Controlling the Elements

by N. R. Spratlin

  We take his lead and follow him to the front door where he rings the doorbell. Within a few minutes, Dillon is filling the doorway with brilliant smile lighting up her face.

  I guess we really don’t have that much to worry about as she looks like she is happier than a bug in a rug.

  “Hey guys come on in and join the party!” She moves aside and allows us to walk in. Tucker and I look at each other in confusion as we follow Ev through the front door.

  Party?

  “Flint is in the back throwing the ball with Ly, he got here about an hour ago, and he told me ya’ll would be over soon.” She flounces around the side of us and shows us the way to the back door.

  Ev froze misstep after hearing what Dillon has said and turns to look at us with his eyes slightly wide. I shrug my shoulders just as baffled as he is, Flint is the last of us just to show up at someone’s house or take to strangers.

  Well, well, well, now, this is a turn of events.

  “Hmm that smells so good. What have you brought?”Dillion asks looking at my bag then to my face. I smile.

  “Chicken alfredo and chocolate cake for dessert.”

  “Did you cook it?”

  I snort “Of course, I even made the cake.”

  “Wow I can’t wait to have some. Lyon has been moaning he’s hungry and I know he will just love it!” I smile feeling happy now that I know they will like it.

  I look a little bit closer at Dillon, my head titled slightly. Her presence has changed our group dynamic and has brought a new element in, but have I been under estimating just how much she already has brought to the table? Well, Miss Dillon, let’s just see what else you have up your sleeve to surprise us with.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “The poor guy deserves a cookie.” - Dillon

  Dillon

  I can’t explain why I just felt so incredibly happy. I woke up this morning and besides being worried about what was to come, I was more so looking forward to it, and that’s no easy feat after staying up and doing a mass overhaul of cleaning on my house.

  I would have said it had something to do with the handsome man in the back yard playing toss with Lyon, but then I would be banking too much on someone influencing my feelings. For many years, I have not allowed anyone in, well, besides my family.

  Honestly, and surprisingly, everything just seems to be going right at the moment. I try not to think about the fact the other shoe can drop at any point and time, but I can’t stop the ebb of doubt from trying to creep its way in today.

  "Thank you for cooking, you can just sit the food down on the counter and I’ll get it ready." I motion to my shiny clean counter top that only holds a few chilled bottles of water that have been partly drank by Flint and me.

  "No way, you go ahead and go out back and enjoy yourself before we get started. I told Everett that I have all things handled and I mean all things. I've got this taken care of tonight." Connor insists as he heaves the hot bag on the counter, flashing me a brilliant smile. I can't help smiling in return, Connor is just so infectious.

  "Well thank you, but please let me know if I can do anything to help." I put one last stitch effort in there to make him realize that I don't mind. It really is nice that he’s taking care of things for me tonight, I can absolutely use the break, but then again doing all of this each and every night is my normal. It's my routine, so I’m kind of worried what I will do with just idol hands. Or more so, what will happen if I just have time to go outside and be around Ev and Flint at the same time.

  Now that I think about it, didn’t Tucker mention he was affiliated with Spirit and he can see into a person’s wants? I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. Oh no, this can’t be good. Note to self; avoid thinking and spending time with only the two of them.

  "Are you okay?" Connor walks up to my side putting a warm palm on my shoulder. I flinch. Connor removes it straight away and steps away; his eyebrows furrow. Guilt automatically swamps me. I step forward and touch his arm gently, trying to lessen the blow.

  "I’m sorry.” I bite my bottom lip, “but you didn't by chance hear anything that I just thought, did you?" I question, looking directly into his eyes.

  "Actually, no I haven’t really recognized that your inner voice was missing since you are standing here in front of me.” He tilts his head, staring over my shoulder for a few seconds before shaking his head and looking back to me. “I can't hear you, but I can feel you blocking me. Good job, those techniques that Everett left for you to practice with seem to be paying off!" I let go of a breath I didn’t realize I’ve been holding. I smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

  Out of everything, the fact that everyone has been able to hear my private thoughts because I’ve projecting them loudly onto everyone has been embarrassing. Knowing they can hear me has been worrying me.

