Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(85)

Headlights beamed around the side of the house, breaking the tension; it was Gina’s truck. I could feel Clarissa and Dane. Landen held my hand and led us to the front of the house. Another van pulled in behind Gina’s. I felt Hannah and Jessica with my father and Ashten. My father must have had success.

Dane and Clarissa got out of the truck and walked over to the van where the girls were. Olivia’s aunt was driving, and my father was in the passenger seat. He rolled down the window. “Willow, I have good news for you,” he said. “It seems Jessica and Hannah are in need of some relaxation to relieve some stress they’re under, so I invited them to come to Paris with us for a week.” I smiled, not having to try hard to seem surprised. Olivia’s aunt leaned forward, looking at all of us grinning, but her eyes hesitated on Chrispin for a moment. That’s when I remembered showing her Olivia dancing with Chrispin.

Landen remembered, too, and he quickly stepped in front of Chrispin. “You guys split up. They’re going to take us to the airport,” my father said. Landen nodded, then turned and pushed Chrispin and Brady in the direction of Gina’s truck. Chrispin looked back at Landen like he’d lost his mind. Landen nodded his head, telling Chrispin to go. Once out of sight, we climbed in the van with Jessica and Hannah. My father had given them something to help them relax, and it was clear it was already taking effect by the peace I felt within them and the smiles on their faces.

After we were dropped off at the airport, we waited for a few moments, then hailed a cab to take us back to the passages near my house. Inside the string, the current was flowing more aggressively than before, causing us to rush through the passage. Landen and I stayed on the outside, ready to pull everyone through if the storm erupted before we reached Chara.

Once home in Chara, we took Hannah and Jessica to my father’s house. I could sense how nervous my father was about having them here. I’d never thought my father believed in myths, but then again, I never imagined that he was from another dimension either. It seemed everyone except Marc had someone to see, to tell that they were home safely. Marc, Dane, and Clarissa followed us back to our house, and we all gathered in the living room.

“You don’t think I look like Drake, do you?” Marc asked Landen.

“Does it matter if you do?” Landen retorted, falling back into one of the large chairs and staring at the ceiling.

Marc was immediately irritated by Landen’s short tone. Landen was being distant with everyone, but I’m sure it hurt me more than them.

“I just want to know how he knew Dad’s name,” Marc argued.

“He’s always in Esterious,” Clarissa answered, trying to give Landen a break from always having to have the answers.

“So am I. So are you. Did he say our name? No.”

Landen sat up and looked at me, then at Marc.

“Where is your dad anyway?” Landen asked.

Marc stopped pacing and looked back at Landen; a singe of fear hit him. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since your celebration…Ashten said he went to Esterious to find a way in the palace.”

“He should be back by now, don’t you think?” Landen said.

Marc had been so distracted by everything that had happened that he hadn’t noticed. Guilt came to him immediately.

“You know, you’re right,” Marc answered. Fear coursed through the room. Marc rushed to the kitchen to call Ashten.

Aubrey told him that he was already on his way to our house. We waited, watching Marc get more upset, pacing across the room.

Ashten and my father came through the back door at the same time. As they came into the room, their concern grew as they saw Marc in his freaked state.

“What’s going on?” asked Ashten.

“Where’s Dad? Shouldn’t he back by now?”

“Well, not really. He was intent on staying until all this was worked out,” answered Ashten.

“Did he go into the palace?” Marc asked as his anxiety grew.

“I don’t think he’d try anything that would put himself in danger,” Ashten promised.

I glanced in Landen’s direction. I could tell Ashten didn’t believe his own words.

“We need to get him, he needs to know what we know!” Marc yelled.

“What do we know? What did you guys figure out?” Ashten demanded realizing that they were missing something.

“Drake asked Willow’s friends if they knew a Livingston,” Landen explained.

My father and Ashten looked at each other. I clearly felt their confusion and frustration.

Ashten looked back at Marc. “I can see why that would bother you, but I’m sure there’s a reason,” Ashten stated in a forced calm tone as if he knew Marc was seconds away from doing something foolish.

“Yeah and I’m going to find out right now,” Marc bit out, walking to the door.

Ashten moved to block Marc’s exit. “You’re not going to find him tonight. Curfew has already set in—he won’t be out, and you’re sure to be killed if they see you on the streets,” he said as Marc’s face fell. “Look, he’s fine. We’ll all go in the morning, well, Jason and I will go with you.”

Ashten glanced in Landen’s direction, then at me.

“We’re not afraid of him. We’re going to have to face him sooner or later,” Landen said shortly.