Koel let out a shout as he came into her body and JoAnna reached a zenith she had never thought possible. There was something unworldly about what had just occurred. Her soul mate fell on top of her, JoAnna happily bearing his weight. She ran her hands up and down his sweat drenched back.
“If I ask really nicely, Tolfer will prepare us a meal and leave it at the front door.” Koel once again cleared her face of the drenched wisps of hair. “I want to make love to you again, but if I do not eat something soon, I may just devour you.”
JoAnna nearly choked, she figured Koel was unaware of how a statement like that would be interpreted on Earth. Her face began to blush, as Koel gave her a questioning look. She was about to tell him to disregard her reaction, when JoAnna felt a funny sensation in the vicinity of her brain.
“Koel, what exactly causes the next stage of telepathic evolutionary change?”
Koel could not understand why JoAnna had such a funny response to his suggestion they have dinner. He was about to inquire why, when his brain excreted the hormone that would enhance his telepathic abilities. Before he had a chance to tell JoAnna what was probably happening to her, she asked about the process. Once again, she approached something new with a calm demeanor and a sharp mind.
“What feels like your head sizzling is the hormone being generated and saturating your brain.” It was important to Koel not to frighten his soul mate. “The change is gradual.”
JoAnna sat up in bed, wrapping the sheets around her body. He would have liked to have admired it a little longer, but he understood she probably felt exposed. “I think we should clean up and then head to The Palace. The thought of Tarah being imprisoned there for another minute is abhorrent to me.”
Koel could not believe he had momentarily forgotten his sister, he had been so wrapped up in his soul mate and what they had just shared. It spoke volumes to him that JoAnna had not dismissed his sister’s plight as he had. “I am yet again humbled by the gift that has been bestowed upon me. Use the shower in the master bath, I will use the guest bathroom.” Before he got up he took her hand, kissed it, and said, “Thank you.”
Considering how long it had taken the women to prepare for the aborted dinner tonight, Koel was surprised when JoAnna exited the master bedroom dressed and ready to go. He had contacted Tarsea while he showered and requested a small army be prepared to escort them to The Palace. Too much had happened tonight to walk unguarded in the streets of Aster Province.
He had barely time to kiss his soul mate, when there was a knock on the door and a parade of his friends and their soul mates entered. Everyone was there with the exception of Alex. With her pregnancy, Tarsea would have demanded she stay home, regardless of how much resistance Alex initially provided. When it came to the health and safety of the baby, Alex gave in to Tarsea every time. Koel hoped his friend did not get too comfortable winning arguments with his soul mate. As soon as the baby was born, Koel imagined Alex would once again have the upper hand.
“Koel?” he heard Tarah in their familial link. The whole time she had been held captive, something had blocked him from communicating with her. He imagined she had been unconscious, although Solfa had not said anything about the condition she was in when she was held.
“Are you all right?” Koel held his breath, as he waited for her reply.
“Yes, I believe so. I was brought before Jeryl Jarlyn and he did something to me which disrupted my telepathic abilities. After I met with him I was brought to some rooms and was told to wait. No one would answer any of my questions.”
“Tarah, I am sending Starc and Shirl to escort you to me. Are you still in The Palace?” While Koel communicated with Tarah through their familial channel, he asked Starc and Shirl to escort his sister to their present location. Starc and his soul mate left the safe house without uttering a word. No one would feel they were out of the woods until Tarah was safely delivered.
“I am in Solfa’s office on the third floor.” This time his sister communicated through the warrior channel, which allowed Starc to have the information he needed once they arrived at The Palace.
As Koel finished communicating with his sister, he noticed JoAnna had a strange look on her face. Since she was not volunteering what the issue was, he was going to ask her directly through their closed channel. “You look confused, JoAnna. What is wrong?”
“I heard some woman, whose voice I did not recognize, communicate telepathically with me that she was in Solfa’s office. Alex’s cousin is frightening, but I do not understand why the woman reached out to me.” JoAnna’s confession proved to Koel his soul mate had finally linked in the warrior channel.
Koel was happy to announce to the whole room his soul mate had passed the last test to prove she was one of them, someone they could trust without a thread of doubt. “JoAnna, the woman was my sister who communicated through the warrior channel. You were finally able to link in and more of the chatter within that telepathic pathway will connect with you in the future.”
“Thank goodness!” Candy cried, as she went to give her friend a hug. “See if you can pick this up.”
Koel waited while Candy telepathically communicated to Shirl and Alex in their own private channel. It was the channel they also shared with Chartail Adholm. No one was sure what exactly that channel was, but they imagined it had something to do with Chartail being Benko Jarlyn’s soul mate.
A radiant smile replaced JoAnna’s earlier befuddled look. “Wow, that channel opened in the orphanage and we never knew it? No wonder we thought there was a special bond between us.”
“Can someone help me set the table?” Tolfer shouted from the kitchen. “Dinner is almost ready. I do not think I have ever started a meal one place and finished it in another. If the quality is not up to my normal standards, we can blame it on my mother. She actually helped me in the kitchen when we returned from the attack on JoAnna.”
