Sea Haven 02 - Spirit Bound

Before, when I could feel the water, or the wind, I just tweaked them a little, the same with the soil calling to me.”
    “It’s easier to understand after Levi explained why I needed to have my hands in the soil,” Lexi agreed. “And how we were all intertwined. Don’t you think it’s strange that we all have an element we’re bound to, basically a tremendous gift, yet we all suffered some terrible violent, tragedy in our lives? Do you think there’s a correlation?”
    There was a small silence while they thought it over. As usual it was Blythe who tackled the big questions. “There’s a balance in everything, we all know that. Good and bad. Happiness and heartbreak. You never have one without the other. All of you carry a great gift, very powerful, and the balance of that might be difficult. Whatever the reason, this is our here and now. Nothing has changed that. We all agreed we wouldn’t live in the what-ifs. We have our lives and we all made a vow we’d live as best we can. Jean-Claude rearing his ugly head hasn’t changed that. It will serve to unite us and make us stronger. Not knowing what he wants, but knowing he’s looking over Judith’s shoulder, gives us the opportunity to explore the talents we have and how we can better use and control them. His presence in our sister’s life will only make us stronger.”
    “He’s very dangerous,” Judith pointed out. “You know what he did to my brother. And Paul wasn’t the only one. It’s very possible he’ll attempt to strike at me through one of you.”
    “No one ran away when I brought danger here,” Rikki said staunchly. “And no one’s going to now. If that man is planning something—anything at all—you’re not alone, and he’s going to get the surprise of his life.”
    “My brother was strong,” Judith said softly. Her heart clamped down hard, a vise grip of pain at the thought of what he’d gone through because of her.
    “That’s true,” Blythe said. “But this is different, Judith. You’re not a young girl anymore. We’ve all gone through the fire in our own way and its honed us, made us stronger, and we’re together now. I believe that together, there is no possible way for this man to harm us. You have to believe that too.”
    “Levi is helping all of us with security and personal self-defense,” Lissa said, “but we can be a little more proactive in that department as well as working on our ability to control our elements. Practicing a craft always perfects it and I know we’ve just started tapping into our strengths together as a unit.”
    The women nodded.
    “What made you release so much energy tonight, Judith ?” Blythe asked.
    “Not only was it powerful,” Airiana said, “but happy. You felt happy to me.”
    “Me too,” Lissa agreed. “ Real happiness.”
    Judith took a sip of tea, allowing its familiar soothing properties to help calm her suddenly pounding heart. “Thomas. Thomas Vincent. That’s why.”
    Her sisters exchanged long, shocked looks.
    Again it was Blythe who took the bull by the proverbial horns. “You might elaborate on that just a little, Judith.”
    Judith put down her teacup, to keep from betraying that her hands were shaking. “I thought a lot about this. When I’m with Thomas, I feel alive, truly alive—my spirit does. It’s hard to explain, but I’m not afraid of that power inside of me. I feel as if—” She broke off, took a breath and tried again. “When I’m with him, I feel as if I’m totally free to be me, yet safe at the same time—that everyone around me will be safe as well.”
    Her eyes met Blythe’s. “I know it makes no sense. When I’m not with him I tell myself all the things I’m certain you’ll tell me. It’s too fast. Physical attraction isn’t something to rely on, but all that goes out the window when I’m with him. He just . . . makes me happy—with who I am. I’m not afraid and I don’t have to hide from him. Even the worst in me, I think he can handle.”
    Blythe looked at Rikki. “What does Levi say?”
    Rikki shook her head. “Levi hasn’t said much because I didn’t give him the chance. I knew Judith needed us and that took precedent.”
    “Besides,” Judith pointed out, “Levi doesn’t like anyone besides us, so that’s hardly fair.”
    Lissa laughed and covered it with a slight cough. “She has a point, Rikki.”
    Rikki sighed. “Well, I don’t like anyone else either, so it works.”
    Airiana held up her teacup,