Balancers usually only have one elemental affinity and in the rarest case that I know of, a person can use up to three.
“When someone has the affinity for Liquid, like Mother. Their mate’s balanced power is always the opposite element of Fire, like Father’s affinity. If a person is a Pressure Type, their partner’s affinity is Terra…like my grandparents. If a person who’s affinity is Metal, like my sister. Her mate’s balance is to have two affinities like Terra and Pressure. I only know of only one pair of Balancers who, together, can use all of the elements and they are our two oldest Elders. They are the only ones I have ever heard of who has that much power.
“Connor, there has never been a Balancer who can use all of the elements unaided, let alone that I, as your mate carry the exact same powers.” She took a breath and continued. “While you completed every test, my parents became worried. The reason they fretted was because there was only two things that would have happened during my test.”
His expression remained calm as he finished her statement. “And let me guess. Since I could manipulate all of the elements; either your balance to mine should have been to not be able to use any element whatsoever or be my equal and share in all of the same abilities as me.”
“Yes, that’s exactly why we were worried. Something strange and amazing has happened.” They both turned to her mother who interjected. “You two are something unique and unprecedented.” She looked to mate for reassurance.
“I can’t wait to see what you two do next year, when the next Mélange meeting takes place. There will be much gossip for weeks. It will definitely be more interesting than the last few.” Jack admitted while crossing his arms.
“Jack, what do those thirty Elders do? I mean I know they only meet every twenty five years, but what do they do for us exactly?” Connor asked.
“I see you told him a little about what’s going on in our world.” Her father smiled at her. “They are the peace keepers of our world. They are the oldest of our races and some are the most powerful beings on the planet. Since you are a new Balancer you will need to register with the collective next year.”
“I need to register?” Connor set his gaze on Jack.
“You both do.” Jillian clarified. “It isn’t difficult to register. All you need to say is your name and demonstrate your affinity in front of the Elders, if they ask.” Jillian turned to look at her daughter oddly. “Sarah, I hate to pry, but are you going to change your name?”
Surprised by her question she asked “What do you mean?”
“Well since you and Connor are now mates, are you going to take his last name like I took your fathers? Oh sorry Connor I forgot to explain that little detail of our race.” She looked at him. “See, when you register with the Mélange you are recorded by a well designed and maintained blood line chart. They have a large family tree that they sign your names onto. It just helps others know who your descendants or your ancestors are. You do not need to change your name Connor, but it is her choice to do so.” She looked at Sarah again.
“Sarah, do you even like my last name? If you do you can take it.” Connor thought into her mind.
“I like it a whole lot more than my last name if that’s what you mean. My grandfather of my father was a brutal man or so I’ve been told. Brander Rederson wasn’t a hero like most Viking stories you’d read about.” Connor smiled that warm smile that she love
s. Turning to her parents with confidence Sarah answered her question. “I will take Connor’s name, from now on I’m Sarah May.” She scooted closer to her new mate whom grabbed her barely clothed hip and pulled her even closer.
“Well then Sarah May, is there anything else unusual with the two of you?” Jack asked evenly.
“Not that I can think o…”
Connor jumped in. “Yes, just two small things.”
Hearing this grabbed their undivided attention.
“Oh, only two more little things.” Jillian said airily.
“Yes, only two more that I can think of right at this moment.” He glanced at Sarah, then stared at her parents. “Before we became one, I was able to not only feel you touch my mind, but to also block you out to a certain extent. When we paired up I think that the ability I had transferred itself into Sarah. She said before that she couldn’t feel you in her mind, but now...”
A tickle touch Sarah’s mind. Its feel came from her mother. “Is this true? Can you feel me in your mind right now?”
“Yes Mother I do. Now watch what Connor showed me.” Sarah focused her mind on one thing, Connor’s X. She kept her eyes opened and watched her mother’s reaction as her amused expression turned to confusion. “What do you hear, Mother?”
