Piercing The Fold

by Kimball, Venessa

  I lift my head slowly to look at him. Then I look at Ezra. My head still feels heavy.

  Ezra says, “Jes? Hey, you all right?”

  I nod and look back at Nate. He is staring down at me.

  Ezra yells and claps his hands together. “Jes!”

  “I…I’m better.”

  I realize that Nate and I are still in an intimate embrace. I slowly try to wiggle out of it. Nate is slow to let go, but does. His hands linger on mine. I pretend that he is just making sure I am steady on my feet. I know otherwise.

  I whisper, “Thank you.” I slowly pull my hand away and turn from Nate to Ezra. “I’m all right. A bit wobbly, but all right.”

  As I climb out of the pool, I hear Nate’s thoughts, and I blush.

  Ezra decides to call it a day and sends me to shower. He and Nate give me some privacy. Ezra asks me to meet in the main hearth room after I finish.

  As I dry and dress, I can’t help recounting the meltdown I had moments ago. Nate’s arms holding me, healing me, calming me. Feeling so safe and protected, like I was the only thing in the world he had to focus on. And his thoughts.

  Those thoughts.

  I begin to blush again. I don’t let on that I read him. He has to know, though. He read mine so easily before. He obviously had practiced his gift more than I.

  Why didn’t he block his thoughts?

  The thoughts that his feelings may be stronger for me than he first anticipated? That I made him breathless. Did he want me to know?

  Ugh, this isn’t the time or place to have these feelings. Romance needs to be the farthest thing from my mind. This is a perfect reminder that I need to learn how to block my mind better than I have been. I don’t want to allow just anyone crawling around in my head, deducting information that can put the team and others in jeopardy.

  I head to the hearth room. I hear Ezra and Nate talking, so I quiet my approach not to interrupt. I use the opportunity to block my thoughts as well, so they can’t detect my approach. Nate is speaking.

  “When I was holding her, it was different. I mean, I could hear her pulse inside my own body. I didn’t feel that when I was healing Angela’s broken arm after her combat with Siobhan. I didn’t feel that with Nick after healing his burns. With them, it was straightforward and simple, two people. But with Jes, it’s different. It was like we were connected, linked.”

  Ezra releases a long, tense breath. Ezra looks at Nate. “You are linked.”

  It was silent for a while.

  Linked?

  I hear Ezra growl. “Who would have thought out of all the guardians in the world that it would be you? Usually, it is someone more…experienced with their abilities. Not to say that you aren’t learning quickly. If it was going to be anyone in our group, I would have thought it would be Luke.”

  Nate responds with irritation. “Well, it isn’t. It’s me. Now, what the hell does it mean?”

  “This means that you are bonded to Jesca. No matter where she is, you will know what she is thinking, feeling, and doing. And vice versa. She will know everything you are thinking, feeling, and doing. You and Jes are linked, forever.”

  Chapter 27

  I wait until there is a break in the conversation and round the corner.

  They both have their arms crossed and are looking at me like I have just committed a crime.

  Damn it. I must really be bad at blocking my thoughts.

  “I guess there is no reason to say that I didn’t hear anything, since both of you can read me so easily.”

  Ezra says, “Well, that isn’t entirely true. It isn’t easy. But when you are linked, it is less difficult than trying to get into a person’s mind that you are not linked to. And you can force a block between two linked people, but I don’t recommend it.”

  Nate’s eyes shift to Ezra, looking a little guilty. “Why is that?”

  “Blocking your partner can weaken your ability to share energy. It’s like a stream of electricity. When the current is interrupted, the conductivity is weakened and it takes more energy to link mentally. The last thing you need to do is interrupt that energy flow. It could leave you vulnerable during a battle.”

  I repeat the question just to make sure. “So we can block our thoughts with everyone else, except each other?”

  Ezra says, “You can block each other. It is just not recommended for both of your safety.”

  I ask, “How is this possible? How can a link between us be possible?” I think I know the answer, but I want Ezra to confirm it. My heart starts to pound in my throat as I anticipate the answer.

