by KT Webb
He watched as all the pieces began to fall together and wondered how long it would be before Silas and Absalom came around for another visit. Dorian took a deep breath in the crisp October morning. He sipped his tea while he watched Whitley and Hadley practice their abilities in the backyard. Their early morning battle strategy practice had gone well. Nora and Kerr were to be on the sidelines because they didn’t have any active abilities to fight in close combat. After they were filled in on their expectations, they took off to the Book Nook to pack up more of the books Kerr wanted to add to the library at his new home.
“Whitley, don’t forget to focus! You’re not listening to me!” Tahlia called from the sidelines.
Dorian chuckled as Whitley rolled her eyes. Thatcher stood in front of Whitley, bracing himself for what was coming. Whitley crouched down to the ground and took off toward Thatcher at a sprint. Dorian leaned forward, keeping his eyes on Whitley as she dove at Thatcher. In an instant, Whitley was on the other side of Thatcher. She was getting better every day.
“Now, let’s make things interesting!” Thatcher yelled as he turned to face Whitley once again. A playful grin played across his face as he threw up a wall of fire in front of him.
Hadley and Tahlia exchanged a knowing look and took a few steps back. Whitley dusted off her jacket and prepared to pounce. Dorian hadn’t seen them try this maneuver before, so he rose to his feet to get a better view.
“Oh please, Thatcher! Don’t make me laugh,” Whitley shouted just as she leapt at him.
Dorian was amazed to see the fire wall split open to allow room for Whitley to burst through and knock into Thatcher. Hadley and Tahlia laughed loudly as Thatcher shoved Whitley off him and stood up.
“You weren’t supposed to knock me over!” Thatcher said, sounding annoyed.
“That’s what you get for being a smartass!” Whitley said between fits of giggles.
“Whitley!” Tahlia scolded.
“Sorry, mom,” Whitley said through her giggles.
Dorian laughed and ran up to the group. “That was amazing! You’ve come a long way, Whitley.”
He was greeted by smiles and laughter from the group. “That was brilliant! That will be an incredible defense against Absalom when the day comes. Thatcher, you’re able to project a lot more fire power these days. How far do you think you can throw it?” he asked excitedly.
“I don’t know, I haven’t really tried to throw it, I’ve mostly used it as a shield for us or tossed a few fireballs for target practice,” Thatcher replied, deep in thought.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Hadley asked, nudging Thatcher playfully.
Dorian watched as Thatcher jogged to the center of the grounds. Thatcher took a deep breath, then stopped, looked at Dorian, and nodded solemnly. He crouched close to the ground and placed his hand flat on the earth. Dorian saw the subtle change in the way Thatcher held himself as the heat began to flow through him. He glanced at Hadley as the sky darkened overhead and a chill filled the air. She was nervous. Turning his attention back to Thatcher, Dorian studied the way he seemed to let the heat build within him until it reached its highest peak. A single bead of sweat ran down his face. The moment of release sent a solid wall of fire shooting out from Thatcher in all directions.
The next few moments were hectic as Dorian realized the wall of fire was coming straight for them. Whitley let out a small scream as Dorian tried to pull her to safety, and Tahlia called out to Hadley who stood frozen as the blaze rushed toward her.
The wall of fire was only feet from Hadley, and she hadn’t moved. Dorian tried in vain to call out to her. Thatcher came crashing through the fire and attempted to save Hadley. As soon as he touched her, the wind started.
Dorian, Tahlia, and Whitley watched in awe as the wind intensified and swept the fire into a blazing tornado that circled Hadley and Thatcher in a deadly dance. The roar was deafening, and the heat was intense. Then, as quickly as it began, it ended in a downpour of torrential rain.
“Let’s get inside!” Tahlia shouted over the rain.
Dorian reluctantly followed Tahlia and Whitley as they took off for the house. Once inside, he glanced back out the large glass doors and could barely make out the embracing figures of Hadley and Thatcher as they shared a kiss.
