The Final Omen: Second Sight Book Four

by Heather Topham Wood

  “You’re allowed to do that? You must be pretty important,” Kate said with awe. The revelation gave her a glimmer of hope; maybe her world wasn’t crumbling around her.

  Rose nodded distractedly. “It’s complicated…the details don’t matter.” She tossed up her hands and gestured to their surroundings. “You won’t remember any of this.”

  “What do you mean? Where are we?”

  “The easiest way to describe it is the inbetween. It’s the place where both our worlds meet. The appearance can be manipulated and is the reason it looks as if we’re in your home. But once you go back, you won’t have any memory of this place, or of me for that matter,” Rose said.

  “Wait…I’m going back?”

  ***

  The bloodied clothes were off him, but Jared could still sense Kate’s blood seeping into his skin, tormenting his entire being. Briefly, he’d returned to his apartment to change. He couldn’t stand Darlene’s beleaguered expression as her eyes raked over each stain on his clothing. After giving his statement and having the hospital staff reassure him Kate was still in surgery, he left the hospital once Darlene was safely ensconced with Dan.

  Before Jared returned to the hospital, he’d destroyed his bathroom, breaking apart the fixtures, enraged over his weakness, his inability to protect those he loved. He couldn’t let Darlene witness him falling apart. There were too many expectations placed on him, and he wouldn’t fail Kate. He may not have stopped her attack from happening, but he’d destroy the person who was responsible.

  He pulled it together long enough to make a few calls from his apartment phone. His cell phone hadn’t been returned to him yet, likely splattered with blood and being bagged as evidence by forensics technicians. Pushing the visual out of his head, he heard the person on the other line pick up.

  “It’s Jared,” he said. “You’re the last person I’d ever thought I would say this to, but I need your help.”

  He was becoming a master of compromise. He’d put aside his dislike of Declan Brayden for the time being. Jared hated the kid with a passion and resented Declan for his part in ruining Jared’s relationship with Kate. When a wave of abhorrence hit him as Declan hurried through the hospital doors, Jared pretended the feelings didn’t exist.

  Darlene unraveled her body from Dan’s embrace and stood up as Declan rushed towards them. “Declan! I’m sorry; I didn’t think to call you. How’d you hear about Katie?”

  Declan tilted his head in Jared’s direction. “Jared called me. What happened?”

  Jared hadn’t been able to get much information out to Declan. Once he answered the call, Jared blurted out the basics: Kate was stabbed and being treated at the hospital. Declan said he’d be right there and Jared was greeted by a dial tone.

  It was surreal to be standing next to Declan and seeing concern etched into his features. Jared had assumed Kate was merely a game to the psychic, someone he could exploit for his own personal gain. He was supposed to be the villain—the one who seduced Kate away from Jared. It was disturbing to see how much another guy cared for his Kate.

  Before Darlene could answer Declan’s question, a doctor strode purposely towards her.

  Jared heard a collective gasp of anticipation from their group. His stomach tightened into an unbearable knot and he tried his damndest to analyze the doctor’s face to discern whether the news about Kate was good or bad. It was a blank canvas and time dragged before the doctor opened his mouth to speak.

  “Your daughter is out of surgery. We stopped the bleeding and repaired the damaged tissue.” The physician addressed Darlene. His manner was brisk at first, but he softened his tone when her body quaked with fear. “Her wounds were severe with a total of four major lacerations to her abdomen, chest and back. She had a minor wound on her hand as well. Blood loss was significant and she did require a transfusion. Due to the extent of her injuries, she’s in a medically induced coma and we’ll monitor her condition closely. She’s unable to breathe on her own and requires a ventilator. If her vitals stabilize…”

  Darlene interrupted him. “Is she okay then? Is she going to wake up?”

  “Your daughter’s condition remains critical. She went into cardiac arrest en route to the hospital and lost a considerable amount of blood before she was brought in for treatment. The coma is intended to give her body time to heal before the medications can be withdrawn. Once that’s done, we’ll have a better understanding of how her body has responded to treatment.” He removed his glasses and gave Darlene a kind smile. “Would you like to see her now?”

