“Miss Gayle, do you ever date?” Amber asked.
I sigh, thinking about our earlier conversation about Mr Gabe.
“Is this a conspiracy? You two aren’t planning on playing match maker are you? Believe me when I say, I don’t blind date. As for your question Amber, yes, I’ve had a date or two with some mighty nice men.”
“Do tell,” Amber says.
I can tell grandma is thinking about the way she is going to answer nosey Amber.
“Well, I went out with one fool man that runs a local company. He only wanted one thing, and you know what that is.”
Sheesh, if she starts talking about her sex life, I’m going to run out of here screaming.
“He was just looking for a booty-call? How old was he?” Amber asked.
“Booty-call, what on earth is that?”
“You know, bow-chica-wow-wow.” She said as danced in her seat.
“Amber, you did not just go there!” I say with my mouth full of gyro meat trying to hide my rudeness with my hand.
“Oh, I went there.”
Grandma Gayle laughed at the two of us. “He wanted my money, dirty minded little girl.”
“Who me?” Amber asked and played shy. “Okay, who else?”
Grandma glances at me, before she answers the question. “Don’t turn around, but I dated one of the men at that table. It’s a small town, not a lot to pick from.”
Both of us practically broke our necks as we snapped them towards the cop filled table.
“Ewww, was it the old one with the jar head hair cut?” I whisper. Grandma smiles mischievously.
“Was it the blonde?” Amber asks.
“Nope, both of you’re wrong. See the guy at the end of the table? He has that fifties movie star look.”
“What? The guy that looks like he’s twenty-five?” He’s handsome and young, dark hair and light-colored eyes. I couldn’t tell what color they are from my vantage point though. I think he looks like Channing Tatum, I’m not familiar with too many fifties hunks.
She smiled smugly at us. “He is not in his twenties. I know this, because we met at his thirtieth birthday party at the Woods Country Club.”
“Now that’s a cougar. Me ow,” Amber whispers loudly.
“He’s easy on the eyes, but not much of a conversationalist. Too bad. He comes from a wealthy family.”
I check around the room for our waitress and wouldn’t you know…Thorne is at a table alone. I thought I saw someone at the table when we arrived; the customer had the menu up covering his face. He must feel me staring at him, he looks up and winks at me. He is inescapable.
A minute later, I have Amber grabbing my wrist, digging her nails in with her excitement. “He’s here.”
Knowing exactly who she’s talking about, I play dumb. “Who?”
“Thorne…he’s over there. He looks hot, don’t you think. No, of course you don’t. Agh, did you see him? He saw me talking about him. He is too delicious for this town. He makes me want to slap someone,” Amber rambles uncontrollably.
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. You want to randomly hit people because you think he’s cute? I’m so confused.”
She smacks her hands on the table and yelps like a dog with rabies. “You’ll survive. I’m inviting him to sit with us. You don’t mind do you Miss Gayle?” She holds her hands up in prayer.
Grandma looks at her like she has lost her marbles all over the floor. “Go,” she says.
“I’m gonna do it,” she says and gets up from the table.
He walks over and sits down. Of course he does. I wish Caleb was here. If I concentrate real hard, I can send him a direct message. That’s a perk to having our bond. The good part is we can talk secretly, the bad part, he can hear my thoughts when we’re together. I’ve been practicing keeping him out of my head. When he first told me about us being Light Tamers, he told me he has my memories too. At first, I was only able to hear him when we kissed. If he concentrates, we can communicate. It can be embarrassing when you know that he knows every single thing about you. That’s why I can’t understand how I’ll keep Thorne from showing up in my memories. I still only get Caleb’s memories when we kiss.
“Jess, are you with us?” Amber shakes my arm to get my attention.
I move closer to grandma as Amber and Thorne scooted in.
“Miss Gayle, this is Thorne. Thorne, this is Miss Gayle, Jessie’s mother’s mother.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Thorne. I heard you had an eventful first day at Parca Academy.”
“Yes, it was. I’ve never had a girl throw herself at me.”
