Gifted Connections 1

“I’m sure you’ve heard of bedtime stories. You should tell them some lovely bedtime stories and we’ll be right back, I promise,” I patted him mockingly.

“Once upon a time,” Mr. Young began.

“Let’s go,” I reached out for Remy’s hand, wanting his comfort in that moment. I know the moment we leave, I’m going to be overwhelmed with everything I needed to process.

Remy looked uncertain. “Someone should watch them and him,” his lips curled in derision.

“I can help her,” the little boy piped up.

“What’s your name?” I asked quietly. “I’m Blake.”

“Alex,” he said politely. I wondered how old he was, and his eyes lit up before he answered. “Seven.”

I was shocked and amused, he could read my thoughts.

“It comes and goes, and I can’t do it all the time. But it’s easy to hear you,” he smiled shyly.

I gave him a gentle smile, “Can you watch him for me, Alex?”

He nodded eagerly.

“I can too,” Jace said as he entered the room, looking me up and down as if he were reassuring himself that I was in one piece. His eyes widened for a moment as he looked down at Alex. Jace gently guided the girl into the room. She seemed calmer, but I recognized the look in her eyes. I used to carry that same haunted look. Heck, I still did at times.

“Krista!” the man said in relief and caution as he removed his shirt and handed it to her.

She gave him a tremulous smile and took it from him.

“Are you okay, kiddo?” he asked in concern as he removed his t-shirt and handed it to her.

She slipped it on and as he turned his back. I saw the trident etched in his skin on his shoulder blade and I gasped softly.

A loud boom from outside drew my attention.

Without hesitation, I ran toward the front door.

It looked like a scene out of a movie as I entered the melee outside. I easily recognized ‘our’ guys compared to theirs. It appeared that Will took pride in having his people dressed in uniforms. The few that didn’t have uniforms were dressed impeccably, compared to Horatio’s men that looked no better than hoodlums and street rats.

I went to the closest group that seemed to be struggling with a man that threw hail like balls from his hands and another guy that had the ability to manipulate the earth. I made them turn and begin attacking their own.

I saw Will and a few other mental manipulators struggling with a group of fire wielders, ice wielders, and a girl that was letting out ear piercing screams that was loud enough that you wanted to cover your ears.

I knew I had to go help them and as I did this girl came running out of nowhere and hit me in my ribs with enough force to throw me back several feet. I tried to stand up but it felt hard to breathe through the pain and shock. She came advancing towards me and I quickly rolled out of the way before her foot could connect with my face. Her gift had to be one of strength.

I couldn’t think clearly through the pain and she tried once more to crush my face with her foot. I saw her body engulf in flames and rolled to my side, giving Troy a grateful smile. I rolled up to my knees and made my way to Will and the other mental manipulators.

I slipped beside them and put up a protective force field, protecting them from the onslaught of ice and fire. I made screamer girl shut up and commanded her to turn on her own people as well.

As I watched the mental manipulators gain the upper hand, I felt my energy begin to wane. One of the guys on our team that had crazy speed, finished binding the last one of our enemies.

With heavy limbs, I helped load our captured enemies.

“Where do they go?” I asked Troy as I slumped against him.

He looked at me with concern. “We have a special facility in the mountains. We take those that wish us harm there. Once they enter the facility they are unable to use their gifts.”

“And the children?” I asked in apprehension.

“We take them to Knightstown,” he explained as he lifted me to put me in our Land Rover. “We have a staff especially for this that work twenty-four seven. They investigate each child and if parents are located we take them back, if not we find a foster family within our community that will raise them as one of their own.”