Vital

  “You will,” she said, looking back at me. “See it in your mind, whatever you want the atmosphere to do. Call it forward and use it at your will.”

  “That’s how you control it?” I asked bleakly, raising my eyebrows.

  A sly grin came across her face. “You learned this lifetimes ago. I have no doubt that you’ll master this power once again if you simply try.”

  I looked to the images and could clearly see that Drake now had more confidence than Landen.

  “In my mind...like meditation? Moving into others?” I asked.

  She nodded.

  I looked to my side, and Nathaniel nodded as if to encourage me. I looked back to the water and wanted desperately for Landen to feel me. In my mind’s eye, I thought of our place, the waterfall, the sun, the warm breeze. I leaned forward, and from my lips I blew a gentle breeze. The air from my lips wasn’t amber like Aella’s; it was blue, a beautiful blue. It raced to the water, and as it submerged beneath the surface, I held in my mind the idea of what I wanted him to see.

  As my breath reached Landen, it circled him and pulled his head up. In the dead of the night, the sun beamed through the open ceiling, and from stone walls water began to flow as gently as it did by our waterfall. Landen rose to his feet, and I could feel the shock consuming him. Drake sat paralyzed as his eyes moved from my body to the open ceiling. The air I breathed circled around Landen again, embracing him as tightly as I wished I could.

  Perodine and Alamos rushed into the room, followed by August and my father. As Dane dared to step through the threshold, my breath, the sun, the water, the warmth all raced back to me at the sight of him. Everyone rushed to my body but Dane; instead, he glared up as if he could see me watching, then his image rose again, taking over the pool of water. As he emerged, the image of the evil angel came forth.

  We stood, prepared to fight. Nathaniel and Aella threw their energy at it, only to make my evil angel laugh.

  “I told you to stay,” the angel said as it peered down at me.

  My expression was calm, but I was furious. I stared into his eyes and thought of my place: the way I was going to make Esterious look one day, a place where darkness couldn’t live. With that thought, a light beamed in the cave so bright, I had to squint my eyes. The angel screamed in agony and fell into the pool once again.

  I rushed to the edge to make sure no one was in danger; I found everyone hovering over my body.

  “Was that her leaving?!” Landen screamed over and over.

  “He thinks I just died?” I asked as a sick feeling consumed me.

  Nathaniel and Aella nodded. “I didn’t expect you to be that dramatic,” Aella said, filling with dread.

  “Try to be more subtle. Now the evil twin knows you’re growing stronger.”

  I could still see Dane in the doorway. Marc and Brady came up behind him and pushed back into the study, afraid that he might get hurt if Landen or Drake lost their temper.

  I thought of something simple, just a warm breeze, and blew it gently from my lips. The breath from my lips was still blue, but I could feel that it wasn’t as strong as the one before. As it reached the water, I focused on where I wanted it to go.

  The breeze came from the ceiling and weaved its way around Landen, then one by one around the others. My father and August looked at each other as they felt it.

  “She’s growing stronger,” my father said, looking at Landen.

  Alamos and Perodine both nodded to agree. Landen sat down at my side and laid his head next to me. I guess that was my sign, he thought quietly.

  I smiled at myself, feeling I’d made a difference. The others left him and Drake alone with me.

  Daylight came a few hours later, and the sky that was always blue was now gray, as if to reflect the heartache in the atmosphere.

  Both Landen and Drake had fallen asleep beside my body. I assumed that Drake was lost in a dream, but Landen’s soul lingered near me. He only left for a moment or two, and I felt his intent to search for me at our place. My display before had left him dismayed. He didn’t understand where I was or what was happening; honestly, I didn’t either.

  I leaned back on my arms. “It won’t be long now.” I looked to my side at Aella, then to my other at Nathaniel. “I think you should both come with me.”

  They both shook their head at once. Aella then looked at Nathaniel as if she needed guidance, and he stretched his legs out in front of himself and looked to his side at me. “This is your life, Willow, your path; we’re just here to help at this moment.”

