THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

po’d, really, really frustrated,” she clarified. “And screwed is, well, it means that no one considered what it meant for you to be yanked out of your home and shipped across your world.”
    “Ah. Interesting terms, yet accurate assessments.”
    “Sounds like the world hasn’t improved since my time.”  She put her hand on her forehead. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here talking to someone from the future. Tony would go bat-crazy if he was here.”
    “Why?”
    “He’d kill to find out what happens with technology and science in the future.” At Jaxxson’s look of horror, she said, “Wait, I don’t really mean ‘kill’ as in bloodshed. Just another slang word that means he’d really like to know all this. That’d give him an edge in a special school project. I think Tony believes he’s the next Steve Jobs.”
    “Who?”
    Now that was funny. “Never mind.” 
    Jaxxson stood. “I’d like to continue our conversation, but I must check on the little girl who arrived today.”
    The one Rayen saved. Pushing away the paper-thin coverings that appeared to be made of pounded leaves, Gabby swung her feet around, dangling them off the side. “Is the little girl sick?”
    “I don’t know yet. I’m watching for a reaction.”
    “To what?”
    “The Sphere. MystiK gifts and powers are drawn from natural elements in their surroundings. When new MystiKs arrive here we have to observe them constantly. Some react negatively to the elements in the Sphere right away, some later on and some not at all. We’ve lost children early on by not recognizing the signs. I must return you to the unit before I can see the child.”
    She didn’t want to go back to jail. “I’ll go with you.”
    “Callan, who oversees our security, would not be happy with that decision.”
    “Because he thinks I’ll try to escape. I won’t.”  Before he could argue further, she raised a hand, palm out to stall him. “And you know I’m telling the truth.”
    Sighing, he ran his hand over his sandy-blond hair, considering what she said and clearly in a hurry to get moving.
    Gabby wouldn’t lose this opportunity. “I’d like to ask you questions about how to block other people’s thoughts. I’m tired of constantly worrying over being touched.”
    The healer in him considered her request, but he shook his head. “If you did try to leave, which I’d understand, I’d be forced to contain you and would rather not harm you.”
    Bottom line? He had powers he had yet to reveal. She got it and let her hand fall to her side. “I promise to be your shadow and follow orders.”
    “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”  He looked at the table and it floated down until her feet reached the floor.
    He suddenly became very still. His eyes stared vacantly but concern gripped his face.
    Gabby held her breath.
    When his eyes focused on her again, he said, “I’m being summoned for the little girl. There’s a problem.”
    “We helped save that child. Take me with you. I’ll help.”
    He hesitated and then seemed to make up his mind.  “Fine. But know that even though I believe you’re not TecKnati, Mathias believes you are one and as the leader of the Governing House here, his word is final. If you make any unauthorized move, I will stop you.”
    Hair danced on Gabby’s arms at the threat in his tone. This was not the guy who had patiently explained his world to her. She swallowed as she said, “I understand.”
    Following him to where she’d have to pass through the wall of the tree again, she rationalized that she’d only agreed to not try to escape. She’d said nothing about using this opportunity to find a way out of the village and the trick for passing through the wall of fog. There had to be a plan for emergency exits with all these children in one place.
    What if Jaxxson thought there was an emergency?
    Would he and the others herd the younger children out of the village?
    Gabby had activated a few alarms in her past. Could she get away with it here?
     

CHAPTER 22
     
    When I opened my eyes again, I was propped up against something that sloped back.
    I saw soft golden-brown hair that fell across Callan’s head and touched his shoulders.
    He knelt beside me, bent over me, muttering more of those strange, vicious words he said as if they belonged only to him. I enjoyed a moment of studying the strong muscles in his neck and the way his shoulders flexed when he moved. He muttered some more. “...stupid to