by Rene Folsom
Realizing I wasn’t responsive, Jonah waved his hand in front of my face and said, “Ella, are you okay?”
I shook my head no. Of course I wasn’t okay! I wanted this connection between us to be real. The fact that it was concocted from a mixture of our blood just made it out to be so… phony. I tried to clear my mind of those thoughts as Jonah continued to console me.
“Okay. I know you are probably freaked out. But like I said, we don’t know if it’s the reason for this…” he paused as he gestured between the two of us with his fingers.
“Are you kidding? This development makes perfect sense! I’m in a car accident, your dad randomly asks you to donate blood, I’ve been the star pupil of your dreams ever since, and now our hearts beat as one…” I paused as a question nagged the back of my mind. “Is your dad a medical doctor?”
Jonah just nodded.
“Well, I guess I have to thank him. Not only…”
Jonah cut me off. “I don’t know whether to thank him or be pissed at him for the position he has put us in!” he exclaimed with rage suddenly taking over his features.
“What do you mean? I thought…” I couldn’t complete my words. I thought you liked this connection we have. Maybe he was thinking the same thing as me. Now it’s like our bond has been conjured up, like we are rats stored in a science lab full of test tubes.
“Damn, Ella. I do. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant—if the counsel finds out about this, we’re in a hell of a lot of trouble.”
“Counsel?” I questioned, seriously not knowing what the frack he was talking about.
“Your mom never told you about the Sideri?” he asked, sounding shocked the girl who has been unconscious for six mother-loving years has never heard of some cultish-sounding counsel.
“I wouldn’t be asking you if she did,” I said with a little tinge of a playful bite to my tone. “I mean, I haven’t exactly been the best companion to converse with over the past six years. I’m sure she just hasn’t had the chance to tell me everything about our kind.”
“You’re right. But, if my suspicions are right about all of this, then she should have told you sooner rather than later,” he deadpanned, causing a chill to creep up my spine at his stone-cold tone.
To busy myself and avoid his serious stare, I reached over and grabbed my tea. Taking a sip, I cringed as the cold liquid hit my tongue. Hot tea is much better when it’s actually… hot.
I faced Jonah head on and defended my mother. “How do you know she had anything to do with this? You do know she was also injured in the accident. It’s very possible she had no idea.”
“That is true. Although, I doubt my father would put his life on the line unless he was persuaded in some way. Of course, I have no idea how well our parents actually know each other, so I really can’t do more than speculate.” He paused as he thought for a moment, then looked at me directly and added, “This is serious. Very serious…”
“All right,” I interrupted, placing my hands on my bent knees as if I needed to brace myself for his next onslaught of dreadful information. “With the seriousness aside, could you please explain to me who the Sidder… or, whoever it is you just mentioned?”
“The Sideri are a group of Soul Seers who basically think their shit doesn’t stink. From what I’ve heard of them, they consider themselves to be our government, although we really don’t have any rules we have to follow. Soul Seers have more of an understanding and general directives that we tend to keep in mind.”
He held his hand out and counted on his fingers as he continued.
“First, we try to keep our abilities secret. Obviously, it is easy for us to find each other. But, we don’t want the general public to know of our gifts.” As he explained, I just nodded in understanding.
“Second, we don’t ever try to increase our powers in deceitful ways. A very potent way of increasing one’s power is to receive blood from another Soul Seer. The combination of the two different plasma markups can nearly double a Soul Seer’s gifts over time.”
“So, that’s why you’re so freaked out? How will the Sideri ever know about this? I mean, it’s been over six years, Jonah. Don’t you think they would have done something about it by now if they knew?” I knew my reasoning was just grasping at straws, but I didn’t like the intense look on Jonah’s face as he explained the issues at hand.
“Maybe you’re right. One thing we have to do is go talk to my dad about all of this,” he said as he ran his fingers through his hair nervously.
“It might be a better idea to talk to my mom first. We don’t actually know if I even needed a transfusion after the accident. Of course, the signs are all pointing to the affirmative, especially with the dream I had. But, it still might be best if we check with her first,” I persuaded.
“Good idea. She might also come with us to talk to my dad. I’m just hoping we won’t be dragging her into anything she’s not already involved in though.”
“If I’m involved, she’s involved. Trust me,” I assured, knowing full well I would have my mom’s support, especially if it were a dangerous situation.
Just as I began to breathe for the first time since the beginning of our conversation, Jonah interrupted my reprieve with one more blow. A heartbreaking piece of information I never saw coming.
Chapter Eight
“There’s one more generally understood directive Soul Seers have stuck with over time,” Jonah said as he looked into my eyes and held my hands with a gentle touch. “Soul Seers don’t breed with one another.”
