The Changeling Princess (7 page)

CHAPTER 12

I was reading the evening paper when I glanced at the television listing for the evening. I noticed that Stagecoach, the 1939 classic with John Wayne was listed for seven o’clock. This was Missy’s favorite movie. “What are you watching on television tonight, Mom?”

“
Nothing, Janis. Your father’s working late tonight and I have a lot of sewing to catch up on.”

I rushed upstair
s to give Missy the good news.
Guess what, girls? Stagecoach is on television tonight!

Missy perked up.
You’re kidding?

Is that good? Izzy asked.

Is that good?
Missy replied.
Stagecoach is the best cowboy movie ever made. How much longer before it starts?

About an hour
, I answered.

Missy was prancing back and
forth on the foot of the bed
. Can’t you change time, Janis, so we don’t have to wait so long?

I
’m sorry, but I don’t have that kind of power.

We
’ll just have to wait
, said Izzy.

I came up with an idea
. I don’t see why we can’t have fun while we’re waiting. Anyone wanna go for a ride?

Yeahhhhhhh!
Missy shouted.

I was laughing so hard I had to stop and catch my breath. The next hour was pure pleasure because the kitties were having so much fun.

At five minutes to seven, Missy and Izzy followed me downstairs to watch Stagecoach. They sat right in front of the television so they wouldn’t miss a thing. Missy had me in stitches the way she was always rooting for the good guys. When the cavalry arrived to save the stagecoach from the Indians, both of the kitties were running around in front of the television like they was leading the charge. When it was bedtime, the kitties were so worn out they went right to sleep.

I was sitting at my dresser when my thoughts drifted back to a science fiction movie I
’d seen on television last year. I remembered the scientists in the movie were trying to figure out how to harden the air around them and use it as a barrier. When they finally figured out how to do it, they identified the barrier as a force field. It was only science fiction, but why couldn’t I do something like that? 1 had the power of telekinesis, so maybe I could use my power to develop a real force field. I felt it was worth a try.

I wasn
’t sure how to start, so I concentrated on a small space on the floor in front of me. I centered my thoughts on hardening the air so that it was rock solid. I focused my concentration on a space that was one inch thick and three feet square.

I had trouble containing my excitement when the force field materialized. It looked like transparent plastic and it was exactly one inch thick and three feet square. I pushed on the force field with my foot, but it didn
’t budge. I decided to use my mental powers, so I clasped my hands over it and went into deep concentration. When the force field came loose, it was super light because it was nothing but compressed air. I focused on dissolving the force field and it disappeared instantly. I was off to a good start.

I continued with my experiment and found that I could contour a force field into any shape I desired. The Ivarrs were great warriors, so my next project was to make a sword. When I was finished, I pretended I was fighting an opponent, I had no doubt my expertise on the battlefield would be nothing short of spectacular. I dissolved the sword because I didn
’t want my parents to see it. I could always make another one.

I tried another experiment by throwing a rubber ball against the wall. When the ball bounced back to me, I threw up a force field and deflected the ball. I was pleased because I now had the power to erect a force field in a split second. What a great tool this would be in battle. I couldn
’t wait to show my force field to Wade.

It was nine o
’clock when I went downstairs for a late snack. My mom was in the kitchen heating up some stew. “Your father will be home soon and he’ll be hungry. Do you want some stew?”

“
No, I’m not that hungry, Mom. I’ll just make myself a ham sandwich.” I got the fixings out of the refrigerator and placed them on the kitchen counter. “What’s Dad working on at the office?”

“
He’s putting the finishing touches on a new shopping center. He’s behind schedule and there’s still a lot of work to be done. He’ll probably work late all this week.”

I finished making my sandwich and sat down to the table with mom.
“Level with me, Mom, do you and Dad have any problem with my seeing Wade Wilson? We’re not going steady or anything, but he’s a Witch and I thought you might have a problem with that.”

“
I’m going to let you in on a secret, Jan, but you have to promise not to say anything to your father. He’d be embarrassed.”

I crossed my heart.
“Scouts honor, Mom.”

“
Your father dated Mildred Wilson when he was in high school. It was never a serious relationship, but it caused quite a stir between the Clans.”

“
You’re kidding? Dad actually dated a Witch?”

“
I knew about it before I married your father and I haven’t given it a second thought since.”

“
That’s pretty amazing, Mom. You have my word that I’ll never bring up the subject around Dad.”

