CHAPTER 24
“You want some water?” I poured myself some from the plastic pitcher on the table beside his bed.
He shook his head. “How is all this even possible?”
I took a gulp. Well, here goes.
“Genetics.” I set the cup down on the little table then sat back.
“Your mom was strong like you?”
“Yep.” And then some.
He sank into his pillow and drew in a deep breath. “I can’t believe I saw you toss that cycle like it was nothing.”
“I had to get that thing off you.”
“Thank you. Did I say that yet?”
I smiled. “I’m really sorry you got hurt. You were out there because of me.”
“It would have been worse if you weren’t there to get that thing off me. And that car behind us, we’re lucky it didn’t—wait, what happened to that car?”
“Um…it drove away. I think maybe there were some drunk students in there.” I shrugged, watching him close to see if he bought that.
“Dumb asses.”
“Are you okay with all this? I mean, for real?”
“Come up here.” He scooted over and peeled back the thin blanket covering him, making room for me to lie next to him.
My pulse spiked. I glanced at the door, then to him. I wanted to, seriously wanted to, but it’d be stupid. Already I’d taken things way too far with him. Scott, Georgia and I needed to get out of this town.
He patted the space beside him.
I climbed onto the bed. I didn’t want to hurt him, but boy, was I happy to be up there with him. Inches from his face, I lay on my side. Hopefully, my breath didn’t reek. I rested my head on his bicep. Warmth radiated from his body like my own personal space heater.
“Tell me everything.” He kissed my forehead.
“You need your rest.”
“No, I don’t. I’m fine.”
Probably doped up on drugs. That was why he was being so understanding. Had to be. Ah, hell. Maybe he wouldn’t even remember this conversation.
“There’s more than the strength.” I gulped. I felt like I was at the top of a cliff, looking over the side. Should I leap off and plunge into the water below? Would I belly flop or land a perfect swan dive?
I’d probably belly flop.
“Tell me.”
“Get ready, then.” I reached behind me, grabbed the cup of water I’d set on the little table, and sat up.
Within seconds, my fingernails flashed. Zach sucked in a sharp breath. I didn’t dare look at him. I might lose control or start crying again. The water turned slushy, then to solid ice. His body tensed next to mine, but he didn’t say a word. He might have even stopped breathing.
His eyes popped wide, and his mouth gaped.
“My mom could do this, too.” I set the cup onto the table and faced him. “Up until tonight, I had no clue why she had this power. I’d only seen her do it once, and she was murdered right after, along with my dad. Scott and I have been living with different names, moving from town to town so no one would find us.
“I’ve just been trying to figure out my powers. They exploded the night before last, when you and I really started hooking up. They seem tied to emotions, and I’m kind of going bonkers right now.”
He smiled and waved me back down to my little nest beside him. “How’d you discover your powers?”
“I almost killed Scott.” I closed my eyes for a second, chasing away the images flashing in my mind. “After my folks died, he was hugging me, trying to calm me down, and I went nuts. Unleashed this power on him and he nearly died.”
Zach hugged me tighter.
“That’s when I tried to get these darn powers under control, but I’m still not very good at it. Not even close. When we were at the movies, I froze my soda, that’s why I got up and left. Oh, and at Java Joe’s I almost froze my water.”
“And at Jess’s house. It got cold. You did that, didn’t you?”
I nodded. “Emotions get me going. And when I saw my mom on that screen I lost it.”
“So, you watched the video.”
“Some of it.”
“The freezing and the strength, is that all you can do?”
“I think that’s enough, don’t you?”
He chuckled, then flinched.
“I should get going.” As comfortable as I was lying next to him, I needed to get off that bed. But it was so difficult, especially now that he accepted me. Still wanted me despite my frosty tendencies. Of course he didn’t know the Coats nearly killed him tonight.
That might change his opinion of me in a hurry.
“Don’t go. I’m fine. My arm aches a little, but I don’t want you anywhere other than right here.”
Against my better judgment, I snuggled in closer and rested my hand on his chest. The paper-thin hospital garb let me feel his heart drumming a steady rhythm.
“How did you walk away without a scratch?”
“You saw me get bucked off, right?”
“Don’t remind me.”
“I shot out some snow from my hands midair and landed on it.”
“You can do that?”
“That’s relatively new. Actually that’s only happened one other time.” I smiled. “After you kissed me on the stairs of my apartment. I was so hyped up, snow and slush shot out from my hands.”
“It was a really good kiss.”
The best.
“Explain needing to leave the scene of the car crash at the Pier and then with me?”
“I’m trying to stay off the grid. Those who experimented on my mom are the ones who killed her. They found out about me, so they want to study me to find out what I can do.”
“And your dad?”
“They killed him, too. He didn’t have any powers, but of course, he knew everything.”
“Mandy, are you in danger?”
“Only if they find me. I am so scared to tell you all this, because it could be putting you in danger.” I coughed. “That’s why I can’t be with you. Why I have to leave.”
“No. I don’t care about all this. I’m here for you. I’m going to take care of you.” His warm embrace enveloped me in peace.
