Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(51)

I laughed at myself. The most I’d ever done as far as the Zodiac was concerned was looked at my horoscope, which was always wrong. To think that an education system was balanced on the stars in the sky seemed insane to me.

“What? How do they do it in your dimension?” Felicity asked, baffled at my humor.

“We all just go to school and learn the same subjects,” I answered.

“But how do they make sure that the kids grasp what they’re being taught?”

“Teachers. Parents.”

“But what if the teacher or parent doesn’t relate to the chart? You can’t group so many different characteristics together and expect positive results.”

“Umm…I…I don’t know.” How was I supposed to answer a question like that? It had always been done that way.

“What dimension did you come from again?” Felicity asked, raising one brow.

“Um…Infante,” I said, hoping I’d remembered the name correctly.

She nodded as if my thought process matched my home dimension. “I still find it intriguing to meet the people they bring home. You would not believe how differently we come to conclusions on the way life should be lived,” she said, grinning at me.

“I guess that goes back to that chart thing, huh?” I said, tilting my head and taking her energy in.

Felicity nodded, snickering again. “Traveling is a dominant purpose in our family,” she explained. I could feel the pride coming her. “Travelers are vital to Chara, they guide us. If they see something in another dimension that has brought harm to the people, they guide us away from that tragedy. If they see something that has brought peace and bliss to a dimension, they teach us so we can grow more peaceful. Traveling is one of the most respected gifts. Without travel, our children would never find the love that we have.”

Felicity caressed her stomach as she spoke. She was a very happy person, and I felt reassured that if anyone could find my friends, it was Landen.

“Everyone in this family travels?”

Felicity nodded. “We are well known throughout Chara,” she said, her smile widening, “and Landen is the youngest and most admired traveler of all.” I raised my brows to question her. “Landen’s insight of truth is not what he is known for. Instead, he is known across Chara as ‘the one who can see all’,” she explained.

I tilted my head and smiled shyly. Perodine told me in my dream that ‘the one who sees must have my heart,’ and Landen had always had my heart. I wondered if she meant the string. The reality I was in came back to me. “Do you know what happened before we got here? I mean, did Landen find my friends?”

Her smile lessened, and I could feel her guarding her emotions. “I think Landen wants to talk to you about it,” she said as her smile faded. I gave her a look of understanding, but I knew it couldn’t all be good news that Landen wanted tell me.

She sighed, then said, “I felt so bad for him. He was so worried about you. Jason must have told him a hundred times that you just needed to rest.”

I remembered how worried he looked when I’d found him on the porch last night. I felt awful that I’d caused him such anguish. I blushed as I remembered what happened after I found him on the porch. It was so odd, my entire body was aching when I walked out on that porch, but right now I feel like I could run a marathon.

Felicity could see the look on my face and reached for my hand to comfort me. “I’m so happy for you two. I knew he would find you. When Brady told me the names of your family, all I could think about was that music box on the mantel. I did not say anything to Landen. I was afraid if I was wrong, his heart would be broken.”

A sinful grin emerged on the corner of my lips as I thought of the night I found that willow tree.

“Everyone is coming to your celebration,” she said as she cleaned away the plates.

“They have a lot to celebrate. Three couples have come home,” I said, reminding her of my mother and Clarissa. Not really wanting the attention of any party.

“I really can’t see it fitting all in one night. The news has spread across Chara. Jason Haywood home at last, Clarissa’s soul mate being able to see the string, and, of course, the youngest couple—the ones who need no words!” Felicity exclaimed.

I had already forgotten that Dane could see the string. It must really be rare to cause so much excitement. Realizing that the celebration was some sort of rite of passage here I wondered what waited for me outside those doors. I had to change the subject, though, I was never one for being the center of attention, and the thought of it was giving me wicked anxiety.

“Which dimension did you come from?” I asked.

“Neime. Just next door, so to speak.”

“Is Neime a good one? I mean, is it peaceful?”

“It is. We live a lot like they do here. I think Neime is the smallest.”

“How else is it different?”

“Well, the biggest difference is that we do not acknowledge time.”

I gave her a curious look.

“We do not mark hours or days or even years. It’s a good place for Gemini signs.”

I had to smile…a world where you could never be late. I could think of a few people who would enjoy that. I felt a burst of energy. Looking to the source, the baby, I saw it move a little. Felicity smiled and rubbed her belly.