Insight (33 page)

“So what did Drake do? Stage it all for me?”

“Maybe he was testing your sensitivities. Were they all children that called you?”
Landen asked.

“No, they were all ages, in all different places.”

Landen leaned back on his arms, judging his words before he thought them.
“How crazy do you think it would be to go through that passage you made inside the palace?”
I felt his anxiety and regret for saying the words.

“I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up. I thought you might be angry with me for making such a dangerous suggestion,”
I thought, reassuring him that no matter how dangerous it was, we had to save the girls.

“It is dangerous, but I can’t think of a faster way to prevent Hannah and Jessica from dying.”

“I can’t lose anyone else,”
I thought in a heavy tone.

Landen took in my words and held me tightly. We slept on until late in the next day, hiding from it all.

Through the kitchen window, we could see Felicity, Olivia, and Libby picking the flowers. Their sorrow was very sobering. Walking to them, it was easy to see that the once full field of flowers was growing more and more barren.

Libby smiled when she saw us coming. She then set her basket down and ran into Landen’s arms, giggling as he lifted her over his head. Olivia smiled at me; the sight of her had never been more beautiful to me. I’d known her for so many years, and yet to see her happy, at peace, all of her grief gone—she was a new person.

“Landen?” Felicity said in a solemn voice. “Brady wanted me to ask you to come and see him. He’s at Marc’s.”

“Where’s Livingston?” Landen asking already knowing the answer.

“He went back to Esterious. Marc stayed at our house last night; he left early this morning. Brady thought he was going to go to Esterious and followed him. Brady called just before we came out here and said that they were at Marc’s and to tell you if you came out.”

Landen passed a wary look to me. “What about Jason and Dad?”

“They went back to Esterious. No one has really said much since yesterday. They’re waiting for you to tell them what to do.”

Landen closed his eyes, wishing this burden away, just as any noble leader would want to do when lives were at stake.

“Landen, go. I’m going to go see the girls and check on my mom.”

“Is that safe?” Olivia asked.

“Marc’s is only a half mile away, we just can’t let the string separate us,” Landen explained. He then kissed me and hugged me tightly before he left. Even though it didn’t hurt as I watched him walk over the hill, the longing to have him close made me uneasy.

“Should I help you pick? I saw some closer to my house,” I asked Felicity.

“We have to be careful. They only work when they’re alive, so we only pick what we need. I think we have enough for now,” Felicity answered.

Walking toward my mother’s house, I could feel her. Her excitement was gone, her emotions were full of dread.

We went up to Hannah and Jessica’s room. The room was full of a beautiful floral scent. The flowers on their chests had wilted, and one by one we pulled them off and replaced them with new ones. They lay still, not moving; their beauty was remarkable. They deserved more than this. I wanted them to have the same joy Olivia had.

Feeling Olivia’s guilt, I placed my hands on her shoulder, smiling and showing her how happy she was. As I pushed the power of love through her, her face lit up as she slowly looked at me.

“Thank you, Willow.”

Felicity was watching our exchange, and her excitement filled the room.

“It’s coming easier to you now.”

“A little bit. I think I’m going to try and help my mom now. I’ve never seen her like this before.”

Felicity’s smile lessened a little. “Willow, imagine how you’d feel if you knew that your child had been chosen to fight a battle that they didn’t start, and it didn’t matter what sacrifices you made, you couldn’t prevent it from coming to pass,” she said, caressing her stomach and choking on her tears.

I hugged her tightly, showing her how happy she’d made me the first time I’d met her and how much life she’d brought to this family. The baby kicked, and I felt it through her skin. Felicity laughed, and her bliss was back.

“Looks like she already loves her Aunt Willow.”

“She?” I questioned.

“Women’s intuition,” she said, smiling. “I’ll take Libby to my house and let you spend some time with your mother.”

My mother was on her back porch, staring at a blank canvas. She was still, more still than I’d ever seen her. I put my hands on her shoulders and remembered all the energy she used to put off, how all my friends thought I had the coolest, most vibrant mother. I remembered her inspiring people to follow their dreams, not to be afraid of what they were capable of.