“You don’t need this, Zach. You’re off to college in a couple of months. You’re on your way out of this tiny town. I’ll ruin that.”
I looked up at him, summoning my resolve to get out of that warm, comfortable bed, and walk out. Leave him before he was hurt even more…or killed.
Didn’t work, though. Above the antiseptic-hospital stink, I smelled his sweet breath. I closed my eyes and drew the addicting scent deep into my lungs.
Soft lips touched mine. I leaned into the contact, needing it like the air I needed to breathe. My whole body tingled with warmth, but I didn’t dare move for fear of hurting him. We were on a hospital bed, and he was totally injured after all. He hugged me close until I was nearly on top of him.
No part of my mouth went unexplored by his amazingly soft and very talented tongue. My body revved up, and a delicious dizziness settled in. I draped myself over him, absorbing the heat radiating from his body.
I’d never felt so close to anyone. Zach knew almost everything about me, and he still wanted me. Strong fingers massaged my spine up to the nape of my neck, and I couldn’t stop the shiver.
Or the moan.
How embarrassing. He didn’t seem to mind, though, because he turned my head to take things deeper still. I should stop. He was injured. I couldn’t risk hurting him or leading the Coats to his doorstep.
But my body wouldn’t listen to reason. Fires flickered in all the right places, spurring me onward. Deeper.
Finally. I was doing something normal chicks my age do: Make out with their boyfriends. Sure, we were on a hospital bed, but still. Maybe I could have a normal life after all? Once all of Zach’s injuries were healed.
Zach flinched beneath me. I pulled away. White puffs of breath streamed from his mouth. “Oh my gosh. Zach?”
I jumped off him, and my shoes squeaked at the contact with the slick floor. The monitor he was hooked to flashed, but more disturbing, there was frost building on the screen of the contraption.
“Shit.” Frost covered my fingertips, my nails flared. Thankfully it didn’t work its way up my hand. “Back off. Warm up. Warm up.”
“Mandy?”
I stepped away from the bed. Son of a bitch, I’d almost killed my boyfriend.
I would never have a normal life.
Time to go.
And this time, I needed to stay gone.
CHAPTER 25
“I almost froze him, Scott.” I plucked a pillow off the couch and hugged it close. Wasn’t enough to comfort my cracking heart, though, so I kept pacing around the coffee table. “Just like with you.”
Scott sat on the table. “I’m sure it wasn’t that. You’re way better with your powers now.”
I couldn’t answer. A lump lodged in my throat. After what had just happened with Zach, no way was I in control of my powers. Exact opposite.
“Mandy, with all you’ve experienced in the last few days, that’s why things are so much harder. Especially tonight.” He stood and gripped my shoulder. “You had to deal with those Coats. I’m so sorry.”
“I never knew what you did for me when you took care of things.” I shook my head. “I mean, I had an idea, just wanted to sweep it under the rug, though.”
He pulled me into a hug.
I’d taken him for granted. What he’d been doing for me over the years was more than any brother should ever have to do for his sister.
“And I’ve never said thank you, Scott.”
“Anything for you, Mandy.” He leaned back. “It’s been just you and me for such a long time, hasn’t it?”
I nodded as I stepped out from his embrace.
“And now we have Georgia.” He grinned and headed for the couch.
“What else is on the video?”
“A lot. She talked more about The Center and what Dad found out.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “She still references that book as a companion to this video. Not wanting to put everything in one place. Being extra cautious. But she said the nanotechnology The Center has been involved with has been going on since the late eighties.”
“I don’t even know what that means.” I jammed my hands into my hair.
“It’s okay. We’ll figure it out. I didn’t get most of it either, but it sounds like those allergy testing shots were actually injections of various types of organisms. Ones that can deal with high or low pH levels, heat, cold, strength…” Scott shook his head. “She said to reference the book for more details.”
I scratched my arms and started pacing again. “So, I have that shit inside me, too?”
“From what she said, it’s not like that for you. It’s just part of you now. Your DNA…well, it’s just different. Not once normal then altered.”
“Just altered from day one.” I needed to puke. Seriously puke.
“Hold on.” He showed me his palms quick, then grabbed my shoulders. “Keep the cold in, Mandy. You can do it.”
I sucked in a deep breath, hoping it’d calm me down a second, but I was seriously rattled. Not only by this new information but from the fact I nearly froze my boyfriend. Shit!
“Mom described more of her powers, too. I set the video at that part. You need to see it.”
I covered my mouth fixing to run to the bathroom if I heard one more bit of crazy genetic freak information. “What?”
“It explains more about you. I think it’ll help you with your control.”
That, I needed.
“I hooked your computer to the TV.”
I grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen, then hurried into the living room. It was nearly three in the morning. No wonder my body felt like lead flowed through my veins. Or maybe it was because I’d cried the entire walk home from the hospital, worried I’d hurt Zach. I knew leaving him was the right thing to do, but I hated it.
I nestled onto the couch with a blanket tucked around me, and a pillow in my lap. “It’s so weird seeing Mom, isn’t it?”
Scott sat beside me and clicked play. “She’s pretty, isn’t she?”
