Sea Haven 02 - Spirit Bound

electromagnetic field of pure energy surrounding human beings. She saw the energy in colors surrounding people, allowing glimpses into their emotions as well as character. Judith rarely trusted her gift, while Airiana relied on hers. All of her sisters knew that if Judith was in this particular studio, it wasn’t a good day.
    Judith carefully put all her brushes and paints away and draped the canvas she was working on. No one could ever see this painting. No one could ever peer into the swirling dark kaleidoscope. These pieces were far too powerful on the senses, created from a forbidding, despairing place she rarely allowed herself to go, but sometimes had no choice.
    With great deliberation, she locked the French doors and drew the thick, heavy drapes, preventing light, preventing any view whatsoever of this studio.
    She blew out the many candles, plunging the room into darkness, and took a deep breath of the soothing lavender as she struggled to find peace again. After hours of allowing her darker emotions free reign, it took time to bury them again, to cover them up and find tranquility. She needed to maintain complete and absolute serenity at all times when she was in the company of others.
    Judith took another deep breath of the lavender, the scent now slightly faded, and stepped into the hallway of her home. The soothing color of ivory washed over her. She looked at everything as a canvas, including—or especially—her home. Because each of the sisters had their own designated five acres on the farm and were able to design their own home, she had started with an amazing blank canvas.
    The lower story was all about her work, the three studios, a playroom, a bathroom and a bedroom just in case she’d worked too long into the night and just crashed without bothering to go upstairs. Her living space was all about glass and views of the gardens surrounding the house. Open space and welcoming. She loved her home and the hard-earned peace she found there.
    She met Airiana in the hallway and gave her a quick hug.
    “I was worried,” Airiana admitted, her deep blue eyes searching Judith’s face for hidden shadows. “You only go into that studio when you’re really upset, Judith. You haven’t been there for a few weeks.”
    That wasn’t strictly true. In the last few days leading up to the anniversary of Paul’s murder Judith hadn’t been able to sleep and she’d spent several nights in the studio surrounded by her anger and sorrow.
    “I know it’s distressing to you,” Judith said gently. Just the sight of Airiana restored her inner balance. She wasn’t alone, dealing with the mass of emotions she was forced to suppress. She had her sisters. They loved her in spite of her reckless past and they would stand by her.
    “What happened to your hand?” Airiana demanded. “Should I call Lexi?”
    Their youngest sister worked with healing herbs, among other things. Judith forced a smile, holding up her hand. “A scratch. Nothing more. I’m dying for a cup of tea. Did you put the kettle on?”
    “Before I came downstairs,” Airiana said, her gaze flicking once more to Judith’s hand before she sighed and let it go.
    “Good. Should be near boiling by now.”
    Together they went up the stairs leading to the main living quarters. Judith loved looking at Airiana, always calm in the face of any crisis. She was quite a bit shorter than Judith, slim, with an almost boyish figure, small breasts, a narrow waist and slim legs. Her hair was natural platinum, streaked with silver and gold, amazing in the sun. Her eyes were enormous, a deep blue, fringed with golden lashes. Small specks of gold dusted her nose.
    Airiana was one of the smartest people Judith knew, and that included Damon Wilder, Sarah Drake’s husband, who worked on defense systems for the United States. No one would ever guess looking at the little pixie who was Airiana. She looked more like a dancer than a think tank. Airiana simply made people feel good with her presence and on days like this one, Judith welcomed her company.
    “You always pick the perfect day to come and see me,” Judith said, meaning it. “I suppose you already chose the tea and put it in the teapot as well.” Airiana always seemed to know when Judith—or anyone—needed cheering up.
    Airiana laughed. “Of course. You know I’m not shy about making myself at home. When you have a husband and a dozen kids running around, I’ll still just let myself in and be the