Isolation Read online

  The more stubbornly I resisted, the harder he pulled. I could feel myself slipping backward, little by little. I desperately attempted to identify the magic he used in order to replicate and use it for myself. Since I didn't know my limitations, I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

  However, having had zero magical training until I reached the cabin, I hadn't the first clue how to tap into my abilities. But one of the things I had mastered as a child was how to move objects with my mind. As a last resort, I mentally picked up the throw pillow off the couch and hurled it at his head.

  While the pillow didn't have the weight or velocity to actually do any damage, I had the element of surprise on my side. Whipping his head around to see who had thrown the pillow broke his concentration and I was free. Instead of retreating, though, I attacked. If it wasn't nailed down, I sent it flying his way.

  It took him less than a minute to reorient and go on the offensive himself. He pounced and knocked me down, while I did my best to throw him off track and avoid his retaliations. Unfortunately for me, I tired much quicker than he did, and my magical endurance waned even quicker than my physical. I needed to work on both sets of skills in order to be of any use.

  Throwing up my hands, I capitulated. “I give!” I cried.

  His attacks remained relentless, and I started hitting the floor more often than I could avoid him. After a particularly rough fall, I lay on my back, panting. I heard him stalking me from somewhere across the room but didn't have the strength to get back on my feet. The sweat dripped down my sides, soaking my clothes. I felt the hairs stuck to my damp cheeks and forehead, and the numerous bruises throbbed while my muscles burned.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him launching toward me and threw out my hands. “ENOUGH!”

  To my surprise, instead of him landing on my chest and pinning me, he bounced off as if hitting an invisible barrier, and crashed into the wall. All four feet were in the air and I heard his head thunk against the wooden panels. I clambered to my feet and rushed over to him, shocked.

  “Oh my gosh, are you okay? Are you hurt? I'm so sorry!” I reached for him as he gingerly got back to his feet, then recoiled as I heard him laughing in my head. “What is so funny?”

  “I've been waiting for a development like this! We don't really know what you are capable of, so I just kept at it, hoping your inner magical instincts would eventually kick in and show us what you can do. Now that we know you have the ability to create a shield for yourself, it's a skill we can work on.”

  I stared at him, unsure of how I felt about his latest tactic. I had to admit, he had been more successful at drawing forth my magical abilities than I had on my own. Sinking onto the couch, I groaned as my stiff muscles protested the change in position. My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly, reminding me that using my magic took way more out of me than any physical workout.

  “I don't suppose your magical repertoire includes conjuring up food that will make my stomach stop growling?”

  “Food? Again?” It amazed me how human his expressions were. His incredulous look told me everything I needed to know about what he thought of my idea to stop for a snack break.

  “Xavier, I'm hungry,” I whined as my stomach growled again. “I'm new at this, and I just learned how to do something new. Please can we stop for a snack?”

  “I'll make you a deal,” he began, and I could tell by his tone that I wasn't going to like his suggestion. “When you can conjure a shield on demand, and not just out of desperation, then we will stop for a snack.”

  “But I'm already desperate!”

  He used his magic to drag me off the couch, and my tailbone hit the wood floor with a thump. I attempted to launch more pillows at him, but I'd used up most of the magic I had in reserve when I made the shield.

  “Stop. No fair.” My immaturity surfaced and I pouted, which added up to all the energy I had to put into the protest.

  He launched couch pillows at me one after the other. While annoying, it didn't hurt, so I protected my face with my arms and continued to sit there. Unfortunately, it became clear he wasn't going to give up, and a small book that had been on one of the side tables bounced off my forearm.

  “Ouch! STOP. IT. NOW.” Rubbing the offending bruise on my forearm left my face vulnerable, and a nearby pillow bounced off of it.

  “We will stop when you produce a shield with your willpower, not by accident.” He continued the barrage of items, upping the ante when he graduated from pillows to things that could actually hurt.

  Covering my head, I attempted to produce the shield he waited for, and couldn't recreate whatever I had done the first time. It happened so quickly that there had been no time for me to analyze how it should be done. My instincts for self-preservation had taken over, and when the threat was gone, so was my ability to keep the shield up.

  My halfhearted attempts to retaliate and launch any sort of offense at all just drained what little energy I had left. I didn't see a shield popping up any time in the near future.

  “Can we please eat first and then try again? I can't do this!”

  “Do you really think that someone who means you harm is going to take time out for a snack break because you explained to them that you’re tired? It doesn't work that way in the real world, Everleigh. Make the shield and we will stop.”

  “I can't! Just accept that I cannot do it and move on. Ow! Stop it!” I curled into a ball with my back against the couch, hoping it would provide some cover. Every muscle in my body ached, and I was certain my very bones were bruised at this point. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't just leave me alone.

  “You. Can. You just did. Now, do it again.” He sent mostly pillows flying my way but included some other items that left marks.

  I’d had enough. Getting to my feet, I did the cowardly thing, but the only thing I could think of to save my sanity. Turning my back on him, and everything he was pitching at me, I ran down the hallway. Even when the door opened, he continued lobbing stuff down the hall, and I escaped. Slamming the study door behind me, I leaned against it and cried.