She smiled and turned slowly. “I told so many to follow their dreams, and yet I kept my own daughter hidden from hers.”

“Mom, did you know?”

“We never knew for sure. Your father had a fear, an instinct…he never really told me why he wanted to stay there, but I know he had the best intentions.”

“I know you both did,” I whispered, trying to forgive them for keeping Landen from me.

She looked into my eyes for a few seconds before standing and putting her hands on my shoulders. “Willow, I just need you to promise me that you’ll be the daughter I raised you to be and listen to your heart in every battle you face.”

I smiled at my mother and promised her with the warmest hug I’d ever given her. My father shuffled his feet across the floor; his sorrow was heavy, and when I turned to look at him, his now brown eyes made me sigh deeply. I opened my arms and hugged them both.

“Where have you been?” I asked him.

“We went to look for Livingston. We can’t find him anywhere.”

“He went back to get the star, didn’t he?”

“I don’t know, Willow.”

“Has he told you anything that I need to know, Dad?”

“You know what we know. He kept Landen from going into that world and just wants more than anything to keep the two of you out of anything that has to do with that star, those rings, the whole deal. He thinks it’s all his fault, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.”

“Dad, don’t worry about it. We’ll figure this out.”

“I should be the one telling you that. Listen, we’re going to have to think of something quick. When we run out of blue and green flowers, we’re going to have to act fast. They may need to go home until they grow back or we figure something else out.”

“Dad, you just don’t know what those things look like, how painful it is.”

“Willow, we’re going to have to make a choice for them. To live, they’re going to have to be in pain.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the burden on my shoulders, knowing that regardless of what choice I made, Jessica and Hannah would pay a price.

“I think I’m going to go home. Landen should be back soon.”

“Willow, don’t do anything foolish. The two of you can’t face this on your own.”

I smiled warily at my father then walked past him.

Landen was waiting for me on the front porch; when he saw me coming, he walked toward me. The sun was setting, and the sky was a deep orange. Landen’s silhouette was breathtaking; his broad shoulders gave way to his long, strong arms. My breath left me as he gathered me in his arms and kissed me. We’d only been apart for a few hours, yet the reunion seemed so much sweeter. I could not get over how the sight of him would make my heart pound.

“Did you bring peace?” I asked.

“Did you?”

“A little. Is Marc okay?”

“He’s just mad at Livingston.”

“He’s not going after him, is he?”

“I made him promise to wait for us, and he said he would.”

Landen’s eyes were staring past me as he saw someone. Suddenly, I felt Libby’s excitement and turned to see her standing on the hill between our homes, waving her little arms, trying wildly to get our attention. We smiled at each other and started walking toward her, sure that she was happy and at peace. Libby danced in place as she waited for us to get closer.

“Willow, hurry! Mom is going to call my name.”

“What is it, baby?” I said.

“Willow, you need a page.”

“A page?” I repeated.

“Yes, it’s on a long table with red flowers.”

“Where’s the table?”

“You know, Willow.”

Landen and I looked at each other quickly then back at Libby.

“Why do I need it?”

“Because it has words to make Hannah and Jessica all better.”

“Libby, do we need the star, too?” Landen asked.

“I don’t know. My friend said that you only needed the page.”

“Who is your friend?” I asked, almost panicked. Libby shrugged her shoulders.

“Where did you see your friend?” Landen asked.

“I see him when I sleep.”

“Libby, does he scare you?” I asked.

“No. He showed me the flowers. They’re so pretty.”

The front door to my mother’s house opened, and she stepped out. “Libby, it’s time to eat say goodnight to Willow.” Libby drooped her little shoulders, then shuffled toward us and hugged us.

“Love you, Willow.”

“Love you, too.”

We walked slowly to our house. Not turning on any lights, we passed into the living room and settled into the couch, watching the last light fall into the horizon.

“Do you think the passage is still there, the one that leads to the altar?” I asked.

We both knew Libby was talking about the room where we’d found the girls, the one that the priest and Drake were in.

“I don’t know why it wouldn’t be.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“I think that place was a temple, which means during the day it will be full of people.”

