High Energy, Joy, Dara [books to read this summer .txt] 📗

driving for half an hour in the dark through wooded country back roads,

they finally found the turn-off to LaLeche's so-called retreat. Once again,

Tyber had been correct: the retreat was nothing more than a tumble-down shack in

the middle of the wilderness.

Since they were late in arriving, several cars were already parked haphazardly

in the clearing. Tyber laughed when he noted one BMW sinking into four inches of

Vermont mud.

"All part of the experience, my dear." He imitated Xavier's affected speech

perfectly.

Zanita knocked on the crude wooden door to the cabin. Several voices rang out,

bidding them enter. She tentatively opened the door.

Eight people were huddled around a huge fireplace. An old, scarred wooden table

rested against the right wall. It was generously overflowing with refreshments,

presumably brought by the guests.

And that was it.

Nothing else in the room. No furniture. No appliances.

Zanita quickly scanned the one-room cabin. No amenities.

Several blankets and sleeping bags lined the walls. In one corner, a tape player

was issuing forth New Age meditation music—lots of Celtic harps and chimes.

"Dr. Evans! Zanita!" LaLeche stood up to greet them. "I was beginning to think

you couldn't make it this weekend."

You mean you were getting concerned that a good mark was getting away from you.

Tyber looked him directly in the eye, saying, "We got a little sidetracked, but

we're here now."

Zanita threw him a killing look.

LaLeche smirked knowingly, his slimy gaze falling on Zanita. "Yes, well, that

does happen. Glad you could make it." He gestured to the sideboard. "Would you

like some refreshment before we start, perhaps something to drink?"

"Ah, sure." LaLeche wandered away while they approached the table. Zanita was

already filling a cup with punch when Tyber stayed her hand.

"What are you doing? And did you have to make that crack about being

sidetracked? It was embarrassing; he knew exactly what you were implying," she

fumed.

"Yes, I did. We don't want him getting suspicious about us. He's less likely to

do that if he thinks we can't keep our hands off each other." He grinned rather

slowly at her. "And it's true, isn't it?"

Zanita flushed. "Never mind that. I want some punch; I'm thirsty from the

shrimp."

"Here, try this cola." He opened up a bottle, pouring her some. She looked at

him quizzically. "Just a precaution. I don't think we should eat or drink

anything here that isn't in its original packaging or factory-sealed."

She almost choked on her Coke. "You think he might drug us?"

"Not really; but it doesn't hurt to be cautious."

LaLeche's voice interrupted their low conversation. "Why don't we all sit in a

circle in front of the fire? Dr. Evans, you sit here." He pointed to a spot two

spaces away from him. "And Zanita can sit between us, here."

They took their spots on the floor, Tyber not seeming very happy that Zanita was

sitting next to LaLeche.

"John, can you lower those kerosene lamps? Good. Now let's all join hands.

First, why don't we introduce ourselves by going around the circle? Xavier."

"Kim," the next woman supplied. Zanita noticed that she had yet to take her eyes

off Tyber. Zanita surreptitiously glanced his way again, noting the sensual,

masculine planes of his profile outlined in the flickering light. He had tied

back his hair before they left their room, reminding her of the first time she

had met him and the effect he had on her then. Still had on her. Probably would

always have on her. She grudgingly admitted that he was gorgeous even in

firelight. Especially in the firelight.

"John," the young man next to Kirn said. He was staring avidly at Zanita.

"Elizabeth." A wan-looking elderly woman with gray hair was next.

"Marcie." This woman seemed totally belligerent. Zanita wondered why she had

bothered to come.

"Eric." He spoke in a low voice, seeming very shy and withdrawn.

"Stacy."

"Ralph."

"Bob."

"Tyberius Augustus."

"You're kidding!" Kim giggled.

Tyber grinned back at her, shaking his head. The grip on his Zanita side

threatened to break every bone in his hand.

"Zanita," she mumbled through her teeth. Why was Tyber smiling at Kim like that?

"Weren't you at the seminar last Friday?" John asked her, breaking into her

thoughts.

"Yes. You remember me? I can't believe it!" Tyber just shook his head.

"Now that we all know each other, let's try to break some of the psychic walls

around us by going around the circle again; only this time I want each of you to

address someone in the circle that you either know or have just met, and tell

them something about them that you noticed or intuitively felt about them. For

instance, I feet a certain hostility coming from Marcie. Am I right, dear?"

"Yes. I guess I'm still agitated about my job. I had a fight with my boss before

I left. She's such a jerk. I haven't been able to let it go. It's amazing you

picked that up, Xavier." Everyone concurred, marveling over LaLeche's gift.

Tyber's finger discreetly tickled the underside of Zanita's hand. She tried not

to smile.

"You must let it go, Marcie. After all, one of the reasons you are here this

weekend is to release your anxieties. To free the astral body, you must be at

peace—balanced. Kim, let's continue with you."

Kim didn't waste any time. She looked directly at Tyber and said, "You're a very

handsome man. I was wondering if you're as beautiful on the inside as you are on

the outside."

For some reason, Zanita hated this woman. Intensely.

Tyber looked at Kim without blinking an eye. "Thank you; I don't know what to

say. I'm not used to that kind of flattery." A snort of disbelief came from his

left side.

"That was honest, Kim." LaLeche seemed pleased. "John?"

"Yeah, I, ah, I like Zanita's eyes—they have a compassionate look about them.

Real pretty. Violet eyes. Makes me think I can open up to her."

Zanita felt suddenly uncomfortable. Was this guy serious? Tyber tugged on her

hand, prompting her. "That's… uh, nice of you, John."

And so it went around the circle. Zanita realized LaLeche was trying to get them

to feel at ease with themselves and him. The sooner the barriers broke down, the

sooner everyone would have good feelings toward their leader. LaLeche

undoubtedly hoped those wonderful feelings would translate into hefty donations.

Both the cars in the drive and the apparel of these people indicated to her that

they were well chosen