“Why should I listen to you?”
“Because I know her better than
just about anyone else!”
His statement made my hair stand on end.
“What’s your name?”
“I don’t go by one. Names are
mere labels which inhibit progression. I prefer to be recognized by what I
offer, today I offer freedom. You may think of me as
your
freedom.”
Ooh-kaaay, I was officially freaked
out!
“Oh, I won’t be thinking of you at all, buck-o!”
The car in front
of me pulled forward and I followed, only I didn’t stop at the window, I
pressed the gas pedal to the floor leaving tread-marks on the pavement and a
smoke cloud hanging in the air.
My heart raced with panic and my
eyes checked the rear-view mirror repeatedly as I sped through traffic on my
way back to the office. My compact car sliced through tight spots with ease
like a bobsled and the further I traveled away from the creepy man the more my
clenched jaw began to relax … until I arrived back at the office and found Mr.
‘Freedom’ leaning up against the building in the same spot as before. I knew
his diamond would afford him the running ability, but it still shocked me to
see him.
“Calli, when you decide to
utilize my help, all you’ll have to do is ask for it.”
His lips parted in
an almost evil smile revealing perfectly straight white teeth. Then he turned
and walked away.
It’s been a couple of days now
since seeing him and I can’t help but keep looking over my shoulder
continuously. I still experience the same panic when I think about the man who
I’ve named Freedom whose whole demeanor reeked of villainy, and it would be
just fine with me to never meet him again. I’ve wondered how he found me, if he
sought me out or if he was just passing through and detected a difference in me
compared to other people. I’ve also pondered on what he told me, especially his
advice.
More than anything, I’ve wondered
how many Unaltereds have diamonds in their hearts too. Maetha said she’d come
and train me how to visualize auras, like my roommate Beth from the Runner’s
compound, but I haven’t heard from her yet. I will certainly ask her more about
her powers and why Freedom was familiar with her—and how many others are like
us.
*****
An important date is fast
approaching; the day Chris Harding resigns as a spy.
I would love to go see him … just
to get my ‘Chris fix.’ I could watch from a distance, he wouldn’t need to know
I was present. But what if he saw me? What would that do to him? Assuming he
hasn’t forgotten about me already, he’d be reminded of the pain we suffered
because of Maetha. Not only would it torture him further, it would also be hell
for me; I was several years older in the vision I’d seen through the Healer’s
window. I know I will see him again, but I also know now is not that time. He,
on the other hand, doesn’t and shouldn’t know I have powers. He wouldn’t
believe it even if I told him. From his perspective, the whole chain of events
was manipulated along with him and me, thus nullifying any future between us.
Not to mention the fact that in his vision I was a Healer, not the ordinary
human he now believes I am.
Chris doesn’t know I have powers
and shouldn’t until the day the vision comes true. If I was present at his
resignation he would deduce I had foresight or psychic abilities either of
which would allow me to know his plans, and both would prove I have powers and
abilities. Even without looking into the future I could tell it would upset the
balance of nature for him to know I still possess powers; especially the
healing ability.
I don’t know what Chris will do
with his life following resigning. I don’t know what type of information he was
feeding to the government, but he truly believed everyone would be in danger if
I picked through his mind.
I
hope you enjoyed this preview of:
A
Diamond in my Heart
available
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About
the Author
Lorena
Angell lives in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A. She writes YA fantasy and YA
suspense with a hint of romance. Besides reading and writing, she loves to bar-b-que,
expand her artistic side, go people watching and enjoy the outdoors with her
family. She has yet to find Sasquatch or sparkly vampires, but thought she saw
a werewolf once. It turned out to be a raccoon.
In
Aug. 2011, A Diamond in my Pocket became a bestseller on Amazon.com and was
listed on the Movers & Shakers because of its rapid climb to the top 100
list. Lorena is currently a Featured Author on
http://www.writeandshare.co.uk/
a
website designed to help aspiring authors and poets with their works.