“That was an interesting development,” Whitley said through chattering teeth.
Dorian and Tahlia exchanged a glance, and he knew she understood his thoughts. For the first time since gathering the Evolved, they had made a discovery about what happens when powers are combined.
Chapter Twenty-Eight:
Kerr
Kerr smiled to himself as he stocked the shelves at the book store. Nora was snuggled up on the couch, reading a book about Greek mythology. She had drifted off and was mumbling in her sleep. Ever since she started helping him at the Book Nook, she’d been on a quest to read more about the “mortal” view of the Old Immortals. Every day, they sat huddled around the coffee table with books strewn around them as they fervently took notes and discussed the various legends surrounding their ancestors.
Kerr continued to stock the shelves, but stopped when he heard something he’d been waiting for. He climbed down the ladder and quietly sat on the floor next to Nora. Her breathing steadied and she was still again. Disappointed, Kerr rose to his knees and began to neaten up the books on the table, when she said it again. It was just his name, but it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard when it came from her lips. He wasn’t sure if he dared to touch her, but curiosity won out. He reached his hand up and gently ran a finger along her cheek and jaw. She smiled in her sleep and uttered his name one more time.
He smiled as his heart skipped a beat, and decided to finish cleaning up. He glanced outside and saw it was still pouring rain. When he finished stacking the books neatly, he heard a small giggle. He turned around to see Nora smiling at him from her spot on the couch.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“You,” she said simply.
Kerr felt hot as they looked into each other’s eyes for a few moments. He knew she wasn’t looking at him the way he was looking at her, so he turned away hurriedly.
“Well, at least I don’t talk in my sleep,” Kerr teased.
“Neither do I,” Nora replied in embarrassment.
Nora got up and started helping with the daily closing routine. Kerr loved how in sync they were without having to say anything to each other. He handed her the broom, and she tossed him the window cleaner. He was halfway through cleaning the front window when he noticed an instant change in the atmosphere; it got cold and eerily quiet, despite the heavy rain. He tried to peer through the window, but stepped back as the frost crept across the glass.
“Um, Nora?” Kerr said nervously as he backed away from the front of the store.
“Shhh!” Nora grabbed him from behind. “Silas.”
Kerr threw caution to the wind and pulled her close to him. “What should we do?”
“You need to hide. Now,” she replied breathlessly.
“Don’t think for one minute I’m going to hide while you go out and kick some butt,” Kerr said indignantly.
Nora thought for a moment, then pouted. “If you’re not going to let me play, we’re going home.”
“Nora, be serious, would you?” Kerr said exasperatedly.
When Nora didn’t answer him, he turned around to find her gone. Had she really just left him here? No, Kerr knew better. Nora had gone outside. He knew she could handle herself, but he didn’t like the idea of her taking on Silas by herself. Because he didn’t see her leave the front of the shop, he turned and made his way through the back room. He found the back door slightly ajar, and cautiously peered into the alley. He caught sight of Nora as she lost her footing on the ice and fell hard on her side.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly as he came up behind her and helped her to her feet.
Nora shook her head. She held her arm up to indicate the injury she’d just
sustained. Kerr could sense her pain. He knew the arm was broken, but not just from her aura. The ugly bruise and odd protrusion were evidence enough.
“Okay, Nora, time to stop playing hero. Let’s get you to the E.R.” Kerr said.
Nora groaned and rolled her eyes at him. Luckily they hadn’t run into Silas out here in the open. Kerr glanced around nervously as he wrapped his arm around Nora’s waist and began leading her to the back door.
“Kerr, it really isn’t that big of a deal,” she said defiantly.
“Really? Okay, open the door. With that arm,” Kerr replied evilly.
Nora furrowed her eyebrows and reached for the door. Kerr couldn’t believe she was stubborn enough to try it. As she tried to grasp the door handle, she gasped in pain. Kerr reached out to stop her, gently touching her arm in the process. When he did, she gave him a confused look and pulled back in surprise.
