Page 63 of Bound By Water
I didn’t even notice my power rising. An unconscious thought to rinse my mouth and it flowed to do my bidding. Effortlessly. I wonder if this is why it looks so easy for everyone else… because it is.
A message pops up on my tablet. “New appointment.” I tap on it and see a new meeting set up with Beckett for this morning. Curious, I swipe through the next few days and see one for every day this week. Are we suddenly in a rush?
Well, they can wait until after breakfast. I hurry to the cafeteria, hoping to see River. He said he had classes yesterday, but I’m pretty sure he’s avoiding me. After what I told him, I don’t blame him. Associating with me could put his family in danger.
He’s sitting at a table dragging his fork through the eggs on his plate.
“If you want pancakes, I’ll get you some,” I offer with a tremulous smile.
He jumps at the sound of my voice, then chuckles. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you walk up. Thanks for the offer, but I’m not hungry.”
Biting my lip, I ask him, “If I grab breakfast, are you going to be here when I return?”
A tiny line appears between his brows. “Of course. Go, get food.”
My stomach is cramping with nerves, but I force myself to grab a muffin and some juice, then join him at the table. Leaning in close, I whisper. “I used my powers yesterday.” Barely, but it’s a start. “And again, this morning.” Although I’m not entirely sure how I did it.
He smiles. “That’s great, Greer. I mean it. Sorry, I’m worried about my mom and sister. We’ve never been apart this long. I’m going to have to leave soon.” He pauses. “I hate that you can’t come with me.”
My mouth turns down. “You never know what the future holds, right? We’re here, together, right now. Let’s meet up this afternoon. Okay?”
He drops his forehead to mine. “It’s a date.”
My tablet pings. “Sorry. I have to meet Beckett and Oliver this morning.”
His brow furrows. “I thought you met with them yesterday?”
I explain the new appointments on my calendar and shrug. “Maybe they want to take advantage of yesterday’s progress. Anyway, I’m glad. The faster I learn how to wield water, the better.” Before I think about it, I drop a kiss on his lips. “See you later.”
Frown still on his face, I leave him. Hopefully, things will be better between us this afternoon. When I enter Beckett’s office a few minutes later, both he and Oliver are talking quietly. They stop when I step into the room.
“Greer, thank you for joining us on such short notice,” Oliver says, a pleasant smile plastered on his face.
I ignore the smile and look at his eyes. They seem to be a better barometer of his emotions. Today, they’re more stormy grey than blue. Interesting. He’s upset. Is it me or something else?
Beckett is calm, of course. Does he ever allow himself to display other emotions?
“Yes, thank you, Greer. Given yesterday’s success, I thought repetition would be best, so I’ve scheduled this session for every day this week. Hopefully, we can quickly establish a connection,” Beckett explains with a smile.
Suspicious, I look from one smiling face to the other. “Why the rush?”
They glance at each other, then at me.
“Do you not want to do this? Was yesterday too much?” Beckett asks, the smile slipping from his lips.
Frowning, I shake my head. “No. I mean, yes, I want to do this, and no, it wasn’t too much. I … never mind. Anyway, it’s working.” I tell them about the water in the sink this morning. “Is that how effortless it is for everyone?”
Beckett and Oliver share a look.
“It was different for us. There isn’t a physical manifestation of our powers,” Beckett explains hesitantly. “People would often react the way I wished, but it didn’t occur to me that I was the one swaying their emotions. It wasn’t until I stepped into a fistfight and told them to calm down, and they instantly did, that I began to understand.”
Horrified at the thought of having the power to instantly influence everyone’s emotions, I shudder. “I know you used yours to calm me, and I’m grateful, truly, but I didn’t realize the extent of your abilities. Does it feel wrong when you use them?”
He flinches. “Are you scared of everyone’s abilities or only those with mental powers?”
Ouch. He’s not wrong, though. Thinking about it, I realize I’m fine around others like River or even Quaid, although I refuse to admit that out loud. “I guess… only the mental ones.”
Of course, he goes into analysis mode. “With all of the powers out there, I find it interesting that it’s only our type that you find scary. I wonder if there’s an underlying cause?”
