Into the Ether by Vanessa Barger Page A

irrevocably connected to it.
    Colonel Worthington snapped his fingers in front of my eyes and the scene faded. “I said, are you all right ?”
    I blinked. “I think so.”
    I pushed away from the pedestal. Colonel Worthington looked as though he couldn’t decide whether to be angry or sad. I wasn’t sure I liked either option.
    â€œYou are a touch - know . One of the strongest I’ve seen.”
    My chin rose. I wiped my hands on my skirts, sucking in large mouthfuls of air. My heartbeat began to slow. “I already knew that.”
    Amusement flirted with his lips. “Modest too.”
    I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I stared at a wrinkle in his forehead and forced indifference into my voice. “Well, everyone has their flaws.”
    Moisture prickled along the nape of my neck.
    He paused again. “I think you ’ re not telling me everything.”
    â€œI only relayed the message she gave me.”
    â€œWhat else did she tell you?”
    Relief made my joints weak. She hadn’t told me the last bit. She’d shown it to me. “Nothing.”
    My conviction must have translated well, because he gave a sharp jerk of his head.
    â€œI apologize for my outburst, Genevieve. I didn’t mean to scare you. But the thing she was speaking of,” his lips thinned and he turned away. “ It is more important than anyone knows. I had to make certain you weren’t lying to me. Not about that.”
    I did n’ t miss the implications. He knew I withheld something. The question became what he thought I knew.
    â€œApology accepted. But don’t ever do it again.” My words were braver than I felt.
    He nodded once, and stretched out his hand. I took it and shook slowly. With a tiny tendril of power, I reached out and tried to read him. I was better with objects, but it worked on people too.
    He was empty. It was as if I’d touched a blank sheet of paper. I released him and he turned away, leading us out of the gallery. I shrugged it off. I’d probably just fried my brain talking to Aphrodite.
    Now I just had to decide where he’d put the box. The more I thought about it, the more my stomach churned. Never before had I had this feeling when thinking of stealing something. Tears pricked my eyes.
    Guilt.

Chapter Nine
    Â 
    I didn’t see Terry for another three days. While the delay shouldn’t have worried me, I still felt antsy. A strange feeling fluttered in my gut . I wanted to leave and find out what was going on, but after Terry and Justin’s warnings, I knew I couldn’t . Even if they hadn’t told me to stay away , I couldn’t have run off . Colonel Worthington was warm ing up to me, and even Walter seemed more relaxed. And, though I wouldn’t admit it aloud, I didn’t want to leave. I enjoyed my days at the museum. The only thing that could have made them more perfect would be Terry.
    Heat stole up my face at the thought. Enough of that .
    All the same, relief made my knees watery when I saw him again. The purple around his eye had faded into a brown ring, but th ere was a new wariness to him that made my breath catch. The mischief that had always surrounded his presence like a coat was gone.
    â€œTerry!”
    I came from the visitor desk and threw my arms around him. His arms wrapped around me and squeezed. His face rested against my hair, and I could have sworn I felt him sigh.
    â€œI’m very glad to see you, Gennie.”
    I pulled away and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Not nearly as glad as I am. When you didn’t come back, I worried.”
    His eyes drifted away. “Can we go outside and talk?”
    I looked behind me where he stared and saw Thomason’s shining form watching us intently as he strode through the room. I shivered and nodded.
    Terry grasped my hand and led me outside . I sat on the bottom of the steps. It was a rare bright afternoon, and I reveled in the