  “It is possible because you both have abilities that permit it. These abilities are not shared by everyone. That is why you are here. Those that share abilities can link because they are…” Ezra is visibly looking for the right words. “…wired differently from the general public. You know, the majority of human beings use only 10% of their minds.”

  I look down, a bit disappointed. I thought maybe it had something to do with the Copula that Sebastian had developed.

  I look at Nate. “Are we going to agree to not block each other for our safety and the safety of everyone that we care about? I don’t want to end up dead because you are keeping something from me.”

  It sounded so cruel, I was going to do all I could to keep feelings out of this. If I need to sound like a selfish brat, then so be it. Too many things depend on us now.

  Nate looks at me. “I agree. Do you agree you won’t get me killed by withholding how you feel?”

  I feel my cheeks redden. I answer sharply. “Yes.”

  I quickly look at Ezra to shift the focus from my expression. “I think I need more work on blocking others from reading me. I mean, Sondians.”

  Nate adds, “I could use some practice as well.”

  So, Nate is willing to put these romantic feelings aside as well. I have to admit it is a relief. I can’t deny that I feel a small burning in my heart, though.

  Ezra explains blocking to be like a virtual wall built by your inner energy life force. With the use of imagery, you build your wall around your thoughts when in the presence of an unwelcomed reader. Safe idea, block anyone that you don’t know. This practice is easy since there wasn’t any physical expenditure of energy. It is all ethereal, which makes it detrimental to the bond between Nate and I. Within an hour, Nate and I fully understand the ins and outs of blocking others’ thoughts.

  The rest of the week we spar, infiltrate, share abilities, and pump up each other’s egos, especially when we’re teamed against the mentors. Jake and Ezra are definitely a force to be reckoned with when they pair up; the energy force between them is so strong. Siobhan is a force all on her own. A “spitfire” is what Jake calls her. Her flexibility, speed, and grace are unreal. No one can see her coming, except Angela. We are all being trained by the best. Nick is in complete control of his fire wielding by mid-week. And with a few minor incidents added to the explosion earlier in the week, he has become more humble with what he refers to as his bag of tricks. Nick’s sense of humor is not affected by the humbling experiences, which we are all thankful for. His comic relief gets us through many grueling afternoons.

  * * *

  The final week comes. I wake up Monday morning earlier than necessary. It is 5:30 a.m. I lie there thinking about the week ahead. The territory I will be assigned to is a constant thought in the front of my mind. Mostly I am eager to get on with it. I have never been one to keep still for long. And even though the facility and training are physically demanding, I miss the atmosphere the outside world above ground offers. The woods, the sky, the sun, the wind, and constant movement of life around me.

  I can’t help but think that the tension between Nate and I will be gone since we will be in two different territories.

  The bickering between us has become unbearable. Daily there are exchanges of crass thoughts back and forth. And yesterday was the last straw.

  I am running the trails after dinner. I got a wild hair to venture deep
er into the caverns. Ezra said that there are many caves that have not been developed or maintained, only cut out. The manpower needed to develop the trails took months per trail. The number of maintenance staff permitted in the facility at a given time is limited. The number of anyone in the facility during training sessions is limited and monitored for safety from too many people being transported in and out and the possibility of Sondian spies.

  The cutout I choose is very rocky and narrow. The lighting is poor compared to the charted paths. As I struggle to maintain my jog and footing, I feel a lot like the ants in Ezra’s office on campus back home. I think back to that night Ezra told me who I was. It seems so long ago. I am creating my uncharted destiny in more ways than just climbing this uncharted trail.

  Up ahead I see a steeper climb with very low lighting. The passage is about five feet wide and seven feet tall. My jog slows to a walking climb, using every bit of strength from my limbs at this point. Then the sharp steepness levels out to a smooth shelf. The shelf is short-lived; there is a huge drop. No switchback. Just a landslide drop right onto my butt. The rocks crumble under me. I try to regain my footing, but continue to slide down. Hindsight, it is probably good my backside is taking the brunt of the abuse. My slide turns to a stumble forward. I stretch my hands out to either side of the narrow passage trying to slow my forward motion. The rock continues to crumble around my stretched and clawing hands and fingers. A light to my left gives me a glimpse of my potential future—a ledge and a straight drop into nothing.

