Gifted Connections 1

“I know you guys know a song or two, sing it,” I said as I tapped from my place within.

One man started singing off-key, “Patty-cake, patty-cake, baker’s man, bake me a cake as fast as you can, roll it, pat it, mark it with a B, put it in the oven for Billy and me.”

Then the other man started singing, “Ms. Mary mac, mac, mac, all dressed in black, black, black…”

“How long will they keep that up?” Drake asked with a ghost of a smile. I couldn’t help but notice how much more attractive he was when he smiled, with his wireframed glasses, light brown hair and sparkling blue eyes.

I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m kind of new at this. Or should I say I’m no longer in denial and aware of my gift?” I suddenly felt drained and tired. I wondered if I used my gift too much tonight. I felt myself stumble, but strong arms were there to catch me before I could fall.

“We should probably get going,” Mr. Jace said as he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. “Dad and Remy can take care of the rest of this.”

I didn’t realize how scantily dressed and cold I was until I was enveloped in his jacket. Immediately I was pleasantly assaulted by his nice scent. “I have to get my bag,” I stated, “and explain to my boss why I left early at the end of my shift.”

“It’s taken care of,” Mr. Jace explained. “Jax already cast the illusion that you were finishing your shift, and anyone that may have seen this believes we’re filming for a top-secret movie.”

“How often does this happen?” I asked, stunned.

He grimaced. “Not often. We try to keep our gifts in a controlled environment if we can help it.”

I nodded and started following him to a Cadillac Escalade. I had my hand on the door when I suddenly felt that same blinding pain as earlier. I crumbled to the ground; the feeling was so intense.

“Stay here,” I heard Horatio’s voice in my head once more.

“Screw you,” I said between clenched teeth.

“Blake!” I heard several exclamations around me.

“One day I’ll make you come to me,” I heard him once more.

Suddenly, I was accosted with flashes of another person’s life. At first, I thought it was me as I saw a pretty little girl with long black curls holding the hands of an older boy; he looked like he was protecting her. I recognized his pale blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes. On closer inspection, I saw the girl’s eyes were more hazel than green. Another flash showed me the same girl years later in a strip club dancing on a pole. Another flash and she was lying on a hospital bed, begging someone over the phone to come get her child. Another flash was of my dad and me together. Another flash was my father’s car in the bottom of a ravine.

Using my gifts that night and the flashes of memories from another was too much. I felt myself fall into the blackness once more.

Chapter 7

I woke up in a room I wasn’t familiar with. There was light streaming through the blinds, and I was in one of the most comfortable beds I have ever laid in. The mattress seemed like it wanted to swallow me whole it was so soft, and the sheets felt decadent against my skin. I noticed in dismay that I now wore a pair of soft cotton pajama bottoms and a matching tank top. Suddenly, I was plagued with many questions. Where was I? Where was Ella? What happened?

I looked down at my watch and was shocked to see it was well past eight. I was late for school, but for once I didn’t care. I got up and stretched, looking around for my clothes, but I couldn’t find them. I felt self-conscious without a bra on, but my curiosity outweighed my modesty. I left the room and immediately recognized the interior of Mr. Jace’s house. I walked down the stairs and heard the sounds of soft male murmurings.

I rounded the corner and stopped short. Drake was standing at the stove, cooking once more. Mr. Bell and Mr. Jace sat in front of a laptop on the counter. Noah and Jax were nursing cups of coffee on the large wrap-around couch. Troy and Remy were sitting at the eat-in kitchen table with a girl. I would guess she was around my age, and she was perched on Troy’s lap with her feet on Remy’s lap. She was beautiful; she had pin-straight, long, light brown hair with pink highlights throughout it. When she stood up with a wide smile, I saw she was several inches taller than me and had beautiful blue eyes. Did these guys only associate with people that looked like models?

“Good morning, Blake!” she exclaimed. “I’ve been eagerly waiting to finally meet you. Well, formally meet you; I don’t count getting you undressed and dressed. Nice boobs, by the way, I’m still waiting for mine to grow in.” She looked down at her chest. She was a hugger I realized moments later when she drew me into a tight hug.

Although she was on the smaller side, I would never consider her flat chested. I blushed furiously; my question now answered. Most of the guys groaned while a few laughed.

“Really, Jemmy,” Drake groaned as he turned with a spatula in hand. “Can you use your filter every now and then? Blake, how do you like your eggs?”

“Umm, over easy,” I said quietly, crossing my arms over my chest; hoping none of the guys noticed I was braless.

Jemmy rolled her eyes. “You’re such a prude. It still amazes me that you’re my brother.” Then, with a mischievous smile, she said. “Boobs, penis, sex, foreplay.”

Drake went back to cooking eggs, but he was red.

Jemmy turned her perfect smile back at me. “I think we’re going to be best friends. We need to go shopping. I saw the few clothes that you brought.” She wrinkled her nose. “You don’t need to hide anymore. You’re in good hands now. Today we shop for your fresh start in life. It’s time to reinvent yourself. Jace. Card. Now. Or Jax. Who’s it going to be?” She held out her hands with that mischievous smile once more.

She was a bit excessive and over the top—someone I normally avoided. She talked a mile a minute and reminded me of a Tasmanian devil. I liked her. I wondered immediately if she was gifted with the gift of charm. Was there such a gift? And what the heck was she talking about? Shopping? New life?

Mr. Jace gave her a patient, but exasperated smile. “Can you let her wake up and wait until we have a discussion with her first?” He stood up and came over to look at me. I shifted under his gaze. I could tell he was checking me over to see if last night’s ordeal had any lasting effects on me. “Coffee, Blake?”