Aura

Book I - Chapter Two - Boston

It does not take long to reach the others. We find them about two miles outside of Salem, most sleeping soundly under the cover of Carla and Stanley's talent.

I was right not to fret about Robert; he is visible, cradled against a groove at the base of a thick tree. I am not ready to forgive him, but David and I must keep up appearances. So as soon as I see Robert's figure, I release David's inviting hand and snuggle into my fiancé. He unconsciously tightens his arms around me as I nestle between them. Watching Robert sleep is a refreshing experience. His frown lines relax, and it reminds me of why I fell in love with him. I allow myself to be immersed in his emotions now, trying to imagine what he must be seeing. And eventually, without my permission, my eyelids begin to droop – there is only black. It makes no sense until I hear, "Wake up, my precious gem."

Groggily and very reluctantly, I open my heavy eyelids. Robert cradles me, kissing my skin wherever it is visible. It has been such a long time since we were together. For once, he is not jealous, angry, hurt, vengeful, or speaking of an uprising. He misses me. Although I am still mad at him, I allow his joy to incapacitate me.

"My exquisite songbird. My whimsical goddess. My priceless diamond." This and more he says between kisses. I twine my fingers through his soft, dirty blonde hair and use my other hand to trace pictures on his back.

The things he does distract me, make me forget last night, my own name, even how to breathe. He grazes his lips along the curve of my neck, trying to remind me. My head begins to swirl. He slides his hand down to the small of my back and pulls me closer, causing me to gasp and my lungs to fill with air.

He leans his cheek to rest on my collarbone. Ever so gently, he slides his head downward and stops just above my breasts; listening to my heart.

I feel his body shake as he lets out a silent chuckle. "Perfect."

I trace a line from his back to his neck and rest my hand there, feeling his heartbeat. "Hmm..." I murmur in agreement.

And this is where we stay; his ear listening and my hand feeling. The moment is, as he stated, perfect.

I watch patiently as the sun rises toward the sky, waiting for it to stop but knowing it never will. Once it is at its highest, I pull away from my fiancé. It must be my imagination, but as I release myself from Robert, I feel the pull of a tether. It has never been there before. My love for him has always been enough to bind us, but as I stand and free myself of debris, I hear the unmistakable snap of that tether breaking.

Robert feels the tether rip apart too. I sense a piece of him breaking away as his end mimics mine, the same piece that breaks from me.

I wish to speak to him, to discuss what this severance means, but my responsibilities are my focus now.

The others have already gathered on the edge of the trees. Greta continues to clutch the hand of my best friend, but Ginger is now in the loving arms of Stanley, her father. Besides myself and David, it appears that no one else has been injured. The relief in the air is nearly tangible, and I do not need my talent to know this. Everyone is grateful, but no one is happy. We are now without a home.

A movement in the corner of my eye causes me to turn. David is sitting with his head in his hands, but in one swift motion, he instantly lifts it to gaze at me.

Auras are the rarest of Talents, and women – for Auras are only known to be women – that are born with it have always lead Talents to safety.