“You cannot touch her when she is having a vision, it could harm her.” I had no idea what the hell Tyler was saying, and the look we were giving him must have prompted him to explain further. “Aurora is a seer. She can see into the future and the past—it is a rare gift to have, and it is unheard of to be able to do both, so she is one of a kind.” Just as Tyler finished explaining what was happening, Aurora spoke from behind him.
“You can move now, Ty, I’m fine, I promise.” He reluctantly moved aside so we could see her, and sure enough, her eyes were back to being a beautiful blue. “I am very sorry I gave you all a fright. Sometimes my visions come on so suddenly.” Alex stepped up and held his hand out for her to shake.
“Hi, I’m Al—” Aurora cut him off with a smile.
“I know exactly who you are, Alex, and I also know who you are, Chase,” she said. “I have seen you both many times in my visions; you both play a huge role in Ryan’s rise.” Alex and Chase both looked at each other and then looked back to the blonde beauty standing in front of them. I pushed my way between the two of them so I could see her clearly.
“Hello Ryan, I’m Aurora.” I stuck my hand out to her, and when she placed her hand in mine, I went icy cold, head to toe. I couldn’t see anything for a moment, and then it was like a movie was playing: I could see my life from when Stevie and I were born, and then when my dad left with Stevie. I could see my childhood with my mother, and all the horrible things she used to do to me. I wanted it to stop, and I was screaming and begging, but the memories kept playing.
I could hear yelling in the background, though I couldn’t make out the words, and I knew I couldn’t take much more of this. The look of disgust in my mother’s eyes was splintering my heart. I never wanted to see that look again. Just when I thought I couldn’t go on, it cut off, and I could see the room again. I tore my hand from Aurora’s and pushed past her, running toward the exit, tears streaming down my face. I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe. I heard the guys yelling out to me to stop, but everything in me said to run, and I did.
Once I was out the double doors, I turned left and ran down the hall. Everything was a blur, and I was turning left, then right, then left again, until I finally found a door that looked like it led outside. I swung it open and spilled out into the yard. I ran right into the woods that flanked the yard. I don’t know how long I ran through the woods, but I finally slowed when a creek came into view. My arms and face were stinging from scratches from branches that had slapped me as I’d ran.
I sat down on the grassy bank, buried my face in my hands, and cried. I was crying for the shit mother I’d had, and my crappy childhood; for my dad dying before I ever got a chance to get to know him. For the sister I just got back and then lost again. It seemed like there was always someone who wanted to hurt me, from my mom, to my sister, then Randall, and now the wolves. I just couldn’t understand how I could be so disposable to everyone.
I was sobbing so loud I didn’t realize people had arrived until one of them put a hand on my shoulder. I didn’t know who it was, and I didn’t care. Let them kill me and allow me to be done with all this. I just kept my head buried in my hands and continued sobbing. Strong arms came around me and lifted me up. I moved my hands away from my face and saw that it was Jackson that had come for me. He didn’t say anything, he just sat down and held me in his lap while I cried. His big, warm body was comforting, and before long my tears dried, and I was left feeling embarrassed that Jackson and the others had seen me break down. I couldn’t see them, but I knew Kai and Dom were sitting on either side of Jackson. I could just sense their presence.
“I’m sorry for running out, I…I…I just couldn’t… I mean, I needed air and I—” I couldn’t form a coherent sentence. I was still hiccupping from crying, and Jax saved me from further embarrassment.
“You don’t have to explain, sweetheart, I don’t know what happened back there, but it must have been bad, because you ran out one door and Aurora ran out the other.” I knew Jax was worried for both me and Aurora; I could hear it in his voice.
“Did you want to try telling us what happened back there, love?” For once Dom wasn’t being a smart ass. He actually sounded really worried, which made me pause and look toward him. I could see the worry lines etched on his face. I glanced to my other side to see Kai giving me the same look. These three badass guys were brought to their knees by a woman crying. If this wasn’t such a serious moment, I think I would have laughed. It was then I realized how I was sitting—I was right between Jackson’s legs, with my back against his chest. I went to move so I could sit somewhere else, but Jackson wrapped both his arms around my waist and pulled me flush against him again. At this point I must have been as red as a tomato.
“I don’t think so, little miss. You will remain right where you are until I am certain you won’t take off on us again.” I heard the smile in Jax’s voice, and it made me relax a little. I let out a long slow breath and begun to tell them what happened between Aurora and I.
“When she touched my hand, everything went dark and then all of a sudden my entire life was all I could see, and it was like a movie. I mean, I could see from the time I was born all the way up to now. The memories I saw are things that I have been trying to forget for years. It was just too much to handle.” I didn’t want them to know what happened to me at the hands of my mother. Kai already knew some, at least, but I didn’t want to share that with the others.
“What happened in your past does not define you. It may have shaped you into the person you are today, but that does not mean that you are your past. What you went through made you stronger and smarter in ways that no books would ever be able to teach you. You are like a phoenix, so you need to rise above the ashes of your past and sort through those horrible memories, because they are not you, Ryan; you are a badass halfling and heir to the most powerful witch coven in the world.” I couldn’t help but snap my head in Dom’s direction—it was the first time I have ever heard him speak seriously. I felt Jackson turn his head that way as well, and from the rustling behind me, I suspected Kai was staring too.
