Vindicate (Insight #5)(29)

I felt a relief rise inside of Brady. He had seen me refuse to question my past with Drake; he had seen my thoug hts tie around his baby brother. Though he hoped that I would save them both , he was grasping the thought that without a doubt , I would save Landen. At first I was angry by the doubt he must have had, but then I realized that he did n’t doubt that I loved Landen. He had doubted that I would ha ve the will to save myself .

Brady looked at Draven. “What can you do for us there ? I s taking you to Esterious a wise thing to do?”

“Why would it not be wise?” I said , knowing they were going one way or another. They were my answer.

“That dimension is bo und to be full of damned souls. They are like magnets to them , ” Austin said as he mirrored Brady’s concern. His caution was refreshing and soothing , the way Landen’s always was.

“If anyone is a magnet for damned souls , it’s me , ” I promised , knowing nothing they could see or attract could be worse tha n the demon that wa s tormenting me.

“We’ll be fine,” Draven promised. “We knew we would be there one day anyway . Show me w h ere they lay , and I will be able to see where they are in their minds. If I can’t teach you to see , at least I can tell you what they need.” He cleared his throat. “What energy they need , ” h e said as he glanced at me , then looked back at Brady. “This is going to be harder than it sounds. I can go there in an instant , but what I see and what they see are going to be different. I’ll do what I can to steer them , but it would be better if one of you were there, one of you that they trust and will listen to. The dark energy in that place h as been feeding them illusions. Toying with their doubts , ” his eyes met mine again , “s eeing someone –feeling someone that they trust , l ove , will make more of a difference than I could ever hope to .” His eyes locked with mine. I felt a dread within him. He didn’t think this war was going to be easy.

Brady and Olivia both glanced at me , then back to Draven. I felt Nana’s hand on my shoulder. “Willow will grasp this.”

I looked up at her , then she rested her hand under my chin as she turned my head from side to side. “You look better . One more bowl of soup.”

I thought about arguing with her as she went to get it , but I knew from her intent that was a foolish quest. I decided just to eat as fast as I could ; I was beyond eager to get back and end this.

“Where are Charlie and Madison?” I asked , knowing they weren’t t here and that the others would not leave without them.

Draven’s jaw tightened . “Saying their goodbyes.” The jealousy I knew I felt before surfaced in his soul.

“But the y’re not to you , ” I said to him , trying to comfort the emotion I knew all too well.

He tried to smile. “Not yet , ” h e said under his breath.

Nana s e t a fresh bowl of soup down in front of me. “Draven – you need to make sure you’re packed . Take at least one guitar in case you need it to help you work through what you see.” She looked at the others as her hand rested on my shoulder. “All of you can go and make sure the others are ready so when Charlie and Madison get back you can leave.”

Austin and Draven stood as if they knew it was foolish to argue with Nana’s request to leave. Brady and Olivia sat as still as statues at my side. Nana took Draven’s seat as she stared at Brady. “Now, this would be one of those moments that your mother, or the beautiful woman you love called Felicity , would tell you was girl time –just before they pushed you out the door.”

Brady smiled politely. “Felicity would not want me to leave her side , ” h e promised , glancing at me.

“Did she not tell you to not let your stubbornness get in the way, to give way to the time Willow needed and to make sure that she had everything she needed to survive ?”

Brady nodded , feeling somewhat invaded that a private conversation he had was now seen by someone he barely knew.

“She needs this if she’s going to survive , ” Nana promised .

He pushed back his chair back. “You call my name if you need me , ” h e said , putting his hand on my shoulder. Olivia stood with the intent of not letting Nana repeat any private conversati ons she may have had about me. Brady hesitated as he looked at the window behind him. “If you plan on making her mad , I would suggest you move away from the window.”

Nana grinned. “Understood.”

As they left the room , I stole a few mor e sips of my soup. I felt vacant , like it didn’t matter what I ate ; at th at point , I would still be famished . Nana didn’t say a word until my bowl was empty.

“Now…what did he tell you ? How did he tell you to remain strong?” s he asked , already knowing the answer.

“Landen?” I said as the sound of his name pierced through my chest.

She nodded.

“To think of us , ” I whispered as my eyes stared into the past.

She nodded. “And why are we not doing that?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess I was too hungry to think of that , ” I said in a sly attempt to thank her for taking care of me.

I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes. I let memories rush me back, back to the beginning. Our first kiss …the first time he held me in a passionate embrace. His words . His soothing energy. Then I remembered his energy falling into mine, the addicting sensation of how astounding it felt when we were truly one. I felt his power, our power , course through my soul. I took a deeper breath , feeling life come back to me. I was wide-awake , full of energy and determination. I opened my eyes to see Nana smiling at me.