I finished my sandwich and said goodnight to my mom. I giggled at the thought of my dad dating a Witch. It seemed like I learned something new every day.

CHAPTER 13

The morning air was clean and crisp when I loaded my backpack into the car. I could smell the flowers in the air as I started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. It was going to be an interesting day.

Wade was waiting for me on the porch when I pulled up in front of his house.

“
You look wide awake this morning,” I said as he got into the car.

“
I had a good night’s sleep. How was Anna’s pool party?”

“
A lot of the kids from school showed up, but I was surprised to see that she was serving beer. Her parents had a lifeguard at the pool just in case any trouble broke out.”

“
I was told that a really gorgeous brunette showed up at the party and the guys went gaga over her. I heard she was propositioned by Billy Sims and she pushed him into the pool.”

“
Who told you that?”

“
George McGregor called me and told me all about it. He said everyone’s talking about it.”

“
That happened just before I got to the party.”

Wade was wearing a suspicious grin.
“You’re not being truthful with me, Janis.”

“
What makes you think that?”

“
Well, first of all, no one had ever seen the gorgeous chick before the pool party. Second, she just disappeared into thin air. That sounds like the work of a Changeling and Sherri was at the party with Bruce. I wasn’t sure if it was you until my senses told me you weren’t being truthful with me. Personally, I think the whole thing is hilarious.”

I was so unsettled that I stuttered.
“Do…do you have…have any idea how embarrassed I am right now? Your senses have developed to the point that I can’t even tell you a simple little fib. I feel like turning invisible just so I don’t have to face you.

Wade looked amused.
“That means we’re going to have a totally honest relationship. So tell me, who was this girl you morphed into?”

I paused because I didn
’t want to answer. “I…I morphed into my version of a six-foot tall Egyptian princess.”

“
Now that’s what I call imagination. Are you going to show me what she looks like?”

“
No, absolutely not.”

“
You’re telling me that it was good enough for Billy Sims, but not for me?”

Wade had me cornered and I knew it.
“Okay you win. I hope you get an eyeful.”

I did a quick morph into my Egyptian princess. Wade
’s grin was so devilish that I was embarrassed. It was then that I realized I was wearing my bikini.

“
No wonder you caused so much commotion at the pool. To be truthful, Janis, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“
I guess I was feeling mischievous. Maybe I was just tired of sitting back and acting like a wallflower.”

“
You have nothing to be ashamed of. So you had a little fun at the pool party. So what? No one was hurt. Besides, being an Ivarr is a pretty heavy load and you’ve got a right to let your hair down once in a while.”

“
I suddenly realized that Wade had a way with words. “You’d make a great salesman, Wade.”

“
Maybe so, but I think you should ditch the bikini and morph back into Janis French. You can read my mind and I might get my face slapped for the thoughts I’m having.”

*
* *

When we arrived at mountain campsite, mine was the only car there with the exception of a car with an attached camper. I parked the car and I unloaded my backpack.

We walked to the edge of the woods and I increased my height to seven feet tall. “Climb on my back and I’ll have you at the clearing in no time. Don’t forget my backpack.”

“
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a piggyback ride.”

Wade picked up my backpack and climbed onto my back. He had his arms around my neck and I was holding onto his legs.
“Are you all right back there, Wade?”

“
Of course I am. Any guy who gets the chance to wrap his arms and legs around a beautiful girl and complains about it is a sick puppy.”

“
I knew I shouldn’t have asked.”

I took off running and turned the hour-long trip into ten minutes. Wade was shaking his head when I morphed back down to my normal height.

“That was a real experience, Janis.”

“
I just hope I didn’t spoil you. How do you like this place?”

Wade looked around.
“It’s beautiful. It’s like stepping back in time before the country was discovered by the first settlers.”

“
Before we get started, I’ve acquired a new power I want to show you.” I picked up a rock and handed it to Wade. I stepped back about ten feet and stood there with my hands on my hips. “Wade, I want you to throw the rock at me.”

Wade looked at me suspiciously.
“Are you sure about this?”

“
Believe me; I know what I’m doing.”

Wade nodded his head and then threw the rock directly at me. I instantly erected a force field and the rock bounced away. Wade stepped forward and ran his hand over the transparent shield.

“You can build barriers with your mind? Wow! I’m impressed.”

“
Yes, it’s actually a force field. I harden the air in front of me and use it for a shield.”

