The Empaths (Book one in The Empaths series)

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Lucy opened her eyes and it was still dark. It was unusual for her to be awake before her alarm. She looked at the clock. It was four forty-five. Only fifteen minutes before her alarm was due to go off anyway. She threw off the blankets and hauled herself out of bed.

She dug through her closet and found her running clothes. Quickly changing out of her pajamas, she strapped her iPhone to her arm, put her headphones in, and crept quietly down the stairs.

In the sitting room, the fire was still burning. It was close to going out, so she gave it a stoke and put another log on. The room was warm and comforting.

"Good morning."

Lucy very nearly let out a scream that would have been heard in town had it not been for the fact that it got trapped in her throat, making her splutter.

Scarlett was sitting in the corner of the room in her usual chair by the window, curled up with a blanket and a cup of tea. She was chuckling to herself. "Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," she whispered.

Lucy sat on the couch across from her, pulling at her shirt. "No, it's fine," she said, taking a deep breath. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Couldn't sleep." Scarlett turned to look out the window. "The weather is starting to turn and I can feel it in the air." She pulled at her blanket. "Spring is my favourite time of year." She glanced back at Lucy with a warm smile. "It's something you'll get to understand as you learn to use your powers."

Lucy nodded.

"I'd like to start teaching you about them sooner rather than later," she continued. "Maybe tonight we can sit down with your brother and we'll start with the basics?"

Lucy must have looked hesitant, because Scarlett sat up and put her tea on the small table beside her chair. "Lucy, we really need to get started. It's important that you learn to harness the power you have. You don't have long before you inherit your mother's power and she was strong. Very strong."

Lucy blew out a breath. "What will happen to me, Scarlett? If I'm not ready to receive mom's power?"

A look crossed Scarlett's face. One that Lucy hadn't seen in a long time. She knew that look better than anything.

She put her head in her hands. Her heart began to race in her chest.

She felt the couch beside her dip and then a warm arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Lucy. Do you hear me?" said Scarlett, sounding fierce. "You're an incredible girl and I've seen the way you've handled yourself over the past two years." She paused and gave Lucy a squeeze. "You can do this. I know you can."

Lucy looked over at Scarlett, pushing her curls out of her eyes. "Do you really think so?" she asked, wide-eyed. "Because if you don't, even for a second, then I need to know now."

Scarlett was already shaking her head. "Don't even contemplate that notion, Lucy. I know you can do it. I know it." She stared at Lucy with such fire that Lucy nodded automatically.

"Good," Scarlett said. "Now, this evening, we'll get started, alright?"

"Okay, Scarlett."

"Good." She wrapped both arms around Lucy and held her tight. "Now go for your run, clear your mind and please, don't worry." She pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Okay?"

Lucy managed a half smile. "I'll try."

"I know you will." Scarlett let her go so she could put on her running shoes, jacket, scarf, gloves and beanie.