I tilted my head and wrinkled my brow as I stared off into space, a look of confusion overtaking my features. I could hear the words that just came out of his mouth, but my brain didn’t comprehend what he was talking about or why he was telling me this.
“Do you understand what I mean, Ella?” he asked as he dipped his head down to put his face in my line of sight. “What I mean is, two Soul Seers are not supposed to have children together.”
After a few moments of his beautiful emerald eyes burning me with their intensity, I suddenly realized what he was saying.
“You mean… I… and… Oh, God!” I groaned as I pulled free from Jonah’s grip and buried my face in my hands. I didn’t cry. If you thought about it, no matter what connection we might have, we’ve only known each other for a day and a half. Talking about something this intense that was related to our budding relationship was borderline crazy. Yet, it broke my heart to think that we may not have a future together all because of some silly rules. With that thought, anger began boiling under my skin.
“How can these people govern such things? I don’t understand what right they have to screw with the lives of others!” I exclaimed, pissed to the core that I may never be able to build a happy family with the man I already considered to be forever mine.
“I don’t know, Ella. I honestly don’t know. Which is why we just need to talk to our parents before jumping to conclusions. They’ll have more information for us, I’m sure. I’m just going by what I was taught many years ago,” he paused as he looked at my worried face. Holding his arms out wide, he said, “Come here. I need you.”
I didn’t hesitate. Maybe I should have kept my distance. Because getting closer to him when we had no chance of being together would only make things harder for us in the future. Yet, I couldn’t comprehend another moment without him. Yes, I did live my life just fine pre-Jonah. But, I wasn’t happy. Anyone can tell you. Even normals who could not read my mind knew I wasn’t a happy Ella.
Launching myself at Jonah, I curled my body up into his awaiting arms, nuzzling close to his neck and breathing in his scent. Right here… I have no doubt in my mind this is where I belong. Who gives a shit what some Sideri have to say?
“I couldn’t agree more,” Jonah murmured as he kissed the top of my head. “Hey, would you like to go to the nature museum today? I need to get a few more measurements and we could spend some of this beautiful day in their butterfly garden.”
“I’ve waited six years for you, Ella. What’s a few more minutes?” he said with a slight chuckle as he brushed his nose against mine.
Slowly, I closed in and met his lips with a gentle kiss. “Thank you. I’ll be quick, I promise.”
“No rush. I’ll be here,” he responded as he leaned back against the chaise lounge, propping his hands behind his head and flexing those delicious muscles. I was half tempted to sink my teeth into… “I thought you were going to take a shower?” he interrupted, never looking up in my direction at the guilty look on my face. He caught me lusting over him. Of course, it wasn’t the first time and it sure as hell won’t be the last.
“I’m going! I’m going!” I said playfully as I backed up into the house. Just before I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I heard a light chuckle come from outside. Even his laugh made my insides jump to attention.
Eager to get showered and back to Jonah, I quickly shuffled my way down the hall and into the bathroom. I didn’t hesitate as I turned the shower on and began fumbling with my clothes.
Above all the other rumbling minds of my nearby neighbors, I heard Jonah mind-mutter something about preoccupying his mind as he began thinking about a Snow Patrol song.
“Shit, I need to shave!” I mumbled to myself as I pulled my pants off, knowing full well I didn’t want to take the time to do so but might regret it later.
Go ahead and do what you need to do, Ella. I’m in no hurry. Jonah projected. Yeah, Soul Seers have absolutely no privacy! Honestly though, I enjoyed the distant company.
Christ, it’s killing me, he pushed, his thoughts becoming a bit jumbled with random other flickers of images.
What’s the matter? I asked as I rummaged through the cabinets for my razor.
Nothing. I’m just being a typical male. Don’t mind me. It didn’t take me long to realize what he was battling with internally. It was driving him nuts that I was just a few yards away from him, naked and about to get all soapy and wet, while he stood by and waited.
An evil grin crept up on my face as I thought about teasing him a little.
Ella. My self-control is wearing thin as it is, he projected rather forcefully. Maybe messing with him today wasn’t such a good idea…
But I just couldn’t help myself!
Leaning up against the counter, I stood with my back facing the mirror. I wasn’t bold enough to show him my entire body, but I still wanted to feel his reaction to just a glimpse of my naked skin. Turning my head slightly, I peeked over my shoulder to see my reflection in the mirror. In the brightness of the vanity lights, I could see the echo of my entire back, all the way from my head to the very top of my ass. Covering my breast with my arm, I studied myself and projected the image to Jonah.
Immediately, my heart rate began to flutter with excitement, causing my blood pressure to rise and my face to feel flush.
Your beauty is so breathtaking, Jonah thought as he seriously contemplated throwing caution out the window and barging into my bathroom. I smiled at my image in the mirror, continuing to project the vision of my doppelgänger before looking away and stepping into the shower.
