Adam (The Protectors #5)(12)
“You calling her a liar?” Sid rushed up in three long strides and was in Jared’s face.
“No, so calm the f*ck down.” Jared leaned in toward Sid, his eyes narrowed. “I’ve seen her do some things that even I can’t explain, but for us to have loved ones or whatever…who have been dead for well over thousands of years…” Jared shook his head.
“Does Noah ring a bell?” Stepping forward, Caroline’s voice was clear as she stood beside her sister.
Jared’s eyes flew to hers as he slowly uncrossed his arms. “How do you know that name?” Jared growled, his eye large in disbelief.
“He’s your brother, isn’t he?” Lana replied, knowing a little shock value was the only way to get through to hardheaded nonbelievers.
Jared searched the room before his eyes landed on Lana. “Are you saying my brother is here?”
Caroline and Lana both nodded at the same time.
For a slight second, emotion played across Jared’s face, but then it was gone. “It can’t be.”
Lana looked off, her eyes unfocused for a slight second. “He knows you did everything in your power to save him.” Lana stopped to look back at Jared. “Do you understand that?”
Jared nodded, his eyes searching hers. “Can you see him?”
Lana nodded. “He is very tall and younger than you, but he has your smile with lighter hair. He is a very handsome young man.”
Both Lana and Caroline laughed.
“What?” Jared glanced back and forth at the two women.
“He said he’s the better looking one.” Caroline grinned.
Jared smiled with a chuckle, and then pinched the bridge of his nose closing his eyes. “Damn.” His smile faded slowly as he turned away, the emotions hitting him hard for everyone to see.
Lana knew this was a total shock and gave Jared a minute to compose himself before saying anything else. Glancing at Caroline, she knew she was doing the same thing.
“Why is he still here?” Jared said, his voice harsh with emotion.
“Because he never got to say goodbye. There was never any closure between the two of you and his spirit has stayed behind until the day he could say goodbye.” Lana took a step closer to him, laying her hand softly on his back in comfort. “And today’s that day.”
Jared’s head fell back toward the ceiling as if getting his thoughts and emotions in check, his face ravaged with pain and sorrow. “Tell him…”
“He can hear you, Jared.” Lana stepped back next to Caroline. “Talk to your brother. He’s always been able to hear you. You don’t need us for that.”
Everyone occupied themselves to give him some privacy, but Jared didn’t seem to care as he turned and stared into space. “I miss you so much, my brother. If I could change that day, I would, but I’m fine and you need to go be with Mother, Father and Sissy, our beautiful sister. I will see you again one day. They say I will live forever, but…things here are changing and I don’t know what the future holds for me. Tell Mother I can still smell her fresh bread cooling in the morning air. And Father, tell him he would be proud of the man I’ve become and vengeance was carried out for the death of my family.” Jared cleared his throat. “And beautiful Sissy. She is and will always be my beautiful angel.”
Lana stared at the floor listening to Jared. Her heart fractured a little at his words, but a refreshing and welcoming sense of peace washed over her. This was the magic of her gift. Being able to connect loved ones and creating closure was enough for her to never turn her back on her gift. Not that she could anyway. Glancing up, she saw Jared staring behind her with such hope and longing her heart skipped. Turning, she saw Tessa standing right inside the open doorway; huge tears wet her cheeks.
“I’m going to do something that may seem odd, but it’s to validate your brother being here, and also he’s making me do it.” Lana rolled her eyes with a small smile. “Your brother is a funny guy, maybe funnier than you.”
“I taught him everything he knows.” Jared gave a small smile, his eyes finally leaving Tessa to look down at Lana.
“He just snorted at that.” Lana grinned, grabbed a chair and walked up to Jared.
“You’re not going to do this, Lana?” Caroline clutched her arm to stop her. “We don’t do this…ever.”
“It’s fine, Caroline. Noah means me no harm and you know it.” Lana shrugged her sister’s hand away, placing the chair in front of Jared.
“What’s going on?” Sid walked up beside Lana, but looked at Caroline.
“She’s letting Noah channel her.” Caroline hissed, clearly not happy with the turn of events. “Keep focused, Lana.”
Lana heard her sister, but she had already bowed her head letting Noah take over. Within seconds, Lana lifted her head, but it wasn’t Lana staring back at Jared.
“Lana?” Jared steadied her when she became off balance. Sid also rushed up standing close enough to her, but not touching. She was now able to stand eye to eye with Jared, and when a tilt of her lip curved into a smirk, Jared’s head jerked back in surprise. “Jesus.”
Lana’s hands reached out grasping Jared’s shoulders in a firm grip. Pulling him toward her, she looked at each Warrior present. “Ubi Concordia, ibi victoria.” Her voice was strong and true, the language flowing from her lips fluently.