  Darlene nodded enthusiastically.

  The doctor added, “Since Kate is in the ICU, we’ll need to restrict visitors. We permit one visitor for five minutes every hour.”

  Darlene turned to face Jared, tears falling down her cheeks. “Jared, can you please keep trying to reach Kate’s father? I’m hoping he received my messages and he’s on his way now.” When Jared returned to the hospital, Darlene lamented over being unable to reach her ex-husband, Robert. He wasn’t answering his cell phone or his landline.

  Jared nodded although he wasn’t sure if he was still breathing. As he watched them walk away, he tried to make sense of what the doctor had said. Jared needed the man to turn around and tell them he was mistaken. Kate was awake and she wanted to see Jared. She’d see him walk through the door and she would tell him again how much she loved him.

  “I didn’t tell her I love her,” he mumbled.

  Declan’s voice pulled Jared out of his reverie. “What?”

  “I didn’t tell Kate I loved her. When I found her at the house…she was on the floor bleeding and she said she loved me. I never said I loved her, too. I just told her not to give me a deathbed speech.”

  “Dick move, bro,” Declan said and shook his head. “She’s going to rip you a new asshole for that one when she wakes up.”

  Jared looked at him shrewdly. “She’ll wake up, right?” He wished the words back immediately, he couldn’t trust Declan; couldn’t show vulnerability when it came to Kate. Jared wanted to kick himself in his own balls for admitting his insecurities in front of the enemy.

  “Of course she will,” Declan said.

  Jared admired the confidence, the way the words were spoken as if they were a simple fact. He needed that same belief, but his optimism from earlier was waning. He was too familiar with how easy the things you love could be ripped from you instantaneously. He learned that as a kid when a drunk driver stole his parents away from him. They’d been on their way to pick him up from a sleepover. He had missed his parents, interrupting their date night to pick him up. They would’ve never been on the road if he’d let them be. Maybe Kate’s death would be his fault, too. She had tried to mend things after admitting an indiscretion with Declan, but Jared refused her. If he’d been there when she needed him, things would be different.

  “I called you because you need to tell me everything you know about Kate’s visions. Darlene filled me in on how Kate had a premonition of her stabbing and how the two of you were conducting your own investigation on who could be after her.” He failed at keeping the derision out of his tone. He was frustrated with the situation. If Kate had been in danger, he should’ve known about it. It was somewhat of a relief knowing Declan had been helping her; and for some odd reason, Jared believed in Declan’s innocence. He’d still be considered a suspect, but Jared got the sense Declan would definitely take a bullet for Kate if it ever came down to it.

  Declan held up his hands in defense. “You can’t be pissed at me about Kate not telling you about her premonitions. I told her over and over again to turn to you, that you’d be able to help figure out who wanted her dead. You know how stubborn she can be! She had this crazy idea if she told you, you’d only get back together with her to protect her and not because you had feelings for her.”

  Jared clenched his teeth together. “I’m not going to dwell on it now, but I need to know everything.”

  “Are you working her case?
”

  Jared grimaced in response. His fellow Franklin detectives had been sympathetic but firm. He was shut out of the investigation. His relationship with Kate and the fact he was the one to find her put him completely out of the loop. He understood his department would try their hardest to figure out who was responsible for Kate’s attack. However, he planned to do some unauthorized digging and exploit the talents of the psychic standing before him.

  Chapter Four

  “Next time you should start with that bombshell. It would definitely help stave off a meltdown from me,” Kate said. She performed her own happy dance inside of her head. She was going to be okay! Rose was going to pass on a few pieces of sage advice and send Kate back on her merry way. She was ecstatic. After all the relationship drama and psychotic stalkers trying to ruin her chances with Jared, things were going to work out after all. She’d get to ride off into the sunset with the man she loved.

