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I thought about the glass bubble I produced for protection. Was that what I had to offer? It had to be something else. Kace said I didn’t understand my ability and got upset every time I talked about people needing to be reminded that they were good. It can’t be the bubble. Omni told me my greatest gift would be to control the mind. I assumed when I learned what the ability was, it would define me.
Brent’s eyes grew wide. “You’re right, Claire. That’s it,” he said, snapping his fingers. I realized he read my thoughts again. I was okay with it this time because I was curious.
“What is it?” I asked, confused.
He took my hand and held it. “You’re a Manipulator, Claire. It makes so much sense for The Locket.”
I looked at the others to see if they agreed. “A Manipulator? That doesn’t sound good.”
Brent smiled, looking at me with so much pride that my heart skipped. “God, I can’t believe I just figured it out. It’s been so obvious.” He hugged me and kissed the top of my head.
I smiled at his excitement. “What does that mean?” I urged, requesting further explanation.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and spoke softly. “It’s what makes you so amazing and kind, Claire. A Manipulator controls memories, and more importantly, controls feelings in others. They can also modify, suppress, and influence those memories whenever necessary. The ability allows you to replay memories in others or show them their future. In your case, you use it to show people the good that is in them, teaching them to trust themselves and do the right things. Think about it, Claire. You used it to help Melanie and Logan.”
“I think Brent is right, Claire,” Logan interrupted. “I couldn’t help but see I was a good person when I was around you. After spending time with you, I couldn’t think about anything I’d done wrong but I could clearly see everything I’d done right.”
“Of course, The Locket. Lock and unlock,” Reese said, like a switch was flipped on for him too. “Kace said The Shadow locked his seal by exposing his darkness. I think Claire was chosen because she can show Kace he’s good, through his memories. If Kace believes that, it will unlock his seal. That will release The Shadow’s control and allow us to defeat him.”
Worry bubbled inside of me. “I’m not sure I can do that,” I said tentatively.
Logan crossed in front of Brent, taking the spot in front of me.
“You can, Claire. I never thought of myself as good. I thought I was a carbon copy of my dad, destined to live the same miserable existence. You showed me differently. You’re stronger than you believe. Think about it, Claire. You were able to look past what I did to Maggie,” he stressed, grabbing my hand and holding it. I smiled when Brent didn’t get upset. Maybe he finally understood.
I hung my head thinking that my friends had more faith in me than I did in myself.
“I’m not so sure about that, Logan,” I said in barely a whisper.
Logan pulled my chin up. I looked in his eyes uncomfortably as he spoke. “Claire, I was in a bad place when the Agents stripped my abilities and denied me my place in your life. I had anger so deep inside that I never thought I’d get past it.”
“They took away your abilities?” I asked, completely befuddled.
He palmed both sides of my face. His touch was warm, contrary to the other Logan that left my skin chilled when he touched me. I smiled knowing the old Logan was gone and buried. I also smiled at how calm Brent remained while Logan showed me affection. It was hard for him but he was making progress.
“Of course they did, Claire, just before I kidnapped you. My behavior was not worthy of such gifts. If it were not for you, I would still be without them, living a bitter life, blaming others for the things I could control. Believe in who you are, Claire,” Logan insisted, begging me with his eyes to understand.
This was so much to think about. Could I really harness enough power to make a man like Kace see more in who he was? Kace had been lost to the hate within him for so long. I wasn’t sure he could ever be convinced he was worth more than his service to evil.
“Maybe we should split up and go look for him?” Reese said anxiously, interrupting my thoughts.
“No! We have to stay together. It’s the one thing I’m absolutely sure of,” I shouted loudly. For the first time in my life my puzzle was complete. Each one of us was a piece, fitting together perfectly. If one piece was missing, this would not work.
I marveled how good it felt to be here with all of them. I had the same sensations at the lunch table – our seals linked together – designed to be friends. I had reached a point in my life where I told myself friendships didn’t really matter. I didn’t need friends. Now, in my group of eight, I knew they were my lifeline. Without them, I was not complete and neither were they.
I considered our abilities and what each of us brought to the circle. Some of us shared gifts, yet each of us had one that was solely our own.
“How did all of you do that electricity thing with Kace?” I asked inquisitively.
?
??It’s Astral energy. Because we’re half Apparition, we’re able to control it. You can do it too, Claire. As we grow stronger, we’ll do more with it. It’s very powerful. It’s how I can trap, how Riley heals, even your glass bubble is an effect from the energy,” Brent responded.
“I already know what Reese and Brent’s alternate abilities are. What about the rest of you?” I wanted to know everything about them.
“Well, I can do the semblance thing like Reese,” Layken offered. “But I can’t create little clones like he can, that’s for sure,” she laughed.
“What about you, Logan? Any alternate abilities?” I asked and he smiled like we shared a secret. The teasing way he looked at me sparked something inside of me and I flushed inwardly.
