Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(102)

Landen’s eyes were still locked into mine. As he leaned slowly forward and kissed me, the room disappeared. I realized how easy it would have been to succumb to Drake’s touch, and I was amazed at my will power and thankful that Landen’s love was strong enough to carry me through.

Walking down the stairs, we could hear Libby and Preston giggling in the kitchen. My mother was waiting for us, wide-eyed, not understanding what had happened through the night.

“We need to talk, but we can’t do it here,” I whispered to my mother, looking at Preston.

At that moment, Olivia stepped in the back door. We could feel her grief, and we knew she’d seen Brady.

“Um…I can watch Libby if you guys need to go to Willow’s for a little bit,” Olivia said to my mother. “Did…did the page work?” she asked, bracing for our answer.

Hannah and Jessica trailed into the kitchen, answering her question. My mother let out a few happy tears as she witnessed our reunion.

Brady had gathered his parents, Chrispin, Felicity, Dane and Clarissa at our house. Landen made a call to August and Rose’s home, telling them that there had been an event.

We sat in silence, waiting for the others to arrive, feeling the heavy weight of grief coming from those who knew. In rain-drenched clothes, one by one people filled our house. Brady looked to Landen to explain, knowing that Marc wouldn’t be able to find the words. Marc went to Chrispin’s side as Landen stood in the front of the fireplace.

“We left last night,” Landen began. Sighs filled the room, and anger came over Ashten and my father. Landen continued, “Libby told us we needed a page to heal the girls – and she also told Brady and Marc. We didn’t leave you out of this to be spiteful; we only had your safety in mind.” Landen’s eyes shifted between Ashten and Chrispin then he continued, “Once there … once we were there, we saw Adonia’s body.”

Aubrey put her head in her lap, trying not faint.

“Livingston was there,” Landen said.

My father and Ashten sat at full attention, feeling less nervous to know that he’d been at our side to help us.

“Um…you may know this,” Landen said, looking at his father, Ashten, “but it seems that Beth was alive and well. Drake is her and Livingston’s son, not Adonia’s.”

Astonishment filled the room. It seemed Livingston had managed to keep his secret close to him. Chrispin stood, raging with anger as Marc pulled him back down. Landen took an uneasy breath and continued, “Livingston tried to talk Drake down, but he didn’t listen, and with the power of the star…he flung him across the room, knocking him into a stone wall.”

“Where is he now?” my father said as he stood, wanting to deliver any medical attention he could.

Landen swallowed hard and looked at Chrispin, who was still being held back by Marc.

“We brought his body home,” Brady said, helping Landen.

A chilling silence came over the room. I walked to Landen’s side, embracing him, trying to give him peace.

“Where is Beth?” Rose asked.

“We faced Drake, and when it was over, a light came from us, then pushed toward him. Beth jumped in front of it, and she and Drake disappeared. We don’t know where they are.”

“Who is that little boy?” my mother asked.

“His name is Preston. He told us that Livingston was his father and Beth was his mother. He helped us; somehow, he told Libby through a dream about the page and the flowers,” I answered.

August had been staring out the front window, watching the rain. He was calm, at peace, and proud of all of us. Landen could feel it, too; it was the only comfort we had at that point.

“Did it work—the page?” asked Felicity.

“They are completely healed, but we need to take them home soon. I can’t tell you that this world will not reject them again,” my father said, consumed with grief and dread and holding his eyes down.

My mother rubbed his shoulders, calming him with her touch. Aubrey raised her head and looked at Ashten, then at Marc and Chrispin.

“I, um, Marc...I know you have a lot to take in right now, but I want you to know that I’d be honored to raise your baby brother—and give you time.” Aubrey walked over to hug the boys that she’d raised in Beth’s absence, and Marc and Chrispin let out the grief that couldn’t be held back as she held them. Ashten went to help Aubrey comfort them.

August was still standing silently in the back of the living room, listening to our explanation of the night’s events. He cleared his throat, then crossed the room and offered his condolences to Chrispin and Marc. Though he had lost his son, Livingston, I could feel how at peace he was. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out three envelopes, then handed one to Chrispin and one to Marc; turning to the rest of us, he opened the third.

“Just before Livingston returned to Esterious for the final time, he came to my home and spoke the words that I’ve always known in my heart to be true. He asked that if he didn’t return and we were certain that his life here was over, to read this to all of you – especially the two of you,” August said, glancing to Landen and me.

As if the letter had already been read to us, we lost our breath and felt a surge of adrenaline run through our souls. The room was still and silent, waiting for the last message left for us by Livingston.