  I tend to be a private person in life, always choosing to walk away from hurtful or confusing situations to work it out on my own, so the fact that anyone could be listening in had me terrified that night and ever night since. So, when Everett picked up on it, he pulled me aside and gave me a few basic things to work on at home to build a natural barrier against the guys.

  Last night with Flint had been a real test, and since he didn't really react to all my inappropriate thoughts, I figure I have been pulling it off, though I’ve not been sure. For all I know, he could have just been a complete gentleman and not mentioning them. As I look up at Connor, he has a look of excitement and maybe a hint of pride on his face.

  “That’s really great. You’ve mastered it really fast. Well done!”

  "Thank you, that’s the first thing I was working towards. I knew one of my biggest problems would be with everyone hearing me, so I figured I should just solve it first." I shrug my shoulders and Connor covers my hand that is still on his arm, with his own, squeezing a little in comfort.

  "I understand what you mean; it took me ages to actually learn to conquer that bit. I used to be so bad at letting everything fly out my head and into others that I would intentionally start singing songs when I was around the guys." I giggle as his cheeks turn pink.

  "Word of advice,” he bends down to look me in the eyes. "Don’t ever put the Beach Boys on around Ev, somehow it hits his Hulk switch fast." I look at him quizzically trying to figure out what he means.

  "Hulk switch?"

  "Yeah, Ev might seem like this awesome totally level headed person, and well he is majority of the time. But, like everyone else, he can be pushed to his limits. We say he goes Hulk, you know like the big green guy?"

  "I know who the Hulk is," I chuckle, "So basically he has a Jekyll and Hyde complex?"

  Connor's eyes lift and he snaps his fingers at me, "Exactly, and you never want to see him as Hyde."

  "Dually noted." I pat his arm in response and grab up my bottle of water.

  "Alright, now off with you, I’ll hold down the fort and get ready to feed the horde, you go enjoy yourself." He twirls me around a few times, making me laugh, then pushes me gently towards the back-patio door. I can just about make out an outline of Everett and Tucker as they watch Lyon and Flint toss the ball around. Worry fills me, because I just don’t know how having this alliance relationship with all five of them is going to play out, but I will never get anywhere if I keep letting my doubt hold me back. I sigh.

  Here goes nothing.

  ***

  "It really is something,” Tucker responds back to something Everett has said that I don’t catch before I walk up.

  "What is something?" I question as I stand next to him and look in the direction of Flint and Lyon.

  "Flint, it's just different that he would show up and take to someone so fast." Everett answers matter of fact with a quirk in his brow. My stomach flutters. I blink and look away, realizing I’ve been staring at him.

  Uh, okay, I really must stop staring. I don’t want to scare the poor man away.

  My eyes travel back to him. I can't help it. His expression gives away every lit
tle thing he is thinking. I shake my head, forcing myself to quit creeping on him and look back toward Lyon, only to notice that Flint has now taken off his shirt and is wiping sweat off his face and chest. I take what I am sure is an audible gulp.

  Shit!

  My eyes automatically land to his chest, following his actions as he wipes the sweat away. His skin is glistening and tanned and has a sprinkling of dark hair on his chest. I have to force myself to stay put. He throws the shirt to one side and that’s when I notice he has a tattoo. I squint trying to make it out. It is mainly black and looks to be a family crest of some sort. With a shield in the middle with a red star, a sickle, and hammer inside. On either side of the shield are wolves howling standing on two feet ready to jump and attack and underneath is a banner with something written in Russian inside.

  My eyes lower, following the glistening of his sweat transfixed on it. My breathing begins to pick up. His stomach is defined and toned like swimmers, with abs that are visible but not overly so. I bite my lip as I look lower. His slacks hang loosely from his hips. I don’t normally like much hair on men but he has just enough. He has hair around his belly button traveling downwards.

