Synergy (See #3)(50)

I felt Willow’s stare and boldly stared back. She looked like she was getting angrier, weaker. “You’re not bringing anything to my doorstep.” I gazed into her, relieved that she would close this door, not me; at least that way I would have no regrets. “It’s already there,” Willow said quietly. “Help me, and I’ll help you.”

For an instant, I saw that wise woman I met in Egypt. I heard her words echo in my mind. I knew then that I couldn't walk away from this; I was a part of this family of souls, and so was Draven. I wasn’t going to let fear rob me of my fate.





Chapter Ten

Willow and I were both trying to understand each other. I wanted to go back into my memories, find more, understand this. I was mad at myself for not turning around and talking to Silas before; for all I knew, there was a phrase I could say to her, one that would wake her up and let her see how big this really was, help her understand that she was planning this fifteen hundred years ago, more than likely long before that point.

Willow turned to look at Madison, obviously still not believing that she had found her, the twin I saw her search for in her memories. Willow was going to be disappointed. I knew Madison well enough to know that she would more than likely run from Drake, the prince, and if she didn’t run, she would hide behind her sarcasm and philosophy. If there was anyone that could build a wall around their heart, it was Madison. I admit that Britain was climbing it, that he’d almost reached her, but I would have to see Madison fall in love in order to believe it was possible.

“Who’s Bianca?” Willow asked weakly.

Madison glanced at Brady. “The one he saw in that room. The girl who pushed the boy in the shadow of the room to the floor and blew a kiss to the one standing next to you,” Madison said, then looked at me. “Oddly, I can’t see anything else.”

I glanced down at Monroe, completely in awe of her. How did she know that? How could Madison not see any of this?

“How does this ‘seeing’ thing work?” Brady asked. “Can you see everything?”

I felt Draven’s stare and glanced at him. Our heart was breaking for Madison. We loved her too much to watch her go through this. His eyes found Willow’s. “Only what you choose to show us.”

“You said you could see everything,” Willow said as she grabbed Brady’s arm for support. Something was wrong with her beyond grief; she was weak.

Draven walked slowly to her and stared down into her tearful eyes. “When you appeared in this room, you had no defenses up; your thoughts were wide open. As long as I asked the right questions, I saw your past, your perception of it, but now you have your defenses up.” Draven glanced at Brady and Olivia, then back to Willow. “All of you do. Madison saw that moment because Brady was thinking about it. Madison saw his perception.”

“And apparently you saw more,” Madison said to Draven, clearly aggravated with us.

Draven ignored her and continued his stare with Willow. “With all that you know, with all that you can do with your mind, I don’t think that grasping this would be too hard for you, and if it is,” he looked at me, “we’ll go for you.”

When I stared into his eyes, he showed me our last kiss; he let me hear the word ‘promise’ over and over. He was telling me he was ready, that he would fight to overcome what was in him, to help our friends, these strangers in our path now. I wasn’t sure if he was prepared to do that from here or leave with them. “Are we leaving?” I asked as the fields of Chara came to mind.

Draven looked at Willow. “Are we?” he asked, clearly asking if that was her intent.

She didn’t answer him; instead, she turned defensively to the doorway. Austin, Nana, and Grayson were walking up the steps. I was relieved to see Grayson. I knew he’d be able to break this defense I felt for Monroe, that with him here I could move and defend Madison if I needed to. Nana had already changed into her nightclothes. I saw sympathy fill her eyes as she looked at Willow. Austin was reflecting what we felt; it was clear that the last thing he expected to find in this room was Willow and the people with her.

“Austin,” Brady said with relief heavy in his tone.

“Where’s Landen?” Austin asked, looking at me with fear in his eyes. He knew then that we were right: Landen had been in danger this entire time. I moved my head once to the side to tell him not to feel the guilt I could see in his eyes. This wasn’t his fault, not any of ours.

Brady walked to Austin and urged him down the stairs to talk in private. Grayson came to Monroe’s side, and the moment he was there I felt her release me; I knew I could walk away from her now.

Nana held her stare with Willow, but she put her arm around Madison. “You and Charlie go say your goodbyes,” she said, then looked at Draven. “Wake your dad.”

Madison looked at Nana with pleading eyes, wanting to see someone’s point of view, wanting to know that we weren’t walking blindly into a trap. I walked as fast as I could to Madison’s side. Draven, Monroe, and Grayson were right behind me. I glanced over my shoulder as I walked down the stairs to see Nana slowly approaching Willow and Olivia. I felt Draven take my hand as we reached Brady and Austin in the hallway below the studio. Madison took off in a sprint down the hall. I went to chase her, but Draven held me tightly.

“Austin,” Draven said firmly, “I want you to look me in the eye and tell me these people will not hurt us. I want you to tell me that if you were me, with your soul mate at your side, you would walk with them, fight with them.”