“What about at night?”

“I don’t know.”

“Should we go?”

“I like the idea of finding a cure without having to get the star back,” he muttered.

“Are we going to let him keep it?”

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t want to play games with Drake while those girls are clinging to life.”

“Dad said when we run out of flowers, we have to take them back if we want them to live,” my voice cracked as I reached for my chest, remembering the pain of the nightmares.

Landen closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “We should go tonight,” he said after a moment.

“Awake or asleep?” I asked.

“Awake. I don’t want our souls trapped there.”

“We’re going alone, aren’t we?” I said under my breath.

Landen nodded. Neither of us wanted anyone there with us; we knew we’d be walking into the heart of Donalt’s palace. We agreed to wait until the night so no one would know that we’d left.

Chapter Eighteen

Just before opening the door, we hesitated, staring at each other, both pushing the fear as far away from us as possible. Landen cradled my face with his hand, his blue eyes searching deep in mine.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded slowly.

He leaned in, let his lips brush against mine, I sighed on contact and leaned up so our lips would meld together, when I felt his tongue against mine, I went wild in his embrace, I rushed my arms up his chest, squeezed his shoulders, then fisted my hands in his dark hair. He picked me up and braced me against the wall, putting every ounce of passion into this kiss as he rocked against me.

I don’t know how he found the will, I surely didn’t have it, but he ended our kiss with a gentle nip of my bottom lip. “Let’s end this so I can bring you back here and have my way with you for hours on end.” He said as he squeezed my thighs before carefully setting me down.

“Deal.” I said with a sly grin as I reached up and ran my fingers through the dark locks that I had disheveled.

Walking through the field, I twirled the ring on my finger, hoping that it would serve its purpose and protect us. Beside the string, Brady and Marc stood, waiting for us in the full moon light.

“You are
not
going with us,” Landen said as we approached them.

Their resolve was apparent, and we knew their intent was to leave with us no matter what we said to discourage them.

“We’re supposed to go,” Marc said, crossing his arms with a stubborn expression across his face.

“Libby told us,” Brady said, stepping closer to the string to lead us in. His overwhelming calm was unsettling.

“Libby told you what?” I asked, wondering what part we were all about to play.

“She came to me, and then Marc, and said we needed to go to the string and wait for you,” Brady explained as he put his hand on my shoulder. “She seemed calm. I think we’ll all be okay.”

Landen reached for my waist and pulled me to him, and Brady lost his touch. He stared at Landen as if he had no choice but to go with us, but Landen looked at Brady and shook his head no.

“This has nothing to do with you, Brady. Go home. Felicity needs you.” Landen moved his attention to Marc, and I could feel him becoming consumed with gratitude and sympathy. “Marc, you’re wrong. You need to find the one made for you.”

“We
are
going with you,” Brady said calmly.

Landen looked at the ground. “Where does Felicity think you are?”

“She thinks I’m helping someone, now can we please go?” Brady bit out, rolling his eyes at Landen’s attempt to steer him away.

“No one else knows, you’re sure?” Landen clarified, looking at Brady.

“We didn’t tell anyone,” Brady assured Landen by letting him hear the truth in his words.

Brady made his way to the string opening, and Marc followed. Landen sighed deeply as his eyes made their way to the full moon that seemed to engulf the sky. I gently pulled his hand, and we stepped in the string.

Landen took the lead, turning into the passage with the waterfall, hoping that when they saw that we were walking directly into the palace, they’d hear our pleas to go home. Once past the waterfall, we stepped cautiously into the dark forest. Brady and Marc kept their resolve, and no fear came from them.

Landen turned and looked at them. “Listen, I don’t know what’s in there or who could be waiting. Our purpose is to pull the page from the book on the altar, which has the words that will heal Hannah and Jessica,” Landen explained.

“How are you going to know what page? Why not take the whole book?” Marc protested.

“Libby said the page. If we can take the book, we will,” Landen said.

“What about the star?” Marc asked.

“For another day. Tonight, we need to find the cure for the girls,” Landen said, looking at both of them. “This is your last chance to turn around, this is not your fight.”

