Vindicate (Insight #5)(51)

Silence suffocated the stone room.

Finally I said. “Truce? Do you agree?”

“Agreed,” she said in the most humble tone I’d ever heard .

The gray sky grew a little lighter as I released her.

“Marc and his mother are walking toward us right now. Don’t hurt that woman. She has lost too much.” I warned.

“I feel her,” Madison said quietly as her eyes reflected the remorse she felt.

“I keep forgetting you can do that,” I mumbled as I stood.

She followed my lead as she stared defensively at me. “Those images you used to help. How did you make them appear?”

“I didn’t; they just did. Landen and I think it was because I found people who were feeling the emotion I was.”

“Power of attraction,” she m uttered. “Never anyone you knew?”

“A few. My friends when they were hurt. Stella’s sister; Stella is Marc’s soul mate.”

“You need to open that door if you are going to see.”

“Easier said than done,” I mumbled .

“Seeing is a different dimension of mediation. Instead of letting the t houghts of your mind bubble up you lis ten to the thoughts of others. Your imagination creates the rest . I f you have any doubt you can do this – any at all , then you will not be able to. I t’s as simple as that.”

A ghostly smile danced across my expression. Determination swelled in my soul. “I have no doubt that I will go to where Landen is.”

“Good.” She murmured as her eyes rapidly moved across my aura.

At that moment, Marc walked in the door. He had changed into another suit, and at first glance my eyes grew wide and I found myself holding my breath.

“I keep getting that reaction,” he said as his dark eyes moved from me to Madison.

“I can’t believe how one suit can change a man,” I said with a smirk.

“Mom and I are going to the chapel for our daily mourning,” he said as he sighed. “She wanted to check on you first.” He locked his jaw before he went on. “Is that wise?” he asked raising one eyebrow.

I glanced at Madison. “Madison can feel emotions as well as I can. A t least I think she can. She won’t upset anyone. Not on purpose.”

Marc captured her gaze and smiled slightly. “Sorry if I startled you before.”

Madison’s emerald green eyes glassed over as a chill waved across her body. I could only imagine the emotions she was trying to control. “Just a lot .” She uttered. “Bad day,” she couldn’t hold his gaze any longer. She let her eyes move to the doorway, looking for a fast escape. No doubt there.

He nodded. “Tell me about it.”

Marc looked back at me. “Stella saw your struggle with this seei ng thing in the looking glass. She look ed forward and found the answer. Perodine is getti ng what she needs to help you. That should save you some time.”

“How far did she see forward?” I asked, peaking with hope.

“She has not found our victory yet, but thanks to her and your new friend Draven I’m still alive.”

“Why is that?”

“Draven was right. That meeting was a trap. The moment Draven said that, Stella saw my cours e change in the looking glass. She saw me di scovering three more traitors. When I declared that priest as a traitor, two more confessed to conspiring and begged for mercy.” Concern consumed his dark eyes. “They’re everywhere, Willow. There is not one honest person in that court.”

“There is one,” Madison said under her breath .

When she realized she said that allowed she nervously looked between me and Marc then said, “Drake. I mean y ou.” her skin blushed as she eyed the doorway once more.

Marc’s eyes seemed to sparkle as he bowed slightly to her. “So many wise women surrounding me now. I like that,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder.

“Stella saw your fate change?” I asked Marc , wanting to unders tand what Stella was becoming. What that looking glass had to do with any of this.

Marc nodded as he looked back at me. “She told me she is in awe of how the simplest decisio n or thought can change so much. The excitement – awakening in her eyes is breathtaking.”

Beth stepped into the room at that moment. She was wearing one of the royal black gowns that would place her in another era if I were in my home dimension. Beth ignored both Marc and me and seized Madison ’s stare .

I focused on Beth’s emotion, looking for any spike. A ny sign of rec ognition. Beth always believed she would see the heart of her son in the woman he was meant to love. She’d seen it inside o f Stella, and inside of Olivia. Yet, right now her emotion remained calm. I was sure that long, deep argument I just had wit h Madison was all for nothing. Bet h didn’t see it.

“Madison, this is my mother, Beth.” Marc said.

Madison bowed as if she were introduced to royalty. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said humbly.

“The pleasure is mine,” Beth replied.

There was an odd silence, and the anxiety in the room built.

“Excuse me,” Madison said quietly. “I need to find my friends.”

Beth reached for Madison’s arm as she passed her by. They locked eyes, and I felt a modest emotion, followed by hope, rise inside of Beth.