Balancer's Soul (41 page)

“Sarah, I need you to do something for
me?” Connor said loud enough to call her parents attention. “What
do you need?” She answered, turning her head to see his piercing
hazel eyes focus on her.

“When you have the picture of what
you’re going to change the cube in your mind, lean into me just
before you release your energy.” She said nothing because she put
faith into what he planned.

Sarah closed her eyes and mentally
molded the cube into the perfect shape. She leaned into Connor’s
chest and he was ready because she felt a massive intake of his
energy on a level that she’s never felt before. It was almost
overwhelming taking in so much energy all at once and dangerous for
both of them. With her eyes still closed, keeping focus, Sarah felt
the weight of cube lift out of her palm. As she opened her eyes to
watch the metal change shape, for some reason she looked up at her
parents instead. The room looked brightly lit and they were
standing next to each other looking at the two newest pair in utter
disbelief and shock. What Sarah noticed next made her understand
why they were looking as they were.

Looking down at Connor’s arms, that
were wrapped around her body, Sarah saw that they were different.
Instead of his normal tan colored arms that embraced her, these
arms were glowing as brightly as the sun. She had to avert her gaze
and instead she looked at his face. His face glowed just as
brightly, his eyes were shut tight, along with his clenched jaw. He
was pouring all of his excess energy into her. A dangerous,
suicidal amount.

As the metal finished changing so did
Connor’s light show. When the metal hit the floor with a clang,
Connor’s full weight fell upon her and his arms slacked. “Are you
ok?” He sounded exhausted and sleepy.

“I’m fine,
what
did you just
do?”

“Saved your life…” and his head fell
on her shoulder with dead weight. Sarah wanted to scream, but
instantly heard him snoring on her shoulder.

Jack ran at his full speed around
Connor and pulled his arms away from Sarah’s middle. Jillian ran
and picked her up as if she were weightless. Jillian stood with
Sarah as they watched Jack access the situation. Fear etched in his
middle-aged features and on everyone’s faces from what exactly had
happened. Her father straightened Connor’s crossed legs and grabbed
the cushion off the sofa, making a pillow for Connor to rest his
head. Jack stood up and looked at Sarah and asked “What were his
last words, when you asked him what he did?”

Finally finding my voice she answered
“He said he saved my life. Why? Is something wrong? What did he
do?”

Jack shook his head in disbelief. “He
really did save your life and ours as well.”

“WHAT?!” Sarah shrieked and ran down
to Connor’s sleeping body. “Connor! Tell me what happened! How did
you save our lives?”

“I can answer that better than he will
right now. Let him rest.” Jillian said in a calm, soothing voice.
“He knew the cost of manipulating the metal better than any of us.
Your father and I didn’t have a single clue because we don’t have
that affinity. We were only guessing as to how much power it
required. Somehow Connor knew that since we expended so much energy
on him, your mate knew that if we tried to do the same for you that
all of us would die during the test. Plus you didn’t eat with us so
your reserves were already low from mating. What was even more
amazing was how much energy he had stored within him already, let
alone how fast he poured it into you. Never in my life have I known
anyone who could pull of a feat like this and still survive. I’ve
only seen a body glow like that on very rare occasions. When we
mate for the first time and when we deliver our children. To glow
like that shows he can contain much power.”

Connor awoke moments later saying
softly “FOOD!” and everyone looked stunned and then started to
laugh.

After Connor fully regained
consciousness, he found his way to the sofa and started eating
again. They could all witness how quickly he could recover. While
he ate like a starving Blue Whale he asked, sitting up “So
Princess, what did you make for us?”

“I made a…” Sarah started searching
and found it hiding under the couch. “Here it is.” She handed it
over to him.

“What a nice sheath.” He put down the
soda can and picked up the manipulated knife he made for the Metal
test. Sliding the six inch blade into the sheath he smiled. “It’s a
perfect fit.” He tossed it to her father. “Here take this to
someone who buys knives. It should cover the cost for feeding me
today.”

Her mother started to giggle. “Connor,
for the entertainment you have provided this day has been payment
enough for us.” And Jack added seriously “Connor, thank
you.”

“For what?” He said with a mouthful of
fruit.

“Not letting my mate and I do the
tests for our daughter.”

Connor looked at each of them parents
slowly. “When did you know?” He said after he finished
swallowing.

“When you gave us that little light
show. By the way, why did you glow so intensely? I’ve never seen a
male Balancer give off so much excess energy before.” Jack shook
his head. “Never mind, let’s add another thing on your unique
circumstances.” he admitted in front of them all.

“I glowed?”
Connor thought, looking at Sarah with questioning
eyes.

“Yes, Connor you did. It
was amazing. You were a giant glow stick.”

“Ok I understand.”
He smiled and sighed. “Now what else is unique to
our circumstances have you three been hiding since I took the
affinity test?” He gently laid his arm across her exposed back
because she forgot to change out of her mother’s bikini. It still
made her feel uncomfortable with their present company.

Sarah looked at her parents
who sat there looking at her. Jillian firmly pushed her thoughts in
and Sarah now had a choice to block her for the first time in her
life, but for now she let her through the defenses
“Sarah, you should be the one to tell
him.”
She agreed under extreme
protest.

Turning to Connor; who now had his
fill of food for the moment, looked directly back at Sarah with
those predatory eyes. She took a breath, trying to find the right
words. “Connor, there are a few problems with what we just achieved
during our test today. Normal Balancers usually only have one
elemental affinity and in the rarest case that I know of, a person
can use up to three.

