Chapter 9 The Ley Lines
Fennigan pointed out the window at the dense forest rushing by.
"We just crossed the territory line. The Blackwood land sits n=on a convergence of ley lines--massive currents of earth energy. It's one of the most powerful territories in the country."
"Sometimes, humans just feel a little dizzy. But, you...you're a Spark. You"re sensitive to energy."
Leela groaned as another wave of pressure throbbed in her head. "It feels like my head is in a vice."
"It's not trying to hurt you," Fennigan explained gently. "It's recognizing you. The land knows what you are, Leela. That pressure you feel? 1that's the territory reaching out. It's like you're coming home."
Leela gripped the steering wheel, driving through the pain. Coming home.
For the first time in her life, the pain didn't feel like something breaking. It felt like something connecting.
"It feels like pain and noise because you're fighting it," Fennigan said, watching her rub her temples. You're a radio trying to play to stations at once. When you learn to key it in--to accept the frequency of the land instead of resisting it--it won't hurt anymore. It'll feel like power."
Leela nodded. though she wasn't sure she believed him. The pressure behind her eyes was throbbing in time with her heartbeat.
Finally, the trees parted.
They emerged into a sprawling, gravel clearing that looked less like a driveway and more like a compound. The Blackwood Estate was magnificent. It was a giant structure built from timber logs the size of ancient pillars and river boulders that looked like they had been pulled form the earth's core. Warm golden light spilled from the windows, promising safety and warmth.
The SUVs were already parked in a neat row. Leela pulled The Bean in between
two of the sleek, mud-spattered behemoths. It looked like a rusted tin can sitting in a showroom of tanks.
She turned the key to shut off the engine, but The Bean beat her to it.
COUGH. WHEEZE. CLUNK.
The car gave a final, death-rattle, shuddered and died. Smoke poured gently from under the hood. Leela tried to turn the key again. Nothing. Not even a click.
Fennigan unbuckled his seatbelt, grinning.
"Well," he said, patting the dashboard affectionately. "She gave her life for the mission. At least you were right--she made exactly this far and not a foot further.
Leela patted the steering wheel. "Rest in peace, Bean."
They stepped out of the car. The air here was crisp and smelled of woodsmoke and roasting meat.
The front door of the lodge opened, and a man stepped out onto the wide, wrap around porch.
He was big-tall and broad like Fennigan, but thicker, with the heavy, grounded buld of a bear. He had dark hair peppered with iron-gray at the temples. and a face that was the polar opposite of Elana's Where she was sharp angles and intensity, he was warm lines and calm strength.
He was wearing a heavy flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up with a chef's apron tied over his jeans. He was wiping grease off his hands with a rage as he lumbered down the steps.
"Well,: the man boomed, his voice a deep gravelly rumble that echoed off the trees. "I hear you gave my wife a run for her money. Not many people can make Elana break the speed limit. She was out of here like a shot when that fog started to lift."
He stopped a few feet away, smiling. It was a geniune, crinkle-eyed smile that made Leela's shoulders drop and inch.
"I'm Damon," he said. "Fennigan's dad. And the guy who tries to keep the peace."
"Hi," Leela squeaked. She felt small standing between these two huge Blackwood men. "I'm Leela. I'm sorry...about everything."
"Don't be sorry," Damon chuckeled. "We needed a little excitement. Life's been too quiet around here lately."
He extended a hand--a massive, calloused paw--towards her.
"Welcome to Blackwood, Leela."
Leela hesitated, then reached out. She wanted to make a good impression. She wanted to show she was polite.
She grasped his hand.
"Thank you, I...."
The moment their skin touched, the world turned white.
It wasn't a static shock. It felt like she had grabbed a live wire with wet hands. A wave of invisible energy surged up her arm, traveled through her chest, multiplied in her core, and exploded outward.
SNAP>
The sound was like a gunshot.
Above them, the string of heavy duty industrial floodlights lining the porch roof didn't flicker. They detonated.
POP-POP-POP-POP
Glass rainded down onto the wooden deching in a shower of sparks. The sudden darkness was blinding, leaving spots dancing in Leela's eyes.
Leela yanked her hand back, gasping, clutching her wrist to her chest.
The courtyard went dead silent. The dogs in the kennel stopped barking. The wind seemed to hold its breath.
Leela stood there, horrified, staring at the smoking reamains of the porch lights.
"I.." she stammered, backing up until she bumped into Fennigan's chest. "I didn't..I swear I didn't mean to...I just blew up your house."
Damon stood in the dark, brushing a shard of frosted glass off his shoulder. He didn't look angry. He didn't look scared.
He looked up at the ruined fixtures, smoke still drifting from the sockets. Then he looked back at Leela, His eyebrows raised in geniune appreciation.
"Well," Damon drawled, a slow grin spreading across his face in the moonlight. "That's one way to make an entrance, young lady."
"Come on inside before you short out the doorbell, too." Damon teased gently, ushering them throught the heavy oak double doors.