by Jamie Magee
I nodded as my eyes met Drake’s. He had changed into o ne of his classic black suits. Every part o f him was perfectly addicting. I didn’t understand what Madison was waiting on, but I knew it was her loss.
Felicity walked over to the steps and bowed. “Your majesty. Welcome to Willow’s home. I am Felicity. I believe you know my soul mate, Brady.”
Drake smiled at her and reached for her hand and kissed it gently, then looked into her eyes. “The pleasure is mine. I see now why Brady fights so hard to come home to you.”
Felicity blushed, bowed again then went into the house. Drake’s eyes found mine. He climbed the stairs and slowly walked to my side.
I reached for the lapels on his jacket. “You clean up nice,” I said quietly.
He let his hands rest on mine, and his hypnotic touch eased through me. I sighed, pulling my hands away as he leaned against the rail.
“I talked to Beth,” I said, nodding to the door she’d just walked in.
“I assumed,” he said, looking through the window at everyone who was gathering and talking.
“She has a condition.”
“Do I want to know?” he asked as his eyes met mine.
“First tell me if you want to be king. Tell me how bad you want to be king?”
“I want to be in a position to help all of our dreams for Esterious come true.”
“You are going to have to want this for Drake, not me.”
He nodded as he smiled. “I want it for the both of us. For our dreams.”
I held in any argument that would take me off this topic and into a heartbreaking one. “You have to get your father’s blessing,” I whispered.
He froze, and for the first time I saw fear in his eyes.
“Just think about it. You won’t have to say anything; words are for the living. I’ll go with if you want to, but I’m not going to ask you to do this. Your mother put that condition there for a reason. She knows Livingston will say yes, and she knows it will free your conscious, and you need to have a clear conscious if you are going to rule any kingdom.”
He smiled sardonically as he gazed into my eyes. “And that’s why I love you, ” he whispered. “You’re so pure. So wise.”
At that moment, Landen stepped outside, and he took my breath away. His eyes were reflected in the dark blue shirt he was wearing, and his smile was perfect – enhancing his handsome dimples. He walked over to Drake and held out his hand. “Mr. Blakeshire, welcome to my home.”
Drake grinned and stood up straighter to shake Landen’s hand. “Mr. Chambers, it’s beautiful.” His eyes met mine. “Every part of it.”
Aubrey came out next, followed by Marc, Chrispin, Preston, and Beth.
She smiled at Drake as she moved her head from side to side. “I want a picture of all of you.” Landen and I stood back as Aubrey captured the moment I was sure Livingston always knew would come.
Everyone else came out one by one, carrying plates of food. My father said a blessing filled with love and gratitude. I had trouble focusing on eating. I was seated between Drake and Landen, and on purpose, I’m sure, Felicity sat Madi son across from us. I swear I could feel her anxiety, even though she did a very good job of hiding it as she talked to Felicity at her side. I thought about using her uneasiness as an excuse for me and Landen to take a walk or something, get away alone, but this was my house, and I couldn’t find the courage to be rude.
I felt Landen’s eagerness to talk to Aug ust, but August kept the conversation on topics that had nothin g to do with realms or kingdoms. I nstead, he provoked Draven and Aden to talk about their music, for Charlie t o talk about who her father was. A very talented man, from what I could gather – who left this world all too soon. Oddly, the topic seemed to make both her and Draven uncomfortable. I assumed it was because she had chosen to live here now, but I made a mental note to talk to her about that emotion the first chance I had. I could only imagine how hard it would be to come this far at such a young age without your family. I doubt I could have done that.
I kept staring at Winston. He was s eated between Ashten and Aubrey. If there was any couple that could raise a reckless boy – bring him back from whatever darkness that he belonged to – it was them. Ashten and Aubrey were forcing him to talk, not about serio us matters, but what he liked. He seemed to mirror the others in his love for music, and the more he talked, the more approachable he became, but I still didn’t trust him. I wished I’d focused on him more when I first met him, because right now I could swear he felt different. Yet, coldly familiar.