  I looked over his innocent face. “I have no idea what I’m doing. I spend more time dodging my emotions and whatever mess I’ve managed to find myself in than I do making any path. It’s terrifying.”

  “That’s all part of it. You’re more balanced and aware at this moment than you’ve ever been. Have you noticed that you haven’t felt guilt for loving Drake? For caring about him?”

  “I’m not thinking about him; I’m thinking about getting back and showing him Aella - or at least telling him about her,” I said, turning to look at her again. She just nodded for me to look at Nathaniel.

  “You’ve found a way to have balance. Justify your emotions for him; progress,” he said as a grin spread across his face. “If you’re certain of how you feel for him, then find innocence in it. Landen will, too, and the struggle between the two of you will lessen dramatically.”

  “There’s no switch, huh?” I mumbled as I remembered the fight that Landen and I had had about all of this.

  “No,” Nathaniel said quietly, “but be grateful for that. Without a tinge of jealousy, the two of you would become complacent; that emotion keeps you both focused on staying as one, which is how you will prevail.”

  “The only good that comes out of fighting is making up,” I mumbled, blushing slightly as desire grew within me. “It’s gonna be different now, though, because I know she’s real, that without a doubt I belong to Landen - and now I have proof.”

  “You knew that before you had proof,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

  “Right, but I didn’t know she was real. I know now that he won’t always be alone,” I argued.

  “You knew that, too,” he said, grinning again.

  I was flustered, simply because he was right. “How do you know?” I said, raising my eyebrows, determined to figure out who he reminded me of.

  “You told me, the first time you mentioned them. You knew, but for some reason you wanted proof.”

  “How is that bad – having certainty?”

  “You always have to see it within; that’s all that matters,” he said quietly.

  “Agreed,” I said under my breath, looking back to the water.

  Drake and Landen had awoken. Almost everyone was lingering in the observatory, and I could feel their concern for Landen and Drake; they thought they were growing weak. I watched as Beth tried to get them to eat. As Alamos argued that they shouldn’t go to the ceremony, both Landen and Drake ignored the debate as it exploded around them. Rose then ushered everyone out of the room, bringing silence to the three of us again. The day aged on, and I felt the intent of Landen to do whatever he had to do to save those people.

  As dusk came, my anxiety rose; I could sense from the anxious emotions of the pool that it was almost time. Alamos and Beth came in the room. Beth was holding a black suit.

  “You need to change. If you’re doing this, the time is upon us,” Alamos said quietly.

  Drake hesitated, then leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead. He let his lips linger there, and I swear I could feel the blissful hum of his touch from here.

  He looked across my body at Landen. “Are you coming?” he asked quietly.

  Landen nodded. “I’m keeping my body here with her. I’ll be there. Change; I’ll see you in a minute.”

  At that moment, two young boys pushed in two more tables that looked like the one I was lying on.

  “What’s this?” Drake asked.

  “
A precaution,” Alamos said, looking away.

  “No,” Drake said, tightening his jaw. He assumed, like I did, that they were planning to seal whoever died that night in those cases in the hopes of bringing them back.

  “It’s for everyone, not just you,” Beth said. “Chrispin is going with you. I’ve made this decision.”

  “I don’t want to be suspended,” he said, looking at Landen. “None of us do. You scold me for stopping time, but this is worse. Let us take our path and fate have its say.”

  Beth looked down, then up at him. “I won’t do anything that I think will bring you harm...you know that.”

  Drake took the suit from her and kissed her forehead, then walked briskly through the door.

  Landen kept his eyes on me, not bothering to argue with them before they followed Drake. I edged closer to the pool and gently blew a warm breeze to him; I held the idea that I wanted it to give him strength. As it reached him, I watched the light blue color wrap around his body. As he felt it, he sighed and closed his eyes. I could see his energy growing stronger, and I felt an awesome passion burst from his soul; he was thinking of our time alone, growing stronger so he could fight this battle for me.

