“Yeah, we do. They won’t see Jason or Dad as a threat; the rest of us will be alongside the string, and if something goes wrong we’ll all step in,” Landen said, looking at me.
“I’m going,” Marc said.
“No, Stella needs you,” I said with a sense of finality.
Marc looked at me, trying to smile before he began eating his food. We all ate in silence. When we were through, I cleared away the plates. Marc leaned back in his chair, and his eyes drifted between me and Landen. “Am I the only one that realizes how weird this is? I mean, think about it: you saw Stella before I ever did, and if you hadn’t been trapped inside Evelyn, it would have taken me forever to find her. I’d walked over the streets that she worked under over and over again; I felt her, I just couldn’t see her. I just don’t understand why it had to be so complicated, why the two of you had to suffer for me to find her?” Marc said, feeling guilty.
Landen reached his arms out for me to come to him, and I walked over to him and settled in his lap. He looked at me intently before turning to answer Marc. “I wouldn’t want to relive one second of being away from Willow again, but it’s hard for me to regret those moments, knowing the reward we’ve received.”
I wrapped my arms around Landen’s neck and pulled him closer to me, hiding my face. I was overjoyed that Stella and Marc had found one another, but I regretted everything that had happened - and like Marc, I didn’t understand why Landen and I had to pay such a high price for something that already belonged to Stella and Marc.
I heard Marc slide his chair back, and I looked up. “Do I need to go outside again?” he asked us.
I stood, allowing Landen to stand. “I’d rather you stayed inside the house; it’s important that your body remains undisturbed while you’re with Stella,” Landen said.
Marc nodded and made his way to the living room. We followed him, willing to help give him peace if he needed it. Marc settled next to Stella on the couch, and I grabbed a blanket and covered them both. Marc closed his eyes, and we felt his peace come over him. Moments later, we watched as his energy moved from his body to Stella’s.
“Where is everyone?” I questioned.
Landen smiled at me and reached for my hand, then gently pulled me from the living room to the stairs. “They’ve gone to strengthen themselves before tonight,” Landen thought.
We both smiled and felt the anticipation as we climbed the stairs. In our room, we settled across our bed and rose together. The sun had just fallen, and we knew we only had a few hours before we had to leave to meet Perodine. Not knowing what the night would hold, we took full advantage of the strength that we’d need and let the rush consume us both.
Chapter Eighteen
As we felt others approaching our house, we brought ourselves back. I then changed into the familiar black attire that we all wore when we traveled through the string while Landen watched me silently, lost in his thoughts. We were both nervous, unsure of ourselves; it seemed that what we’d asked for - to help the people in Esterious - was being given to us. Who would have thought, though, that getting what you wanted could be so terrifying?
“If Donalt grows weaker as you grow stronger, would that not mean that Perodine is growing weaker? Does that mean that she’s dying?” I asked Landen in a cracked voice. I didn’t want to lose Perodine before I had a chance to know her again.
Landen walked over to me and pulled me close to him. “Perodine is not Donalt; she’ll leave this life when she chooses, and I don’t think she’s ready to leave. She wants to see us help, and she waited for us to come again,” he said, moving his hands to my face as he searched deep in my eyes.
“I love you, Landen,” I whispered.
He moved his lips to mine. “I love you,” he thought as he took my breath away.
On our porch, our fathers, Brady, Chrispin, Olivia, Dane, and Clarissa were waiting patiently. It was clear to see that each of them had grown stronger; the white line that surrounded them was wide and bright.
Silently, we all walked to the passage in the field. Landen wrapped his arm around me, and I twirled the ring on my finger, wanting it to protect all of us for what lie ahead. We stepped through the passage first; it had been days since my body had felt the hum and current that flowed through this amazing part of nature...once again, I felt at peace.
As we walked closer to Esterious, the current intensified. Landen led us all through the passage to the waterfall, which was just before the passage that led to Patrick’s home, our allies in that world. The air was humid, and the waterfall roared, making its raw energy known. We passed it slowly, gazing at the glow of white that hummed around the power of the water. In the darkness of the covered forest, I could see the passage that I’d made a few months ago.
“Can you see the passage?” Landen asked his father.
Ashten looked at my father, Jason; it was clear that they didn’t.
Brady stepped in front of us all. “This is the passage I used to find Perodine. You have to do what Dane does; you have to feel it first, then it will come to you,” he explained.
I looked at Dane. He was smiling at me; his gift of seeing the string gave me hope that every soul would one day be able to see it - as they should.
My father stepped closer to where Brady was standing. With Ashten at his side, they reached their hands out to the thin air. A moment later, I saw the passage open up wider and felt the awe coming from my father and Ashten, who could see it now.
“Be careful,” I said to them.
My father looked back at me and smiled, promising me that he would. As they vanished into the passage, I felt my heart sink.
“How long are we going to give them?” Chrispin asked, feeling the same anxiety that I did.
“Just a few seconds,” Landen answered, staring at the passage.
Seconds later, they immerged with Perodine, and my eyes met hers as relief came over me. She smiled warmly at me, and in the darkness I could see her Aura grow as the light green captured her eyes. My father and Ashten left her side and led the others away, giving me time alone with Perodine.