“I did not throw myself at you. I simply marked my territory.”
What are you a dog? “You didn’t just say that?” I shake my head.
She tucks her blue extension behind her ear and flashes her best innocent smile. “Clearly it was the most dramatic thing I could come up with. I can’t help it if I’m a trend setter.”
Grandma chokes on her coffee. “My goodness, someone is feisty tonight. Anyone up for milk with your baklava?”
I’m sure if he sticks around, Amber will make sure to keep him entertained. I wonder how it works, if he’s a guardian, can he date a Tamer? It would suck if he was in the middle of making out with Amber, and his guardian bell goes off. Talk about awkward moments.
“What school did you come from?”
“Yeah, where did you come from?” Amber repeats.
“I’m from Idaho, it was a small town with a smaller school.” Thorne says, using the Idaho comment I gave him the other night.
“You’re the boy that was talking to Jessie at the Wal Marts aren’t you?”
Thorne flashes her a big toothy grin. “Yes ma’am, I was there picking up a few things. Amber, if you’re not staying over with Jessie, I’ll give you a ride home. I owe you a ride.”
What’s he up to? I can practically feel Amber willing her thoughts to me.
Amber audibly swallows, her feather on her eyelash is giving away her trembling. “That’s cool. Did you get a car?”
“It’s my uncle’s; he said I could use it at night.”
Grandma and I share a knowing look. Amber the snarky teenage girl is getting soft on us.
Chapter 14. Raine
I rode home from school with Caleb to his house. We stopped at a bakery and picked up a gazzilion cupcakes that we’d ordered the day before. Grandma and Mr Gabe were already getting things ready for tonight. The first week is finally over, and hopefully I wouldn’t meet any other supernatural being. Be careful what you wish for, or so I’m told.
Amber had been on cloud nine all day. Somehow she convinced Thorne that her paralyzed dad was going to work on her Jeep tonight. My suspicion of him is the broken heart he will leave her with. What’s the point of wasting time with someone you’re not bonded with? Amber told me she doesn’t have to be boyfriendless to find her bonded person. My thoughts are it is an excuse to be where I’m at, without causing suspicion.
A person I didn’t expect to see is Miss Raine. She’s with Mr Gabe setting out a veggie tray and ranch dressing. Everyone knows everything is better with ranch dressing.
“Hi Miss Raine, I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“This is a excellent opportunity for me to teach you the ways of the Light Tamer, without a bunch of rules around the way I teach it. You’ll learn more in two hours tonight, then you’ve learned in one week at the school. Mrs. Ward is a warden of the rules, and it is her way or the highway. Those same rules do not apply to us in a meeting outside of the school. Would you mind helping me set up a table in the den?” She took a breath and smiled at me. In her special way, she is more relaxed, and that is being generous. Okay, maybe she isn’t as uptight as she usually is. She still made me nervous though.
I’m helping Miss Raine set up a table. Amber sent a text that she is picking up some chicken nuggets from Filet of Chicken. Do you need her to pick up anything? I thought to Caleb.
Is s
he wound tight?
No, not as severe as she is at school. I love you, I can’t wait to have some alone time.
Ah, I love you too beautiful. Alone time, hmmm, you, me and moonlight bouncing off the river. If you could see the images in my head, you might run out of here screaming.
I felt heat rushing to my face as I tried to figure out what his imagination was doing. I look up, taking note that Miss Raine is looking at me like I have six eyes. Rats! I gotta go, she can tell I’m talking to you. “I found a white tablecloth for the table.”
“That should work.” She looked away from me, as if she knew she interrupted a private moment between Caleb and I.
We loaded the table with the goodies from the bakery and plastic ware. Her decorating skills on a table for teenagers is pretty awesome. Just about the time we finished she asked if I’d go sit and talk with her for a few minutes. No, you kinda freak me out. “Yeah, of course,” I said and smiled sweetly. I asked Mr Gabe if we could borrow the FROG for a few minutes to have a one on one with Miss Raine. Sadly, he said yes.