  I dig my hands into the rock walls on either side, trying to catch hold of anything. I turn away from the drop-off and dig my feet upward and away. The rocks are sliding all around me now. There is a cracking sound and flash of light before everything goes dark. A sharp pain pulsates in my head. I smell and taste something metallic before everything disappears.

  When you are knocked out, there is a spot in your life that is void. Then, one event, sound, feeling, or sensation brings you out of the void. It brings you back to reality. When I was young, I had a bad case of influenza. In the middle of the night, I needed to use the commode. I got out of bed, and then the void occurred. I passed out once at the edge of the bed. Then woke long enough only to pass out once again at the top of the staircase. A void. I woke again to pass out again on the bathroom floor. It was hard to believe that I was alert enough to make it down the stairs before passing out. God was definitely watching over me.

  He has bigger plans for you, Jes.

  As I lay there on the tile floor of the bathroom, I remember the distinct sound that woke me from that void. It was a click of something turning on. The sound of something heating up, a mechanism. When I was able to sit up, I saw that it was a simple space heater that we kept in the bathroom in winter.

  I feel a warm hand on my head. Then the sound of a heartbeat in my ear. Then a separate heartbeat out of synchrony from the first. In the instant I hear the distinct beats, they come into rhythm with each other.

  I begin to shift my sore body. I try to lift my head; it’s too heavy. My eyes do not want to open yet. I hear gravel shift under me, and arms tighten around me in an embrace. “Shh, Jes. You’re hurt pretty bad.”

  Nate.

  “I’m going to help you heal. Be still.”

  Nate touches the back of my head and my lower back. He lifts my head and body to a sitting position. I don’t want to let myself fall into him, but I have no energy of my own to pull away without causing a sharp pain in my head and ribs.

  Nate whispers, “Lean against me, Jes. Don’t try and sit up. I’ve got you.”

  His words are the permission my body needs to give in. Nate lifts me onto his lap and leans me against his chest. I rest my cheek on his chest. One of his arms surrounds my torso to keep me from crumpling. He softly brushes the hair from my face. I feel him place his lips to my forehead. A calmness washes over me. His other hand moves to my abdomen. Again, warmth and a feeling of my body melting rushes through me.

  The pulsating energy radiates throughout my body, dulling the pain. My eyes are still closed.

  “Jes. How are you feeling?” As he speaks, his breath brushes against my forehead.

  I open my eyes slowly. My eyes immediately gravitate to the lamp sitting on a boulder directly in front of me. Things are a little blurry for a moment. I feel Nate brush his lips against my forehead again and place a brief, almost undetectable kiss there. Almost.

  I realize what he just did, and I sit upright too quickly and feel myself start to crash down again. I catch myself against his chest and grab hold of his shoulder to steady myself. I look at his dim profile in the dimly lit cavern.

  Change the subject, Jes. Quick, change the subject.

  I speak in a thick voice. “How did you find me?”

  I can feel his smile on me even though I can’t see it.

  The answer comes to me before he can answer. “Oh, yeah. The link thing.”

  I smile a little and immediately regret the feelings I am having right now.

  I pull away from Nate and sit against the wall behind me. I tuck my knees up and encircle my arms around them. I try and make my voice sound cold. “Thank you for healing me. It was…noble of you.”

  Nate looks down. I know he realizes the moment we were having is over.

  “Well. I couldn’t very well ignore my conscience and leave you down here to die and rot. It would be immoral, even if you are a pain in the ass.”

  With that, he grabs my hands and pulls me up. I fall against his chest. I feel his breath on my face.

  Nate asks, “Are you all right?”

  My voice shakes. “I-I’m all right. Just a little light-headed.”

  Good cover.

