Synergy (See #3)(94)

“Did you find the book you were looking for?” Aden asked.

Draven didn’t take the time to ask; his eyes were the color of coal, which meant he was searching through all of August’s thoughts.

“I did, and there is still much for me to learn about all of you. Many questions. You are very complex. Am I right in assuming that you haven’t slept in forty-eight hours?”

We all looked at each other, then nodded.

“And you’re not tired?” August asked.

“I’m sure it’s the adrenaline,” Madison assured him.

“Perhaps, but I find it fascinating. You see, when your ancestors extended their lives, they slept rarely, and when they stopped seeing, more times than not they didn’t die of old age; they died of exhaustion. I need all of you to sleep as soon as we get you fed.”

“Plan to,” Aden said. “We usually sleep; the past few days have been the exception.”

August nodded. “I’ve also spent some time with Grayson. We need to analyze Escorts just as much as we need to understand what you can do -- not to mention the undead Witnesses you’ve come across.”

My stomach sank. I’d forgotten all about Clarissa. Did he know? Was she not his granddaughter? Aden glanced at me and moved his head from side to side, telling me he didn’t.

“We don’t know much,” I muttered.

“I think you know more than you realize,” August replied. “There are several variables now, and in order to understand what will happen, we must understand what has happened. After you get some rest, we will teach you to meditate. Landen and Willow can teach you how to move your soul to any place you wish.” He hesitated. “We need you to unlock the doors of the past.”

Madison and I glanced at each other, then looked at Aden; I wasn’t so sure that was such a good idea.

“Carefully,” August added. “We must tread carefully when we open those doors. I believe we are missing a book, though.”

“What book?” I asked.

August pursed his lips before he spoke. “Everything I know is second hand. Monroe hasn’t spoken to any of us except Preston, and even though his soul is old, he still speaks as the six-year-old child that he is. From what I understand, the book is small, black, and has metal on each corner. Within it there is a passage, a spell that will protect us when we open the doors of your past. Preston explained that it is a passage that the Escorts use to remember who they are once a test is passed. It is a sacred spell, one that allows them to feel no regret and embrace their past and calling at the same time. From what I know of spells and mythology, intent is what gives words their purpose. If we use this spell with a positive intent, we may be able to walk through the past without the fear of breaking alliances that are already in place.”

Draven glanced at me. “I bet I can find that.”

“I thought you would say that,” August said. “It’s important that we have that before we move forward.”

We nodded to confirm. I was almost sure that that was the book Draven had taken from Britain’s house a few weeks ago. The last time I’d seen it was when I pushed it under Madison’s bed; I’d bet money it was still there. Now I had an excuse to go home and see my mom, my dad. I didn’t think I’d miss them this much. It had only been a day. How was I going to go through with this move?

“Alright then. I’m sure they’re ready by now. I’ll see you at home,” August said as he glanced over Aden and me, then left the room.

As we grabbed our bags, Draven warily looked over Aden. “What’s behind that wall, brother?”

“Nothing that’ll change this life,” Aden said confidently as his eyes avoided mine.

Draven reached for my hand. I took his and squeezed it as tightly as I could.

We found Landen leaning against the wall that led to the room the passage was in. I thought it was odd that he was alone. He was so deep in his thoughts that he barely noticed us as we approached.

“Are you alright?” Madison asked him.

He looked up quickly, and his eyes moved across her carefully. “Just trying to grasp what happened to me. It’s...it’s...um...I feel different, but I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“How different?” I asked, quickly remembering that Clarissa had said that some memories were out of place. Oh yeah, and a flaming bird soaring into him. No big deal there.

Landen smiled weakly, revealing his dimples as his crystal blue eyes moved to the floor. “I’m fine.” His eyes found Madison. “Do the words ‘when the darkest hour comes, hold me, hold my soul, and I will guide you’ mean anything to you?”

Madison’s expression was blank. “Not at all,” she said after a moment of awkward silence. Landen’s face lost all its color for a second as he looked away from her. He then cleared his throat as he glanced at the rest of us. “I really am sorry that I didn’t listen to Austin when he first came to me,” he said to us.

Draven began to tell him not to worry about it, as well as something else, but I wasn’t paying attention. My eyes were peering into Madison; I knew her too well. I’d felt her tense next to me. I knew that when her face held no expression, she was terrified. Those words did mean something, and she’d just lied to Landen. Did she forget that he had the gift of truth? That he knew instantly when someone was lying to him? Then I had a horrible thought: what if that was what she said in that dream to Drake? What if a part of Drake was really inside of Landen now? What would that mean for all of us?