Thicker Than Water....

Chapter 16 - Fire and Water

Vittorio took Kula by the arm and walked her into the sitting room.  There, he sat her down on the couch. I entered the room after them.  When he looked at me, his eyes were once more the emerald pools I had adored.  Still, I could not meet his gaze for long.  The pain of his rejection the night before still stung.  And after this mornings events, I now felt both gullible and potentially dangerous into the bargain.  He invited me to sit next to Kula.   I chose to sit in the chair farthest away from them both. 

   "First things first," he said.  Kula shrank back as he reached for her.  The strange power I had accidentally unleashed on her, had burned her arms and the left side of her face.  I felt deeply ashamed.  Yes, even though she had yet again misled me, I had never meant to hurt her physically.  I watched as Vitorrio knelt beside her.  He was looking at her strangely, intensely.  As her body relaxed, I realised he was compelling her, calming her.  I puzzled over this.  Hadn't Dante said Freshlings couldn't do that?  I decided my questions could wait until he had finished whatever he planned with Kula. I sensed it would be nothing harmful.  I was taken by surprise when he held out his hand towards me.  "Come," he whispered gently.  "You can heal her, Sienna. Your power is not solely destructive." 

I was hesitant.  The prospect scared me.   "I don't know how.  I don't even understand how I do any of it, or what it is."

He smiled kindly.  " I will help you."  He coaxed me again.

I walked over slowly and took his pro-offered hand.  The rush I had felt when I first took his hand the day before, pulsed through me again.  I snatched my hand back, terrified I was going to become some sort of fire tornado and sear both of them to the spot.  He gently reached and took hold of it again.  "You will not hurt me, Sienna."  Then he sighed and looked sad for a moment.  "You didn't last night, remember?"  My breath caught in my throat.  I could not think of that now.  It was still too raw.  He seemed to understand this, and proceeded to lay my hand on Kula's injured arm.

   "What do I do?" I choked back tears. 

   "Simply focus on her burns and will them to heal."

  I looked at him for reassurance.   "Do I have to close my eyes?"

   "If you think it will help you, you can."

I took a deep, shuddering breath, and closing my eyes, I concentrated on the feel of the burns beneath my hand.  Then I visualised Kula, unscathed, her skin once more the beautiful, rich brown that shone with vitality.  I felt a soothing coolness under my hand.  It was nothing the like the feeling I had experienced when I had hurt her. A bright blueish hue reached behind my eyelids.  I opened my eyes.  A substance, not unlike water, was shimmering and swirling gently.  It was beautiful!   I watched as it emanated freely  from my fingertips, enveloping Kula's injuries, carressing the burns in her skin.  Gradually, it faded and then it was gone.  I pulled my hand back slowly.  Her skin was whole, perfect once more. A gasp escaped me as I kneeled back, amazed.

   "See?" Vittorio smiled.  "There is no need to fear your power.  It can do good too."

Yeah, like incinerating the bad guy! Baby Si had popped her head up.  I was strangely pleased to hear her wicked sense of humour again, even if it was somewhat inappropriate right now.   I continued with healing the rest of Kula's burns, using the same technique.  Was this somehow a form of forgiveness?  Whether it was for her, or me, I wasn't sure, but it certainly made me feel a little better. 

After I finished healing all her wounds, Vittorio gently brushed his fingers over her eyes.  Instantly, she fell into a deep slumber.  He lay her back and lifted her legs so she was resting comfortably along the length of the couch.