“I make you a little nervous don’t I? You have nothing to worry about Jessie, we’re on the same side. The fact that you’re an original Tamer is incredible. The odds of us having one in our own backyard, is about seven million to one.”
“If I’m the last one, wouldn’t it be greater odds? If we’re going to put numbers with it, shouldn’t we make it accurate?”
“Regardless of the number, I’m thrilled you’re here. I’m worried that your training is lagging a little. You’re much more advanced at your skill then you realize. Your aura glows with power.”
“It does? Did Mrs. Ward show you one of her aura photos of me or something?” She shook her head no. “How do you know all of this?”
“It’s part of what I do. I’m a variation of your species, and I’m gifted with special healing powers.”
Species, really? Like we’re zoo animals. She rubs me the wrong way. I wonder if there are any teachers at the school that are just normal people. The kind that assigns homework and wears therapeutic shoes.
Miss Raine smiled, and a calm rushed over me. “Jessie, can you feel that the atmosphere changed in here?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I guess. Did you do something to calm my nerves?” Like valium my butt so you can do some hocus pocus magic.
A smile lit up her face. “Very good, yes I did. I want to show you how to calm a room. You’ll find it easier, if you’re calm yourself. If you’re put into a compromising situation, use this ability. It’s one of those skills that get better with practice.”
“Not that I’m trying to rush you or anything, but the company will be here in two hours.” Drama much?
She turns to look at me, her hands clasped together. Her aura blends with the light that spewed from the window behind her. Something inside me tells me to trust her, but I can tell she’s going to hold out on me. I’m a kid, everything is on a need-to-know basis. “Come closer.”
I stand to walk over to her, my shoe catches and I stumble. I stop in front of her feeling a little gawky and a lot nervous.
“Jessie, put your hands straight out in front of you.” I did as I was told. “Now, close your eyes and concentrate on the light in the room. Imagine the light being pulled into you. Keep calm and harness your ability.”
I ruminate about the light and my hands start to warm up. I opened my eyes, and to my dismay, a ball of light is resting in the palms of my hand.
“Beautiful isn’t it?”
“I did this by thinking? How incredible. What do I do with it?” I locked eyes with her, and I suddenly felt her smile. Not just see it, I feel it. “Woa, what happened?”
“You tapped into my essence.”
“Oh crap, I’m sorry. I didn’t take any light from you did I?”
“No, I’m not a Light Tamer, I’m a healer. We’re totally different. If I’d been a Tamer, it still wouldn’t be anything to worry about. Tapping into the essence is another way of connecting with the subject. You can tap into anyone, if you lock eyes with them. The down side is they can tap into you too. Typically it won’t be anything to worry about.”
“Typically, isn’t a word that describes my life right now.”
“True, before you lose your concentration, I want you to push the light ball into me.”
“How?”
“Here, I’ll hold my hand out. Now take the light and hold your hand under mine, and then push up until we are holding hands.”
As our hands touched, the light flowed from my fingers into hers. “Incredible! What just happened?”
“That, is your healing power. Yours is strong. Have you been light headed and faint frequently?”
So there is a reason for all of the fainting lately. “Yes, I have. Is that bad?”
“Because you’re so powerful, you’re drawing light from everywhere. The buildup needs to be released. You need to heal something or someone. You can touch a person and heal their broken heart, or if someone is in a cast you can heal their bone. You can touch strangers to release some light, it will keep you from becoming over stimulated with power.” She pauses for a second before continuing her talk. “The possibilities are endless. You need to harness your light and begin healing with it. This is astounding news. We’ll have to hide you when you graduate. They will hunt you like a fatty at an all you can eat food bar fighting for the last dinner roll.” (Holy cannoli she just made a joke.) “Your life will never be the same. Caleb is a bonus; the two of you will do extraordinary things. It’s fascinating your dad didn’t try to take your light. Not that I think he would do it to be bad, please don’t get me wrong. He and I used to be friends before you were born. Lydia and I were friends too. She was fun to be around, always a smile and a joke. Your dad and she weren’t romantically involved, but they loved each other with their souls. Your dad had told her that he was going to ask your mom out. She thought your mom would be perfect for him. Lydia and your mom took tennis lessons together in middle school.”