  I wonder if he has hair…

  I quickly catch that thought, and shake my head coming out of my haze. This is bad on my libido, having hot men around.

  I turn away, knowing it’s my safest option, only to see Tucker looking down with his face flamed red and Everett looking at me curiously.

  "What?" I look back and forth between them, Tucker still not meeting my eyes.

  "Well, I must say that you are doing an amazing job with your boundaries in your mind. I cannot hear a single thought. But you see, Dillon, Tucker can pick up on your emotions without your thoughts being forced into the alliance partly because of his trace spirit element, but also because he is your counter elemental." Great, now it’s my turn to flame up.

  Oh shit.

  "I am, uh, sorry..." I say timidly as I go to grasp lightly on his wrist.

  "Nothing to apologize for, just sometimes it catches me off guard." Tucker reassures me as he moves his wrist around so he can squeeze mine as well.

  "I am quite curious to know what you were feeling to set him off like that though," Everett levels me with his intense green eyes, the intelligence in them shining through. I’m pretty sure that all the color that has been accumulating on my face suddenly drains.

  How can I tell him that I have been getting lust filled thoughts about Flint lately, and that he has been helping them along just by being here and topless?

  "She just had a strong sense love pour out of her. She’s been looking at Lyon playing ball. It’s my fault really; I let it fill my essence a little too much." Tucker looks towards Everett then at me widening his eyes a slightly, letting me know he wants me to play along.

  "I’m so sorry about that. It must have been really awkward for you.” I let go of his wrist and empathize my last words with my hands. “I really don’t know how to control any of this." I say in mock sympathy hoping Everett buys it. He looks between me and Tucker narrowing his eyes a bit, unconvinced. But in the end, I guess he decides it isn’t worth the fight and lets it drop.

  I’ll have to make sure to be extra cautious around him, he is too observant for his own good. And I need to be extra cautious around Tucker, because he doesn’t need to feel my, uh, excitement every time my lusty thoughts start back up.

  "Alright well since it looks like Lyon is a bit preoccupied at the moment, why don't we go inside and start getting ready to try and forge a link into the alliance for you. I think it would be smart to keep him away, just until we see how you react." Everett says while stepping back looking like he is about to walk inside.

  "Sounds good to me. Who will I be trying it with first?" I ask out of curiosity, kind of hoping it would be him and we would have a bit more alone time together. I’m still trying to figure him out and his allure and why exactly I’m so attracted to him.

  "I think Tucker would be the safest, just in case you start to grasp things but it becomes too overwhelming for you. He will be able to calm you down. Also, while being directly linked to him first, I think it will help you in the future and should hopefully link with the rest of us further." I look towards Tucker and feel so bad for him, not only did my hormones assault him just a minute ago, it looks like he is now going to be my first guinea pig in trying to establish a connection.

  Poor guy deserved a cookie, or at the very least the first slice of Connor’s cake.

  ***

  We get ourselves situated in my living room. Tucker and I are sitting on the couch; I’m sitting with my legs folded under me facing him while he sits on the other side facing me with one leg propped up. Everett had shifted the coffee table forward and is perched on the side closest to us almost like he wants to be right in the bubble along with us. I look to my left to see Connor propped up on his arms on my kitchen island looking in our direction, his face full of intrigue, like he doesn’t want to miss the show.

  I look down at my shorts, picking at a thread feeling nervous. I could do without the extra audience. I really don’t know what to expect other than the fact it could be uncomfortable, but for some reason I trust these guys and know they won't let anything get too out of hand.

  "Dillon.” I glance up at Tucker. “It’s going to be fine.” I nod, he smiles reassuringly.

  He must be picking up on my nervousness.

  “Alright first I want you both to keep looking at each other. Dillon, start taking deep relaxing breaths." Everett says and I began to follow his instruction.

