Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

He was silent a moment. “Do you remember your idea about moving inland, away from water? I’m beginning to think it might just be a good idea after al .†He tipped her chin up until her gaze met his, the brief spurt of amusement fading from his eyes. “He isn’t going to stop, you know.â€
    She blinked, her eyes going from sea-green to a mystic emerald. “I know.†She sighed softly, her fingers sliding over his wet suit, brushing little strokes over him, reassuring herself he was alive and wel . “I’l cal Dane tomorrow and report in. Maybe we can put our heads together and come up with an idea for a sting operation. There has to be a way to catch him, to get enough evidence he can’t make go away. Something very public.â€
    He was silent for a moment, hesitating before he told her what he knew to be the truth. “He won’t stop coming after you, El e, not even from prison.†He was trying to tel her, without saying the words aloud, that he knew what had to be done.
    â€œJackson, he isn’t worth it.â€
    â€œ You’re worth it to me, baby, more than worth it. I can’t let that son of a bitch terrorize you for the rest of your life.â€
    â€œYou can’t let him force you to do something you know is wrong. Murder is wrong.â€
    â€œWe’l have to agree to disagree over what executing him would be cal ed.â€
    El e closed her eyes. “This has been a real y bad day.â€
    â€œEvening,†he corrected.
    She put her head up to look at him. “What?â€
    â€œIt was a good day, honey. I enjoyed every minute with you. Not so much with your sister though. I think I’l skip swimming with Abbey next time she wants to go diving.â€
    El e laughed softly and snuggled closer. “I think we’re going to have to learn teleportation. Wouldn’t that be cool?â€
    His hand came up to rest in her hair, massaging her scalp. “You’re scary enough, El e. You don’t need to be able to walk on water or go through wal s.â€
    â€œDon’t you know Sarah’s the one who walks on water?â€
    His gaze widened. “Don’t tel me things like that.â€
    â€œWhen Damon first came to town, he heard al sorts of rumors about Sarah. He was very grumpy apparently and al the rumors annoyed him so he made up one of his own and it spread through the vil age like wildfire.â€
    Jackson laughed. “I can see Damon doing that.†He rol ed over. “Can you make it into the house?â€
    â€œIt looks a long way away.â€
    â€œTomorrow, Kate is going to try to heal your talent.â€
    She shook her head and forced her exhausted body into a sitting position. The moment she moved, her head felt as if it exploded. They were so closely tied together Jackson grabbed his own head and bent nearly double in an attempt to combat the pain and dizziness. His gaze met hers.
    â€œDon’t go al stubborn on me, El e. We can’t take any more chances on you burning out completely. You keep this up and you could end up damaged permanently. Until we get out from under Gratsos and his attacks, you’re going to keep using your abilities and your head is a ticking time bomb. You know it is.â€
    â€œI don’t want it to be a ticking time bomb for Kate. None of us has ever tried to heal a psychic burnout. It’s my problem, not hers.â€
    â€œShe healed me, so I know she can do it.â€
    â€œWhen Libby heals, she takes a part of that il ness or wound into herself and her body has to deal with it. It’s probably the same for Kate.
    I’m not trying to be stubborn, Jackson, I just couldn’t bear it if something happened to any of them on my account.â€
    He crouched in the sand beside her and framed her face with his hands. “If you don’t al ow her to try, even in smal daily increments, just a little at a time to speed up the process, we’re al in danger. Every time he comes at us and he succeeds just a bit, it strengthens him and weakens us. This time you sent him back a hel of a message. Wherever he was, he got a backlash. There was no way he didn’t and you’re nowhere near your ability. We need you in this fight, El e. You’re going to have to al ow Kate to try.â€
    â€œI’l think about it.†When he continued to look at her she sighed. “I promise, Jackson.