War of Destiny 5: Soul Redeemed

Chapter 2

I listened to Diana's voice as I sat on the grass. "Concentrate on what you felt when your daughter reached out to you. Did you feel any tingling or odd sensations? Remember, to keep taking slow deep breaths."

I shook my head even as I did as I was instructed. The guided meditation was another technique she and Adrian wanted to try. I tried to remember if I had felt anything strange when Marie had appeared, but I couldn't honestly remember anything. "She was just there. Most of the time, I hadn't called for her. The time I did, I was just draining telepathic energy. Matthew sensed it."

"Focus,Julia. Don't let your frustration get the better of you. Breathe in,breathe out." There was a brief silence before she spoke again."Can you remember what you felt when you touched the wall in Rome?"

I nodded and concentrated on the memory of what I had felt that night.I felt a vibration in the air, or maybe it was just in me. As I tried to encompass the feeling, I heard Adrian whisper, "It's faint, but I can sense it."

"Julia,try to use that power and call out to people you knew. Try only to focus on those you were closest to, that aren't your daughter."

Keeping my breathing even, I tried to call out in my mind, because speaking out loud seemed like it took too much effort. <Adam,can you hear me? Please, help me. Valerie, are you there? Christy ,are you able to answer? I'm sure Matthew would love to hear from you.Can any of you answer me?>

I could feel the hairs on my arms and back of my neck stand up. What was that? A whisper? I strained to hear, but I didn't hear the sound again. I heard only crickets and distant murmuring from those inside the house. Opening my eyes, I found only Diana sitting in front of me,looking hopeful. Adrian stood a few feet out of my direct line of sight. There was no one else out in the yard. "I'm sorry. There's nothing."

"It's not nothing.The power was there. Let's try again," Diana said with a smile.

I ran a hand through my hair as weariness suddenly rolled through me, since last night we had also practiced with the power I had used on Gregory. "All right, I'll try."

Diana opened her mouth, but Adrian spoke before she could. "She's tired, Diana.She's been training for hours every night since she got here, and it's starting to show. When did you last go out hunting, Julia?"

I turned my head,surprised. "A couple of nights ago."

"Her other ability drains her quickly, and we worked with both abilities last night.Wasn't it you who was counseling patience a few nights ago, Diana?"Adrian said with a hint of a smile. "If we keep up this pace, she won't keep up enough energy to achieve what we're trying to do."

"Maybe taking the rest of the night off would be beneficial."

I shivered slightly as the unusual tingling faded. "I don't know if I can afford to stop."

"You still have time, Julia. Adrian is right, you need time to do other things. I know Mary Anne is busy with preparations, but I saw Matthew and Samuel leave earlier. Perhaps, you can catch up with one or both of them."

I got back to my feet. "Mayhap you're right. Thank you."

"We'll see you tomorrow night for more practice," Diana replied.

* * *

I stopped to feed a short time after leaving the house. I had seen the opportunity to feed off a healthy young man, and knew if I didn't do so, the chance of finding another suitable person to feed off would be difficult. I savored the taste of his blood, but was careful not to take too much.After healing the punctures, I eased the human down out of sight on a small street. I didn't wish for harm to befall him just because I had left him unable to defend himself.