Page 46 of The Mating Fire
Not that she had a choice. She had to learn to harness her incredible magick or she’d be a target for every bad thing in the world.I owe it to my birth parents.
Gone was her previous life as a budding volcanologist and scientist. Harper felt as if she’d journeyed several years into the future and her past was an archeological icon. She’d allow herself a few moments of pity and grief later. Right now she needed to learn.
Wiping her hands on her jeans, she nodded. “Let’s do this. But where can I practice?”
He put a hand across her eyes. “Think of a peaceful place that brought you joy, with wide open spaces. I’m going to tap into your mind.”
Swallowing hard, knowing she had to trust him (no choice here) she thought of a park she enjoyed. Harper opened her eyes.
“That’s it? I think of a place and tap my heels together three times like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz?”
“Not quite.” He peered down at her shoes. “I doubt it works with sneakers.”
“Ha, ha. Seriously, how are we getting there?” She gestured to the tall castle walls. “Fly? Or do you have a parachute and airline tickets.”
Jared looked amused. “I keep forgetting, my dear, you have lived long on Skin terms. We do not fly. I will teleport you away the same way I teleported you from the volcano. Take my hand.”
Fear fluttered through her. Going with him meant trusting him, and up until now, he’d given her no reason for trust. Harper searched his expression. Gone was the usual sarcasm or sensual overtones. Instead, he looked solemn, almost hesitant.
As if he too, knew taking his hand was a step forward for Harper. A tremendous step.
Did she have a choice? There were no absolutes here, no science to guide her or logic. Only her emotions and instincts.
Harper stepped closer and placed her smaller hand into his. His palm was warm, hinting of strength, but Jared gently gripped her hand. He gave a small smile.
“Hold on tight.”
Her fingers curled around his. “Do I have to do anything else?”
He considered. “Brace yourself. Landings can be rough.”
Jared’s gaze twinkled with mischief. “In fact, I fear I’m a trifle rusty at this. Maybe we should bring the instruction manual?”
Harper rolled her eyes and suddenly everything vanished in a soft pop of air. They traveled through space in a dizzying speed, so fast she had to squeeze her eyes shut to tamp down the nausea rising in her stomach.
When she opened her eyes and the air had stopped rushing past her, Harper realized they stood near a lake. Pine and palm trees ringed the water. Picnic pavilions were in the distance, and a white fence corralled several horses grazing peacefully. One horse lifted its head and peered at them, then resumed eating.
She recognized the park as one she’d enjoyed frequenting. Picnic tables were set beneath a clump of trees.
Harper visited here when she needed the solace of nature. The sprawling green space north of her Miami home was a favorite. Since it was midweek, not that she could track the days anymore, no one was present. Not even a park ranger riding through the park in a pickup truck.
“You sure there’s no one here I can hurt?”
“I drove away any Skins.” He pointed to a sign that read PARK CLOSED DUE TO NOXIOUS GASES.
“Noxious gases?”
“I believe a politician held a fund-raising rally here yesterday.” He grinned.
Harper laughed. When she ceased, he stared at her as if trying to assess something.
“Your laugh…it seems familiar and tugs at my memory,” he murmured.
Jared shrugged. “Never mind. A ridiculous notion of mine. Let’s get to work.”
“I don’t know. This is remote, but why couldn’t we stay in Peru? What if someone recognizes me?” The field was empty and horses cropping grass in a nearby pasture seemed the only other visitors.
“When you left the volcano, Xavier arranged to cover for your disappearance. No one knows you.”
