Forever(16)

As Thayde turned off the engine, Gavran opened his door and hopped out, landing with most of his weight on his right foot. Then he eased onto his left and closed the door. His limp had always intrigued me.

“What happened to your leg?” I asked Gavran directly and he froze, his hand still in mid-air from closing the door.

“Well,” he stumbled over himself, “I, um,”

“Morgan,” Thayde’s voice was stern, but I didn’t look at him. “Morgan!”

“I asked you a question, Gavran. Please answer me.”

Gavran looked from me to his brother in fright. He spoke, his voice unsteady. “My father broke it when I was eight. It’s never been the same since.”

“Morgan!” This time, I looked at Thayde and his face was granite. “What are you doing?” He emphasized each word.

I raised my hand to Gavran’s head. Instinctively, he flinched, as most abused children do. When he realized I wasn’t going to hurt him, he held still, his breathing hastened and light.

Lightly, I placed my palm over Gavran’s forehead and closed my eyes. Focusing on him, I ran a body sweep, beginning from the top of his head and flowing down through his chest, arms, legs and feet. His body had been badly beaten and bruised since the age of five. Limus had hurt him many times and the broken, lame leg was not the only problem he was facing; his heart was too big.

I focused on his leg first. All my energy surrounded the femur’s break, encasing the badly healed muscles, and when the energy was at its fullest, I said the word.

“Blenald!”

Instantly, the leg healed itself and Gavran screamed, dropping to the floor.

“Leave them – don’t touch them!” Thayde cried over the top of Flynn. “Morgan, what are you doing?” His voice was filled with anger.

Then, I focused on Gavran’s heart. It was twice the size of a normal heart; it would kill him one day. It needed to be shrunk and if I could do this, I would save his life.

I can do this.

A memory swirled into clarity. I saw hands. They were Troen’s and he had them wrapped around a woman’s heart, holding it, caressing it. In my mind, I did the same with Gavran’s. In one quick movement, I squeezed my hands together and repeated the word.

“Blenald!”

The sound of gasping and sputtering forced me to open my eyes. Gavran lay on his back, his eyes wide in terror, fingers grasping at the air. Blood spots covered his white shirt and face.

Horror swept across Flynn’s face and he dropped to his knees.

“What have you done?” Thayde grabbed his brother’s hand.

“His heart was too big,” I explained. “I shrunk it.”

“You’ve killed him!” Flynn cried.

Gavran continued to gasp for air, spitting up blood and unable to speak. I needed to finish the job. Raising my hand, I brought forth Mom’s silver healing power and in one sweeping motion, completely dissolved all the excess blood he was choking on.

Moments later, Gavran sat up, one hand at his chest, the other at his leg. The three of them stared up at me from the floor, speechless.

Irritation seeped from me; Thayde had not trusted me. Gavran was clearly terrified. Despite what I had just done, all three looked as if I had committed murder instead of righting a very wrong situation.

“You should be fine now.” I almost choked on my words. In disgust, I turned on my heel, and exited the garage.

Rain droplets followed me as I made my way to the side of the pool, past the newly built gazebo and the pretty palm trees.

“Morgan!” Thayde was angry. His footsteps pounded the path behind me. “Stop!”

I ignored him. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to Thayde. Instead of feeling good about what I had done, I felt awful. Thunder roared across the sky. I stormed toward my room, holding out my hand, willing the door to open. It flung to the side, allowing me to enter and slammed behind me, locking.

Morgan! Thayde thought from behind the door. Let me in.

I continued to ignore him and looked around my old room. I’d forgotten just how beautiful it was; the deep blue walls accented by the beautiful white, glittery floor I found so fascinating the first time I visited. The view from the French glass doors distracted me. Storm clouds were gathering so quickly, they looked like steam from a bath. Was I bringing them?

Let me in or I am going to come in. Thayde’s voice had changed; he was furious.

Go away, I ordered. Two seconds later, the door shattered and Thayde walked through the empty space, his body completely soaked by the rain.

“What the hell are you doing?” I cried, astonished.

“You gave me no choice,” he said through gritted teeth as he walked toward me. I backed into the French doors.