  "Tucker, I need you to open up your channel and focus on pushing it towards Dillon, but keep a tight rein on it so she won't tap into it and deplete you of your energy." Tucker gives him a thumbs up, showing he had heard him and focuses on me. A comforting tingle washes over my body, crawling up my back. Besides freaking out I keep taking deep, even breaths as I focus in on Tucker, letting his element do what needs to be done.

  "Now Dillon this is the hard part since you don't exactly know what you are looking for, but I need to try it anyways." I nod my head, not breaking eye contact with Tucker and keeping my breathing calm and even. "I need to you search within your essence that small part which guides your decisions and feel for that extension of your mind we talked about. I know you are used to using only what you believe you can reach in your brain, but I need you to force yourself past that point and open up that wall that blocks it." Not knowing what he fully means I still nod my head yes that I will try.

  I keep my eyes focused on Tucker, noticing the calming affect his Spirit is having on me. I now realize why Everett has paired me up with him first. I follow what I think is my intuition and search deep within myself.

  What exactly am I looking for?

  I keep looking around and keep coming up short. It’s really hard when I know only the basic idea of what needs to be done. Trying not to feel defeated, I decide to ask for a bit of guidance.

  "Is there any way you can help guide me a bit more on to, what exactly it is I am supposed to be looking for?" I ask Everett, not breaking the calming connection I have with Tucker. He doesn’t answer for a moment. I all but give up on the fact he would, thinking this is something I will have to discover on my own, but then he replies.

  "Tucker can you try to force your element into Dillon, maybe if she can feel where it is going it could act as a guide and show her where she needs to be." Tucker thumbs up his agreement and then scoots closer towards me.

  In his velvet rich voice he says, "It would be easier with skin to skin contact so you can really feel what is happening." I nod my agreement just as he gets within an inch of me. I pull up the sleeve of my grey cardigan just as he reaches out. As soon as his skin makes contact with mine, this incredible sensation washes over me. I close my eyes as the force is so great.

  It channels from his hand and washes up my arms and down along my body, as it fills me. I start to smile. It’s as if it�
�s healing each torn, broken, and non-repairable part of me in an instant. As soon as it gets to my toes, it travels back up; I sense it’s searching for something.

  I frown. What is it?

  A second too late I realize it is searching for the barrier that has been withholding me from finding the alliance. I snap back and focus on what I’m supposed to be searching for. I follow on the strings of sensation as it travels up my spine to the base of my neck. I shiver from the strange feeling.

  As soon as it gets to the right back part of my cranium it stops like it has hit a brick wall. I pull up short, stopping to take in all of what is standing before me. I bite my lip, concentrating on how to approach it.

  "Okay there it is Dillon; that is as far as I can take you." Tucker confirms my suspicions.

  "Thank you, now is there any way you know how to move past it?"

  "I think the best way is by force, or at least that is how we have done it." Everett answers from my left, sounding far away. I start to set a plan into motion.

  I take a deep breath and examine this wall in my mind, but no matter how hard I try I just can’t find a loose area where I can possibly get by.

  Damn it. Well I guess it’s better to just go full force then.

  "Alright guys, here goes nothing." I squeeze Tucker's hands as his squeeze mine back letting me know he is here for me. I take in a few deep breaths then release them feeling nervous. I set my shoulders and brace myself for what I’m about to encounter.

  I channel my being, pulling and pulling until I’m at full force and push towards the wall. As soon as I hit it, I’m met with an electric shock that goes all the way to the back of my eyeballs. I groan, shaking from the impact, my head pounding.

  Once the pain and shock subsides, I decide that the force wasn’t enough and that I need to go harder. I try to calm my now erratic breathing, knowing that this time is going to hurt a lot more. I squeeze Tucker's hands harder, Everett mumbles something in a calming voice but he sounds far away like he’s under water but I like his tone. Tucker sends me wave after wave of calm, I start to relax.