Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

and you know it. We can’t wait. I don’t think I’l need to touch you, not unless I find something.†She waited. El e remained silent and Libby stepped even closer to her sister and held her palms outward, starting throat high, as if she were a machine taking an X-ray. Very slowly she ran her hands down El e’s body, hovering for a long while near her groin.
    El e could feel warmth pouring into her. She curled her fingers around Jackson and just held on. It was humiliating to her that she couldn’t stop Stavros, that he had managed to kidnap and subject her to a monthlong torture and rape. She couldn’t imagine the women who had been taken and used as sex slaves for months and years on end. How hopeless they had to feel, how smal and insignificant. How ashamed.
    Stop it, baby. They have no reason to feel shame and neither do you. The people who do this kind of thing to others should feel shame. Jackson brushed kisses over the top of her head.
    Libby dropped her hand, staggered and Sarah wrapped her arm around her sister’s waist. “There’s no disease, no pregnancy, and I healed the tears and bruises as best I could without touching you, El e,†Libby whispered, her voice choked. She turned away leaning heavily on Sarah.
    El e’s sisters gathered around Libby as they started toward the door. “We’l be back to do another healing session and this time, we’l be much more careful,†Sarah promised. “Ilya’s taking us home. You know you’re welcome to come.â€
    â€œI can’t yet. Give me another couple of days,†El e pleaded. “I’l be stronger and then maybe Kate can help a little and I can deal with the house.â€
    Jackson looked around his home, at the subtle difference in the wal s. He didn’t want to believe it, but he was beginning to think maybe the Drake house was moving locations. “Don’t worry, Sarah,†Jackson promised. “I’l take good care of her.â€
    Sarah nodded, her eyes meeting his. “I believe you wil , Jackson. Thank you for what you did.â€
    Jackson watched the Drake sisters fol ow Ilya out. At once the tension drained out of El e. She nearly went limp in his arms.
    â€œI was so scared for you. Terrified.†El e pressed her face tightly against his chest. “You risked so much. What if he’d gotten into your head? What if he could cause you pain, or even kil you, Jackson? You’re so reckless.â€
    He stroked her damp hair, only partial y combed out. “I knew he couldn’t. You welcomed me. You invited me. He’s an intruder and he doesn’t belong. You don’t have faith in your own abilities anymore, El e, because you think they failed you, but you’re stil strong.â€
    A smal shudder ran through her. “I wasn’t strong enough to keep him out.â€
    â€œLet me look at you. How much damage did he do?†He lifted her away from him, forcing her to stand on the floor.
    He could see the smudges of fingerprints on her throat. He tugged the top of the shirt lower. The dark bruises formed a pattern across the slope of her breasts and he could see faint teeth marks. She was holding stil in his mind, waiting for his recoil, waiting for his reaction, so he gave her none, tamping down the raw edge of violence that had been a legacy from his father. He had patience and he would find and kil Gratsos, but right now, El e needed reassurance and Jackson was determined to provide whatever El e needed.
    â€œNot too bad. The bastard. And I want you to notice I didn’t cal him a fucking bastard this time. I’m learning.â€
    She smiled just as he knew she would. “I don’t think you’re quite getting the concept I’m after.†She stroked Bomber’s head and rubbed his ears. “You’re such a good dog. Thanks for trying to save me.â€
    â€œMaybe we could use that,†Jackson said suddenly. “I’m going to make you tea the old-fashioned way and finish your hair while I think about this.â€
    â€œAbout what?†She watched him gather teacups and carry them into the kitchen, fol owing a short distance behind. “What are you thinking about?â€
    â€œBomber and his instincts. He obviously spotted Gratsos’s psychic energy long before we did. Each time you’ve had a problem, he’s