Empath (Book 1 of the Empath Trilogy) (40 page)

James still held me protectively while he waited for my head to clear.  “I swear to you that I have never marked her.  If there is a physical link, it is equally shocking to me.  She is a gifted human with a strong ability, but I was not aware until today that she could project as well.”  He looked down at me and the blank expression on his face was more frightening to me than Anton’s explosion.  I was blind.  He was blocking me and I couldn’t read what he was thinking.  My disorientation was total.

Miranda directed her attention to Charles and spoke carefully, “There is a possibility that their connection is a
psychic
mark.  We have not seen such a thing in centuries.  It has happened only very rarely in the past.” 

Anton spoke up, anger still evident in his posturing, though he had mastered his features back into a mask of boredom.  “It is easy to confirm whether or not they tell the truth.  Miranda, would you please?”

While I didn’t want her to touch me, I was willing to do almost anything to prove we weren’t lying to them.

Miranda bowed her head to her companions and moved over to James first.  Crouching down, she held her hand out to him nearly touching his forehead with her fingers.  When she was inches from his face, she stopped.  “You must let go of the human.  I need to touch you separately.” 

My physical reaction was visceral, panic shooting through my entire being.  Trying to hide his own anxiety, he shot me a tight smile that did nothing but heighten my stress. James helped me to my feet and with a final squeeze, he let go of my hand.  I felt the loss sharply.  Fighting my body to stay up and not wobble was difficult, my head was still spinning from Anton’s wallop. 
I must have a concussion
I thought.  This was the second time this week I had gotten hit in the head by a vampire.  A body could only take so many of those, I mused lightheaded.

I had no idea what Miranda was seeing as she “read” James for the truth, her elegant hand resting lightly on his chest.  Standing there, I could see Charles and Anton watching me.  Anton glared at me so darkly I feared he would hit me again.  I thought if I tried to look meek and stare at my shoes they might lose interest.  When my eyes broke from theirs my sense of balance left me, I felt my battle with my body turn.  Knees buckling, I fell to the floor like a ragdoll and everything went black.

Ch. 49

I don’t know how much time passed before I became aware of a cool hand on my head and noticed the ground I was laying on was soft instead of hard stone.  Giving a silent prayer that we were back at the hotel, I opened my eyes gradually.  We were not.  However, I felt physically lighter from the relief of seeing James unharmed in front of me.  He smiled and, though not completely at ease, I noted the tension around his eyes had disappeared.  Miranda must have approved of what she had “read.” 

“Claire, you’re all right.  Charles had a chaise brought out for you to lie on.  Do you think you could stand?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that with our current audience.  Did we want them to know how weak I was or was it too late to hide that since I had fainted like an idiot?  Casting my eyes around us, I saw that the three stood within human earshot and a number of those milling about had gathered to watch not bothering to hide their interest in our private drama unfolding off to the side of the thrones.  I didn’t doubt they could hear everything I said.  Nodding, I mouthed “yes” and held my hand out to him.  He reached for me and helped me to my feet, keeping hold of my hand, sensing I needed him for stability.

Once I was up, the members of the Court looked me over.  Miranda walked toward me.  It was my turn, but I couldn’t stand without James, that much I knew.  Would they let me sit back down?  She surprised me by speaking kindly.  “Claire,” my name sounded exotic with her accent.  I wasn’t sure I liked it, or her.  “I have seen both your thoughts.” 

She had touched me while I was out and unguarded?  The thought of it left me feeling violated. 

“James has told us the truth, he did not knowingly mark you.  However, the fact remains that it has been done.”  I glanced imploringly at James.  I didn’t understand how he could mark me without either of our knowledge.

“His mark on you is not physical.  It is rare, but some vampires can mark a human mentally.  It is a mark on your mind, not your body, that he has given you.” 

I wondered if it was from our sessions together or our relationship. 

“Please think carefully,” she continued, “have you experienced physical symptoms that you cannot control?” 

My eyes widened in surprise and I felt James’ hand squeeze mine.  Of course, it explained all of my symptoms lately.  Personally, I’d believed it was my own weakness that I couldn’t guard myself sufficiently when I was with him; that I was too distracted by him.  Strangely enough, knowing I was wrong was reassuring.  Unable to form a cohesive sentence I gaped, and Miranda seemed to take that as my response.

Mouth tight, Miranda nodded once and turned to Charles and Anton.  “They are linked totally.  She has physical effects through him and I would assume he has the same.”

James disagreed.  “That is not true.  I have not felt physical symptoms as Claire has, and hers have been apparent only when I am thirsty.” 

Miranda turned back and considered us for a moment.  One long delicate finger rested on the tip of her aquiline nose.   “We have no choice but to honor your request for approval James.  Yours by its very nature is a life bond and one I have not seen for three centuries.” 

I wondered at her deciding for the Court without discussing it with the other two.  I must have missed something while I was out.  Surprisingly though, she seemed pleased. 

“Because your mate is an empath she is able to bridge your emotional minds.  Am I correct in assuming you have spent a significant amount of time together recently?”  Seeing James nod, she went on to explain.  “Your gifts compliment each other well.  Hers has linked you and she together psychically.  And your own sensitivities have given her a bridge to your physical being.  Do not be foolish enough to believe that bridge is one directional.  You might have to look harder but I assure you it is there for you both.  When you are weak so is she and when you are strong she is as well.”  Miranda’s eyes sparkled for the first time in her excitement as she looked to me.  “I must be honest, this development does intrigue me.”  Turning abruptly back toward the other two, Miranda swished away in her dress, skirts whispering on the stones.  Anton and Charles fell in behind her and strode out a door someone had opened in the wall behind the chairs, and they were gone.

