The Emperor

"Thank you for the compliment."

"You're welcome."

"Now, tell me how you are able to answer a question I hadn't asked."

"I'll tell you the truth. All of it. First, I need something from you."

She stepped back. “What?"

"This,” he murmured, then leaned down and took her mouth with a wildness that surprised them both. He slipped his arms around her and pulled her close, then angled his head for better access. Gideon felt the connection all the way through; it'd been the same the first time he'd touched her. It was electrifying, and he never wanted to let her go.

Her body began to melt against him; her arms wrapped around his neck. Her moan set him off. He licked her lips and eased her mouth open, gently tasting her dark secrets. Suddenly she stiffened.

She pushed against him, and he forced his arms to loosen. “You sneak! You can't kiss your way out of this talk."

"I wouldn't dream of it, baby."

"Then stop trying to change the subject."

He sighed. “Let's sit down. It's a long story.” He gave her his hand, all too pleased when she took it and allowed him to walk them to the couch. They sat side by side, but Lo

ri deliberately put space between them. She was apprehensive, and until he explained everything, she would allow no further contact. She kept thinking inane thoughts, trying to free her mind of the images that had been there only moments ago. She didn't want him eavesdropping on anymore of her private thoughts. Gideon knew what she was doing and immediately felt the loss. He only hoped she would understand.

"Would you like something to drink?” He was stalling, but he wasn't sure where to start.

"No, thank you."

With her hands clasped in her lap and her back ramrod straight, she waited for him to begin.

"All right then.” He took a fortifying breath. “I'm not sure where to start, except at the beginning."

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Chapter Six

"When I was eight years old, I was struck by lightning. I don't remember much about that day. One minute I was splashing through a mud puddle like any other eight-year-old boy, making a mess of myself, and the next thing I knew I was laying in a hospital bed with my mother hanging over me crying and frantic. I'd almost died the doctors said."

He paused, remembering the day as if it were yesterday. “I was able to leave the hospital about two weeks later, after a few tests showed all was normal. The only remnant of the incident was the scar you saw on my back. There was a recovery period and some pain, but nothing horrible. Kids are tough. The worst was bedtime. I'd start out on my stomach, but eventually in my sleep I'd turn over. Stung like a bitch, to be honest."

Lori laid her hand on his arm then whispered, “Gideon, I'm so sorry. It must have been terrible for you."

Her touch was like a healing balm, and her voice stroked his spine in a gentle caress. He moved out of her reach. He'd never be able to concentrate otherwise. Lori misunderstood his movement and thought he was pulling away. He'd inadvertently hurt her feelings.

"If you start touching me, I'll lose my train of thought."

She nodded and he continued. “After a month out of the hospital, I started getting headaches. Excruciating migraines no drug could fix. They were constant. My mother was beside herself with worry.” He raked his fingers through his hair and said, “Somehow, and to this day I still don't know the how's and why's of it all, when the lightning struck me, it did something to my brain and nervous system. Almost immediately I started hearing voices. I was confused at first, but I soon realized I was hearing other people's thoughts. Their private feelings and emotions were as clear to me as if they'd spoken them.” He looked at her, trying to judge her reaction. She was quiet, listening. He didn't delve inside her mind. This time he didn't want to know her thoughts.

"My mom noticed it the first day in the hospital. I hadn't. She told me I'd answered a question she'd never voiced. She knew something was wrong but didn't want to worry me. When she realized what I could do, she explained that it needed to be our secret. Later, she helped me learn how to block other's thoughts."

Lori frowned. “Why would she make you keep it a secret?"

"She was afraid if anyone knew what I could do, they'd want to test me. She didn't want that for her only child. She wanted me to get back to a normal life” He shrugged. “Or as normal as could be considering the circumstances."

He rose to his feet when he saw pity on Lori's face. “I don't want your pity."

He walked over to the window and looked out at the early morning. It was his favorite time of day. Everything was given a fresh face. Like a break from the constant pretense of normalcy. Mornings were the time when his mind could expand, and his creative juices roared to life.

Without turning around, he finished his story. “It feels good being able to tell someone. Sort of like unloading a burden I've carried around for the past two decades. Anyway, Mom took me out of school immediately and began to tutor me at home. Being around large crowds was difficult. In time she helped me with that, too. She taught me how to free my mind, showed me ways to put up mental walls to keep thoughts from bombing me.” He turned and looked at Lori. “People think unpleasant things. They're not always good and pure. Hearing the immoral, the repulsive, and often the sadistic things people were thinking would've driven me insane over time. It took years of practice before I could be in a room of more than ten people without experiencing a throbbing headache.” He took a lungful of air as he remembered his mother. “My mom was wonderful though. I never would've survived without her. It was her love and guidance that brought me peace and took me down a new path. She made me understand that I was unique, not cursed.” When he realized Lori's eyes were too bright, he stiffened. Was she crying?