Dark Carousel (Dark #30) - Christine Feehan Page 0,55

the children were with him and not in other foster homes. Most likely they would have been separated, and no one else was going to understand what they’d gone through.

How can I help?

“Liv, this is Lourdes’s aunt Charlotte. Like you, she has had a brush with a killer. He took her brother, Lourdes’s father, and a friend. Genevieve”—he indicated Charlotte’s friend—“lost her grandmother and a boyfriend. It isn’t the same, but they know how bad it can be. Charlotte, Genevieve and Lourdes will be staying with us.”

Liv was silent for what seemed a very long moment and then her lashes lifted and she looked Charlotte directly in the eyes. “It’s safe here. He makes it safe.” She stepped closer to Tariq and wrapped her arm around his leg. He can help you sleep, and he’ll help Lourdes. Bella’s nightmares aren’t as bad.”

As Liv circled Tariq’s leg with her arm, Danny and Amelia gasped.

It is the first time she has voluntarily touched me herself. It is a good sign.

Poor baby. You are going to have to tell me exactly what happened to her. My friend Grace actually has studied to be a child psychologist. She chose not to stay, but it’s possible she would come back if I asked.

“But she isn’t eating,” Charlotte said gently, keeping the attention on Liv. She was instantly worried about her. Something in her eyes made Charlotte afraid for her. She was only ten, but she looked as if she’d seen too much and didn’t want to see anything else ever again. “Are you?” Charlotte hadn’t eaten that evening, either, and the thought of food made her stomach churn. She pressed her hand in deep and breathed away the nausea.

Liv looked up at Tariq and then down to the ground, shaking her head. “I can’t. It makes me sick to eat.”

Charlotte’s gaze jumped to Tariq’s. She isn’t going to make it if something isn’t done soon, Tariq. I think she’s contemplating . . .

Throwing herself in the lake. I know. I can read minds, remember?

What are you going to do? Something had to be done to save the child. A hospital? A good doctor might help.

Not for this. When we’re alone, I’ll tell you what happened to her and how I intend to help her. For now, I’m just giving her little boosts. But I need her to eat. She needs to get her strength up. They all do, all four of them. None of them are really eating. I tried to distance them from the memory of what happened, but they’re all resistant, especially Liv.

“Sometimes I feel sick when I think about food, too,” Charlotte admitted. “Still, I have to eat in order to be strong and take care of Lourdes. Bella, Amelia and Danny need you to be strong.”

Liv shook her head. “Danny and Amelia can take care of Bella.”

“Not without you,” Amelia said, panic in her voice.

They all knew. Charlotte glanced up at Tariq. These children had a psychic connection. She had gifts. Genevieve did. Tariq did as well. She remembered Emeline telling her about going for testing at a psychic center in the United States with her “sister” Blaze. She was obviously gifted as well.

Tariq nodded, encouraging her to connect the dots.

Is everyone living on this property gifted in some way? Even the older couple? The Waltons?

He nodded again, his eyes cool, watching her. All the while he stroked Liv’s hair, murmuring softly to her. The little girl clung tighter and Bella screeched and tried to get him to take her for a “horsey” ride.

Charlotte looked around again. The property was beautiful, rolling and green, an oasis surrounded by a very high fence. It wasn’t the fence that kept danger out, she was certain of that. At first glance that’s what it appeared, but she was learning to see with more than her eyes. She felt a ripple of power anytime she came close to the fence. She glanced at Tariq again, raising her eyebrow in question.

Safeguards. I’ve placed them all along the lakefront as well so that if Liv or any of the children get too close without someone watching them—and we want eyes on them at all times—then the safeguards come into play and warn them off.

She didn’t altogether understand how that would work. An alarm?

Anyone trying to penetrate the safeguards will run into a shield and yes, we will be alerted.

Around her, Genevieve and Lourdes talked with Danny and Amelia. Liv didn’t look at anyone other than Tariq, with