“Show us the way, Landen. We’re going with you,” Brady said as his eyes searched the darkness, looking for my passage.

Landen’s sorrow was immediate, but he knew that Brady would follow him one way or another, and he’d rather have him by his side.

The passage that I’d made to rescue the girls was still there. Landen gave one more pleading look to Brady before reaching to lead them in with us. When the string passed darkness surrounded us. As our eyes adjusted the moon gave light through an open ceiling. Cold, damp stones made the floor and walls. The wind was the only thing that could be heard.

The altar was in the center of the room, and three velvet red stairs led to the stage upon which it set. It was covered in a black cloth, and blood red roses were centered on the table. In front of them, the book was lying open. Along the back wall, eight planets were carved into the stonewall. Shadows from a candle lit at the bottom of each one gave definitions to the carvings.

A massive stone fireplace lined the wall to the right. Above it, a large portrait hung; it was of Perodine. On the opposite wall, a long, beautiful wood box laid, a bright light shining from the top. Marc’s curiosity took him there as Brady made his way to the wall to look more closely at Perodine’s portrait. I looked cautiously up at Landen before we stepped forward to the altar to take the page that would save my friends.

When I stepped on the first step I felt a spike of fear that caused me to hesitate. Looking to the source, Marc. I saw him standing over the long wooden box, covering his mouth and trying to hide his disbelief.

“What is it?” Landen whispered harshly.

“It’s Adonia,” Marc answered.

Landen quickly looked around the room, searching for another coffin, one that might hold Marc’s mother, Beth, wanting to shield him from such a pain. Not finding one, we slowly walked to his side. The box was sealed with a glass top, and inside laid a beautiful young woman frozen in time. Dressed in a white gown, her hair was long and dark and decorated with diamonds, and her olive skin lay against silk sheets. Marc stepped back, slowly shaking his head in disbelief as grief filled him along with the memory of his mother.

“What is this? How is this possible?” Brady said leaning closer to make sure it really was her. He was just a small child when she went missing.

“This must be preserving her somehow,” Landen said, running his hands along the coffin and examining it.

“Why would they preserve her?” I asked, not understanding why someone would hold on so tightly to someone who had left this world so long ago.

“She was Alamos’ daughter. Maybe he’s trying to bring her back somehow,” Landen said.

I remembered the story my father had told me before—Alamos was Donalt’s most powerful priest. I felt my stomach drop, my hands began to sweat, and my heart was pounding through my chest. I couldn’t help my unexplained panic. Landen glanced at me just as we heard someone laughing.

Drake had appeared out of nowhere and was now walking across the room, dressed in a black suit.

I swallowed hard and tried to control the adrenaline that was coursing through my veins.

Landen took the first protective step, pushing me behind him. Brady then stepped in front of Landen as Marc stood in front of us all. Stopping in the center of the room and looking over Marc carefully, Drake said, “Ah, you must be Marc.” Half-circling him, looking him up and down with his coal black eyes, Marc didn’t answer. Stepping closer, he dared Drake to make a move, anger coursing through him. Drake shook his head as a boyish grin spread across his face; he then turned and walked to the altar, and as he climbed the steps, he glanced in my direction. Catching me peeking around Landen, he winked then placed his hands on the book. “Oh, how I’ve waited for this,” Drake said to the room.

He snapped his fingers, and the candles that lined the walls all lit, giving the room an eerie glow. Growls could be heard at once, and now standing at his feet were the demons. Drake turned in my direction and smiled through Landen at me. I felt Landen reach the point of wrath. “Hey, fair is fair, Willow. You brought your friends, so I thought I’d bring some of mine.” He stepped down and walked toward us, weaving his head and trying to pull me into a stare, ignoring Landen and Brady. Marc held his ground.

“Willow, can you see his intent?”

“No.”

“He’s trying to get you alone. He can’t do what he wants with me this close to you.”

“I have to get the page.”

“Okay, we’re going to ease our way over there. Stay behind me.”