  Celeste immediately checked to see why I had come running in so upset, manifesting herself visually and kneeling beside me. She rested her ethereal hand on my knee, and it was strangely comforting, in spite of the fact that it was weightless.

  “I'm sorry I startled you. I'm fine. Xavier is trying to get me to recreate the shield I made earlier, and I don't know how. He just keeps pushing me, and I couldn't do it! I told him I couldn't do it, and I'm tired, and hungry, and I just don't know if I can do this!”

  I heard myself fussing at her, and I wanted to stop, but I just couldn't get a grip. Sinking to the floor, I rested my head on my knees and cried more.

  After I managed to get a tenuous hold on myself, I stood and looked around. There had to be something that would help me learn in here.

  “Hey, Celeste? I'm sorry for the outburst, and sorry I had to come do it in here. This is the only place I knew he couldn't get to me. I felt a little desperate. Do you know how to create a shield?”

  “Don't fret, child. Your frustration is understandable. I cannot clearly describe how to create a shield. My recommendation is that you sit in the chair and relax, then use your intuition as your guide. Reach deep within yourself and focus on what you are looking to create. You've done it once; it will come to you again. Believe in yourself.”

  Thankful that she could be a voice of reason during a time when all I wanted to do was pout, I took her advice. Moving from the stone floor in front of the door to the armchair, I leaned my head back and took a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I did my best to wash away the irritation and despondency that had taken over most of my rational thought.

  I pushed past being tired and silenced the voice inside my head that said I couldn't do it again. I looked for that well of willpower I knew had to be hiding in there somewhere.

  I couldn't feel any difference, so I opened my eyes to take a look. Nothing. Then I r
emembered that I hadn't been able to see the shield before either. I hadn't even been aware I had made one until Xavier bounced off it.

  “Celeste, is it possible for you to throw something at me?” A pencil bounced off my forehead.

  “Dang it.”

  Replaying the series of events that led to the first shield, I wondered if I needed to have my hands up and out. I raised both hands and held them slightly in front of me.

  “Can you throw something again please?” And the same pencil bounced off my right hand.

  “What on Earth am I doing wrong? I don't understand!” I had a headache from gritting my teeth so hard, and exhaustion was creeping up on me again. I wanted to be able to do it. I didn't understand why some things happened so easily, and others were like pulling hens’ teeth.

  “May I offer some advice?” Celeste's voice pulled me back from the brink yet again.

  “Please do.” I needed all the help I could get, and Xavier's way hadn't been working for me so far.

  “Close your eyes. Imagine when you see your tapestry, the shape it holds around you. Pull the shape of the orb in close and use it as a template for your shield. Pretend you are trying to solidify it and use it as your protection.”

  Taking her advice, I did precisely as she had suggested. With my eyes still closed, I asked her to throw the pencil again, and braced for it to make contact. When it didn't, I opened my eyes. I saw it flying through the air again, but this time, it dropped harmlessly to the floor.

  “Thank you! Oh my gosh, thank you!” For a moment, the exhaustion was replaced by the sheer joy at accomplishing something that had been so hard for me. “I wish I could hug you!”

  “You are welcome, child.” I heard the smile in her voice. “I knew you could do it.”

  I grinned and left the study, ready to show Xavier that I had managed to figure it out, and then do something about my growling stomach.

  Chapter Seven

  As I reached the living room, I plopped down on the couch, exhausted. “I'm sorry. I had to go.”

  “Some days you retreat and live to fight another day, I suppose.” He cocked his head sideways as if trying to figure me out. Good luck with that one, buddy. Let me know if you get it.

  I started to giggle, perhaps a tiny bit unhinged from being so exhausted. Seconds later, I was laughing hysterically and had lost my hold on my sanity. I laughed until I cried. Somewhat maniacally, I cackled, outrageously loud. Tears flowed, and I became slightly concerned I was going to pee my pants long before getting off the couch and making it to the restroom.

  Xavier just stared. He cocked his head the other direction, just watching, unsure what to make of my spectacle. Finally, the laughter and the tears subsided, and I lay back, trying to catch my breath.

  “Might I inquire,” he asked quietly, “what is so funny?”

  I took one look at his confused cat face and started howling with laughter again. It felt so good to let go and stop being so focused. And I elected to just enjoy it. Unless I pissed myself, of course. That would rain on my parade a tad, quite literally.

  My internal dialogue with myself just fueled the flames, so to speak, and I continued to laugh, all the while rolling off the couch onto the living room floor. I don’t know exactly when he gave up on me, but at some point, I reached the end of my rope, and passed out from exhaustion on the floor. Instantaneous lights out.

  I rolled over, groaning, as I came to. My body ached, muscles I hadn't even been aware existed screamed in pain, and my bones felt like they were glass. From my vantage point, I could see the first signs of daylight streaking across the sky through the living room windows. I mentally begged for a fire, and out of the kindness of the universe, one began roaring within the fireplace. I struggled into the armchair closest to the hearth and pulled a blanket over myself. I barely leaned my head back before promptly passing out again.

