Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

her. At once she felt steadier.
    I’m fine. Thanks. And don’t reprimand me, you started it. She ignored the stabbing pain in her head, needing the brief communication.
    Wait until we’re alone. His voice promised everything but punishment.
    El e turned her attention back to her sisters. “Jackson makes me whole. He gives me back everything Stavros took away. I’m not wel , not inside yet, and I know that, but Jackson makes me better every day.â€
    Sarah smiled at her. “I want you to get to the point, we al do, where we can put our arms around you and hold you. It’s difficult for us.â€
    â€œI know. I’m sorry. I hope you understand why. Knowing what happened to me and experiencing it are two different things. Until I’m strong enough to keep that from happening I don’t want to take any chances with any of you, and Joley and Hannah are pregnant. We don’t know how much their babies feel.†She kept her chin up, trying to stay outside herself and not let those images and memories flood into her mind.
    Jackson’s mind moved against hers and she felt stronger, as if he stood beside her, linking hands, linking souls. There was no way to explain to her sisters, but she could see they were trying to understand.
    â€œNo one wil cross that line without your permission,†Sarah agreed.
    â€œKate has to stay safe. Promise me, you won’t take too much on yourself, Katie. You can’t burn yourself out in order to help me,†El e said.
    â€œI’ve been thinking it might be best to try this in three sessions,†Sarah said. “Libby and I talked it over and she said when she’s healing something difficult, she’s found if she attacks it in thirds, it conserves her strength and keeps her safe from being overwhelmed. Her body can absorb the disease or wound better.â€
    Hannah blew on the candles to light them. At once the room was fil ed with the soothing fragrance of lavender. Sarah, Hannah, Libby, Abigail and Joley formed a circle around Kate and El e, joining hands. They swayed back and forth in time to the swel ing chant Sarah began. Kate moved closer to El e until she was standing inches from her, eyes closed, her lips moving in prayer as she asked for strength to help her sister.
    Joley’s voice began to swel in volume. Abigail joined her, the blend of their voices strong and pure, a counterpoint to Sarah, Hannah and Libby as they chanted, a cal and answer, building energy in the room. Kate smiled her serene smile and reached out to El e again, her hand hovering just a breath from her sister.
    â€œAre you ready?â€
    El e couldn’t help it. She reached out to Jackson for reassurance.
    I’m here, baby. I’ve got the shield up and it’s strong. She’s not going to feel anything but love from you.
    His voice was quiet. Strong. Protective. Her heart turned over. A part of her wanted to weep tears of joy for the way he loved her. She nodded her head at Kate.
    Kate placed her hand on El e’s head, the lightest of touches, almost a caress, a stroke of love from one sister to another. At once she could feel warmth flowing from Kate’s hand to her head. The throbbing pain that seemed ever present lessened. She could almost imagine the deepest layers in the lesions healing. Tiny sparks of electricity tingled, leapt and flickered, as if Kate was repairing an electrical current in her head.
    The warmth grew to heat. The tingles became charges. Outside on the deck, Bomber suddenly lunged at the screen and began to bark. His entire body faced the women, ears forward, his teeth showing, his barking extremely aggressive. Hannah and Joley both jumped back, breaking the linked circle.
    Kate’s face paled and she pul ed her hand away quickly as though burned. She swayed and El e caught her around the waist, helping her to sit on the floor. Immediately Libby reached for her.
    Kate scrambled backward, avoiding Libby’s touch. “Wait, Libby. Just wait one moment.â€
    â€œWhat the hel ’s going on in here?†Jackson demanded, yanking open the screen. Bomber bounded in, rushing over to El e. “Dismiss,â€
    he snapped to Bomber and the dog ceased barking.
    El e paled. “Did something slip through, Kate? Didn’t I protect you?â€
    Kate wrapped her fingers around El e’s slender wrist. “You protected me just