Page 16 of Lucy

My hands were still shaking. “I feel like a bolt of electricity, dangerous and unpredictable.”

She nodded understandingly and didn’t attempt to touch me.

“I have always thought that we needed some type of gazebo there near the lake,” she said in an offhand manner.

I blinked trying to keep up with the change of subject. I followed her gaze to the spot she had been indicating and thought about what I would do.

I smiled to myself when it dawned on me what she was doing. Unfolding my hands from my chest, I pointed to where she had indicated, and a white gazebo appeared.

“It is lovely,” she said, tipping her head to the side, considering. “But perhaps something bigger?”

This time a broad smile crossed my lips, and I let my imagination run wild. The white gazebo disappeared, and in its place marble columns grew from a large platform. The fretwork was as intricate as it was unusual, as the patterns inside my mind began to take shape. Copper lined the roof to its majestic peaks, and bright throw pillows appeared on the marble benches.

Joanie laughed in sheer delight. “You really have a gift, don’t you?”

I turned to her. How could she have known what I needed? I didn’t know how to voice the questions inside of me.

“I know that you feel like a fish out of water,” she began. “I felt much the same way, and I had already lived in the outside world before coming here. I want to help you. I can see that you are uncomfortable with how the human blood has affected your body.”

So much for hiding things.I felt my cheeks heat.

Joanie’s eyes were kind. “I have always been a little curvy. Let me help you make this transition a little easier. I know clothes, and with your talents to make anything appear we can figure out something that will make you feel more at home.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” The question was out before I could stop it.

She smiled softly. “I know how important it is to belong. I also know what it’s like to have your life ripped apart. Even now, my adoptive parents are missing and possibly dead. I hate how the worry eats at my insides while the grief threatens to drown me.”

“I heard a little about your parents. They are with the Alliance?” I asked.

Joanie had explained to me how she and Viv were both raised as human children. “There was a vampire named Sven that was working with the Alliance. A scientist and physician, he was trying to find a way to change vamps back into humans. He was Evangelina’s brother.”

My eyes widened. “The one she said was dead?”

It was Joanie’s turn to be surprised. “She knows?”

“She suspects,” I corrected. “I think you should be honest with her. She is a bright child and will resent it if you keep things hidden.”

Joanie bit her lip. “You are right, I hate the secrets and lies as well.”

I looked up to where Marcus and Henry were talking with Joanie’s mates. Both of them were staring at me.

Joanie followed my gaze. “Anything I should know about?”

I choked on my own spit. Sputtering, I muttered, “No, why?”

She laughed; the sound was carefree and put a smile on my face.

“Let’s get your clothing all sorted.” Standing, she offered me a hand.

I worried for a moment that I would zap her just like I had Henry. But as I tentatively took her hand, I only felt the warmth and love coming from her friendship. She had been right in getting me to use some power. I felt like I had better control of myself.

Before we left the bench, I whispered to her, “After that, we are going for your parents.”

I felt her falter for a brief second before a wide smile crossed her face.

“Deal.” She grinned at me, and I knew that I had found my first friend.

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