Monroe, along with Preston and Libby, were sitting in the swing. Though they weren’t talking, I was sure they were communicating. They would loo k at each other, then one of us. I t was like Preston and Libby were explaining who we were to her.
My time in The Realm echoed in my thoughts. I was furious with that Bianca girl. I had to figure out how to kill her. Stop her from hurting anyone else. I meant what I said to her. She was a disgrace to her kind. I mean who would openly seduce souls that didn’t belong to them. Who would willingly mask who they were just to be held by arms that didn’t belong to them.
“Where is that emotion coming from?” Landen thought as his eyes moved from me to Madison. I’m sure he felt a tinge of jealously in my emotion. I knew that Bianca had touched him. He may not remember it, or enjoyed it. But she had held Landen for a brief moment.
I moved my head from side to side. “Not there.” I looked up at him. “What do you remember about that place you were in?”
“More than I want to talk about right now ...I swear to you, I never touched that girl, if that is what you are worried about.”
I was worried about more than that, but I didn’t know how to say that. “You don’t remember her touching you – pretending to be me?”
“I don’t, ” he thought as his warm, burning lips touched my temple. “No one can mock your soul… and that is all I see when I look at you.”
I smiled, feeling the truth in his words. Maybe we could talk this out right now. Put ourselves in our own world for a second or two. “There has to be more, though…y ou were communicating with me. You told me those lyrics. Yo u told me our battle was there. Deep down, you know something else.”
“I do , ” he said, smiling sardonically . “But ri ght now I just want to hold you. I want to be around all of these people we love and enjoy this night. We have plenty of time to talk about the past I now remember.”
I didn’t want to talk about a past. Especially now that I found my twin. I was looking ahead. So I moved the topic. “We’re not all here.”
The moment I thought those words, I felt Monroe’s stare, and it gave me chills for no reason.
“Clari ssa is stubborn and determined. The only way I could have gotten her to come h ome would have been by force, and even that would have more than likely been a challenge.”
“What did your mom say about it?”
Landen looked to where his mom sat. “I know. That’s all she said wh en I told I saw her and that Clarissa said that she loved her.”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “Why do I feel your concern?”
“Be cause of how she said ‘I know’ like she knew something more. Like a motherly instinct.”
My mom and Felicity had started to clear away the plates, and I stoo d to help them; so did Landen. Once everything was put away, Landen and I walked outside to where everyone was gathering.
Brady and Marc had backed their Jeeps up to the porch and had the hatches open. Small amps were set up along the porch. Draven, Grayson, Brady, Winston, and Charlie all had guitars. Aden had an acoustic drum, and I could feel the excitement of everyone else as they found a place to listen to them all play.
We found our way to a swing that was in t he corner. Monroe was leaning on the rail. Preston was sitting on the ledge, and Libby was on the swing. Landen sat down in the corner. I sat down next to him and pulled Libby to cuddle with us.
As everyone tuned their instruments,
my father came over to us and held out two pills and a glass of water.
“I thought you hated medicine?” I said as Landen took the pills from him.
“I do,” my father said as he smiled slightly. “But this will help you to be naturally aware of your sense. Make sure yo u tell me how you feel, though. I f everything is too enhanced,” he looked at Landen, “or if you remember too much too fast.”
“Do you think enhancement is what we need?” Landen asked, glancing at me. That was when I foolishly realized for the first time that he had managed to keep at least one hand on me at all times over the last few hours, sending a calm through me, not wanting the atmosphere to erupt with any of my random thoughts or emotions.
“I think if you are aware of where your energy is going,” my father glanced at me, “it will help you control it.” He looked down. “Hopefully, it will help you see like they do, too.” He said as he glanced at Charlie.
“How?” Landen asked.
My father looked at him. “When you see intent how do you see it? Do you know, or do you see the action?”
“Both, I guess. I t happens so fast, I couldn’t tell you, honestly.”