“I’m going to go with the others,” Landen thought, kissing my forehead, then turning to follow them to the opening near the waterfall. I looked up at him, worried, knowing that whatever she had to say we both needed to hear. “She’ll tell me what I need to know, but right now she wants a moment with you that isn’t rushed - and I owe her that.”
I nodded and smiled, then watched him walk away. I looked back to Perodine, who was smiling at me, then walked closer to her and gently hugged her. As she wrapped her arms around me, I felt how much she loved me.
“You’ve recovered well,” she said, extending her arms so she could look me over.
“I’m a fool,” I said, looking down, ashamed.
“You’re not a fool; we all must face our adversaries at one point,” Perodine said, smiling.
I looked up into her eyes. “He thinks that fate brought me there; I know that even though I left, he still doesn’t understand that I can’t love him,” I said.
Perodine looped her arm around me, and we slowly began to walk through the forest. “I’ve lived over four million years with a man that I did love at one time but have never once been in love with. Drake was raised to believe that your heart belongs to him, and the memories he has have empowered what he was told. It will take more than you telling him that you don’t love him to hinder his desire for you.”
“What is it going to take?” I asked, not wanting to hurt Drake any more.
I felt Perdoine tense up as an overwhelming sense of grief came from her; I didn’t know if it was for me or someone else. “I don’t have an answer for you...I know where you are; I’ve walked your path,” Perodine said, studying my face.
I felt like she wanted to tell me something but didn’t think I was ready. In my current state of mind, I trusted her judgment.
“I can tell you the passion Drake could give you is undeniable, but passion is for t
he body; the love that Landen gives you is for your soul...it moves from life to life and beyond.”
I looked to Perodine and began to feel sorry for her; she was alone, and she had been for millions of years. “Have you never found your soulmate?” I asked.
Perodine smiled fondly. “I found him in another life, and I will join him again one day. You have to understand that the universe does not acknowledge time; four million years can pass as quickly as the blink of an eye. When I’m with the one who completes me again, it will seem as if we never parted,” she said.
I shook my head and sighed. “I just want to know the end; I want all of this to be over, to be able to look back and see the work behind me - not ahead of me.”
As she heard my words, Perodine’s slow pace halted, and she turned and looked deep into my eyes. “We live for the pain. The end is not the reward; the path you take, the emotions that course through you as you grasp life – that is the reward. Do not wish to take such a profound gift from yourself. You have learned in months what has taken you years in past lives...take pride in that,” she said proudly.
“Have I been able to forgive myself in my past lives for the mistakes I’ve made?” I asked, still angry with myself.
Perodine grazed my cheek with her soft hand and smiled. “Regrets are foolish; there is no point in putting energy into something that cannot be altered.”
“What happened after I left? Is Beth OK?” I asked, remembering how she’d risked so much to help me.
“Beth is safe. She remained at the estate, and Drake knows that she will be protected there. He, Alamos, and the other priest returned to the main palace and are preparing for you and Landen to come again,” she answered.
“Do they know you’re here? Can they hurt you?” I asked, willing to take Perodine to Chara if she would allow me.
She looked to the night sky, sighed, and said, “Alamos can read the stars as well as I can; he knows I’m here, and he knows that he cannot hurt me.”
We turned and slowly made our way back to my family. Landen and Brady were side by side, and the others were flanked behind them, watching patiently. Perodine and I stopped a few feet in front of them all. I watched as her eyes touched each of them.
She smiled proudly, then looked back at me. “Long ago, Donalt built a looking glass. It is powerful and moves energy more fiercely than any natural wonder. You all have walked through the force it creates,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear, still looking in my eyes.
An understanding of the current in front of Esterious came to us. “Once the rings were in place, he needed energy - and it did not take him long to discover that we give our energy away when we are afraid. Each week, he stood in front of the masses and told them how God was angry with them and that they should expect a vengeance like no other. Slowly, they let their fear consume them, and as they did their energy left them and the world around them turned gray. Across the dimension, millions hear his words each week as billions are read what he speaks. Within those words, there is a simple phase: ‘You are not worthy.’ Those words were spoken over Stella, and they took all of the energy that her soul has. If you want to return it to her, you have two choices.” She stopped and glanced in Landen’s direction, then to me again. “You can stand in the center of the rings and let your intent be known – or destroy them and release the energy that was taken to the masses.”
“What does the star have to do with any of this?” I asked, reaching form my charm.
Perodine gazed at the charm. “The star is a part of you – a power that should never rest in the wrong hands.”
I looked nervously at Landen. I could feel his solid intent of retrieving the star – and I had no idea how dangerous that may be.
“They are expecting a gentle rain as the sun passes tomorrow; you must bring a storm,” Perodine continued. Her eyes moved across them, then settled on Brady. “You have a task like no other: you must protect her; she has a calm and peace that will move every dimension,” she said, looking directly into Brady’s eyes.
Brady looked to Landen at his side, then back to Perodine. “I’m Brady,” he said respectfully, willing to stand at Landen’s side - but not to carry his burden.