“What?” Kerr asked uncomfortably as he ushered her in the back door of the book store.
“Try that again. Touch my arm,” Nora instructed.
Kerr looked at her with uncertainty, but reached out and put her arm between his hands. He felt her skin and the sickening lump of broken bone under his hand. She winced, but stayed where she was. Kerr didn’t know what was supposed to be happening. He mostly just wanted to get her out of there so she could get this bone set. Nora cried out and Kerr looked from her shocked face to his hands. A green light was coming from his hands, and Kerr could feel her pain lessening. She cried out again as he heard the bone snap back in to place. When the light dissipated, he pulled his hands away. Her arm was perfect, just as it had been before.
“Did I just do that?” Kerr asked in shock.
“Yes,” Nora whispered as she dried her cheeks. He hadn’t noticed her tears before.
Kerr was still in a state of shock when Nora reached over and took his hand. He felt the room spinning and found himself standing in the middle of Nora’s bedroom. Now that they were safe, she seemed to have something else on her mind.
“What did I say?” Nora asked.
“Hmm?” Kerr was still reeling from what happened in the back room of his book store.
“In my sleep. At the Book Nook you said I was talking in my sleep,” she said quietly.
Kerr hesitated, he didn’t want to embarrass her. He wasn’t sure how she would react, but he knew she was relentless and would get the answer out of him at some point. He sighed and decided to tell her.
“You said my name,” Kerr whispered.
Nora looked up at him. “Oh.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, then led her to the bed and gently pushed her down by her shoulders. She looked confused, but sat on the bed and looked up. “Look, Nora, it’s okay. I didn’t think anything crazy, I just figured you were dreaming about me telling you to put your books away or something. You don’t have to freak out. I should probably go tell the others what just happened.” Kerr turned to leave the room, but was stopped by Nora grabbing his hand.
“Kerr, I’m sorry. Don’t be upset, I just don’t know what to say,” Nora said, her voice strained.
He looked at her briefly, unsure what to do. “You don’t have to say anything.”
She let go of his hand, and he headed for the door. He turned around, wanting to say something to alleviate the awkward direction this conversation had taken. When he turned around, Nora was standing right in front of him.
She reached up and touched his face, then traced her finger along his cheek and jaw, just as he had done to her as she slept. Kerr reached forward and placed his hand on her waist, then pulled her to him gently. He had wanted this moment since he received his prophecy and saw all that could be, and he was going to savor it. He ran his hands slowly up her waist, to her shoulders, then neck, and finally held her face in his hands. Kerr leaned down and slowly traced his lips from her forehead, along her jawline, and finally gave her a gentle, lingering kiss on the lips. As the kiss came to an end, Kerr breathed a sigh of relief.
“Kerr?” Nora asked breathlessly.
“Nora,” he responded certainly.
“That, is why I was saying your name in my sleep,” Nora explained.
Kerr began kissing her again. This time with more passion, as though he were trying to pour his heart and soul into the kiss. She responded, hesitantly at first, then matching his level of intensity. When they pulled away again, Nora gave him a wide smile.
“Why, Kerr Mason! Bless my soul!” Nora said in her best southern accent. She batted her eyes, fanning herself.
Kerr laughed at her. It felt so good to finally break through the friend zone, and she seemed pleased by what had happened. Without thinking about it, he said what was in his heart.
“You are my future,” Kerr told Nora quietly. He waited for her reaction, and when he saw she was simply surprised, he continued, “When I was given my prophecy, I saw you. I saw us. I didn’t know what to do. I loved you and we’d barely spoken to each other. Romulus and Dorian told me to give it time, to get to know you and remember that my visions tell what could be, not what will be. The more time we spend together, the more I want to know about you and want my visions to come true.”
“You love me?” Nora whispered.
“Yes,” Kerr responded simply.
“Oh,” Nora replied.