  A moment later, Brady came into the room. He hesitated at the doorway, waiting for Landen to open his eyes. Once he did, he simply buried his face in his hands and tried to fight his emotions of worry and fear. Brady walked slowly to the table I was lying on and took the stool Drake had been sitting on, then gently slid it around to Landen’s side. He raised his hand and rested it on Landen’s shoulder; he was grieving - not only with Landen, but for him. Landen raised his head slightly from his hands and looked up at Brady.

  “I’m lost...I don’t understand,” Landen whispered.

  “None of us do,” Brady said, letting his hand fall from his shoulder.

  “I’m not talking about this trial. I mean, I don’t understand what she’s trying to tell me,” Landen said.

  Confusion came over Brady; he was searching for words, but he couldn’t find them. Landen’s eyes moved to my body.

  “Right now, she’s stronger and more sure of herself than she’s ever been. Her soul is on fire - but at the same time, I feel her slipping away.”

  Brady leaned forward and looked over my body with careful eyes. “She’s not leaving without you...she can’t.”

  His grief was killing me. As I reached for his reflection, Aella reached for my hand to stop me. “Not yet,” she whispered.

  Anger engulfed me. As I moved to my knees, prepared to dive in the water, I felt Nathaniel’s hands on my shoulders. I looked up in protest, tired of being held back. There was intensity in his eyes, and I could feel how defensive he was. I turned back to the pool, and in the reflection I could see Dane leaning in the doorway, watching my body. Preston was at his side.

  Landen felt him there and looked past Brady. “Do you need something?” Landen asked hoarsely.

  Brady turned to see who Landen was speaking to. Feeling the pressure of their stare, Dane looked down at Preston, then turned to leave. Preston sat down in the doorway. Crossing his tiny legs, he stared up at the open ceiling.

  Brady turned back to Landen. “Can we trust him?”

  “Willow would tell you to,” Landen answered.

  “I didn’t ask Willow,” Brady said respectfully.

  Landen moved his head slowly from side to side. “I could blame what happened to Willow on him; we were fighting about him. But then again, I could blame myself for not listening to her, for letting her walk away. Make your own judgment. I will say, though, that he isn’t the same man we brought home from Infante.”

  Landen reached his hand for my cheek and gently brushed my pale, cold skin. “Tonight when this ends, don’t let them seal this box, and don’t let them seal my body. Let us go; we’ll come again.”

  “You think you’re going to die tonight?” Brady said, trying to hide his grief.

  “According to Alamos, death was almost certain with the three of us; so, it’s guaranteed without her.”

  “Then why are you going through with this suicide mission?” Brady asked, leaning in closer to Landen.

  Landen reached for my hand and caressed my pale skin. “Because she would want me to.”

  “She would never want you to end your life,” Brady carefully argued.

  “She would want me to save Olivia, to save everyone there.”

  “There’s no way for you to be sure that you’ll save them. You could all die,” Brady argued.

  As Landen’s finger traced the ring on my hand, he said, “We’ve fallen, we’ve risen, time after time.” He sighed. “We’ll come again, and somewhere in eternity we will prevail,” he said, staring at my body. I knew he was making me a promise; so did Brady.

  “I’ll do as you wish, but I hope you know for sure that this is the right thing to do – for everyone,” Brady said.

  Landen and I both knew that Brady was thinking of the children, and the grief we felt intensified.

  Landen locked stares with Brady. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t at least try to save them - and if Willow ever came back, she’d never forgive me for letting them die. The only thing that chases my thoughts beyond her is the hour that this trial will come.”

  “I don’t think you’re going to die,” Brady said under his breath.

  Landen tilted his head, wanting to hear Brady’s reasoning.

  Brady glanced over his shoulder at Preston, who was quietly sitting in the doorway, then looked back to Landen. “The children are too calm. I’ve seen them when your life was threatened, and right now, they’re acting as if everything’s unfolding perfectly.”

  August appeared in the doorway behind Preston. “Landen,” he said solemnly, “the captains’ families and the members of the missing families have filled the entry hall. They’re seeking encouragement. Will you speak to them?”

  Landen nodded, then stood, leaned down, and gently kissed my pale lips as he whispered, “I’ll come for you, my love.”