Koel could not believe everything had occurred in a single day. His soul mate had been attacked, they had been blackmailed with his sister’s life, and he had the most amazing sex of his life. He figured nothing more could happen tonight.
It was with that thought that JoAnna was telepathically called to The Palace through one of the communal pathways.
Chapter 14
The Troyk Penal Colony World
Chartail sat back and drank her wine as the fawners around Benko talked about their value and what they envisioned life in the Troyk universe would be like once Benko was in charge. Most of the people who now resided in the former portal guardian village were freedom fighters who had been sentenced to this world. They placed unrealistic expectations on her soul mate’s shoulders.
“Fowler, you should take your girlfriend out for a moonlight stroll around the lake,” Chartail suggested. “It is such a beautiful night. Harvor, you should do the same.”
Both men broke eye contact with her and left to take their significant others on a romantic interlude. Chartail took another sip, thrilled she was once again alone with her soul mate.
“You may have thought that was a suggestion,” Benko commented. “In fact, you used mind control against each of those men.”
“I did not,” Chartail claimed. To be truthful, she was not sure if she had. The power was so subtle, she was never sure when she used it and when she was merely communicating. “They did not repeat back my recommendation.”
Benko shook his head. “Mind control does not always manifest itself in that manner.”
Chartail was so frustrated, she wanted to scream. Her body had not changed at all this early in the pregnancy, yet telepathic abilities she abhorred were messing up her life. “How can you tell if I was using telepathic control over those two sycophants?”
“First of all, I can tell from the frequency you are emitting when you use your borrowed power,” Benko answered. “Secondly, where in the world did
you learn that word?”
“Candy once used it to describe someone in the Utopia settlement,” Chartail admitted. “I felt it beautifully described that person and I like the dynamics of the word.”
“The dynamics of the word?” Benko chuckled.
Chartail decided to ignore his question and ask one of her own. “What type of frequency are you referring to? Would I be able to hear it and know I am using the power? If I am aware I was doing it, I would then be able to back off.”
“All telepathic communication is done through frequencies, just as a crystal telepath can leverage frequencies within the multi-dimensional portal.” Her soul mate took a sip of his wine and leaned back on his elbow. “If you concentrate on the pitch, rather than the words you want to communicate, you should be able to pick up on it”
Chartail had never considered all the static in her mind as frequencies. Troyk children were taught to disregard all the noise and concentrate on the substance of the communication. A child who could not control the frequencies would get terrible headaches and nosebleeds. The same was true of adults who had some kind of brain trauma, like a concussion.
Their time alone together near the village center fire was once again interrupted, this time by Benko’s daughter Cassie. Chartail had been impressed by the maturity shown by the three orphaned Ginkgo Terra women she had met in the Troyk universe and later befriended. Cassie did not show the maturity Alex, Shirl, and Candy possessed. Benko’s daughter was a spoiled brat.
“Daddy,” Cassie whined. “I want my own living quarters. The women I am staying with are like policewomen, they watch me every minute of the day. Darden and I cannot get any time alone. If it weren’t for the headaches Darden suffers on Earth, I’d say we should go back to Ginkgo Terra.”
“Cassie,” Benko answered his daughter. “These people have just had their lives ripped apart by a group of violent men. Their homes have been destroyed and they have lost many of their friends and family. This encampment is much smaller than their former settlement and we are all doubling and tripling up until more huts can be built.”
“Why can’t I just stay with Darden?”
Chartail was tired of this discussion, since it normally occurred at least twice a day. The girl was eighteen years old and had a soul mate, so Chartail could not present an argument to Cassie against her living with Darden. It had been Benko’s decision and he had provided no ammunition to properly answer his daughter’s request.
“Cassandra,” Benko used his authoritarian father’s voice to address his daughter. “I have had a long day and do not have the energy to discuss this again with you. Why don’t you help the team that is erecting the new hut on the outskirts of the village?”
Cassie looked between her father and Chartail, shrugged, and took off.
“Thanks for the support, Chartail.”
“Benko, how can I argue a point with your daughter, when you will not tell me what the issue is? She is eighteen years old and Darden is an honorable man. Why do you want to keep them apart? I do not understand.”
Her soul mate got up and poured himself another glass of wine. If he had any more to drink, they would not make love again tonight. She had come very close to suggesting Cassie move in with her father and she would move in with the single women Cassie currently boarded with. If Chartail did not take Benko in hand soon, she knew she was going to lose him. She did not care about who ruled the Troyk universe, Chartail only wanted her soul mate.
“Each generation of like telepathic abilities grows in power. Generally, a given power skips a generation or multiple generations. That is nature’s way to control the power bestowed on any given person. My father is a third-generation mind control telepath and he has an indecent amount of power. One of the reasons I left the Troyk universe after my failed attempt to unseat my father, was to live in a world where telepathic powers were not used. If my father has enormous power, mine would be greater. I saw a fraction of what he was capable of and it scared me. Cassie’s power will eclipse my own. She has only learned enough about her skills to protect herself. Once she makes love with Darden and goes through the evolutionary change, I am afraid of what she will become.”