Perodine smiled. “I know who you are; Allie chose her father wisely.” Her eyes moved across the others. “She chose you all well. Somewhere in time, you asked to be at the threshold of change, and your request was granted.”
Her words stunned us all. As we looked at Brady, his fear grew within an instant. Landen reached for Brady’s arm, calming him as much as possible.
“It is time for me to go; you all need your rest, for tomorrow the universe will be moved,” Perodine said, hugging me.
My father and Ashten stepped forward to escort Perodine home again. As she left, Landen walked to my side and wrapped his arms around me.
Brady looked around at all of us. “How am I supposed to tell Felicity this?” he asked as dread filled him.
Landen looked down at me, then to Brady. “I would guess that she already knows,” he said.
Ashten and my father stepped back though, and we all made our way to the string. Silently, we all sifted through what we’d learned.
As we walked back to my home, the rest of our family was waiting patiently on the porch. As he saw Felicity and Allie, Brady took off in a run. Once he reached them, he embraced them and wrapped his energy around them both. We climbed the steps to the porch and looked on, feeling their love – and their dread. As a tear fell down her smiling face, Felicity put her hand on Brady’s face. “Don’t be afraid; we’ll guide her,” she whispered to Brady.
Brady nodded and slowly reached for Allie, cradling her in his arms, wanting her to stay his little girl - to protect her from what we’ve all seen.
August, who was standing at Nyla’s side, looked at Landen and me. “So...do we have a plan?” he asked.
Landen looked down at me, then across at everyone we loved. His eyes settled on Libby, who was sitting in my mother’s lap, then to Preston, who was sitting between Rose and Karsten.
“We do...tomorrow, we bring the storm,” he said as he smiled slightly.
Preston and Libby both clapped their hands and cheered. The others looked at them, then to us - understanding that we were all going.
“Whoever is ready to help needs to be at the gate in the morning,” Landen said, looking at Rose and August, then back to Dane and Chrispin.
“I’ll spread the word,” August said, pulling Nyla to his side as they walked off the porch. One-by-one, the rest of our family left.
Anticipation was consuming us all, and rest would be a challenge we’d all battle tonight.
Chapter Nineteen
Lying side-by-side in our bed, we stared into each other, lost in our own thoughts. Occasionally, we’d smile slightly in response to an emotion we’d feel. It would be hard to calm our minds tonight; it seemed we could feel the hope coming from the world around us as news spread that we’d all move the universe tomorrow.
I reached my hand slowly to trace his eyes and let my fingertips glide over his perfect profile. As my fingers danced across his face, he smiled, bringing to life the shallow dimples I loved so much. I knew I was blessed to have this moment with him – as well as every moment that we’d ever lived together; everyone deserves to feel as whole as I do in his arms.
“Do you want to go to our place?” he thought as he reached to trace my eyes.
I smiled, letting him know that that was exactly what I wanted. We breathed in deeply and closed our eyes, letting our minds carry us to the mystery we loved so much. Slowly, we settled in the field and gazed at the gentle river that flowed in the distance. I leaned back into Landen’s arms and felt the sun on my face, taking in the energy it beamed down.
“Tomorrow, are you going to look through the looking glass?” I thought.
As he answered me, Landen was staring into the distance. “When you were gone, as the hours ticked by I thought of going to the look
ing glass; I thought if I looked through it, I’d be able to see where you were. August seemed to have read my thoughts. I was standing on our balcony looking out at the passage, and he came up behind me, placed his hand on my shoulder, and stared forward. He said in his familiar calm tone, ‘How would you be any different from Drake if you used the power of the looking glass to serve your own heart?’ I knew he meant no harm, but I took offense to his words; I thought my intent was more important than anyone else’s.” Landen looked down at me, then continued, “My sole intent is to love you through eternity. It took a moment for me to understand that August was simply trying to tell me that no man should see for another; we all have a purpose that only we can feel. I decided then that I would never look into the power that that glass holds.”
I smiled, feeling that Landen was telling the truth. He didn’t seek any power; he only wanted the universe to be at peace, to love me.
“You said Delen was the last place to begin to help the people in Esterious; you realize that’s where we must go tomorrow,” I thought, doubting our decision.
“Delen knows we exist. More people come to Chara from that city than any other; we are mere rumors in the rest of the world. I was wrong before: we must strike the heart of the dimension if we’re going to make a lasting impression,” Landen thought. I felt his confidence and hid behind it.
“Did you ever look at the scrolls that August was talking about? I mean, are we even sure that the orbit is when I’ll choose? When this will all pass for good?” I thought.
He nodded. “We studied them when you were gone, hoping we’d find an answer. I couldn’t make sense of them; it’s a series of drawings and text. We won’t know if it’s the orbit until tomorrow. August plans to mark the moment he feels the trail is over and compare it to the scroll. He feels if he finds a connection, he’ll be able to unravel the mystery,” he answered.
“Did the scrolls look familiar to you, the way my necklace did?” I asked
“It’s hard to say; I was too focused on finding answers,” he answered