  The next time I woke, the sun’s position showed high in the sky, and the cabin remained warm, although the fire had gone out some time ago. I felt only slightly less sore than I had my previous awakening, so I staggered off for a hot shower, grabbing a few Tylenol before stepping under the warm spray. Thankful for the unlimited hot water, I stood there until I turned wrinkly as a prune before getting out to towel off.

  After throwing on comfortable sweats, I headed to the kitchen for more food. The journal sat on the table glowing softly. Snatching it up, I eagerly read the message my mother had left for me.

  “Almost done here. I'll see you in the morning.”

  She must have sent it sometime while I was sparring with Xavier or passed out in the chair. He still slept on the couch, and I pounced on him, waking him unceremoniously.

  “She is going to be here any minute!” I practically shouted it in his ear, and he jerked away from me as far as he was able to.

  “Child, I am not deaf,” he growled.

  “Did you hear me? My mother is on her way! She is finally coming!” I could find no words to describe the excitement I felt. Years of waiting, not knowing if I even had a living biological mother for most of my life, and the time had finally come for me to meet her face to face.

  I dragged the furniture into place and picked up all the things I had thrown at Xavier the evening before. I didn't want her to walk in the door and trip over random items in the walkway. It would be my luck that she'd fall and break her leg or something. What a welcome home that would be.

  Deciding to make breakfast while I waited, I headed to the kitchen still marveling at the fact that fresh food filled the fridge, in spite of the fact there was not a grocery store to be found for miles.

  I prepared quite the feast, seeing as how I was only feeding the two of us. All the things you could possibly want to eat were spread out on the table, just like our own personal buffet. We sat after I served up plates, then Xavier cocked his head to the side and listened intently.

  “Holy shit, what now?” I prayed silently that it didn’t end up being something nefarious come to ruin my mood and my appetite.

  He jumped and took to the window. “Everleigh, come here and keep your eyes on the waterfall.”

  The waters had a strange purplish hue to them. “What is going on?” I asked him. He did not answer and kept his eyes trained in the direction of the falls.

  For a single second, so fast you would have missed it if you dared to blink, the water seemed to stop. The entire area wavered as if going out of focus, and the next second, she stood in the flesh. Just as beautiful as I had seen her in Xavier's memory. Long black hair and stunning green eyes, dressed simply in jeans, boots, sweater, and a long dark cloak. She was, at that moment, the most amazing sight my eyes had ever seen.

  I ran for the door but paused as her warning replayed in my mind; I had to remain indoors and let her come to us. So I elected to wait by the window where I watched her approach. Many long seconds later, the door opened, and we were together for the first time in over twenty years.

  We just stared at each other in awe, both of us silent for those first seconds. Then she began to cry, and I began to cry, and we rushed toward each other. We met in the center of the room and threw our arms around each other, hugging tightly. Our joy lasted only a second though.

  Almost instantly, an audible humming started, and I couldn’t let go of her even though I wanted to back away. The glow our two bodies created shined so vivid, I had to close my eyes, and even then, it hurt. I felt almost as if I were being electrocuted, my every nerve ending alive with a strange power. It grew until I was sure it would be the death of me, and then grew more.

  The blinding light was followed by more humming. It felt as if a million tiny electrical cords had sprung up strung between us with the currents pulsing both directions between our bodies. At every point of contact my skin burned, a cross between icy cold and fiery hot.

  There seemed to be a million pictures running through my brain at the time, but there was no way I could process them. They popped through quickly, there and gone
before I could even decipher the subject.

  It seemed as though I could feel the pulse of the Earth itself as it rushed in and out of my skin. The humming whined in my ears until it reached a fever pitch, and I couldn't hear any other sounds. Although desperate to ask my mom what was happening, I couldn't form the words, not that she would have been able to hear them anyway.

  I tried speaking to Xavier through our bond but found nothing but silence. It seemed as if it lasted hours, but most likely nothing more than a few moments passed. Just as I became sure this would be the end, an explosion rocked the cabin, and everything went black.

  When I awoke, daylight still showed through the windows. I could no longer hear the humming, or anything else for that matter, but my skin still felt as if thousands of tiny ants marched across it. Otherwise, physically, I seemed to be fine.

  I rushed to my mother, who lay in a heap at the base of the wall opposite where I had been lying. “Mom!” I called out to her but was terrified to touch her, lest I set off another explosion. When she didn’t respond, I went searching for Xavier.

  He lay near the fireplace, the chair partially covering him and hiding him from view. I pulled it off and set it upright, and since I didn’t see any blood I reached out and shook him gently, saying his name. Never had I been so grateful to hear that groan in my head followed by a low growl from his throat.

  “Hey! Are you awake? Are you okay? Xavier! Wake up! I need you to help my mom!”

  He pushed to his feet and looked her way. “She’s still breathing, let’s get her into one of the bedrooms and lay her on the bed.”

  I shook my head vehemently. “No way! I can’t touch her. What if there is another explosion? I could kill us all.”