From Despair Comes Hope (The Strange Case of Devin Sola Book 1)

All I Need

I step into what appears to be a large library. If it weren't for the fact that I'm here to find out why I've been kidnapped and exactly why Devin needs to be fixed, I would love to spend weeks in here just perusing the shelves and reading whatever tickled my fancy. I glance around and finally notice five men seated around a large table. I recognize Chris – and finally realize that this is, in fact, Motionless in White.

I approach the table warily. I note there is a sixth seat at the table, but I decline to sit before being given permission. Some habits are harder to break than others, you know? Chris stares at me for a few moments before Ricky leans over and whispers something in his ear. He motioned to the empty chair. "She's waiting for you to tell her she may sit. I think she's been trained to be submissive or as a slave."

"Please, sit. I trust you found the accommodations to be sufficient? I see that Balz and Ryan did an excellent job of selecting properly sized clothing for you." Chris glances down the table at me when I don't respond. "Hello? Miss Cage? Charlatan?"

I stand there, uncomfortable. I seeChris's lips move, but I don't hear anything. That is when I realize that Chris's mind is shielded. Fuck. I glance across the table to where Devin sits. His eyes widen in realization and he leans over to whisper in Chris's other ear.

***Chris's POV***

"You need to drop your mind shield." Devin whispers in my ear.

"Why would I do that?" I whisper back.

"She's deaf. She uses telepathy to hear what you are saying. I guess if you don't want to drop the shield, I suppose could repeat what you're saying for her." Devin says.

She's deaf? Fuck. I know she is a telepath that's why I shielded my mind. I don't want her digging around in there. As if he knows what my protest is going to be, Devin whispers to me again.

"She won't pry. She hasn't pried in my mind yet. Nor has she pried in the other guys' minds. I think she's learned to filter out what isn't necessary for conversation purposes." He tries to reassure me, but I'm not sure. I glanc over at her and she looks as if she is listening to our conversation. Catching me looking at her, she speaks.

"I can only hear Devin's part of the conversation if that's what you're worried about. The only way I'd be able to hear what you say while you're shielded is if Devin allowed me to use him as a conduit." Charlatan speaks softly – much more softly than most deaf people I'd been around. "You're safe with me Chris. I go only where it is necessary for conversation."

I decide to give her the benefit of the doubt and let her in. I drop the shield I'd erected in my mind to keep her out and wait. I could feel the subtle invasion, but apparently she is being truthful. She only seems to be accessing the portion of my mind that controls what I am going to be saying. I repeat my earlier statement about her being able to sit down. As soon as she sits, I proceed to describe our issue.

"Miss Cage..." I start.

"Charli, please." She looks almost ill at being called Miss Cage. I will have to remember her preference for Charli. It won't do to make her any more uncomfortable than we've already made her.

"Charli..." I start again. "I apologize for the extremely rude manner in which we've attempted to engage your services, but we honestly didn't think we could get you to come any other way. I trust your accommodations are satisfactory?"

"Other than the fact that the room is pink, yes, they are fine." Charli says. "What I am more concerned with is why I have been brought here."

"Ahh, yes. Our problem. As you probably already know, we are a band – Motionless in White. Our bass player, Devin, has started to exhibit some rather disturbing qualities as of late. I'm sure you've seen him fading in and out of sight." I begin. At her nod, I continue. "The issue at hand is that while his nickname is Ghost, we've discovered that he is tending more and more towards the traits of his nickname. The fading in and out of sight could be an ability, seeing as how he seems to do it at will." Devin smiles at this.

"I've learned to control it. It's the other things I'm having trouble with. I feel like I'm being pulled somewhere else. The invisibility I don't mind. The feeling like I shouldn't be here, like I belong somewhere else, I mind." Devin glances at Charli. She suddenly looks pained.

"I'm pretty sure I know what is wrong, but I will have to do a bit more research. I will do it because if this is what I think it is, I can't say no to helping Devin." Charli said. "If you will excuse me, I need to go lie down for a few minutes."

We all nod and she leaves the room. I watch her leave, intrigued by her sudden expression of pain. What could be causing Devin's problem that has her so freaked out?