Gifted Connections 1

She looked at me solemnly. “Make your connections.”

I felt like I was just going through the motions all afternoon and I knew our recordings in the studio weren’t as flawless as they could have been. The guys and Lionel seemed satisfied with it, but I wasn’t.

Remy, Jace, Troy, and Jaxson had decided to come with Will and I, so I was somewhat comforted by their presence. I had told them what Ella had told me on the way to the studio and they seemed as concerned as I was. They were putting on a good show, but I could feel their anxiety, literally.

I decided to use my gift that I had acquired from Jace. It almost crippled me when I opened that door. I had to ask Jace to help me and calm me, so I could focus enough on what I needed to be doing.

I should have been laughing and living it up, instead I was left wondering who they were, and when they were coming to get me.

After we wrapped up our recording session, the guys decided to take me out to dinner. It was beautiful, and I wish I could have enjoyed it more. I could see that Jaxson was trying really hard to make me laugh and forget about my heavy thoughts, and it worked for a little while.

Will got a call in the middle of dessert and coffee. I could tell from his concerned expression that it wasn’t a good one.

He closed his phone and held his hand up for the check.

“What’s going on,” Jace asked quietly.

Will looked around and then at me uncertainly. “They found a house not too far from here. I think it’s a house Horatio had purchased off the books. They have at least six children in it and it is believed that they are pushing them for their gifts.”

Troy leaned in. “We know he’s been doing that for years. Why are they so worried about it right now?”

I didn’t know who they were or how they knew the information. It only made me realize how very far Will’s reach could be.

“We can take Blake home and come back. How far are the other teams?” Jaxson said worriedly.

“No,” I stated emphatically. “If they are nearby, it makes no sense to take me home.”

Will nodded reluctantly. “The other teams are too far away and by the time we get her home and then back, he might have moved them again. They plan on moving out tonight. I think Horatio was tipped off that we have some of our people in his organization.”

“Why?” I asked, startled and confused.

Will looked at me levelly. “Horatio’s bound and determined to make us the ‘master’ race. He has stooped to so many despicable levels to use our own to harm others, gifted and non-gifted alike. I know he has people working for him around us. That’s why I’ve been so careful with not letting anyone know your abilities. In order to stay one step ahead of him, I’ve had volunteers come to me and offer to work for us in the guise of working for him.”

“How do you know you can trust them?” I asked logically.

He cleared his throat. “That’s their stories to tell, but let’s just say Horatio had a direct hand in harming them or the people they love, and they wanted…revenge.”

“If he can read people’s minds,” I stated, “how is that even possible? Couldn’t he tell they were working for you.”

He nodded. “That’s entirely possible,” he paused as the waiter came back with his credit card and receipt. “But he’s so arrogant and believes everyone should believe the way he does, so he barely ever meets the people he has out doing his dirty work.”

He stood up and we all moved in unison tow

ards the door.

“How do we know this is safe for Blake?” Jaxson asked persistently.

“We don’t, but she’s safer with us, than with anyone else,” Remy stated.

Jace and Troy nodded in agreement, but I could tell it still didn’t sit well with Jaxson.

I didn’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t the run-down trailer park we pulled into. I shuddered as bad memories began to assail me. When I left Heidi, I never thought I would ever have to see another place like this.

Jace must have felt my revulsion because he pulled me into his side. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”

“The other teams are twenty minutes out,” Troy said from the back seat.

“It’s been confirmed that there are six gifted and two caretakers,” Remy said in a hard voice.