Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(95)

She smiled and turned slowly. “I told so many to follow their dreams, and yet I kept my own daughter hidden from hers.”

“Mom, did you know?”

“We never knew for sure. Your father had a fear, an instinct…he never really told me why he wanted to stay there, but I know he had the best intentions.”

“I know you both did,” I whispered, trying to forgive them for keeping Landen from me.

She looked into my eyes for a few seconds before standing and putting her hands on my shoulders. “Willow, I just need you to promise me that you’ll be the daughter I raised you to be and listen to your heart in every battle you face.”

I smiled at my mother and promised her with the warmest hug I’d ever given her. My father shuffled his feet across the floor; his sorrow was heavy, and when I turned to look at him, his now brown eyes made me sigh deeply. I opened my arms and hugged them both.

“Where have you been?” I asked him.

“We went to look for Livingston. We can’t find him anywhere.”

“He went back to get the star, didn’t he?”

“I don’t know, Willow.”

“Has he told you anything that I need to know, Dad?”

“You know what we know. He kept Landen from going into that world and just wants more than anything to keep the two of you out of anything that has to do with that star, those rings, the whole deal. He thinks it’s all his fault, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.”

“Dad, don’t worry about it. We’ll figure this out.”

“I should be the one telling you that. Listen, we’re going to have to think of something quick. When we run out of blue and green flowers, we’re going to have to act fast. They may need to go home until they grow back or we figure something else out.”

“Dad, you just don’t know what those things look like, how painful it is.”

“Willow, we’re going to have to make a choice for them. To live, they’re going to have to be in pain.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the burden on my shoulders, knowing that regardless of what choice I made, Jessica and Hannah would pay a price.

“I think I’m going to go home. Landen should be back soon.”

“Willow, don’t do anything foolish. The two of you can’t face this on your own.”

I smiled warily at my father then walked past him.

Landen was waiting for me on the front porch; when he saw me coming, he walked toward me. The sun was setting, and the sky was a deep orange. Landen’s silhouette was breathtaking; his broad shoulders gave way to his long, strong arms. My breath left me as he gathered me in his arms and kissed me. We’d only been apart for a few hours, yet the reunion seemed so much sweeter. I could not get over how the sight of him would make my heart pound.

“Did you bring peace?” I asked.

“Did you?”

“A little. Is Marc okay?”

“He’s just mad at Livingston.”

“He’s not going after him, is he?”

“I made him promise to wait for us, and he said he would.”

Landen’s eyes were staring past me as he saw someone. Suddenly, I felt Libby’s excitement and turned to see her standing on the hill between our homes, waving her little arms, trying wildly to get our attention. We smiled at each other and started walking toward her, sure that she was happy and at peace. Libby danced in place as she waited for us to get closer.

“Willow, hurry! Mom is going to call my name.”

“What is it, baby?” I said.

“Willow, you need a page.”

“A page?” I repeated.

“Yes, it’s on a long table with red flowers.”

“Where’s the table?”

“You know, Willow.”

Landen and I looked at each other quickly then back at Libby.

“Why do I need it?”

“Because it has words to make Hannah and Jessica all better.”

“Libby, do we need the star, too?” Landen asked.

“I don’t know. My friend said that you only needed the page.”

“Who is your friend?” I asked, almost panicked. Libby shrugged her shoulders.

“Where did you see your friend?” Landen asked.

“I see him when I sleep.”

“Libby, does he scare you?” I asked.

“No. He showed me the flowers. They’re so pretty.”

The front door to my mother’s house opened, and she stepped out. “Libby, it’s time to eat say goodnight to Willow.” Libby drooped her little shoulders, then shuffled toward us and hugged us.

“Love you, Willow.”

“Love you, too.”

We walked slowly to our house. Not turning on any lights, we passed into the living room and settled into the couch, watching the last light fall into the horizon.

“Do you think the passage is still there, the one that leads to the altar?” I asked.

We both knew Libby was talking about the room where we’d found the girls, the one that the priest and Drake were in.

“I don’t know why it wouldn’t be.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“I think that place was a temple, which means during the day it will be full of people.”