“When someone has the
affinity for Liquid, like Mother. Their mate’s balanced power
is
always
the
opposite element of Fire, like Father’s affinity. If a person is a
Pressure Type, their partner’s affinity is Terra…like my
grandparents. If a person who’s affinity is Metal, like my sister.
Her mate’s balance is to have two affinities like Terra and
Pressure. I only know of only one pair of Balancers who, together,
can use all of the elements and they are our two oldest Elders.
They are the only ones I have ever heard of who has that much
power.

“Connor, there has
never
been a Balancer
who can use all of the elements unaided, let alone that I, as your
mate carry the exact same powers.” She took a breath and continued.
“While you completed every test, my parents became worried. The
reason they fretted was because there was only two things that
would have happened during my test.”

His expression remained calm as he
finished her statement. “And let me guess. Since I could manipulate
all of the elements; either your balance to mine should have been
to not be able to use any element whatsoever or be my equal and
share in all of the same abilities as me.”

“Yes, that’s exactly why we were
worried. Something strange and amazing has happened.” They both
turned to her mother who interjected. “You two are something unique
and unprecedented.” She looked to mate for reassurance.

“I can’t wait to see what
you two do next year, when the next
Mélange
meeting takes place. There will be much gossip
for weeks. It will definitely be more interesting than the last
few.” Jack admitted while crossing his arms.

“Jack, what do those thirty Elders do?
I mean I know they only meet every twenty five years, but what do
they do for us exactly?” Connor asked.

“I see you told him a little about
what’s going on in our world.” Her father smiled at her. “They are
the peace keepers of our world. They are the oldest of our races
and some are the most powerful beings on the planet. Since you are
a new Balancer you will need to register with the collective next
year.”

“I need to register?” Connor set his
gaze on Jack.

“You both do.” Jillian clarified. “It
isn’t difficult to register. All you need to say is your name and
demonstrate your affinity in front of the Elders, if they ask.”
Jillian turned to look at her daughter oddly. “Sarah, I hate to
pry, but are you going to change your name?”

Surprised by her question she asked
“What do you mean?”

“Well since you and Connor
are now mates, are you going to take his last name like I took your
fathers? Oh sorry Connor I forgot to explain that little detail of
our race.” She looked at him. “See, when you register with
the
Mélange you are recorded by a well designed and
maintained blood line chart. They have a large family tree that
they sign your names onto. It just helps others know who your
descendants or your ancestors are. You do not need to change your
name Connor, but it is her choice to do so.” She looked at Sarah
again.

“Sarah, do you even like my
last name? If you do you can take it.”
Connor thought into her mind.

“I like it a whole lot more
than my last name if that’s what you mean. My grandfather of my
father was a brutal man or so I’ve been told. Brander Rederson
wasn’t a hero like most Viking stories you’d read about.”
Connor smiled that warm smile that she loves.
Turning to her parents with confidence Sarah answered her question.
“I will take Connor’s name, from now on I’m Sarah May.” She scooted
closer to her new mate whom grabbed her barely clothed hip and
pulled her even closer.

“Well then Sarah May, is there
anything else unusual with the two of you?” Jack asked
evenly.

“Not that I can think o…”

Connor jumped in. “Yes, just two small
things.”

Hearing this grabbed their undivided
attention.

“Oh,
only
two more little things.”
Jillian said airily.

“Yes, only two more that I can think
of right at this moment.” He glanced at Sarah, then stared at her
parents. “Before we became one, I was able to not only feel you
touch my mind, but to also block you out to a certain extent. When
we paired up I think that the ability I had transferred itself into
Sarah. She said before that she couldn’t feel you in her mind, but
now...”

A tickle touch Sarah’s
mind. Its feel came from her mother.
“Is
this true? Can you feel me in your mind right now?”

“Yes Mother I do. Now watch
what Connor showed me.”
Sarah focused her
mind on one thing, Connor’s
X
. She kept her eyes opened and
watched her mother’s reaction as her amused expression turned to
confusion. “What do you hear, Mother?”

“Nothing, except an
annoying humming…
How
are you doing that?” Her eyes looked at Sarah curiously. “I
have always been able to read minds before… I’m going to
try…”

“NO JILLIAN!” Connor
commanded and stood up, blocking Sarah like a shield. His voice
remained calm, but he still radiated authority. “If you want to
test that on anyone, you do it to me. Remember what happened
last
time?”

She responded quietly “I’m sorry, I
did get a little ahead of myself?”

Connor moved away and Sarah saw how
her parents looked. Jack stood, shielding Jillian protectively too.
As Connor sat so did her father. Connor said politely “Jillian, if
we do this test, I’d know Sarah would feel more comfortable fully
clothed.” His playful smile returned. Sarah couldn’t concentrate on
what was before her let alone what she wore. She didn’t know what
they were talking about.

“I believe your right. Forgive me.”
Connor nodded to Jillian. “Sarah, come with me please.” She stood
and walked out of the living room. Sarah followed automatically.
Entering her room she shut the door. “Do you want new clothes or
what you were wearing?”

“I didn’t dirty my clothes so they
will do.” Sarah stepped closer to her and spoke softly. “Mother,
what happened in there to make him get so quickly
defensive?”

“I wanted to force my way
into your mind like Jack did to Connor last week.” She sounded
shy.
“Now I get it. He was worried about
what might happen if the mental force was too strong. He doesn’t
want me to end up like he did.”

The touch of another,
stronger mind told that it came from Connor.
“Exactly. Princess, I don’t ever want to endanger you unless
there is absolutely no other way. I can take a lot of
punishment.”