Synergy (See #3)(69)

Madison stood abruptly, and we followed her. Perodine smiled at her, but Madison didn’t lose her tense composure as she stared deep into Perodine. “Why?” Madison whispered.

Perodine moved closer to her. “I knew you would be here, with or without my warning; I just wanted to prepare you. I didn’t want you to fear coming here.”

“Well, you failed,” Madison said, swallowing. “I’m not her.”

“Only you would know that,” Perodine said calmly. “Truth be told, I was seeking Charlie, and I found you next to her. It was a gift, something I should have seen coming.”

“Did you see me walk out this door, down that hall to end this, then go home? Because that’s what’s happening now,” Madison said as she walked past her to the doorway.

I rushed to follow her, but Perodine stood in front of me. “Let her see it. I need you to tell me about the family of souls, about your undead Witness,” she said quietly.





Chapter Thirteen


My heart started to beat wildly. I wanted to chase Madison, but at the same time I knew she needed to see what was down the hall. I knew that when she saw it, she might crumble, but only for an instant. She would find a way to help us all through this. These people were blind to what they were fighting; they were doting on Willow and missing the big picture. Madison could set Willow straight faster than I could.

“She’s not ready for this,” I said, swallowing my fear.

“I know,” Perodine said, putting her hand on my shoulder. “And the faster she faces this, the better. It’s starting to distract her, and we need her to focus; all of you, too.”

“How do you know that? Can you see?” I asked.

“No, but I’m a woman, one that has tried more than once to hide my heart away.”

I nodded once and looked back at Aden. He seemed content to let Madison walk down that hall. We both knew Draven was in there, that he could help her if she really fell apart.

“Sit,” Perodine said, gesturing for us to take our place on the couch again. She went to the bookcase on the back wall and retrieved a chalice and an old book, then took a seat on the table before us.

“Are you sure you aren’t a Witch?” I asked, looking at the ancient chalice she set by her side. It was silver and had several inscriptions on it, ones that I couldn't read.

“Not a witch. I just read a lot,” Perodine promised. She glanced at Olivia. “Travelers are gathering to take the child to Chara. Would you go to her, tell her about Chara, prepare her so she isn’t afraid?”

“You don’t have to prepare Monroe for anything,” I promised. Perodine looked right at me, and when I saw her, I saw Silas. I knew she was trying to get Olivia out of the room for a reason that I couldn’t comprehend.

“But I’m sure she would rather talk to you than her brothers,” I said, trying to correct myself.

Olivia furrowed her eyebrows as she stood, then nodded at August and left.

“There are more of us?” Aden asked, looking at August. “You have met people who can help the damned in your life?”

“I have,” August said, smiling slightly. He seemed just as confused as Olivia as to why Perodine had asked her to leave.

“You’re very rare today, descendants of a very wise generation.”

“Where is that generation now?” Aden asked, mystified.

“Around, but they do not see now. The later generations had less interest in how we all connect. Little interest in immortality.”

Immortality? What? “What would that have to do with seeing?” I asked.

August looked at Perodine, then to us. “I gather that each of you are blunt and don’t need a drawn out explanation, so I’ll be frank. Karma is law. When you give, you receive. People who see the way you do and choose to help, to counsel, they give their energy, and that energy, which is the core of life, is returned to them abundantly. They live on and on, holding the youthful image they choose. Your ancestors grew to believe that they were blurring the generations, crossing natural boundaries. They felt that by not dying, they were hindering the illumination that they’d receive across several lives. They chose a select group to continue to help, and the others stopped - and with that, instant age came. Over time, the select few grieved for the family that had passed on, and sooner or later less and less seers chose that path. I assure you that you’re rare; most people who come by your grifts naturally abandon them out of fear.”

Aden and I looked at each other with eyes full of wonder and confusion. Aden broke my stare and locked eyes with August. “Are you saying we can’t die because we helped?”

“Of natural causes, yes, but a weapon can end you. I want to assure you that we can teach you how to protect yourself. Jason, Willow’s father, is a gifted doctor, and you may or may not know this, but Landen is a healer; he’s healed many fatal wounds. Your youth will remain as long as you charge this fate, and we will protect you in any way we can.”

“You believe we’re the ancestors of the people you’re speaking about?” I asked.

August nodded. “Old souls find their way back. For all I know, you’re some of the originals reborn. What intrigues me is that you all fell.”

Aden looked at me like he was missing something.