“Well, the way Grayson has described seeing to August reminds us of how you h ave seen intent. I’m sure they could teach you, but at the same time, the two of you have so many insights overlapping, it would be hard to teach you the fundamentals.” He glanced at the guitars, which were now in tune. “It would be like being a self-taug ht musician. Then learning to read music. I don’t think we have time for that frustration. This may not help. It may help too much, but at least it’s something. I’ve already given Drake his.”
I heard the truth in my father’s words. Felt his intent to help us control all that we had become, then took the pill and swallowed it. Landen did the same.
At that moment, Draven’s guitar screamed out. He had stolen everyone’s attention. I found myself rocking my head back and forth with the sound. When Draven began to sing, I felt a chill run down my back. He was beyond talented. So talented that I kn ew he was not bred by any evil. He was a pure soul fighting to stay that way. My eyes wandered to Charlie; she was looking at me, and as she played, she winked, then nodded over her shoulder to the yard. I followed her direction and saw Drake and Madison talking.
I elbowed Landen. “What emotions do they have?”
Landen followed my stare and smiled as he squeezed me against him. “Confusion – a little anger .”
“They’re talking. That’s enough to make me happy.”
Landen laughed out loud.
Libby raised up to see why he was laughing. “You feel better now that daddy gave you medicine?” she asked.
I felt her concern. “We’re not sick, baby; just trying to focus,” I promised.
“Are you trying to see?” Monroe asked in a voice that was so innocent, it took my breath away.
“Do you want to help me with that?” I ask ed, wanting to understand her. To know what she knew about Donalt.
“Silas says your ready, but I don’t want to hurt you. You’ve been so nice,” Monroe said, looking down.
Landen leaned forward as Libby and I sat up. “Why would it hurt? Does it hurt you?” he asked sincerely.
She moved her head from side to side. “I just don’t think you’ll understand , and you have to understand…if you have fear… your grief will hurt you…but grief is not needed.”
I felt my heart race as a sick feeling absorbed me. “Can you see into the future? Is that what you are saying? What are you saying?”
She moved her head from side to side as Preston jumped down from the rail and came to her side.
“Everything that will happen has happened. To change the future, you must change now.”
“So you can see the future?” Landen asked.
“She sees like you, Landen, but deeper,” Preston answered.
“What do you mean, buddy?”
“She sees deeper into intent. She can perceive what will be by what she sees now. She sees what has be en when she looks into any soul. A nd through any soul, she can see into another because we are all connected,” Preston explained.
“And you can teach us that?” I asked.
“In time…it will come to you,” Monroe answered.
“Then how can you help?” Landen asked.
“If you were ready. I could open the door…but you’re not.”
“They are,” Preston said, taking her hand and pulling Monroe closer to us. “It will hurt, but then they will understand.”
“What will hurt, Preston?” Landen asked.
“What you see, but you have to understand. You will understand.”
“Will they?” Monroe asked Preston.
Preston looked around the porch at our family, then back us. “They are the on es that must understand first. If they do then others will follow. They lead this family. This dimension.”
“Now I’m curious,” Landen said as he locked e yes with Monroe. “I trust you. You tell me when you’re ready, and I’ll listen.”
“Show them,” Preston said, urging Monroe closer to us.
Monroe held out her hands as her eyes glassed over. Landen and I looked at each other, then reached for her h ands. The moment we touched her I felt a sho ck of energy course through me. So strong that I had to close my eyes, suck in one last breath, and hold it.
In my mind, I was standing on a busy street corner outside of a trendy coffee shop. The sun was shining, and people were everywhere.
Then I saw Dane and Claris sa step out of the coffee shop. The sign told them to walk. Dane put his arm around Clarissa as he kissed her cheek, then they stepped out on the street. I didn’t even see it coming. There was no way for them to - a bus – its brakes when out – it was flying down the street – it hit them – it knocked them twenty feet from where they were standing. Blood was everywhere, their bodies were mangled, and their eyes were open, staring at nothing - not blinking. They were wearing the same clothes. The same clothes I just saw them in a few hours ago.