Chartail slowly took in the magnitude of what Benko was telling her. “Is Darden aware of all of this?”
Benko nodded. “Cassie was ten years old when they discovered they were soul mates. When she was so young, it was reassuring to know Darden would not lay a hand on her. As she grew up, I became more and more concerned. Aspects of her talent would come to light from time to time, as well as her natural ability to control the mind of others.
“When she was sixteen, I told Darden about my fears related to Cassie. He has continued to maintain a brother sister relationship with Cassie, I just do not know how long they will be able to resist coming together. For years I purposely spoiled her rotten, to make her a handful and less attractive to Darden. Now I have created a monster and Darden can unleash a creature I may not be able to control.”
Her soul mate’s frankness, once again startled Chartail. No wonder he drank. When Benko unloaded, he did not hold anything back. Another thought came to her related to another newly discovered multi-generational mind control telepath. She could feel the color drain from her face.
“JoAnna is a fifth generation mind control telepath.”
Chapter 15
The Troyk Universe
“I am going to ignore the summons,” JoAnna announced to anyone who cared to listen. “They have no idea where I am and I have not eaten since lunch. Tolfer, even if the dishes you prepared taste like crap, I will enjoy every bite.”
Her announcement was met with silence. She ignored the reactions around her and grabbed a plate to prepare herself a dish. Because of Tolfer’s warning, she took a tentative bite and was relieved the food tasted great. She closed her eyes and savored the flavor. It was not long before Koel, Tarsea, Tolfer, and Candy squeezed in at the small table, joining her.
“If Mom helped prepare this,” Tarsea said, “there is still hope in the world for every conceivable good thing to happen.” JoAnna had heard numerous times Leenea and Zane Childers were the worse cooks across infinite parallel dimensions.
“Being a grandmother changes things,” Candy added between bites. “Leenea wants to help raise the baby and has started taking cooking lessons.”
Both brothers exchanged glances, sharing looks of utter astonishment. “By the Supreme Being, I am going to have to taste everything that woman cooks to make sure she does not poison my little girl.” JoAnna was not sure if Tarsea was exaggerating or truly meant what he said. Could Leenea’s food be that bad?
“This may sound like a strange request,” JoAnna said. “Tarsea, can I enter your mind and see if I can taste how bad your mother’s food was?”
JoAnna was not sure what got a bigger reaction, Leenea Childers taking food preparation lessons or JoAnna asking to enter Tarsea’s mind.
“She needs to start to grow her telepathic abilities,” Koel added. “This seems like a harmless test. We will need JoAnna as powerful as she can be when it is time for Benko to make his move.”
Her soul mate had provided the one argument, it appeared Tarsea could not dispute. “Give it a try. But I warn you, it is the most atrocious food you have ever experienced.”
JoAnna could not help but smile in response to Tarsea’s comment. She concentrated on Tarsea, looking him straight in the eyes. Her mind projected in an attempt to connect with the brain she wished to penetrate.
The first thing JoAnna picked up was Tarsea’s all-consuming love for Alexandra. It was overwhelming to take in such intense feelings. JoAnna pulled out and closed her mind for a moment, trying to clear her head.
“Tarsea, I know it may be impossible,” JoAnna continued. “Can you try not to think of Alex? You don’t have to worry about mind control
telepaths entering your mind to pull out sensitive information. They would not be able to get past your feelings for your soul mate.” JoAnna would have to see if Koel had the same obsessive emotions about her, now that they were mated.
“Sorry,” Tarsea said, turning a deep shade of red. It was unfortunate Alex was not present to witness Tarsea’s reaction. JoAnna and Candy were going to have to share this tidbit with Alex the next time they were together.
JoAnna concentrated once again on Tarsea. This time she was able to get through the multiple layers of thoughts pertaining to Alex. She concentrated on not stumbling over any of the very personal feelings he had for his soul mate. A memory of his mother was within her grasp. JoAnna could see a much younger version of Leenea depicted in her mind. A plate of food was being placed in front of a boy, who she assumed was Tarsea. She could feel the boy’s apprehension as he picked up his fork and moved the food on his plate from side to side. After being chastised for playing with his food, the smaller version of Tarsea shoveled a fork full of food into his mouth.
“Oh good Lord,” JoAnna cried. She tried to spit out non-existent food from her mouth. “How did you two grow up to be so big and strong? That was horrible! I thought you were exaggerating.”
“That was quite impressive,” her soul mate said. “Do you have a headache? You are not bleeding, which is a good sign. I have never seen anything like that before. You could actually taste the food from Tarsea’s memory. Incredible.” Her soul mate examined her visually to determine if there were any adverse effects to her usage of the enhanced telepathic abilities.
“Jeryl Jarlyn will probably have a list of things he will want JoAnna to try,” Candy commented. “We should make a list of our own. The next time we venture to the Troyk penal colony, we should talk to Benko and see what else he would recommend. With Shirl, it was trial and error, although Cianan secretly knew what Jarlyn was looking for.”
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