Synergy (See #3)(58)

Willow must have felt my emotion because she put her hand on my back, and I felt that calm emotion again. “Listen, you and I have a lot in common.” I looked at her like she was crazy; Madison was the one that had everything in common with her. She didn’t seem to notice my odd expression, and she went on to say, “I’m not really clear on what you’re fighting outside of this darkness or how closely that dilemma weaves though this one, but I will tell you this,” she nodded toward Draven, “that boy loves you, and if I had to guess, I’d say that he thinks he’s too dangerous for you.”

My heart started to race. How did she know that? Could she feel the guilt I had about a past with Silas? Could she really feel every emotion I was clearly ignoring?

I felt the calm she was giving me intensify. I knew then that she knew now. The reaction in my emotions had just given it away.

She smiled wearily and said, “You know when this began, my hell, I had a fight with Landen. He thought that by us being together, others were suffering; that if we loved each other, that would be a selfish choice. He was willing to put others before us.”

My eyes grew wide with surprise. I knew I hadn’t focused much on Landen in that past life, but I knew there was no way those two souls wouldn’t be together; they loved each other too much.

“That idea didn’t last long, and later we learned that together we were stronger. That somewhere before this life we made choices that led us here. I’m the one that creates any and all turmoil between us. I do that because I hide things from him, things he can feel. We ignored the obvious...if I had any advice for you, I would tell you not to hide. Face it, especially if Draven can see the way all of you say he can. It will be painful. I can’t say that it won’t be, but that sharp, instant, fading pain is better than dwelling in the numbing pain of denial day after day.”

I knew she was trying to help me. That somehow she’d figured out that Draven and I were having problems in our relationship. Though my heart did break for Silas for what he went through when I fell -- and the time that had passed since then -- I had no doubt that I loved Draven, and I didn’t have that doubt because Willow prepared me for that moment. I couldn’t tell her that now. I couldn't tell her that I hid things from Draven not because of any doubt, but because I knew his anger would cause him to suffer in The Realm, and in this world. I couldn't tell her that because from what I could see around her, the conversations with her family, I knew that she would never put anyone in danger. She was asking for help because she thought we knew what we were doing, that there was no risk for us. I wasn’t going to take hope away from her, so I politely said, “I see now why you’re so respected in your home.”

She glanced at Olivia and Brady, then to me. “I’m just like you: a girl who’s dealing with some really weird crap – at least trying to.”

I kept asking questions in my mind as I stared at her. Scenes of her life would come into clear view in my mind. I really felt sorry for her. She was lost, and she was lost because from day one she was told that there was a chance that she could lose Landen. I’m sure I would have lost my focus, too, if I were her. The reason I was staying sane and focusing on fighting this evil was that I knew that fighting it was saving Draven, saving us.

Willow noticed my stare and said, “OK…maybe that’s just how I want you to see me. The truth is that our path is only troubled because our calling is high. Just like yours.”

Knowing what I’d already seen in her life, I knew she was doing better than she thought she was. “Go us. The overachievers,” I said choosing sarcastic humor to lighten the mood.

Willow smirked. “So when you saw me before, my past, did you see those butterflies? The ones I saw a few days ago?”

As soon as she asked me that, I did see them. They weren’t quiet like mine; they didn’t seem to glow, but they were still beautiful, symbolic of the power she was. I nodded to tell her yes.

“Are they the same as yours?” she asked.

My eyes found Monroe, who was a few feet ahead of us, and I nodded once. “She told me they were a guide, a reflection of my power. Supposedly, they can lead you to what you want, but what sucks about that is that they don’t override the challenges you have to face to get to there. They cause everything to come faster.”

“You use them in The Realm?” she asked.

I thought of this morning, how Bianca pushed one into Draven, the hunger in his eyes, and how that hunger created a fight between Silas and Draven. I moved my head from side to side. “I don’t use them. They appear, and that’s not always a good thing.”

Willow glanced at Draven as we walked. “I’m going to give you advice that I have yet to take myself. Love them both. Love them both because we’re meant to feel love for everything and everyone in this universe...your soul knows where it belongs, and it will never let you stray too far from that point. Trust your heart, and doubt the thoughts that bring logic because there is no logic in love. Never has been.”

Her words pierced right through my heart. I didn’t want to think about Silas, his last words that promised I would love him again. “Are you seeing me?” I asked quietly.

She moved her head from side to side. “Just taking in what I know about you, your emotions and your intent. The truth I see in you.”

“That’s seeing. Well, the first part of it. Now you just have to open your eyes and let your imagination take you there.”