Entranced (A PowerUp! Story) Read Online Free Page B

it’s whistling.”
    At that moment, the kettle shrieked, and Heather left to get it.
    Jack grunted. “Nice trick.”
    “We all have our uses.” She winked at him. “You’re here to bring Heather home. Heather is not yet ready to go. Once she’s finished, then she may go. But not until then.”
    “So what’s this task, and how soon can we get it done?”
    Heather returned with two steaming mugs and set one down on the table in front of Ida. “We? I don’t remember asking for your help.”
    “Yeah? Well, you’ve got it all the same. I’m here to bring you back in one piece. You tell me you have to lie so folks won’t kill you, and my feet are still tingling from the power beneath us. I think it’s past time to go, and I just got here. So do what you’ve gotta do, and let’s head back to the States.”
    “Don’t you think I’ve been trying?”
    She sighed, and her lips turned down. That softness captivated him. He’d had his share of rough and tough women, but Jack was a protector by nature. He gravitated toward those needing his brand of strength. Which was why he should stay far, far away from Owen’s little sister. So what that she had a killer rack, legs up to the moon, and an ass that begged to be ridden? She was trouble, a real problem he could do without.
    He cleared his throat and forced himself not to scowl at Ida’s knowing smile. “So what’s the deal with the yellow gate? According to Hans, there are people on the other side of it. But Jan guards it? And how about that bizarre road I drove in on? You’re telling me everyone in town is psychic?”
    “The gate is indeed protected by Jan. Only those the council has deemed fit to be here may come to town. On the other side of that gate lies the town of Grainau.”
    Jack frowned at her. “That’s impossible. I turned north instead of continuing west to get here, driving away from Grainau.”
    “And yet, here you are.” Ida sipped her tea. “I have been trying to help Heather find the Source before she leaves. But every time she tries to search it out, one of our people pulls her back. The Baers have put a lockdown on her movements.” Ida gave her an apologetic glance, and Heather made a face.
    “Explain that.” Jack wanted to know.
    “You must understand that everyone in Drei-Gewalten has psychic ability, hence the name of our town meaning three forces—mind, body, energy. The majority of our people have better senses, faster reflexes, nothing too powerful, and nothing that you couldn’t overcome with ease. But the council and a few of the first families, they could be troublesome.”
    “First families?” he asked.
    “The ones who first settled here,” Ida answered. “Like the Baers, a very powerful family. Ernst and Klaus, Ralf Baer’s sons, have developed…feelings…for Heather. The only thing that’s been keeping them from pressing their attentions is my connection to her. As you know, she’s not really my niece, but my name has weight here. Four generations of Wurtzes have been born and died in Drei-Gewalten. We all have wisdom and an affinity for the Source. Those in town respect my years here, even the Baers. But I’m afraid my influence won’t outlast young Ernst’s desire. That boy in particular wants to claim Heather for his own. And he normally gets what he wants.”
    Over my dead body . Jack couldn’t have said why he felt so bothered by the thought, but he didn’t like bullies, and harming innocents, even a woman with power like Heather, went against everything he stood for. It was obvious from watching her reactions that Heather wanted little to do with either Baer.
    He changed the subject to something more important than his stupid feelings, which had no place on the job. “So how do we leave town to find this Source? Just go through the gate? And this Jan guy. He knows who I am?” He still didn’t like that.
    “Yes, he does. I’m sure it’s been passed all over town that you and Heather are