I stepped forward in this image, feeling Landen’s panicked soul doing the same, but as we moved forward, the vision was taken. We were on the porch, music was playing, and everyone was having a good time.
Monroe didn’t let go of o u r hand s ; we pulled ourselves loose. Landen stood, and with one arm jumped over the porch, running at full speed toward the string. I wasn’t tall enough to jump, so I ran to the steps and pushed through everyone.
I ran. I ran so fast that I thought my chest would explode. Landen was in the string long befo re I was. I followed his grief. His solid intent to heal them before it was too late.
I finally found him pacing back and forth between two passages that I knew to be in Infante.
“Focus,” I said breathlessly, know ing he was trying to remember. I felt him remember that vision. Him going back and finding details – like street signs.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me into the gray haze just before us. We were in a musty old cel lar next to a large generator. Landen climbed the steps three at a time, and I followed as fast as I could. When he pushed open the door, I smelled the Cajun food cooking. We were in a restaurant kitchen. I followed the path Lande n had made through the people out into the restaurant, then to the street. Landen had stopped an old man. I assumed to ask him wh ich direction a street was in. I watched the old man point, then Landen took off at full speed.
I knew something was wrong. It was dark. The sun was not out like it was in the vision. There weren’t nearly enough people on the stre et. That vision felt like morning. This felt like late night.
I told myself it hadn’t happened yet. We were going to stop i t; we were going to save them.
When I reached Landen, I found hi m in the center of the street. The street that was in the vision. There were no cars. No people. The coffee shop was closed.
I watched as his breathless body walked to the spot where we had seen their bodies in that vision. I moved my
head from side to side as I fought the nausea. I forc ed myself to look at the ground. To look for evide nce that it hadn’t happened yet …but that’s not the evidence I found…the street was marked – outlined with X’s. I could swear I could see the stains of blood – where someone had tried to wash it away.
I held my breath, and with all the force I could manage, I shoved my emotions deep down; I could not le t them out, not now, not here. There would be nothing left of this town if I did.
Landen was bracing himself on his knees, breathing in and out rapidly.
“We just saw them,” I said breath lessly as I reached his side. I wanted to give him a calm emotion so he c ould think for the both of us. So we could understand, but I coul dn’t because I didn’t have it. I didn’t know how I was going to tell Dane’s mom he was gone. Her only son. I didn’t know how I was going to look into Aubrey’s eyes ever again. Why did they just sit there? Why did Monro e – even Preston, not tell us? Why did we have to almost beg them to show us?!
Then echoes came into my mind. I remembered picking up Dane and Clarissa ’s charts from Perodine’s desk. Her telling me that we must give our bodies back, but we never die. I remembered Winston’s odd remark that Dane and Clarissa didn ’t know how to ‘rest in peace.’ I rememb ered how odd they were acting. How upset they seemed to be.
All at onc e, a numbing calm came over me. It was near paralyzing. I t was a spiritual level that I had only tapped into a few times in my life. Landen felt it, too, and he stood up, looking at me with terrified eyes, wondering how I had the stre ngth to do that. I moved my head from side to side telling him it wasn’t me. Then his fierce blue eyes moved behind me.
On an empty street corner, Silas was standing . Staring at us. A wind picked up, and the newspape r stand next to him flew open. A paper literally flew into Landen’s hands, but Landen refused to break his stare with Silas.
I took the paper from his hands. It wasn’t a normal newspaper; it was one for tourists that come to this city to explore the supernatural. The image on the front was of the bus crash I’d seen. The title was “Black or White Magic – Who Knows.” I skimmed the article. ‘A tragic bus accident that occurred two days ago at 7 AM took the lives of a young couple… I read on…the mystery is not only who this couple was, but also where their bodie s went. A t least where most of their bodies went. An inside informant of ours stated that when they went to photograph the couple for identification the following day, all that remained was ash, but not nearly enough ash for a body to remain. Our questions, like always, remain unanswered.’