We took two steps sideways toward the altar. Drake then took a dominant step toward us, and Marc charged him. As he did, a demon jumped from the stairs onto Marc’s chest. Brady rushed to help defend Marc when another smaller one jumped from the stairs onto him. Marc and his demon rolled across the floor, crashing into the fireplace.

Landen reached back to ensure himself that I was still safely behind him. Drake walked without fear to Landen and stared him down.

“Get the page, Willow.”

I closed my eyes, hearing Landen’s request, not wanting to leave his shield. I hoped he was using his gift of intent and knew I would be safe. I stepped out from behind him. Drake and Landen were now face–to-face, glaring at each other with their shoulders back, waiting for someone to make a move. I kept my eyes on Drake, ready to dash back to Landen if he even attempted to come near me.

A blood-curdling scream went out, but Landen and Drake never broke eye contact. I looked to the fireplace and saw that Marc had taken a poker and stabbed the demon in the heart. As he did, the one on Brady squealed then they both vanished. Marc was enraged and charged across the room with the intent of killing Drake, then out of nowhere a woman screamed out and threw herself at Drake’s back.

“Marc, no!” she screamed.

Marc froze as he stared at the older woman dressed in a black gown. Her hair was decorated with jewels, and tears streamed down her beautiful face. Drake turned his back to Landen and glared at Marc over the woman’s head. Landen stepped in my direction, staring in disbelief.

“That’s Beth.”

“Are you sure?”

“She looks just like her pictures, only her eyes have aged.”

I could feel the woman’s grief, and Marc’s emotions were out of control. “Why are you here?” Marc asked breathlessly, not believing his eyes.

“Where else would she be, but with her
son
?” Drake said as he grabbed the poker that was pressing against the woman’s heart from a stunned Marc. Now standing side by side, the resemblance between Marc and Drake was undeniable.

“What kind of game are you playing here?” Brady asked, looking at Beth, not sure if she was real.

Beth stared forward into the darkness, past the room, then gasped as tears fell from her eyes. We followed her gaze across the stone room and saw Livingston walking into the room, holding the hand of the little boy from my nightmare.

“And now let me introduce you to my father,” Drake said harshly to Marc, watching his words burn at their touch.

“What’s going on? If you knew you’re one of us then why are you still here? Why are you playing the part of the devil?” Landen said harshly, looking at Drake with absolute disgust.

Drake turned toward Landen, sinfully grinning. “Me? I would dare say that you are the devil, my friend,” he said confidently.

Brady and Marc advanced as Drake waved his hand, sending an invisible force that knocked them down. Beth screamed in terror as she saw them hit the ground.

“Drake,” Livingston said.

Drake raised his hand and pointed at Livingston. “I allow you to be here for her, not me. Your words mean nothing. Willow belongs to me, and I shall have her.” His tone was definite.

Landen’s wrath filled the room, and mine met his as we passed the point of rage. Livingston let the little boy run across the room to Beth.

“Drake, Landen was born five minutes after you…they’re only using you…this is not your place, it’s Landen’s,” Livingston said, walking slowly toward Drake.

I edged backwards, getting closer to the altar and watching everyone in the room, hoping this turn of events would serve as a distraction. My heel found the bottom step, and I began to climb the stairs backwards. I felt the little boy’s fear grow, and I looked in his direction and saw Beth holding him back from me.

Drake raised his hand to Livingston and flung his body across the room, sending him crashing into the stonewall. Then a rush of energy took the ground from me, and the poorly lit room was replaced by a white glow, much like the string. There was no current or hum, just utter silence. Every single gift that I possessed—including my most precious one, Landen—was stripped from me. I knew that Drake had seen his intent through. He stepped out of the white glow, smiling cunningly at me.

“Now then…for the first time, I have you all alone.”

“Drake, take me back!”

“But, my love, we’ve never left.” His voice was warm, alluring, calling me closer to him.

I let my anger rise to defend me. “Drake!”

“Now, now, my love, you must listen to me. If we’re ever to leave here,
you
are the way out, not me.” Drake gracefully walked over to where I stood frozen and stopped inches from me, staring down as I stared forward, pulsing with anger. He put his hands on my shoulders, and his touch sent an addictive, blissful, warm sensation coursing through me.