The next few days I had a tall redhaired Walker up my butt at all times. I’d started having extra long showers just to get some alone time. One positive had emerged from all the worry and lack of privacy. Josian was grudgingly allowing Brace to stay with me at night.
He seemed to understand that Brace would not be away from me when danger was close. We still had a Walker stationed outside the door. But since Josian had warned me that they had even better hearing than I did, I was pretty sure it was just to deter any untoward activities.
Apparently, he didn’t approve of his daughter fooling around in his house, and so far Brace was complying, limiting us to some heavy-duty make-out sessions. I went to sleep most nights hot and bothered, and woke the same way.
First World had reached what I thought was the equivalent of spring. The rain had stopped, and the land bloomed in shades of green and multi-hued flowers. Technically, I wasn’t allowed to roam or explore, but the few times I managed to escape with Lucy I fell more in love with the natural beauty here.
Lucy still wouldn’t talk to me about her other issues with Samuel, and her subdued personality was starting to worry me. But with so many events in the works, there wasn’t much time for our personal lives, especially since the vast majority of my time was spent with Josian and Brace.
They were trying to help Talina and I harness our Walker powers, though both found the limitations and unknown of our half-nature frustrating.
“I need a breather,” I said to Brace, flopping into the soft sand.
Early that morning he’d started me forming energy balls to blast an old crate. Hours later I still hadn’t improved.
“You have five minutes, Red.”
Brace was either an ass or a dictator – probably both – but I could tell I was learning from a highly trained expert, so I couldn’t whine too much.
We watched as Josian guided Talina. They stood calf-deep in the water.
“Great job, Talli,” he said with a smile, “you are finally learning to stay in control of the power, and not let it control you.”
Talina gave a rare grin, just the corners of her mouth lifting. “Yes, I didn’t black out this time.”
She was creating whirlpools and sending them off into different directions.
“Anticipating the energy allows me to fight against the corruptive nature of it,” she said, shooting off another few geysers.
“You must never underestimate power. Like anything, it can be addictive. Always respect it, and fight to stay true, and you’ll always be in charge. The moment the power controls you, it’s too late.”
“Alright, your rest time is up, Red.” Brace jumped effortlessly to his feet. “We need to figure out if you can take back control.”
“What do you mean?” I said, pulling myself up. I was definitely feeling the backlash of too much energy release.
“I think your powers are testing you, making you work for each and every skill. You must show it who is in charge.”
I figured he was referring to the fact that every time I tried to blast the crate my energy fizzled out halfway.
“It scares me,” I admitted, forming the golden sphere in my hand.
Unlike Brace’s two-color ball, mine was pure shining gold.
The power always seemed to be outside my control, doing exactly what it wanted, and I was afraid to explore too deeply. It felt as if something was down there that I could not handle.
“It’s like wolves. If you don’t step up and be the pack leader, the rest will never follow or respect you. Take your power, Abbs; be the alpha.”
I nodded, determination flooding me. I gathered the wisps, and shaped my sphere. As usual, the energy tried to escape. When I refused to let it, it started to form something else, but again I held concentration, determined to be in control. It still took me numerous attempts, but finally the last one held long enough to explode the wooden crate.
Brace, who was standing with his arms crossed, watching intently, gave me a nod of approval.
“Much better, but you have to keep working on it. Don’t let the fear dictate your life. Your energy will control you, and a Walker who loses control is dangerous.”
Maybe that was what I feared: losing control to the power.
Later that night, I lay wrapped in Brace’s arms, his warm voice washing over me. He was all business when it came to training, but in bed he was different. It amazed me how he could be so varied, compartmentalizing and staying in control.
“Now that you’ve found your family, and discovered who you are, tell me another thing that you always wished to have but still don’t.”
He’d been quizzing me on all aspects of my life, dissecting each answer. The way his mind worked was beyond anything I was capable of following. I’d never felt stupid, and I still didn’t, but he certainly had me thinking in entirely new directions. I guess it never hurts to broaden my knowledge.
“You mean besides Bear Grylls personally escorting me around New York?” I joked, wincing as Brace playfully tightened his arms. “Kidding, kidding.”