“Now, Mandy and Georgia. I’m not sure if you’ll get abilities or maybe a variation of them, but I have to tell you about mine in case. I can freeze objects. And, well…
She covered her mouth with her hand and cleared her throat.
“And not just objects. Pretty much anything. Including people. At first, it was erratic. Closely linked to my emotions. Scott, plug your ears if you’re listening.
Oh, I missed her smile. Scott shifted in his seat, and his face turned crimson. Obviously he’d watched it and not plugged his ears.
“The first changes occurred during pregnancy, but later, when I experienced PMS, it was erratic as well. I had to learn to concentrate to keep from freezing everything in sight. Once I discovered it was linked to emotions, I was able to control it better.
“I can emit any form of freezing liquid from my hands. I’ve been able to form balls of ice, shoot small pieces of ice like bullets, you name it. If I concentrated hard enough, I’m sure I could freeze an entire lake.
“I have not yet found a limit to the power wielded from my hands when it comes to freezing. The strength –if you get that—is amazing. I’ve been able to test it in various ways. Lifting cars, trailers, semis. Again, I’ve found no limit other than sharp objects. They can pierce my skin if thrown hard enough.
“I don’t expect that your powers will replicate mine. My special gifts combined with Dad’s human DNA may alter your abilities—if you get any. Since my powers were first facilitated by hormones, I will assume yours will present themselves in a similar fashion. Possibly during puberty or an extreme emotional experience.”
I pressed pause. “She doesn’t have the blue streak in her hair. So, we already know it’s different with me, huh?”
Scott nodded. “Not to mention Georgia having fire instead of ice.”
“Did she watch this?”
“Yep. And she looked about as freaked out as you do right now. We talked. I made her a smoothie. She calmed down, then I brought her home. She’s not going to say anything to her parents until we figure out a plan.”
I clicked play.
“I’ve come to master my abilities. It takes concentration and practice.” Mom held out her hand, and a snowball appeared much like the ice ball I’d made the other day. Only fifty times quicker.
“I know you can do it. Scott, you help them. Show them discipline. Training. They’ll need your support and your confidence. You’ve always been protective of Amanda, extend that to Georgia now, too.”
Tears brimmed Scott’s eyes.
“Mandy. Georgia. I won’t presume to know what kind of situations you’ll be in, but I must tell you one thing I’ve learned about my power.” She cleared her throat. “You may find yourself in a cocoon of ice. A thin layer of frost or ice around your body. Don’t be frightened. It’s your body changing. Or healing. Unfortunately, I’ve had many fights against the evil that hunts us, and I’ve been injured. I realized the ice encasing me was a healing cocoon.”
“That explains the two icing incidents. The first one changing, and second healing the cut in my shoulder I got saving that chick from the car,” I whispered to Scott.
“Girls, the cocoon isn’t just for you, though. I’ve been able to heal your father on several occasions. The first few times, I didn’t understand. Didn’t know what was happening. But I quickly figured out that I could heal him.” Tears moistened her eyes, and she wiped them away with her finger. She stared into the camera. “Honey, can you come sit with me here?”
The camera shook, but then suddenly Dad came into the picture. Goosebumps prickled my flesh. “Dad.”
“Hi, girls
. Scott. I hope I’m there with you right now watching this and making fun of how dorky I look.” He waved, then kissed Mom on the cheek. He sat next to her and faced the camera. His brown eyes flickered.
Tears streamed down my cheeks. I wiped my nose on my sleeve. I couldn’t believe I was watching my mom and dad. They were talking to me like they were sitting right here.
“Girls, those who chase us go after him as much as me. Probably because he knows too much. It was his company, after all, that made me what I am now. Not to mention the fact that I’d do nearly anything for him, and they used my love for him to try and get me to allow them to study me.
“That’s enough for now and for one place. Keep the disc and the book safe. It’s evidence and information that can hopefully help you and harm The Center. Do not let it fall into anyone’s hands. And, girls, trust your instincts. If you’ve received special abilities, they are a part of you. They are one with you, not artificial like they were in me. Trust them. They won’t let you down when you most need them.”
Dad smiled. “And if you’re even a fraction of how strong your mother is, The Center will want you. Badly. Don’t let that happen. Taking lives to protect yourselves and those you love—it’s difficult. We know this. But you must do whatever is needed to stay alive and, if necessary, take these sons of bitches down.”
“We love you so much, Scott, Amanda, and Georgia. Our dear children.” Mom kissed her hand and waved. Dad got up and walked to the camera, then it clicked off.
My gut hollowed out. I didn’t want them to be gone. I wanted them here with me right now. Scott held me close, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Does she say anything more about the experiment itself?”
“She gave a few details. But she said most of the information is in the book.”
“What’s she talking about?” I lifted my head. “The book is empty. Did Georgia show you?”
“She did. I don’t get it either. Maybe Mom was killed before writing in it.”
“Or, there’s another book out there, the book she’s really talking about.” I let out a long breath. Man, I was tired. The day felt like it was a week long. A near death experience with Zach, finding out I had a twin sister, and watching the disc.
Curses, Fates & Soul Mates Page 51