Drake Sisters 04 - Dangerous Tides

her as in physical talking, do you, Elle? He's telepathic, isn't he?"

    Elle's hand went to her throat and she pulled away from her sister, her face going pale. "How did you know?"

    Hannah ignored the question. "Can you shield yourself from him?"

    Elle shook her head slowly. "I've tried. He's too strong."

    "What does he want?" Sarah said. "You should have told us right away, Elle. Jonas would make him stop."

    "No, don't say anything to Jonas," Elle said. "He won't stop and Jonas would try to make him. It would ruin their friendship."

    "Have you told him to stop?" Sarah asked.

    Libby saw the utter weariness and despair on Elle's face, her eyes so dark and shadowed it broke Libby's heart. "We can help you, Elle. Let us help you for a little while. You'll figure things out in your own time. No one has the right to rush you or dictate to you." She sank to her knees in front of her youngest sister. "Abbey should have the wedding she wants, not what the world wants for her. And you deserve that as well. You have the right to choose."

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    "Do I? Do any of us? Do we really have the freedom or does destiny decide for us?" Elle whispered, her voice strangled. "Because the only choice is whether we carry on the legacy or we end it. That's a hell of a responsibility."

    "Every seventh daughter before you has had to make that decision," Libby said, her voice gentle, "and you have to make your choice, Elle. You have that right. But you don't need outside pressures, not from anyone. We can help you." She took Elle's hand and held out her other hand to Sarah. Sarah took Libby's hand and held out her other one to Joley.

    Joley brushed a kiss on top of Elle's head as she linked hands with Hannah. "You don't always have to be strong, honey. That's why you have us. Together, we're pretty much unbeatable. Let's see him get past this shield." She hesitated and then shrugged. "While we're at it, let's add me into the circle, too. I could use a little boost to stay protected."

    Silence followed her seemingly casual statement. The admission coming from Joley was shocking. She rolled her eyes then winked at Elle. "See, little sister, you don't always know everything, do you?"

    "I thought I did."

    "What is it, Joley?" Sarah asked warily. "We don't know any other telepaths."

    There was a small silence. Joley began to rub her hand against her thigh as if it bothered her. It was a gesture they were all becoming too familiar with.

    "Ilya Prakenskii." Elle whispered the name. "He has to be a telepath."

    Joley shrugged. "Don't look so scared for me."

    "We owe him," Sarah said. "We all swore we'd answer his call when the time came. What does he want?"

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    Joley made a face. "Who knows, who cares. The man can burn in hell for all I care. He'd better stay away from me or he'll find out what hell really is."

    Libby tightened her fingers on Elle. "Let's do this, but with everybody. We all need a little extra strength.
    Tomorrow morning Abbey and Kate will be back. Before Hannah leaves for the hospital we'll perform the ritual just to make certain we're all in top form."

    "You think it will take all of us?" Hannah asked. "I don't like the idea of leaving Jonas alone even for a couple of hours."

    "He's in a good hospital," Libby assured her. "And he's improving every day."

    Hannah flashed a small smile. "I forget anyone but you can actually doctor someone, Libby."

    Libby laughed. "San Francisco has great hospitals and doctors."

    "So what have we learned tonight?" Sarah asked, looking around the circle.

    "We're all really good at keeping secrets," Libby said.

    "Everyone but you," Hannah teased. "You have whisker burns all over your face. And little bruises on your arms and skid marks on your back, you little hussy."

    She had whisker burns other places as well, but she wasn't volunteering the information. Libby smirked.
    "Yes, I do. And I'm planning on going back for more."

    "Do you really love him?" Sarah asked.

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    "I'm falling so hard, so fast, I don't even know what hit me," Libby admitted, "but you know something?
    For the first time in my life I feel complete. He makes me feel beautiful when I know I'm not. He makes me feel sexy when for sure I'm not and he looks at me like I'm the only one in the