  Rose’s face was drawn and she didn’t seem to share in Kate’s bliss. The lack of enthusiasm pulled up Kate short. “Oh no, it couldn’t be that easy, right? Although Jared is completely worth all of this angst, I’d like to stop always fighting for us to be together.”

  “You would though? Fight for him?”

  “Of course,” Kate answered swiftly. “I’m not sure how much you know, but your son is incredible. He’s so much more than just a pretty face.” She smiled as Jared appeared in her mind. Although he shared Rose’s dark hair color, his eyes were uniquely his. They were a gray hue, the color changing with his emotions. He was tall, a full head above her five feet five inches, and cut in all the right places. “He has a terrific sense of humor and he’s very protective when it comes to the people he cares about. He can be very laidback too…”

  Rose cleared her throat. “Laidback, except when it comes to you?”

  Kate shifted uncomfortably from side to side. “I feel like you’re going somewhere with this.”

  “Something inside of Jared snapped when he found you hurt. It brought back a lot of memories of being orphaned when he was a boy. At the time, he couldn’t do anything to bring his father and me back to life, but he wanted to make sure people, like the man who caused our accident, didn’t get away with their crimes. It’s one of the reasons he became a detective. Jared will retaliate against the person who attacked you…”

  Kate didn’t let the woman finish. “You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing. The guy almost killed me; he deserves to pay for his crimes.” After a breath, Kate asked, “Who was it?”

  “I wish it were that simple, Kate. Jared isn’t going to merely track the man down and arrest him. He’s going to kill him.” Rose looked into the distance as she said the words. She was staring forlornly out the kitchen windows at the artificial light still shining outside the house.

  “Again. Not sure if that’s a bad thing. I was filleted and left for dead. The person who did it is obviously a menace and should be stopped.” Kate studied her clean white sweatshirt and recoiled as she imagined how it must truly look. The fabric had been drenched in blood and the saturation caused it to cling to her body. Jared had thrown his coat over her and applied pressure to her wounds, but it had only bought her minutes before she lost consciousness.

  “Kate, I’m sending you back to stop Jared from committing a murder. When I first sent you back it was to save the people in your visions. Now, you need to save my son.”

  Kate pressed her palms against her forehead before smoothing them down the side of her face. She groaned in frustration. “The more we talk, the more questions I have. I’m confused…I have to somehow stop Jared from murdering the person that tried to kill me?”

  Rose swept her hand through Kate’s light brown hair and pushed a few stray strands away from her eyes. “It probably sounds like an impossible task. But you have to do it,” Rose pleaded.

  “Why?” Taking in Rose’s fearful eyes, Kate asked tearfully, “Is something going to happen to Jared if I can’t stop him?”

  “Kate, I believe we want the same things. We both want to be with Jared more than anything. Since the day I died, my one thought has been being reunited with my son. And if he goes down the road he’s destined to, that’ll never happen,” Rose said sadly.

  “Why not?”

  “If he murders someone…we won’t be in the same place.” Her voice was anguished.

  Kate gasped and she clenched her fists at her sides. “What do you mean he won’t go to the same place? Jared is the most honorable and kindest person I know! You’re telling me if he kills someone in self-defense he’s damned?”

  “It’s not self-defense…” Rose sighed.

  “Oh…well it still doesn’t seem fair. If he kills this person, it would only be to protect me.”

  “Kate, his afterlife isn’t my only concern; his life with you will be destroyed. You won’t be together and he’ll be forced to pay for his actions. He’ll lose you, his job and everything that’s important to him because of one single act of violence.” Rose pleaded, “I hate what was done to you, but Jared has to find a way to let go of his need for revenge. The person will be punished, but it isn’t my son’s right to deliver that punishment.”

  After a resigned sigh, Kate said, “I don’t like this at all. But Jared is my entire world and I’d do anything for him. But, how can I prevent it from happening? Especially if I’m not going to remember any of this?”

  Rose’s relief was palpable. “I knew you’d help. I just want to be with my family again. Ten years, a hundred years, it means nothing here. It’s an eternity with my husband and son that matters.”

