Enflame (Insight #6)(51)

Landen’s gaze met Phoenix’s. “I don’t know, mate. We could waste a lot of time leading that bloke to the water, but no one can make him drink. Maybe destruction is best.” His stare met Skylynn’s. “We brought Guardian back to flesh. We could find a way to get you there.”

“No,” Skylynn coldly stated. “I’m not dying. Obviously, you are too self-centered to help anyone unless it benefits you, so let me be clear: if he dies, half of the web of spells crumbles, and no matter what magic you use it will be over in the worst way possible. You can’t fight his battle, but you can’t allow him to throw his fate away.”

Phoenix sauntered closer to her, peering down. “I am not self-centered. And I would have helped you before, but you didn’t ask. You stole my ashes, and clearly you have punished me in the worst way possible.”

Skylynn looked down as grief consumed her image. It wasn’t for her lover. It was for someone else...scarf girl, I’m sure. There was a story there. One I would unravel if I was not lost in my own.

“Guardian would have helped you, but you stole his. You played him at his weakest point. Learn to ask for help, and you will gain friends—not enemies.”

She let her head fall. “Help me. Go there. I’m not asking you to tell him anything. Get him out of there so I can guide him.”

“He can’t see you. You know that,” Landen offered in a more approachable tone.

“No, but others will be able to. The Escorts have divided them on purpose. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Landen walked away from her and to my side.

“Guardian!” Phoenix shouted in protest.

“It’s not working tonight. Paths are crossing,” Landen returned.

“Don’t lay it out for him,” Phoenix stated his one condition for allowing Landen to do this.

“I’m not. I’m going to be Landen. Someone he knows and respects.”

Phoenix glanced at Skylynn. “Bloody Hell,” he said, then followed Landen and me.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we reached the passageway out of the veil.

Landen sat down right there in the grass and pulled me to him. “Pelhan’s, through meditation.”

I glanced up at Phoenix, who was standing above us.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Sunshine. I know you’re attached to me and all, but I’m not going there. I’ll watch your bodies and make sure no one gets any ideas.”

Landen’s humming hand ran across my arms as I felt his energy move through me. I closed my eyes and focused on Pelhan’s world.

I was so eager to figure out what was going on that it only took me a split second to find myself there.

“What the hell is going on?” I thought.

“Apparently, Aden is here.”

“Our Aden? Like Draven and Aden? She was talking about him?”

“Apparently.”

“What are you not saying?”

Landen turned to face me, but his eyes were closed as his head was aimed at the sky. “Aden’s life is in danger.”

“What?”

“It has something to do with when Charlie rose into the life of a Witness.”

“You knew all along it was them, and you’re just now telling me?”

“I didn’t know all along. I wasn’t even entirely sure until just now. Her description of him is beyond similar to the way those twins look, but it could also be others. I knew they were safe in Chara, so I didn’t see the threats as I should have.”

“Was. Apparently something happened if they brought him here,” I thought, realizing for the first time that someone from our family had to be here. My insight quickly told me I was wrong, though. I was sure Aden was, but no one from our family.

“Only he and Skylynn will ever know if they are one. We cannot tell him about her, it will twist further if we do.”

“Stop with the twisting threat. We know two people who are meant to be together. We’re not just going to ignore that. You’re from Chara, remember?”

“I do remember. Travelers don’t play matchmaker. We lead. I will lead him out of here, and if Skylynn finds a way to get her message across, so be it.” He glanced forward, then to me. “Front door.”

In that thought, we were there. Pelhan was standing in our way, and he glanced over to Landen.

“I see the fire has returned.”

Landen nodded to confirm.

“You need words for him to see you,” Pelhan stated as he reached for our arms.

A surge of energy soared through me, making me feel more whole, like I was in my body.

“How did you do that?” I asked aloud.

“You let me. You could have always been more whole in this form, but you have chosen to stay hidden. Now you have chosen not to.”

Sure. It was that easy, no doubt. Really?

“How bad is it?” Landen asked him before I could argue that he just needed to tell us what we could do. I’m not a huge fan of taking over people’s bodies. Being able to appear in real form was now my new favorite insight.

“Not as bad as it could be. A wall in his mind was knocked down, leading him to his past. He is finding balance with it.”

“Where?” Landen asked.

Pelhan moved to allow us in. In the open room, Aden was seated on one of the pillows, leaning forward and holding his head in his hands. Austin was pacing behind him. When he saw us, hope soared through him.