“I didn’t know my mom knew her. I know it sounds too early, but I love Caleb and I know it’s love. Like is too mediocre of a word to describe how I feel. How could my dad feel this way and be in a ‘just friends’ relationship? Is that common with Tamers?”
“All that are bound would pay the ultimate price to protect their mate, regardless of friends or lovers.”
I blush at the word lovers, it sounds cheesy.
“This is a quick and easy way to force out good vibes to a room. Mentally close your eyes and imagine a blue light emitting from your core. Will peace and comfort to the room. It might be harder to do to a room of people. You get one person pumped up for chaos, and they fuel the room with their vibes. You’re powerful enough to soothe that energy down. If you need some help, teach your friends how to do it and together it shouldn’t be a problem.” She takes a look at her watch and taps it lightly. “Only an hour left, I’ll let you go finish up. Tonight, you need to keep your light honed in, it’s rippling through you. I wonder if you’re always so charged up. It is probably not wise to share with everyone how powerful you are. Even with your newfound friends, they’re young and can go fickle in a blink of an eye.”
She pulls me in, and kisses me on each cheek.
I open the door to the stairwell, catching Thorne scrambling to stand up. “You were eavesdropping!”
“Guarding your secrets, not spying.” He points to himself. “Guardian, remember?”
“How can I forget?” As we get to the door at the bottom of the stairs, Amber looks up in time to see us leaving the stairwell.
“Hmmmm, if I didn’t know better; I’d be suspicious of you coming out of a secluded room together.” Amber crosses over to us carrying a tray of cheese. “Cheese madam?” She curtsied with her head bowed and the tray held out to us.
“You’re the help?” Thorne teases.
“Yes sir, would you like a bite of my cheese?” She flirtatiously replies.
“I think I’m goi
ng to go check on Caleb, you kids have fun.” Before I have a chance to turn around, I feel hands on my waist from behind.
His chin on my shoulder and he whispers in my ear, “You’re getting too good at blocking me out, how was your lesson?”
I turn into his arms and put my ear to his chest, nothing soothes me more than the beating of his heart. It wasn’t bad. I hope we will have some alone time later. We’ll get together with Amber, and I’ll show you what she taught me. I thought to him, opting to answer through our bond.
Okay, we’ll go to that guest room down the hall. You and me both, I need some alone time with you too. We’ll go get some ice-cream after everyone leaves and head to our favorite spot by the river. I don’t mean to upset you, but what’s going on with you and Thorne?
Nothing, why?
Just a vibe I get. I don’t think you’re cheating or anything. It seems that he watches you like a hawk. I know, because I do. Not in a freakish stalker way, in an ‘I love you more than anything in the world way.’
You stalk me? That’s sweet, well, yeah sweet. Aww don’t worry. He’s new to the area like I am, and he likes Amber, I think. We’re just friends.
In my book guys that want to be ‘just friends’ don’t stalk their friend. I’ll leave it alone, but it is strange. I hope he isn’t another Erebus.
No, he’s an oddball, but he’s fine. I turn and give him a quick kiss on the lips.
Mmmm, I can’t wait to have you alone, on a blanket, watching for shooting stars and feeling your body pressed to mine.
Oh, look at my arm…you gave me goosies. I’m all twitterpated. I cross my arms and rub them to get the goose-pimples to go away. I concentrate on closing off my thoughts to him, I need my privacy sometimes. My heart skips two complete beats as I think of his last words to me.
“Oh, you play dirty,” Caleb says.
I turn and put my hand over my mouth and make my eyes go wide, “Who me?” I move my hand and pout my lips. “Amber, I’ll meet you in the guest room, I want to show you something.” Caleb mouths the words “I love you,” and I skip off to the guest room and giggle out loud.
Enlightened A Light Tamer Novel (The Light Tamer) Page 9