As they left the large hall, James and I were left holding hands in front of the chairs I had decided were thrones for their royals.  We didn’t feel free to speak with so many witnesses in the room, leaving us plenty of time to think quietly amongst ourselves. 

I wondered if it was good or bad to be linked like this to James.  Yes, I loved him and felt that we were two halves of a whole, but I had meant that metaphorically, not literally.  And what did it mean for us mentally in the long term?  Would I become more vampire or would he weaken through my human frailty?  I tried to connect my symptoms to Miranda’s explanation.  Was this why I was not as hungry or tired?  Did that mean his nature was stronger than mine and was pushing mine aside already?  My mind wrestled with all of the possibilities as we stood staring at the closed door.

“Excuse me,” I heard a familiar voice at my side.  I looked over and saw the pale woman waiting calmly for us.  I was surprised I hadn’t heard her approach.  She motioned for us to follow as she led us out of the receiving room and into the antechamber where she indicated we were free to leave. 

As we walked back into the disorienting noise and garishness of the monstrous bar, James went to the bartender and surprised me by asking for another glass.  I gave him a curious look and he was apologetic.  “I am sorry Claire, I need this.  We will leave as soon as we can.”  In rare form, he gulped down two more glasses in rapid succession before indicating with a gesture that we could leave. 

It didn’t matter what Miranda said, I didn’t feel safe again until we were back in our room with our doors locked.  For good measure I tucked a chair under the doorknob.  James didn’t make a single teasing comment. 

Once we were locked in for the night I took down my hair and kicked off my heels.  James got comfortable as well, taking off his jacket and tie and loosening his collar.  I had a sense of déjà vu as we went through the same motions as the night of the wedding.  But this time my relief was due to us still being alive, not just accepted.  The stakes were much higher for disapproval in his world.

James was standing next to me as I examined myself in the mirror over the desk.  “Where did he hit you?”  He asked curiously, eyeing my reflection. 

That was what I had been standing here wondering as well.  The last time a vampire hit me, she had given me a concussion, knocked out a tooth and nearly broken my jaw.  This was a similar blow yet I didn’t see any residual marking on my face.  “Do you think I’m getting stronger, like you?”

He stood, watching my eyes in the mirror.  I don’t think either of us knew how we should feel about this new twist in our relationship.  He shrugged noncommittally.  “You must be.  That was a hard enough hit to knock you down.  It should have raised a bruise by now, maybe even cracked a bone.  There isn’t even a hint of color.” 

“Well,” I finally sighed, “it’s not all bad then if it makes me a better healer, since vampires seem to want to hit me or kill me a lot.  But what about you?  Why don’t you show any signs?”

He appeared thoughtful, his eyes had returned to their smoky hue now that he was well nourished. “I have been thinking about that since Miranda voiced her observation.  My signs have been here all along as well.” 

Fascinated, I waited. 

“My humanity.  I have struggled with it since my change.  It is hard for my kind to maintain our humanity and to experience our human emotions for very long after changing.  They begin to fade almost immediately.  But, ever since we have grown closer,” he smiled making me blush at his reference to our intimacy, “I have experienced more human emotions than I have in over a hundred years.”

Not certain if that was good or bad, I watched his face closely in the mirror.  “Is that hard for you?”

“No,” he sighed, “it is probably the single most thing I miss about being human.  That, and chocolate.”  He grinned and ducked his head.  I tried to picture him as a human enjoying a simple meal.  Smiling a little uncertainly, James turned and kissed my cheek still facing the mirror.  “Are you sorry to have met me?” 

“That is the one thing I’m not sorry about in this whole thing.  I’m so much happier having you in my life and I don’t see that changing no matter how this turns out.  We can work through everything else.”  And I knew we would.  It felt natural to be with him.  I could no sooner cut off an arm than be without him, James was literally a part of me now.  Hearing it from Miranda had only proven what I already knew to be true.  “You know, I don’t think I’ve eaten a real meal all day.”  I thought about my stomach for the first time all afternoon.

His brow furrowed.  “Yes, I noticed that.  I think that’s something we should watch.”

Shrugging, I explained, “I’ve noticed I eat and sleep less.  Honestly, I thought it was because of all the weird stuff going on and our schedules being messed up.  But right now, I would love to eat.”  He was more than willing to call down and have food sent up.  I felt like a lab rat as he watched me eat.  “Do you mind?”  I laughed, a little annoyed.  “You can’t constantly watch me for signs that I am turning into you, okay?”

Properly chastised, he grinned sheepishly.  “Sorry.  For the record though, I do like to watch you no matter what you’re doing.  I will endeavor not to bother you by staring constantly; I can’t make any guarantees, though.”

I ate, though not my usual amount, I noticed. 
That still made me human,
I thought, suddenly fiercely protective of that fact.  Love James as I might, I was not prepared to make any long-term decisions about changing my mortality status.  I held out hope that we would find a way to control the bleed between our natures, to put a gate on the bridge, so to speak.

After my belly was full we were sitting on the bed, me in my dress with my legs pulled up underneath me.  He lay on his back, feet hanging over the edge, body propped up on an elbow.  We spoke quietly about family and love and what it meant to us.