"Why wouldn't I be?" Dad told me about you and Nina breaking up," she said. "I just wanted to know how you were handling it."I didn't even bother expl...ining to her that Nina and I hadn't had a relationship to break up from. By now it was starting to sound like a lie even to me. "I'm okay, Mom," I assured her. "It'll work out." I certainly hope so," she told me sympathetically. "I really like her a lot you know. I thought you two made a cute couple."I smiled weakly."I'm not trying to tell you. While they were busy with that, we looked around for some clothes to change but apart from few loincloths there was nothing else, so we stood there shivering and dripping water on their floor.When the woman, who was apparently the man's wife, saw us standing there and shivering like children, she gestured to us to change into those strips hanging there. When we indicated that we were alright, she got confused and started pointing toward the clothes line and this back and forth gesturing went on. I think it’s worth a shot. How about you darling?Anything that could help shut up the little rumor mongers I’ve been forced to hear all day would be worth it.Manny?Sure. Kara, stay where you are; we’ll come to you in a moment and make an announcement. I can make it unless either of you would prefer to.Allison ‘smiled’ as they approached the table. I think I’m the best person to do it. There are a lot of people who wouldn’t believe Kara, and a fair number that would still be convinced you’re. "Your power has led you to your book, just as your book was a lodestone to your power. Do you not feel it?" Yes. I feel it," my hand stroking the pages of the book."Desire," he said. "An almost physical desire. Your power will come from that desire. That desire is how you will learn to channel the three great sources of power: from the Groves comes the white power, from the Earth comes the strong power and from the dark Heaven comes the black power. Only by combining all three can you make them.