“
Jeez, that’s a weapon and a half. My telekinesis is getting stronger, but I don’t have that kind of power.”

“
Not yet, but maybe later.”

I spent the next ten minutes shaping a target with a bull
’s-eye in the center. I walked Wade about fifty feet from the target and blinked my eyes. The energy beam projectiles acted like a pair of bullets when they struck the target. Wade looked surprised.

“
I had no idea the itching sensation in my eyes was a potential weapon.”

“
Now you know why I didn’t want you to experiment around the house. It’s your turn to take a shot at the target. You’ll find that you can shoot from either eye or both at the same time if you keep both eyes open.”

Wade stared at the bull
’s-eye and blinked his eyes. The energy bolts from Wade’s eyes hit the target dead center. Wade was so excited he was trembling. “What a turn on!”

“
Now try keeping both eyes open and combining the energy into one continuous beam. Think of the beam as a flashlight with the power of a steel cutting torch.”

Wade focused and then sent out a beam that covered the entire target.
“Concentrate harder,” I said. “Use more power.”

“
The beam grew in intensity and the target turned solid red. “That’s fantastic, Wade. You’re doing great!”

I opened my back pack and removed a sack containing poker chips.
“What are those for?” Wade asked.

“
Target practice,” I replied. “I’ll toss a chip up in the air and you see if you can hit it with an energy bolt. Are you right-eyed or left-eyed?”

“
You’re kidding me, right?”

“
Okay, use both eyes. That’ll give you a better chance of hitting the chip.”

I threw a poker chip high into the air. Wade fired three rapid shots before he hit the poker chip.
“At least you hit it,” I said.

Wade grinned.
“Let’s go again.”

I tossed another poker chip in the air and Wade hit it on his second try.
“I’m getting better.” A couple more throws and Wade was hitting the poker chip on the first try.

“
Throw one up in the air for me,” I said. “On second thought, throw two poker chips at the same time. Oh, by the way, I’m right eyed.”

Wade tossed two poker chips into the air and I hit both of them on the first try with my left eye shut. Wade grinned.
“Now I’m competing against Annie Oakley.”

“
I’m only better at this because I’ve had more practice. I wasn’t trying to show you up.”

“
I know that. I’m going to beat you after I’ve had more practice.”

“
I love your determination.”

We practiced until we ran out of poker chips. Wade had a determination I really admired. He was the type who never gave up.

I wanted to test Wade
’s element control, so I made a simple suggestion. “Why don’t you start with a small gust of wind and see what you can create?”

Wade centered his concentration on the middle of the clearing. The wind intensified and then began swirling around in a circle. The small dust devil soon turned into a mini-tornado that got larger and larger until Wade broke his concentration. The tornado disappeared in an instant.

“That was terrific, Wade! I’m really impressed.”

“
It’s kind of scary because I only used a small portion of my power. I can’t believe how much my powers have increased in such a short time.”

“
I think that’s a good thing, but before we leave, I think you deserve a treat.”

Wade smiled.
“I like the sound of this.”

“
Close your eyes.”

I grabbed Wade by the arm and morphed into a Mist. Before Wade could say anything, we were a hundred feet in the ai
r, floating over the clearing.
If you want to communicate with me, Wade, do as I’m doing and use telepathy.

I thought you couldn
’t pick up anything when you’re a Mist,
Wade said as we floated over the clearing.

That
’s only after I’ve morphed into a Mist. If I’m holding on to something before I morph, it turns into mist too. The only powers I retain as a Mist are speech, invisibility, reading minds and scent.

What happens if you let go of my hand?

You’ll materialize and drop to the ground.

Then I
’ll hold on tight.

Chicken,
I teased.

When we settled onto the ground, Wade was bent over, taking deep breaths.

“I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“
That’s okay. I’ve always had a fear of height, but I’ll get over it. It’s simply a matter of dealing with my fear until I overcome it. To be truthful, being high in the air in Mist form is a lot more relaxing.”

“
You’ve got a great attitude.”

I dissolved the force field target and then Wade and I cleaned up the area. I turned my energy on low and used it like a blower to sweep up the remains of the poker chips. The thought occurred to me that I might be able to turn my heat beam into a super cold beam. I decided I
’d work on that later.

“
After we cleaned the area, I suggested that it was time to head back to the car.”

“
If I’m ridding piggyback again, then that’s the real treat you mentioned earlier.”

I was laughing as I increased my height to seven feet and knelt down on one knee.
“Be my guest.”