“I think I’m gonna play my guitar and write for a bit. You can watch TV or whatever, I’ll just be in my room. In the zone.” She smiled softly, trying to ignore whatever emotions dwelled inside her and the conversation I had tried to start. But those little daisies falling to the ground behind her as she walked back to her room told another story.
I saw the connection between her emotions and her power, although she tried to hide it. We both struggled in that way. When she walked around naked that one day to get me to leave, it took everything in me to contain the strong winds that were attempting to escape because of my lust. Every sexy movement from her and a tree got mowed down by the wind on her property. Somewhere far where she couldn’t hear but she’d notice if she took a walk.
I’d pushed her too far this time, and she needed space. Instead of moping about the past, I grabbed my tablet and settled on the couch. Conspiracies had been popping up about the Collector and the victims. Nothing major had happened today, but I investigated every crazy story on the internet.
Our actions this evening made the news, and talk about a new hero who controlled the air weaved into conversations on the web. What we’d did wasn’t much different than the missions I’d handled in the military, except these criminals were petty. The ones I’d met in the past were more dangerous and clever.
I scanned through the dark web looking for collector business and came up with nothing. Deciding it might be a good idea to rest for once, I checked through my email one last time.
[email protected] – Collector Business
I clicked the email fast, and saw red.
I’ll be in touch soon to talk about Hazel joining my collection. Wonderful performance today.
~ The Collector
P.S. This message will self-destruct. You have thirty seconds to make sure my new prize doesn’t get harmed.
I didn’t understand the postscript note until my tablet’s heating notification buzzed.
“Fuck.” I raced to a window and opened up one of the sides. My tablet heated and I could barely hold it in my hands. Not giving a fuck if it was going to explode or not I tossed it out the window into the air, holding it up with my powers so there wouldn’t be any damage.
Nothing. No explosion blasted in the air of Seahill. I heard only the sounds of cars honking. City life echoed. I brought my tablet back. It was cool to the touch. I peered down and saw another email had been sent.
Gotcha! I wouldn’t do anything to potentially harm my prize. I care too much about her.
See you both soon.
~ The Collector
I was going to kill whoever this asshole was.
Chapter Fifteen
Hazel
I’d been experiencing a full chaotic range of emotions since we left Seahill and landed in Austin. My head and my heart hurt from overthinking about Maddox.
“All right ladies, we’re live in three, two, one.” The producer for theSunny Texas AM Showsignaled to me and the host Bri Smith to begin our interview. I wasn’t sure why the label wanted me to do this show. The news presenters weren’t the nicest or biggest supporters of me. I liked to call them pot stirrers, since they usually talked about controversial subjects to gain reactions both good and bad from the masses.
“Hello, Sunny Texas, I’m your host Bri Smith and we have a special guest for all you viewers tuning in this morning. You may recognize this stunning woman. She’s won countless awards, including best album of the year for ‘Black-Eyed Susan.’ Hazel Kennedy!”
I waved to the little audience, then to the camera with a big smile on my face.
“Welcome, Hazel, to the show. The whole studio has been buzzing about you coming in today. You are quite the hit right now.” Bri grinned.
I wanted to toss the fact that I’ve been a hit for years now, but she wouldn’t actually care. “Thank you, Bri, I’m so excited to be here. I love Austin so much. Everyone is always so polite and sweet to me.” Internally, I wanted to roll my eyes when I saw her purse her thin lips together. I knew I shouldn’t have come on this show. Part of me knew they wanted me on here because they knew I’d say something to cause their ratings to skyrocket. I’d call them out on bullshit if I felt it was needed.
“That is so kind. I’m glad your stay here is going well. And speaking of going well, how is the next album you and Blue Wave have been hinting at? Inspiration hitting you yet?” She leaned in closer, looking every bit interested in what I had to say. I almost believed her until her gaze shifted to Maddox, then back to me sharply.Great.
“It’s been going good. I’ve been at my home in Seahill lately and that’s where I get the most inspiration. I love being surrounded by my garden and my favorite guitar.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. I know I can say for sure that everyone is excited to hear your next hit. Maybe another chart topper like, ‘All I Have Left.’”Her grin mirrored the one I saw in the Grinch storybook when he had a wicked, awful idea. Before I could respond, her questioning took a different direction.
“We’ve been seeing photos of you out and about, singing at local hotspots in Seahill with a new bodyguard hanging around. I don’t suppose the incident after you won your big award had anything to do with this new security detail?”
I had an inclination where this conversation would head. Maddox. She wanted to connect the Maddie from my song with Maddox.What a bitch.
