Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

hopefully she can pass on news as to how Gene is doing. I haven’t heard yet.”
    Sarah nodded. “Inez is always a wonderful source of information. She cares about Sea Haven and is very active in the business community as well as with all the programs for theater and dance. She was here a few days ago getting consent to have Kate, Joley, and Hannah’s names used for the write-up on Frank Warner’s big event. If Frank had asked, Inez knew they would have turned down the invitation to attend.”
    “It turns into a freak show,” Hannah said, making a face. “It isn’t quite so bad when Kate and Joley are there.”
    “Especially Joley,” Kate added with a quick grin at her sister. “You seem to be a huge draw. I think people want to know if the tabloids have all your exploits right.”
    Joley laughed. “Aw, if only I had the exciting life the tabloids write about.”
    “We’d have to disown you,” Sarah said.
    Abigail pressed a hand to her chest. Sarah didn’t mean to hurt her. She couldn’t possibly know how those teasing words would cut so deep.

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    “Abbey.” Sarah rose instantly and knelt in front of her sister, putting her arm around her. “No matter what, you are our sister, loved and cherished always.”
    Abigail shook her head. How had she had failed the gifts handed down to her through centuries of generations? Never once had she been told stories of magic failing. Of one of the sisters so flawed she caused the death of an innocent man.
    Sarah was so good at everything she did. Kate was magical, bringing tremendous peace to those in need and showing such courage when elements got out of control. Libby saved lives over and over. Hannah’s gift was powerful and she gave of herself without reservation to her sisters. Joley had the voice of a spell singer and she was able to use her gift for good. Elle was the most powerful, holding all gifts within her, yet she was humble and steady and always ready to help. Only Abigail was flawed, unable to wield the power of the truth. Unable to use the voice given to her. Unable to bring forth pure magic. Because of her weaknesses, her gift was twisted and uncontrolled and wreaked havoc on those around her.

Chapter 7
    “ABIGAIL.” Carol’s voice was very gentle. “You can’t hold something like this in. If you don’t trust your family to love you and help you through the worst times in your life, you’ll never be able to trust anyone.”
    “It isn’t a matter of trust, Aunt Carol,” Abbey explained. “It just makes it all the more real if I talk about it. I always feel so apart from everyone else.”
    “Abbey,” Sarah said, “life is to be lived. If you’re living, you’re going to stumble along the way.”
    “All the time?” Abigail leapt to her feet and began to pace. “I have such a bad temper and when I was in my teens, I wasn’t above using my gift for revenge. None of you did that.”
    Joley slowly raised her hand, sliding down in the chair as she did so. Hannah followed suit, although she didn’t look in the least remorseful. Sarah shrugged her shoulders and raised her hand and glared at Elle, who just grinned sheepishly and put up a couple of fingers. Carol tossed her head and waved her arm with gusto.
    “You did not !” Abigail said, shocked.
    “We aren’t angels,” Sarah pointed out. “Especially Hannah and Joley.” She gave them both a stern look.
    “Like I’d let those girls be mean to me or any of you,” Hannah said with a little disdainful sniff. “Once Sylvia Fredrickson said right in front of Anita Monroe that she could have any boy in town. Including Jonas Harrington, by the way.”
    “ Jonas ?” That got all of their attention instantly.

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    Hannah nodded, her hands on her hips. “She really made me mad the way she was talking about him.
    He was in college, but came home as often as possible. Remember when his mother was so ill? Sylvia claimed she was going over to his house that night and sneaking in his bedroom window.”
    “What did you do, Hannah?” Abigail asked, unable to prevent herself.
    “Nothing much. I just stirred up the wildlife in the area a bit. The yard and particularly Jonas’s room were overrun with anything reptilian. She has a very loud scream,” she added with satisfaction. “Not that it taught her any lessons. And that oaf