Page 55 of Bound By Water
Oliver raises an eyebrow, but I clench my jaw and shake my head. I don’t want his help. I try again. And again. And again. But no matter how many times I try, nothing happens. I want to scream my frustration to the world. Why isn’t this easier for me? Blowing out a huge sigh, I finally drop my hands in defeat.
“You’ve suppressed your magic for years. Maybe as some kind of unconscious punishment for not saving your parents or perhaps because it scared you. Unfortunately, power that only deploys as a defense mechanism is unstable,” Oliver speculates in a steady voice. “If you don’t want my help, you’re going to need to let Beckett in, which could mean remembering the night of the crash or the more recent attack and pushing through those painful memories.”
Shuddering, I contemplate the thought of reliving everything and almost ask Oliver for his help, but the idea of someone influencing my brain is more terrifying than dredging up painful memories.
“Wielding power is much harder than I thought it would be,” I admit with sigh. “Lionel made it look so easy. He manipulated the fire at the gas station for a long time. Only at the end did his hand actually shake, but I couldn’t tell if that was due to his injury or the depletion of his power.”
Oliver’s head jerks toward me, his eyebrow raised. “What injury?”
“Raven shot him. In the back,” I explain furiously. “It’s why I left him behind. He couldn’t walk and refused to let me stay. Hardest thing I’ve ever done. Last time I lost a parent, Lionel saved me—forced me out of bed, made me go to school, and basically, ensured I could live without them.”
It’s hard to remember those days. “Lionel was my rock. My anchor. Now, he’s gone too.” Those words cut through my bones like a scythe.
Oliver steps up beside me. “You know, I’m told I make a good rock. Older. Wiser. Solid. Dependable. Traces of humor.” He drops his gaze down to his suit. “A bit stuffy, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
I almost snort. This man isn’t the least bit stuffy. He’s a little older, certainly wiser, and his dry sense of humor is unexpectedly charming.
Is he being nice because of Lionel, or is about that sense of duty he wears like his suit? “Yes, but can I trust you?” His answer is key. Not because I’m looking for Oliver to be my rock, but because I need a little assurance about whether I should stay or not.
“I never lie,” he informs me, his expression solemn. “However, I’m very aware trust is earned, not given. Instead of telling you, I’ll do my best to show you.”
The fact that he’s taking this seriously smooths the ragged edges of the huge hole in my heart.
“Thank you.”
I scan his serious features, trying to guess his age, but it’s hard to tell. He’s a major in the Army. If he graduated West Point at twenty-one and it took him around ten years to achieve his rank, he would be thirty-one or thirty-two. Eight or nine years older than me. I don’t mind. I like the fact that he’s older. He could be… I instantly reject the thought of him as an older brother… a friend. With a smile, I follow him back to campus, where he points out the direction of the gym.
CHAPTER28
QUAID
Her hair is pinned up, exposing her delicate neck. I slide my gaze along the long lines to the curve at her shoulder. There’s a slight flush to her cheeks. Is that because of the sun or that idiot River? I scowl at the thought of him. I don’t care what Jax or Beckett say. I don’t hate everybody on sight. Just him. Look at Greer. She’s irritating and naïve as hell, but I like her. With everything thrown at her, she could have easily fallen apart, but instead, she’s here, learning to navigate our world. River’s hiding behind that arrogant mask of his.
Her eyes meet mine and narrow, and I toss her a challenging look of my own. She’s feisty, and it fuels the fire in my blood. For some reason, I particularly annoy her. Good. That means I push her out of her comfort zone. Her lips press tightly together. Oops, guess I’ve been staring at her for a while. I tense, waiting for her to blast me, but instead, she turns away. Wait, what?!
Frowning, I tilt my head to look closer. There’s a lot of thinking going on behind those forest green eyes of hers today. I’d ask if she was okay, but she refuses to let us help her, preferring to run to River.
“Everyone, line up!” I order, raising my voice over the chatter. “Today, we’re going to learn some self-defense techniques. Before we begin, I want everyone to remember that we’re only using these tactics to help us escape. Not fight. Got it?”
The young man with electrokinesis frowns but says nothing. He came in a week ago and hasn’t settled down yet. I doubt he ever will. If he could control his anger, he’d make a damn fine soldier. Add in the power to manipulate the movement of energy, including the electricity he wields so easily, and he’d be an outstanding one. Maybe I should at least talk to him about joining us.
While it’s top of mind, I sweep down the line, mentally tagging everyone I think would be ideal. Our time with the Army is coming to an end. We can’t serve the needs of the government and protect the rights of those like us without conflict, but we need others who are willing to stand beside us.
The older gentleman is fast thinking and capable. The dark-haired girl, too. In fact, almost all of the six who evaded my capture yesterday would likely fit the mold. Except for Greer. I thought the loss of Lionel would fill her with the determination to fight against Raven, but instead, her main focus is a new life. A twinge of envy slides through me, but I shove it down. Normal life isn’t for me.
“Greer,” I call out, making her jump. “I need a volunteer.” With a slight curl of my lips, I can practically hear her grind her teeth in response.
She flashes me an innocent smile, then turns toward the others. “Anyone else want to volunteer? I’m too nervous.”
My lips flatten. Sneaky. I open my mouth to order her, but the girl with the dark hair strides forward, and I resign myself to working with her.
“Thank you for volunteering, Talia,” I tell her, and everyone chuckles, including Greer. “Okay, let’s get started. I’ll put you in a variety of holds. You do everything you can to get out of them. If you escape, you get a point. If you don’t, I’ll teach you, and everyone else, several ways to get out of the hold.”
Coming up behind Talia, I wrap my arms around her neck in a rear chokehold. “Go!”
Talia immediately drops her chin against her chest to create a bit of space between her neck and my forearm. Then, she goes on the attack. Reaching for my eyes, ears, or whatever she can grab. Once I’m distracted, she twists her head to the side, slides out of my hold and drops into a squat. Kicking back, she immediately connects with my knee, then jumps up and starts running.
I let out a piercing whistle to halt her sprint. “Good job! Now, let’s go over some more options and a list of things that you shouldn’t do. For example… the squat wasn’t wrong, but you should avoid anything that takes you close to the ground. Losing your balance could cost you your life.”
