Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(41)

Throughout the day I had grown use to the warmth of his lips, the power of his flesh, so much so, that I missed that right now, yet some how, he made this seem real, too. I could feel a tingling sensation on my skin, I could sense his presence reaching out for mine. He deepen our kiss as he pressed me to him and swayed me in the silent room.

Every touch that night was innocent, yet provocatively sensual, holding the promise that we were more than lovers, we were eternal.

I didn’t want to wake from the dream, I wanted to be alone with him, but daylight brought us both back to reality.

“Did you have a good discussion downstairs last night?” I asked.

He looked intently into my eyes and carefully thought his words through before he spoke. “All we came up with were more questions. It doesn’t make sense why the string doesn’t burn you when you pass through. Your dad said that was always his biggest fear. He could always see the green haze around you, but it didn’t ever hurt you, inside or out. We can’t figure out why you can’t change the emotions of the ones that are in your presence, or why the emotions that call you are so simple. It’s amazing that you can see them through an entire string.”

“Do you know why they can’t see me or feel me?”

“You never completely leave the string. You stay in the haze just on the edge, and that might be why.”

That seemed to make sense. It just bothered me that I’d never seen the haze before.

“Livingston thinks that if you focused your energy, you’d be able to affect the ones in your presence. If you could, you’d be able to give courage or a sense of empowerment to those who need it. He knows that there are good people in all the worlds, even in Esterious,” Landen said, looking away. I could feel that he was uneasy with his thoughts.

“You don’t like his ideas, do you?”

“He believes what he’s saying, but they’re guarding their intentions, not thinking about anything but the moment they’re in.”

“What do you think it is?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s anything we should look forward to hearing,” Landen said, tightening his jaw.

“The way we feel is a choice. I hope Livingston doesn’t think I’ll be able to change those who aren’t willing.”

“That’s exactly what our fathers and I said.”

“So when do we leave? What’s the plan?”

“That storm we were in was just a little one. Marc looked in the string last night, and it got worse after we left. It should completely pass by late tonight. We’re going to leave early tomorrow so Libby won’t have to travel through the night. Today, we’re going to go to one of the towns here and practice what you do so we can start to define it. You can’t help anyone until you can control it.”

It wasn’t anyone’s intention, but I felt like a science experiment. It made me uneasy. Showing Landen was one thing, but I already felt embarrassed, thinking of the others watching me and critiquing what I was doing. I rolled on my back and stared at the arched wood above us, wishing I could just tell them to save myself from embarrassment.

Libby ran into the room and dove onto the bed, making a place for herself between us. She was already dressed in a bright yellow swimsuit and sundress.

“I wish you guys would go swimming with me instead of a silly hiking trip,” she said with a big pout on her face.

Questioning her words, I looked at Landen, but he was just as lost. I assumed it was another story my mother had told her to keep the peace.

“We’ll miss you, and I promise to come back soon,” I said to her.

Libby laughed out loud when I started to tickle her then all at once she went rigid and her eyes were somewhere else, looking past the room. I sat up quickly, feeling the fear coming from her. I shook her lightly and called her name. Landen stood up and lifted her to a sitting position. Her fear impacted us both, and we were reaching the point of panic. Then all at once it was gone, and she resumed her normal excitement. Landen and I sighed deeply, and Libby looked at us as if we’d lost our minds.

“Did her emotion change, too?” Landen thought.

“She had fear, but only for an instant, now she’s fine. What do you think she saw?”

“I don’t know. I just hope whatever it was passes just as quickly.”

A sickening feeling came over me, accompanied by an intense sense of dread.

Landen and I got ready for our day. When we went downstairs, I was surprised to see that only my mom and dad were there.

“Where is everyone?”

“Marc and Livingston went to check the progress of the storm. Dad went to see my mother.”

A sense of relief came over me. I wouldn’t have to be anyone’s science experiment after all. When I looked at Landen he was grinning.

“You didn’t think I’d let them make you uncomfortable, now did you?”

“You might just be too perfect, Landen Chambers.”

“Doubt that, you just bring out the best in me.”

I could feel his disdain and I didn’t understand it. When my eyes questioned him he responded. “I’m a bit adventurous and stubborn, even reckless, but…I was that way because I wanted to find you. Figure out why I’m different. You’ve calmed me down.”

“Is that why your dad and the others are looking at you like you are a ticking time bomb?”