  My heart broke as I heard his words. He made his way to the doorway with Brady following him. I crawled across the bank, not wanting to lose sight of him. Once he was gone, I looked at Aella and said, “I have to go!”

  “No, not yet,” She looked at Nathaniel. “Can you see him?”

  Nathaniel’s eyes studied the water. He shook his head no. “I think I’ll be able to hear him, though.” Aella and I stared at him, impatiently waiting for him to speak.

  He leaned forward and focused on the water. “When this began,” he repeated what he was hearing, “the priests we’re fighting were told that wretches and kings will come. That prophesy has proved to be false.” Nathaniel looked at me, surprised by the words he was repeating. “A wretch is someone who is distressed, pitied...I see no wretches before me; I only see kings, souls made of love who understand that love cannot be taken if they don’t release it. I see kings that understand that the darkness would not have taken the ones we love unless it knew its defeat was determined. Tonight, my soul will fight for you. I can’t tell you that I will return – that any of us will. I want all of you to make a promise to me, to the ones you love, the ones you’re fighting to hold on to: I want you to not let our lives be in vain. Continue to feel the love we gave you, and don’t let the darkness feed on your hatred. Celebrate that we met in this life. This isn’t the end, and it’s not the beginning; it’s a vital step we must take together. We need your strength. Hold the memories of us in your hearts...the time has come.”

  “I have to go now. You have to come,” I said, gripping Aella’s hand. “He’s leaving now.”

  “He’s not leaving yet. The captains have to get to their boats,” Aella said.

  “Why is your intent to wait to the last possible moment? He needs to know I’m gonna be there. I should have returned before Drake left.”

  “If you show yourself before Dane’s image, this will be over before it begins. The last possible moment is the o
nly moment that’s safe.” As she placed her hand on mine, I looked to my side to see her eyes reflecting a haunting blue. “This is your life, Willow – not mine. I’m only here at this moment because you needed to find peace with the night of the looking glass, with the guilt you have for loving Drake. This will all end well if you simply have faith that it will.”

  “We could die...I need you to come with me,” I pleaded. I didn’t understand what she was saying; I just knew that if she came back with me, at least one of my problems would be solved. Rain began to crash against the mountain, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

  I closed my eyes, feeling the defeat that was consuming me. “Willow,” she whispered, “I’m going to give you everything you need for this moment, and every moment that will come.”

  I felt her forehead against mine. Her hands fell to my shoulders, and in that moment silence came. I couldn’t feel anything; with the absence of emotion, calm consumed me. Her hands tightened against my skin, then I felt her energy push through me. At that moment, an intensity that I’d never felt before - passion, love, anger, and determination - poured through me. The force was so strong, it pushed me back and took my breath away. Nathaniel caught me before I hit the ground. I struggled to catch my breath, feeling more powerful now than I ever had. Aella was on her knees; I could feel her calm. She slowly looked up at me, and for the first time I saw my image within her.

  She smiled. “Now go,” she said breathlessly.

  A confident grin spread across my face. Nathaniel helped me rise to my feet. “Landen and Drake are there; you must go now,” he said, urging me closer to the water for the first time. I took ownership of the power I felt, then stood up straight and stepped closer to the water’s edge.

  “How do I do this?” I asked him, finally staring at the moment I’d long to come.

  “Look at me and slide gently in the water. Keep your eyes open, and the water will take you back to your life,” Nathaniel said.

  I looked down at Aella one last time; her eyes were now a breathtaking green. She nodded, encouraging me to go. I turned to Nathaniel, and he held my hands as I did as he told me to and stared into his innocent blue eyes. I began to ease back into the water; as it touched my skin, I felt the raw, powerful energy of the universe. As I fell deeper into the water, a tingling sensation absorbed me. I held my eyes open, staring into Nathaniel’s eyes as the water rose over my head. Once I was beneath the surface, the water turned frigid and paralyzed my body from any movement. I felt like I was drowning in ice water. Fighting the urge to panic, I relaxed my mind. From beneath me, a force pulled me down. When I couldn’t hold my breath another second, I breathed out and found air, and above me was the open ceiling of the observatory.