  Nate says, “I am too.”

  I could feel his energy closing in around me, drawing me closer to him. Or is it me drawing him in? I am breathless at the thought.

  His hands encircle my waist and pull me into him. I don’t resist. His gaze is so intense, it makes me a little self-conscious.

  I am breathing rapidly now. “What?”

  Nate snaps out of the gaze. “Uh. The linking and healing thing…” He pulls back and looks away from me. Nate is stumbling over his words. “Uh, it can drain me and make things a little loopy for me as well. Luke said that it could happen.” He lets go of me and picks up the lantern. “C’mon. We should head back.”

  The talk up the narrow cavern is filled with grunts and curses. I am not sure if it is aimed at the platonic relationship we are trying so hard to maintain, or the awkward, intimate, nonplatonic encounter we just experienced.

  Just one week left. We would go our separate ways.

  * * *

  Mid-week, our mentors knock on each of our doors at 5:30 a.m. Ezra, in Ezra form, bangs on my door. I almost fall out of bed. I pick my head up briefly. “What?”

  Ezra says, “Aw, Jes. Now is that a way to greet your mentor when he comes bearing news that you have been anxiously awaiting for almost four weeks now.”

  This gets my attention. I scramble hands first out of bed with a light thump as the rest of my body follows. I crawl to the door and open it wide enough for my eyes to catch his. Ezra is holding a glass with a little purple umbrella in it, wearing sunglasses, and an obnoxiously pink Hawaiian shirt.

  “Going somewhere tropical?”

  Ezra is mid-sip when he pauses to answer. “Just starting early, my dear. C’mon. Get up. Your future awaits.” Whistling the Hukilau, Ezra saunters back down the hall toward the cafeteria.

  Chapter 28

  I open the cafeteria door, prepared to hear my fate. My eyes find Nate, Nick, and Angela huddled at a table eating and talking in low voices. I grab some coffee, a bagel, and a peach. Food is not the main thing on my mind right now. I sit next to Angela.

  “Have you heard anything yet?”

  Angela says, “No, you?”

  “No.”

  Nate shifts his eyes to the mentors’ table. “What’s up with the wardrobe on Ezra?”
<
br />   Nick says, “I think it’s awesome.”

  Nate leans toward me. “So where do you think you will be going?”

  “The way Ezra’s dressed, I’m guessing Hawaii.”

  Angela says, “I hope I am going somewhere exciting, fast moving. Like New York!”

  Nick says, “I hear you. I’m a Big Apple boy myself.”

  Nate says, “I’m hoping West Coast. The beach, the mountains, and the city. A little bit of everything.”

  Siobhan comes up to our table. “Okay, wee ones. Time to divvy up your sentences.” Smirking, she walks toward the cafeteria exit along with the other mentors.

  Luke says, “Heading to the conference room now. Who wants to know their assignment?”

  All four of us simultaneously push our chairs out loudly, toss the rest of our food in the trash, and rush the door. Nick and Nate are wrestling each other down the hall. We speed into the conference room wide eyed and eager.

  It is torture. Ezra is slurping his fruity, umbrella drink, looking from me, to Angela, to Nick, then Nate.

  My patience is thin. “C’mon, Ezra!”

  Ezra stops drinking and slowly puts it down. “All right, All right.” He looks to Siobhan to do the honors. “My lady?”

  Siobhan says, “Well, thank you, kind sir.”

  Ezra smiles. “Oh, well, you’re welcome, my lady. Thank you for thanking me.”

  Siobhan smiles. “Of course, kind sir. Thank you for welcoming me. I so apprec—”

  Nick growls, “Ah, damn it! I need to know now! I can’t stand it anymore! Please!”

  Siobhan laughs. “All right. All right.” She pulls out a paper from her pocket and unfolds it. “Angela. You are going back home, girl. Dallas, Texas.”

  “Really? I get to go to my hometown?”

  Siobhan smiles. “Yep.”

  Luke is next to open his envelope. “Nate. Santa Barbara, California.”