  Something was very wrong. Rose’s voice was too forced. Kate asked tentatively, “Where’s Jared’s father? Are you together now?”

  Rose’s inner turmoil was clear on her face. Kate knew Rose was struggling over whether or not to be completely forthcoming with her. “No, but the situation is temporary…Like I said, our forever is what’s important. We can all be together, Kate; in the end.”

  Suddenly, Kate felt weary. Her enthusiasm over discovering she was getting her life back was fading and she was unsure if things were going to turn out as amazing as she’d expected. “You’re withholding something from me. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve dodged a lot of my questions. What’s keeping you and your husband apart?”

  “You’re better off if you don’t know…”

  “Please, just tell me. You said I wouldn’t remember anything, so just be honest with me about everything.”

  “Kate, I don’t want you to feel badly about it or think I’d do a single thing differently,” Rose said.

  Kate crossed her arms and pressed her lips in a tight line. She was being stubborn, but had a sinking feeling the reason Rose and Charles Corbett weren’t together had something to do with Kate’s well being. “I couldn’t just heal you…it doesn’t work like that. I had to sacrifice something in return.”

  Kate was horrified. “And you sacrificed what? Being with your husband?”

  “We’re not together…for now. When you have children one day you’ll understand the lengths you’re willing to go to for their happiness. Charles and I made this decision together because we understood what you’d mean to our son. I’ve seen your potential future with Jared and it’s…beautiful. You’re both happy and he has the life I want for him. I’ll be reunited with Charles and we’re content with the knowledge that our time apart will lead to something wonderful for our son.”

  Kate wiped at her moist eyes. Her need for Jared was there in the back of her mind, but Rose was his mother. The idea that Kate’s existence tore Rose away from her own true love was sickening. Kate wished for a chance to erase it all, but it was pointless. Rose had taken the choice out of Kate’s hands and healed her regardless of the consequences. “I don’t know what to say…”

  “Don’t be sad for me. I’m certain you’ll lead Jared down the right path and every sacrifice I made will be worth it.”

  “No pressure though.” Af
ter a pulling herself together, Kate’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “You remind me of my mom. I could see her doing the same thing, meddling in my life from the Great Beyond.” Leaning back on her heels, she released a shaky breath. “What’s the plan?”

  ***

  The ICU was unlike any other part of the hospital. There was a stillness, an unearthly quiet, as the people in the unit teetered between life and death. Jared’s parents never had a chance to pull through, they were killed instantly, their bodies demolished to the point where the caskets remained firmly closed for their funeral services. Their bodies weren’t the main attraction, the stoic boy forced to stand before two wooden boxes as curious eyes bored into his back was what everyone had come to see.

  He hated how much the memories were clouding his thoughts. He had to remind himself to stop drowning in the past; that Kate wasn’t going to die. She wouldn’t abandon him. The past wasn’t on repeat for him. She’d saved him from that destiny when she saved his aunt a month earlier. If only Kate had confided in him then about the omens she saw of her own death.

  Last month when Jared took her to Maine for a visit with his Aunt Lizzie, he had a feeling something was going on. Kate was an awful liar; her blushing and stammering were dead giveaways. He hadn’t pressed her on anything because of how complicated their relationship had become.

  He had a thousand regrets and wished them desperately away. Why had he wasted so much time being angry with her over a kiss with Declan? Jared hadn’t been able to let go of the visual of the two of them together in a hotel room, his imagination getting the best of him, although she’d told him it was nothing more than a few meaningless kisses. She’d been falling apart, bereft over failing to save a young woman from a grisly death. Declan offered her comfort in the only way he knew how and she relented. She was ashamed as she confessed everything, and her regret was unmistakable.

  Instead of making up with her, Jared had his ex Nikki over for dinner at his apartment and pushed Kate farther away. He’d blubbered out his apologies before she left on her latest missing person case, but he’d worried it was too little, too late.