“Nothing, except an annoying humming… How are you doing that?” Her eyes looked at Sarah curiously. “I have always been able to read minds before… I’m going to try…”
“NO JILLIAN!” Connor commanded and stood up, blocking Sarah like a shield. His voice remained calm, but he still radiated authority. “If you want to test that on anyone, you do it to me. Remember what happened last time?”
She responded quietly “I’m sorry, I did get a little ahead of myself?”
Connor moved away and Sarah saw how her parents looked. Jack stood, shielding Jillian protectively too. As Connor sat so did her father. Connor said politely “Jillian, if we do this test, I’d know Sarah would feel more comfortable fully clothed.” His playful smile returned. Sarah couldn’t concentrate on what was before her let alone what she wore. She didn’t know what they were talking about.
“I believe your right. Forgive me.” Connor nodded to Jillian. “Sarah, come with me please.” She stood and walked out of the living room. Sarah followed automatically. Entering her room she shut the door. “Do you want new clothes or what you were wearing?”
“I didn’t dirty my clothes so they will do.” Sarah stepped closer to her and spoke softly. “Mother, what happened in there to make him get so quickly defensive?”
“I wanted to force my way into your mind like Jack did to Connor last week.” She sounded shy. “Now I get it. He was worried about what might happen if the mental force was too strong. He doesn’t want me to end up like he did.”
The touch of another, stronger mind told that it came from Connor. “Exactly. Princess, I don’t ever want to endanger you unless there is absolutely no other way. I can take a lot of punishment.”
“Were you reading our minds in here telepathically?” Sarah sounded annoyed in her mental voice.
“No, but you’re forgetting my hearing. I think it has been improved as well.”
“Great… You know that I love you right?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I don’t want you doing anything unnecessary either.”
“I will be careful. I love you.” He mentally broke contact.
“Mother, I understand now. Connor just filled me in.” She looked up at Sarah with a weak smile.
“It is convenient isn’t it?” Sarah nodded and her mother then grew a perverted grin. “It’s very intimate. People can have phone sex these days, but can you have telepathic sex.”
“MOTHER!!!” Sarah yelled in embarrassment. Through the wall she heard Connor start a deep belly laugh. And she felt Connor’s mind entering hers for a moment. His thoughts had a playful feel. “Hey it never hurts to try…” Then his mental voice disappeared again, but she caught a glimpse of what he was planning. “Thanks for giving him the idea, Mother.” Sarah said dryly.
“Woops. I forgot how good his hearing was.” She started laughing as she left the room. The mental picture she glimpsed from him made her face flare. Sarah put on her clothes and walked back into the living room feeling much more comfortable now that she didn’t seem nearly naked.
Connor sat on the floor with his legs crossed, in the same position when they did her tests. His sleeveless shirt was back on and Jack mirrored Connor sitting arrangement on the floor. They sat only two or three feet apart and stared at each other with blank expressions. Sarah walked next to her mother, who stood behind her mate. “What are you doing? What are they doing?”
Connor broke eye contact to say “Sarah, first Jack is going to force his way into my mind. And if he can or can’t I will teach him how to mentally block for himself.” He pointed behind his back. “Just incase anything happens, I might need you to give any support where you see fit. Jillian, you do the same for Jack.” She nodded in understanding. “If the two of us become too competitive; stop us before we take it too far, ok?” Jillian seriously nodded again.
Without a word Sarah worked her way around to stand behind Connor. She leaned down to whisper in his ear “Be careful. I love you.”
“I love you too Princess.” He said mentally and bumps rose across her body.
***
Facing Jack like a larger mirror image of himself, he calmed his nerves. Connor closed his eyes to focus his mind and pictured his new and ethereally beautiful mate. Fair and soft skin that heated his blood. Long and thick cascading brown hair that framed her curvy form. perfect rosy red lips that begged attention always. And her emerald green eyes that makes him feel like there’s nothing in this world except the two of them. The truth is, nothing really else came close. She’s the center of his world and nothing came before her. It doesn’t matter the circumstances because that is the only place that he felt he truly belonged.
