Dylan
Mike had been nervous all morning and was now pacing the living room floor.
“Relax, Sweetheart,” I soothed, rubbing his back. “I’m with you, remember?”
He nodded. “I guess getting drained twice in that mansion makes me dread going there. But you’re right, things are different now.”
“They’re better,” I agreed. Because thingswerebetter for Mike already. Rino had told us he planned on doing the same type of training as before, but with me in tow now. If Mike succeeded in all his tests, we could travel in two weeks’ time to help Erik. Rino had been excited on our behalf and already had a few cases we could helpwith in Denmark, which I looked forward to, especially because one of the cases involved a castle.
I checked my watch and gave Mike a confident grin. “It’s time.”
We joined hands as we left our apartment, content to keep touching. I would forever be touching him if he wished for it. Maybe it was our bond, but just holding his hand soothed my insides and made me relax.
Because Mike still had Erik with him at all times, we decided that I should drive, mostly so Mike could focus on keeping his energy in check. Something that was normal with mediums and their anchors, mostly because mediums often got tired after working a case. I had no idea, but according to Rino, mediums could get drained just by talking to ghosts. Pete didn’t and neither did their mother, but Mike was definitely one of those mediums who would need breaks, and lots of peace and quiet after work. I didn’t mind helping him with that at all.
The mansion came into view and soon I was back inside the medium headquarters, one ghost and one medium in tow. We walked through the many hallways together in silence, and I could tell Mike was steeling himself for failure already. My poor man really neededtoday to go well. When we reached Rino’s office, Linda stepped through the door just as Mike was about to knock.
“Mom?” he questioned, eyeing her with suspicion.
“My boys!” She just hugged us both, ignoring his question completely.
“Nice to see you, Linda,” I grinned, hugging her back.
She batted my arm. “It’sMomto you.”
“Sorry,Mom,” I winced.
“That’s better.”
Rino stood in the open doorway smirking at us. “If you’re done with your little family reunion…”
We hurried inside his office, smiling sheepishly as we went.
Rino had us sitting on armchairs in front of his desk while he sat on a huge red leather office chair. “Linda is actually here to drop something off.” He took out a bracelet with black crystals. “Black tourmaline,” he explained. “I had your mother search for this exact stone for extra protection.” He then took out another one, identical to the other. “I need you both to wear it.”
“What does it do?” I asked, taking the offered bracelet.
“It protects against negative energy and helps with grounding. Trust me, you’ll need it once you get started.”
“Because I’ll faint otherwise?” Mike questioned, clearly still sad that he couldn’t handle basic training.
Rino shook his head. “No, it’s because you’re a bonded partnership. Most anchors need help warding off negative energy and as a medium, you need Dylan to help ground you. He can’t do that if his energy is off. The stones are simply another added security for you both.”
“Thank you,” we both said, placing the bracelets on our wrist. At least it was black and would go with most outfits.
Rino seemed pleased with that. “Now that that’s out of the way, ready to start?”
“That went well,” I grinned, so damn proud of my man.
Mike blushed. “It did, didn’t it? I mean I didn’t faint this time, and I even got to meet all the ghosts at once! How cool is that?”
I smiled as I paid for our takeaway, happy to see Mike’s whole demeanor regarding his work change just from one successful training session. I figured a detour to his favorite burger place was deserved. Mike was so excited about accomplishing his first workday that he didn’t even seem to realize I was buying his favorite burger and milkshake. But he would.
The only thing we had to do today was to sit with all the ghosts in the mansion and simply talk. I could only hear whatever Mike said, but Erik had written down their answers so I could feel a little more involved, which I appreciated. Tomorrow, Rino had us assigned to a real case with a medium named Kyle. I was so damn excited to get on a real case! We weren’t told anything other than Kyle would pick us up in the morning around nine.
Mike and Erik talked as we drove the rest of the way home and I was happy to let them enjoy themselves. It was clear that Erik cared for Mike and he’d been so patient with him, even though he really wanted to see Marcus again.
Once we were home, I helped Mike carry our food. His happiness was overflowing as we settled on the couch, enjoying TV and burgers. It was so damn easy to please my man.