Nora was quiet for a long time. Kerr knew he screwed up. He shouldn’t have told her. He was starting to freak out when she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.
“Kerr, I’ve never been close to anyone, aside from the Old Immortals. When all the Evolved arrived at our house, I was so surprised to feel so connected with so many more people. When I got my prophecy, I was angry. I don’t know what it means and it’s so cryptic, it’s frustrating. But the more time I’ve spent with you, the more I’ve realized it doesn’t have to make sense right now. All that I know right now is that you’ve become my best friend, and more. What I’m trying to say is, I think I love you too,” Nora said in a small voice.
He thought his heart was going to burst from his chest as he pulled her body against his. They began kissing eagerly and clinging to one another. Telling the others could wait.
Chapter Twenty-Nine:
Nora
Nora walked out of the bathroom, still wrapped in a towel. She looked at Kerr lying in her bed. She was in a state of disbelief. This beautiful man was in love with her. He was propped up on one arm smiling like an idiot.
Nora couldn’t help but feel like the luckiest girl in the world. She bounded over to the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He laughed at her and kissed her lightly.
“I’m going to like doing that whenever I want,” he told her.
“Oh, me too,” Nora replied. She kissed his jawline and smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. She wiggled free and jumped off the bed. “I need to get dressed.”
She grabbed her clothes and briefly considered dressing in front of him. She decided that would be counterproductive and went in to the bathroom. Nora loved the smile on his face, and felt satisfied that she had been responsible.
Despite her elation, she didn’t know what to say to him after everything they shared. She had never even had a boyfriend before, so she was starting to feel panic welling up from her belly. She felt strange having been so intimate with Kerr so quickly after sharing her feelings. But it felt right, and she thought he felt the same. But what if he didn’t? She cleared her throat and reached up to pull her hair back into a messy bun.
As she came out of the bathroom in her jeans and black t-shirt, she decided to take a chance and talk about it.
“So, Kerr, what you said before? About loving me?” Nora’s voice broke off at the end, afraid of what he would say.
“Nora, I meant everything I said. I love you. I never would have . . . we never would have . . . I think you know what I mean,” he said with a little exasperation.
“Oh good,” she said with a smile.
Kerr laughed and went to
take a quick shower. Nora decided to exercise her ability a little and focused on Kerr’s room. She opened her eyes and found herself staring at the bookshelf in his room. Nora grabbed one of his long-sleeved polo shirts and a pair of jeans. Before she left, she reached in his underwear drawer, blushing slightly as she grabbed the essentials. Closing her eyes, she took herself back to her own room. When her eyes opened, Kerr was standing there in her room with a grin on his face. He thanked her and took the clothes out of her arms.
As soon as Kerr was dressed, they decided to go tell everyone what had happened at the Book Nook. Not only did Silas make his presence known, but Kerr’s ability advanced. They had returned to the house with plenty of daylight, but by the time they made their way downstairs it was well after dinner. They found everyone in the library talking about something that happened with Thatcher and Hadley.
“I hate to interrupt, but we have some news,” Nora said as they entered the room. She and Kerr took turns telling their story. When they finished, everyone was silent.
“You are lucky. Silas and Absalom have gotten braver. They’ve never done anything that could draw attention to themselves before,” Dorian said with a worried glance at the floor. “Luckily the people of Benton are chalking it up to an early winter storm. That’s the beauty of the Midwest—lots of unexpected weather.”
Nora could tell that Dorian was distraught. She was his only living descendant. If she died, he would live forever with the knowledge of everything he’d lost. She reached over and touched his arm.
“Hey, Dorian, I’m okay. We’re okay,” she said quietly.
Dorian nodded, then pulled her into a fatherly hug. He kissed the top of her head and tried to hide the tears in his eyes as he turned to Kerr.
“So, you’re a healer now?” Thatcher asked with a grin.
Kerr shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. It was weird. I was thinking about how much I wanted to take her pain away, and then the green light showed up.”