“Are you ready?” Connor opened his eyes with Sarah’s perfect image fixated in his mind’s eye. Jack nodded and slowly tried to bypass Connor’s new fortified defenses. First it felt like a velvety soft feather brushing his forehead and over the course of twenty minutes the feeling became like driving down the highway at sixty miles per hour, on a motorcycle and not wearing a helmet. It was difficult, but bearable.
As Jack’s breathing started to be laboring Connor said “Jack, that’s enough. How much force did you put into pushing your way in?” The feeling of him trying to enter his mind ceased.
“I…” Jack took a deep breath. “I used everything I had. I didn’t see or hear anything in your mind, only a buzzing sound… like white noise.”
“That was my experience yesterday when I attempted to breach into Sarah’s mind too.” Connor said in all truthfulness.
“Did you feel anything?” He nodded and explained how it felt. Jack shook his head. “It’s unbelievable how strong and disciplined your mind has become. What I just did, was double what I used last week and you went unconscious.”
“Really?” Connor wanted to go on with this for his plan to work. “Ok, Jillian, could you and Sarah fortify Jack for me please?”
“I think we can handle that.” Sarah said, leaning down and kissed his cheek.
Connor cautioned to both of them “Not too much. You might need your strength.” Sarah looked at him as she held her father’s left hand. She heard the double meaning. Sarah and Jillian’s hands didn’t glow, but from the way Jack started to breathe better Connor knew they were gradually passing their strength to him. “Are you ready for me?” he stared at his father-in-law until he nodded. Their women let go and resumed their original positions.
“Ok Jack, here’s how I do it.” Pointing to his temple he said “You need to create a powerful, personal image in your mind and lock it there. Don’t allow outside factors shatter that concentration. I’m used to it because I’ve had to hold back my true strength for years now and it seems to help. Words
, movement and stray thoughts will only hinder you so remove all doubt and focus on that image. Before you do that, I would like to ask if you felt me touch your mind earlier.”
“I didn’t. Would you please enter my mind and allow me to try and see if I can feel your intrusion? Maybe you can tell me what I should sense.” He said warily and Connor said “I can handle that.” They smiled at one another and looked directly into each other’s eyes. Pushing with his mind, Connor heard Jack’s thoughts immediately. “…nnor? Are you listening to me yet?”
“Yes, I’m here. Can you feel the touch of my mind?”
“I honestly haven’t a clue as to what I’m looking for.” His azure eyes spoke only the truth.
“Jack, concentrate on the center point of your forehead.”
“Ok now what?”
“Now I’m going to push gently. Feel for the pressure building on that point.” He pushed deeper into Jack’s consciousness as slowly and easily as he possibly could.
“Wait… yes I felt something… I never noticed that before. It’s faint, but it really is there.” He said aloud.
“Ok now that you felt the touch of my mind, I can tell you that each person’s mind has a certain feel to it. Like how I was able to distinguish between the ways each of your minds felt as you tried touching my mind as a human. A person’s mind is as unique as a person’s voice. Some can be similar, but never identical. Now it is time to try and block me from trying to get in.”
Jack closed his eyes for a minute and when he opened them he nodded. Connor pushed with his mind and saw a weak image in his mind and bypassed it easily. “That was pathetic, Jack. I told you to pick a powerful image, not a weak one. Use something that means the most to you.”
He didn’t like getting scolded like a child, but it worked. As Jack nodded this time Connor pushed easily and hit a firm wall. Jack’s image was of himself, Jillian and three little girls in dresses. He sat in a chair with Jillian sitting on his lap while the three little girls were playing with each other on the ground. One little girl had reddish brown hair, another had a pale brown hair and Connor knew the last was Sarah from her chocolate brown hair and green eyes. Jack’s image was of his family as he best could picture it. This was his hope that he’d never get to see. After the loss of Pearl he made up this image to always remember his children.
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