POWERS OF NATURE Book 1 - Into the Storm

Chapter 24

Stephanie felt all the blood drain from her face, leaving her dizzy and she had to remind herself to breathe. If Aiden were dead, she'd know. She didn't know how she would know, but she believed she would.

"Don't get smart with me, boy! Your brother's fate is your brother's own doing. His death will be a sacrifice, and without it the rules are null and void. Think what you like, but this is how it must be. You know that."

Stephanie swallowed the bubble of panic she felt clawing up her throat, a war going on inside her. To hear of Michael speak so casually of his own son's death scared her senseless. She didn't want him to harm a hair on Aiden's head, and wanted to rip his throat out for even suggesting it. Then there was Matt, who was discussing the whole thing with his father as if it were a normal every day topic. She had to believe he was doing it for Aiden's sake, and his own, that he didn't really feel the same way Michael did.

She crept forward until she was directly under the feet, her mind working overtime as she tried to figure out what to do. With Matt up there, he was directly in harms way. Before she could decide on a plan, the conversation caught her attention again.

"Father, have you given any more thought to my suggestion?"

"I have, and my answer is still the same. She must die, regardless." Michael's tone hinted that the discussion was over.

"But Father, she really seems to be the strongest and most powerful Kairós we've heard of." Seems Matt wasn't finished with the conversation. "Why waste her talent?" He pressed, and Stephanie held her breathe. "Surely she could prove to be useful?"

Silence filled the barn as Stephanie waited, feeling the air build with an electric tension. Before she could figure out that it was real electricity, Matt came into view as he flew over the railing, hurtling towards the ground. Almost on instinct, Stephanie threw out her hand, knowing if Matt hit the ground at such a speed he'd most likely not get back up again, and she watched as the haze she had seen earlier filled the air between his body and the ground.

Slowly Stephanie drew back the pressure and prayed Michael hadn't seen it, as Matt rolled his head to look at her with wide eyes. Giving him a small smile to reassure him, she looked back up, and noticed the feet had disappeared. It was at that exact moment she felt the same electric tension behind her and she spun around, standing at the same time, coming face to face with Michael. A hysterical scream escaped through her lips and she backed away from him, only to hit the railing of the stairs.

With a grin on his face that oozed sadistic enjoyment, Michael reached out and grabbed her neck, his long fingers circling her throat. Lifting Stephanie from the ground, he laughed as she struggled against his grip. "Well, seems you are too smart for your own good. What gave it away? How did you know I was here, hmmm? Never mind, this is much more fun." A manic crazed look came into his eyes, and Stephanie began struggling harder against the pressure he applied to her throat. "None of the others saw it coming. They didn't have much chance to put up a fight."

At his casual reference to her ancestors murder, Stephanie froze. For a moment, the black spots in her vision cleared and she focused. With her lack of oxygen, her current was too weak, so she did the next best thing and kicked out with her dangling leg, her shin connecting with his family jewels. Michael's eyes bulged, and under any other circumstances Stephanie would have laughed. As it was she was having a hard time rolling away from him and getting her breath back at the same time.

Shakily, she stood up, ignoring the urge to check on Matt, and bolted for the stairs, hoping to take the fight away from Matt. A bark of laughter sounded behind her, just as she felt a hot scalding ring form around her ankle, burning through her jeans. Before she could turn, she felt her body being pulled backwards before hitting the barn door with such a force that it shuddered on its heavy duty roller before she hit the ground. Lifting her head, trying to clear the black spots that had returned, she saw Michael walk slowly over to her, a hand on his jewels.