Read Jaci's Experiment for Free Online Page A

the power of the crystallographer’s mind that tunes the crystal and allows us to harness its energy.” She went about her tasks in the cell so she’d be ready to move on when she switched the monitor back on.
    “The Maras would not want you to know, but the crystal gift is leaving our people. Each generation breeds fewer and fewer crystallographers. Our greatest at present is a throwback and under normal circumstances, he would not be permitted to breed, but he’s found a mate. It was a huge scandal, but he claimed a resonance mate from among your people. She has proven to have an amazing level of crystal skill herself. Together, they are unstoppable, and I personally think their success is what has made the High Council consent to this experiment to bring back some of my people’s emotion.”
    “Without the crystal gift, you can’t power your cities.” Ruth caught on quickly.
    “And without emotion, the crystal gift is leaving our people.”
    Ruth shook her head in wonder. “I would never have thought of that, but we’ve all been speculating.”
    Jaci had to grin. “I guess the telepathic grapevine is quite active down here.”
    “You can say that again.” Ruth laughed outright. “We don’t have much else to occupy us down here, except Dave and Mike make an effort to find entertaining and 31
    educational things on their viewer and share them as often as they can with the rest of us who can hear.
    We’ve been learning a lot about your people since you installed it in their cell.”
    “And speculating a great deal, I imagine.” Jaci found herself astounded by their ingenuity. “I’d be willing to help you decipher anything that might be confusing. Just ask.”
    Ruth’s smile lit her whole face. “That’s great! Thanks.”
    She found herself in the cousins’ cell shortly thereafter, a smile full of apprehension on her face as she faced them.
    “It’s off,” she said as calmly as she could.
    She didn’t want to appear weak, but she really needed a hug. The emotions were flooding her again and each cell she visited made her want to break down and cry. But she had to be strong. She couldn’t show the changes that were happening to her.
    “Come here, sweetheart.” Michael’s tone was gentle as he tugged her into his arms.
    She felt at peace for the first time since leaving her dreams of these two men. She snuggled into Michael’s embrace, unsurprised when David moved up behind them, placing his soothing hands on her head and neck, massaging away her tension with his magic touch.
    “How’s that? Better?” David asked at her ear, making her shiver.
    She heard a sound come from her throat that she’d never made before. It was a hum of pleasure and it alerted her to another sound, a low pulsing hum that had started sometime after Michael had opened his generous arms to her.
     
     
    She stood back from them with wide eyes, breaking contact and the hum stopped.
    Could it be?
    “Blood of the Founders!” Her whispered exclamation caught their attention.
    “What’s wrong?” David’s voice was a little sharper as she looked at him.
    “I don’t know. Maybe nothing, but…” She moved forward, her hand outstretched to touch his cheek, gently, with great uncertainty.
    32
    And there was the Hum. She knew what it was now, with dreadful certainty. Her heart was both elated and troubled.
    She let him go and turned to Michael, repeating her action. As she touched him, the Hum returned. But how could this be? Her thoughts whirled. They only had about five minutes left for her to tell them what she suspected, but it was much too complicated.
    She firmed her shoulders and turned to face them both, touched by the concern on their faces. She’d just have to do the best she could.
    “I don’t understand this, but have you ever heard the term ‘resonance mate’? It is part of my culture’s distant past. There might be something in the ancient texts they’ve given you access to that could help you