Hurriedly, I rushed to wash my hair, face, and body. My heart rate never calmed, which meant Jonah felt the same way.
In my haste to get ready, I didn’t bother to pace myself. My body was still very weak and recovering from being immobile for so many years. If I didn’t pace myself, I would run out of energy very quickly.
With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I suddenly began to feel weaker than usual. Exhaustion hit me like a boulder as the hot water coated my body and relaxed all my trembling muscles. Teasing Jonah didn’t help matters because now my heart was racing a mile a minute.
I couldn’t hear Jonah’s thoughts and I just prayed he could hear mine as I cried out for help and fell to the shower floor.
The last thing I remember is seeing Jonah’s worried face as he yanked the shower curtain open.
After that, everything went black.
The End of Part Four
“To draw, you must close your eyes and sing.”
– Pablo Picasso
Chapter One
Wrapped in a towel, lying limp in my arms, was my reason for being. She was my purpose in this life. She was the sole reason my heart continued to beat. And now, I struggled to keep my composure as I carried her to the bed.
Staring at my fragile Ella for a long moment, I suddenly realized I had to call Delphina. With shaky fingers, I fumbled for my phone and was thankful I never deleted her number.
“Hello?” an angelic voice chimed through the receiver.
“Ms. Hugh? This is Jonah Chantrey. I think Ella needs help,” I said as calmly as possible, knowing full well she would likely freak.
“Oh dear! What’s wrong?” she responded, her breath hastening, presumably because she had picked up her pace while walking.
“I’m not sure. I think she fainted. I could hear her project to me she was getting weak and then she went silent. I knew something was wrong, so I went to help her.”
“Shit! Are you at my house?” Delphina asked, her voice becoming more frantic by the moment.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay. I’m only five minutes away, at most. I’ll be there as soon as possible,” she practically yelled, then paused for a moment. “Jonah, what was she doing when she passed out?”
“Ahh. Well, I was going to take her somewhere and she said she needed to shower first. I was waiting for her out on the patio when her panic-stricken thoughts permeated my mind. I’m sorry. I promise I was as courteous as possible when I tried to help her from…”
“Jonah, don’t you worry about that. I’m thankful you were there for her,” she assured me. I could hear the rev of her car engine in the background between her words. “She’s been so weak lately and she definitely needs the support, even though she won’t ask for it. I’m not sure if she has shared her past with you.”
“Yes, ma’am. She told me,” I confirmed.
“Good. I’m glad. She doesn’t tell many people. She’s been working so hard at gaining her strength back and I admire her determination and vitality but I wish she wouldn’t have tried to take a shower without me there. So far, that’s been one of her most challenging endeavors. I think it’s the hot water that soothes and relaxes the muscles so much. It actually makes her weak before it begins to invigorate her. She’s needed my help every day, despite the fact she is very strong-willed and wants to do everything on her own.” I could tell Delphina was just talking to keep her mind busy while she headed to the house.
While I pressed the phone to my shoulder and listened to Delphina talk, I sat on the bed next to Ella, stroking her head and making sure her wet body didn’t become chilled. Carefully and with every attempt to respect her modesty, I covered her with the blanket and unwrapped the towel from her body to begin drying her hair.
“Are you almost here?” I asked. My voice was practically begging for her help. I was desperate for someone to tell me she would be okay. I’ve never dealt with anyone who had fainted before.
“Yes, I’m turning on our street. However, Jonah, there isn’t a whole lot we can do other than wait it out. She is usually out for only a few minutes, at most. Okay, I’m here,” she said as her voice cut off and the line went dead.
Within moments, Delphina came barreling through the door as I continued drying her hair and face carefully.
“I’m so sorry you had to worry about this, Jonah,” she apologized, touching my shoulder like we were old friends, yet I don’t think we’ve ever officially met, unless you count my stalking session the first time I saw the two of them in Lavendine.
“I just wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t realize she was so weak,” I explained, still worried it was something
more than just simple exhaustion.
“Jonah, could you do me a favor and go shut off the water?”
“Of course. Do you need me to give you some privacy?” I asked politely, worried she may want to try to make Ella more presentable in this situation.
“No, no. That won’t be necessary. You can hurry back,” she said with a soft smile playing on her lips before turning her attention back to her daughter.
Doing as I was told, and not sparing even a second, I shut the water off and practically ran back to Ella’s bedroom. I heard warm whispers of a song coming from Ella’s mother and the tenderness of her actions turned me into a total sap as her love for Ella tugged at my heartstrings.
Delphina’s sweet melody filled the room as Ella’s eyes started to flutter open.
After taking a few moments to focus on her mom’s face, Ella’s eyes sprang open and she began to sit up while mumbling, “Where’s Jonah?” Immediately, she grabbed her head and winced.