Free Accused (Ganzfield) by Kate Kaynak Page A

the “I do” part?
    He caught his breath. “Is that a yes?”
    Of course it’s a yes! You know you’re stuck with me forever . I started laughing. Wait, did we just get engaged?
    Trevor’s eyes sparkled and his soul seemed to overflow with light. “Yeah, I think we did.”
    Going to change your mind?
    He shook his head. “Not a chance.”
    I slid closer to him and kissed him tenderly. I felt good—and clean and safe and whole again. I was with Trevor and Trevor was amazing, and as long as we were together, we could make everything all right.

    In the morning, we slept late. The shutters across the windows kept the church blissfully dark.
    Ahh.
    I shifted slightly, savoring the feel of my comfy bed. I’d never take the simple pleasures of life for granted again. Sleeping late and waking up next to Trevor were definitely up there. Not that we’d slept in each other’s arms—he could still accidentally send me shot-putting across the room if we did that. But I opened my eyes to find him next to me in my little bed in the loft, watching me sleep with adoration and wonder in his eyes and heart.
    Somuch better than an alarm clock.
    My color was a bit better in the bathroom mirror. The dark smudges around my eyes were fading, but I was still pale and too thin. I made a face at the pasty waif-reflection.
    Good thing Trevor loves me for my mind.
    We shared a quiet breakfast of coffee and handfuls of dry cereal straight from the box as we snuggled in his bed and read a book together. The buzz from my first coffee in months filled me with a strong, humming energy, sharpening the edges of the world to a bright glow.
    Shortly before noon, I felt the tentative touch of Ann’s mind against mine. Maddie? Ann’s thoughts dripped with trepidation; I guessed the other minders had been talking about me.
    I turned to Trevor. Ann’s back.
    Concern pulled at his face. We’d been relaxed and content together, but Ann’s arrival made my anxious memories flare up.
    You wanted to see Zack? she asked.
    Is he with you?
    Yeah. Do you want us to come to the church?
    Um, I guess.
    We’ll be there in two minutes.
    I didn’t feel the desperate need to get all the crap charmed out of my head anymore. Trevor and I had been wading through the mud together pretty well. Maybe we should just handle it ourselves. If Ann’s emotions were any indication, Seth and my mom had picked up enough for everyone in minder-land to have the worst stuff in their heads already. Was there any point in letting a charm mess with my memories now?
    It felt strange, expecting visitors. We didn’t have people here often. I looked around for something to straighten, but the spartan sanctuary was clear. Ann’s approach sent a shiver of trepidation through me. I pulled a mental shield up to cover my naked thoughts.
    Trevor sensed it form around us. Are you okay?
    I… uh, yeah. No. I—I don’t want Ann to see my memories, okay? Will you do the talking?
    He brought me in closer and kissed the top of my head . Absolutely.
    We opened the door as I felt them approach. Actually, I only felt Ann, who—as a fellow-minder—was louder than other people to me. Ann’s pity dripped like candle wax—viscous and a bit too warm.
    In contrast, Zack was mentally invisible, as usual. “You need my help?” Zack looked more mature than the last time I remembered seeing him. How long had I been gone?
    I looked to Trevor, clutching more tightly at his hand.
    “Maddie has… Maddie was… interrogated. Tortured.” Trevor bit the word.
    Zack’s face clouded. Ann’s hazel eyes and mind radiated concern and her bronze complexion seemed to pale. Zack’s piercing blue eyes looked from Trevor’s face to mine, and then to Ann’s. He touched her hand and she became as mentally invisible as Zack—like she’d disappeared into his mind. She met his gaze and, after a few seconds, nodded.
    “I’ll see you in a little while, okay?” She ducked out of the church.
    “You can stop