“Oh, for the love of God, don’t look at me like that. I can be deep and meaningful at times, just like the rest of you.” Dom seemed sheepish after we all focused our attention on him, but his words meant so much to me. He was right. I wasn’t who my mother said I was. I wasn’t worthless, I wasn’t a nobody. Mom wasn’t around to hurt me now, but I kept letting the memories of what she had done to me define who I was. I knew I was changing and trying to make myself stronger by not letting others make decisions for me, but I was still a long way from being the strong independent woman I wanted to be. I still had nightmares every few nights, and I would wake crying and searching every corner of my room to make sure my mother wasn’t there. I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Jax rub his hand up and down my arm. I looked to Dom again and reached out to grab his hand; he let me hold it and gave me a faint smile. It was the first time I saw behind the cocky, arrogant façade Dominic projected.
“What you said—I...I… I want to be that phoenix; I want to rise above my past. But I think it will take me a while to fully get there.” Dom gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and leaned forward to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear with his free hand. A part of me expected to hear Jax start growling, but he remained silent. Dom’s hand lingered longer then it needed to, and part of me didn’t want him to move his hand away, but the other part of me knew it was wrong having him touch me like that while sitting in another man’s lap. Dom finally let his hand drop with a reluctant sigh, and I pushed myself off Jackson’s lap. I started pacing up and down the river bank, with the guys sitting there watching me, looking slightly amused at my repetitive path.
I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I had to at least try and learn how to use my powers in order to help Nico. I wasn’t going to run anymore; I was going to stand and fight for once in my life. I was tired of always being scared. It was time for me t
o be the person my father clearly thought I was and fight for what I know is right.
“Okay. I’ll do whatever I need to so I can be ready to help Nico,” I said to all the guys.
“Oh, so you’re just helping Nico, doll?”
“What are you on about, Dom?” I asked, confused by his question. I was trying to help save a whole world not just one person.
“Well, love, you said just NICO, not Farrarie, so I was just thinking maybe you only wanted to help for Nico’s sake.” Dom was laughing now, I mean full on belly-laughing, and here I am trying to hide my shame. I knew I was blushing; there was nothing I could do about it though, so I just glared at Dom.
“Shut up, you idiot!” Jax slapped the back of Dom’s head “You need to learn how to filter shit before you say it, dumbass.” He turned back to me. “We know you want to help the whole of Farrarie and not just Nico, love. Ignore Dom, he’s an idiot.”
I appreciated Jax so much in this moment for turning the attention away from me that I walked right up to Jax and gave him a hug. I felt him tense for a second then relax, and he circled his arms around my waist and buried his head in the crook of my neck. I could hear Dom mumbling about Jax being a suck-up, but that’s not what stopped our hug—it was Kai. Kai pulled Jax away from by the back of his shirt with enough force to throw him on the ground. I was shocked by his display of anger. I could feel the jealousy rolling off him in waves.
“Unless you want me to put his fucking head through a tree, I would restrain from touching him again.”
Jax was on his feet and furious. “You ever fucking touch me like that again, you blood-sucking leech, and I will tear your fucking heart out. Well, what’s left of it, anyway,” Jax sneered. Kai spun around and stepped toward Jax, and I couldn’t suppress my short scream of frustration.
“I am no one’s, Melakai—do you understand me?” Both Kai and Jax shifted their attention back to me. “I am standing right here! You have no right to tell anyone they can or cannot touch me. That is my choice.” I was shaking now, and I could feel my anger rising higher and higher the longer I looked at Kai.
“Ry, sweetie, you need to calm down. You’re starting to glow.” Dom was right, I realized. I could see my hands were glowing. “Deep breaths, babe, in and out. Just focus on me, okay? Just look at me, Ry.” I did as Dom said and kept my eyes on him, breathing in and out for a few moments to regain my composure. “Good girl. Do you feel better now?” I gave Dom a curt nod.
“I think we need to head back now.” Jax had a look of pure torture on his face—something was wrong.
“What’s wrong?” I asked Jax.
“Nothing, we just need to head back, is all.” Liar, I think to myself. The walk back to the compound was silent, all of us lost in our thoughts.
Chapter 25
Once we got back to the compound, Jax lead us on a winding path through the biggest building and stopped at a set of massive oak doors. Jax ushers us all into the room, and I nearly gasped when I got inside. The room was huge, and lined with bookshelves floor to ceiling, complete with a sliding library ladder. There was a huge wooden desk in front of beautiful bay windows that overlooked a section of the forest, and a lovely sitting area with enough seating for all of us and then some.
“Please have a seat. I will get one of my pack members to bring in some drinks and food.” Bless you, Jackson Marshall, you read my mind; I was so hungry my stomach actually ached. Jackson led the way over to the couches and took a seat at the far end, closest to the fireplace. Dom sat on the same couch as Jax. I sat on one of the couches that Kai was occupying, but I made sure to sit all the way on the other end.
“Right, well, let’s get down to it, shall we?” Jackson always sounded so businesslike; he needed to let loose a little.
“Well, we can’t attack Randall without rescuing Nico’s sister first.” I couldn’t help thinking of what this poor girl has gone through at the hands of Randall Cane. “Second, we have to stop Stevie. We cannot let her help Randall destroy a whole world. We must try to reason with her first, before other drastic measures are taken.” I knew Jax was right, but hearing him talk about “other ways” to stop my sister was very unsettling.
“Are you okay, mi amor?” I could hear the concern in Kai’s voice.
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you.” I couldn’t look him in the eye; he would know straight away that I wasn’t okay, and I didn’t want anyone’s pity, nor did I need it. I took a deep breath and shoved everything I was feeling deep down inside of me. I would deal with all of that later; there was no time for me to even try sort through everything I was feeling. Before we could continue with our discussion, the door opened and my cousins walked in. They both sat on the couch opposite Kai and me, and we filled them on what we had just discussed.
“I think the first thing we need to do is start training Ryan and get her familiar with her powers. Then we need to get everyone else training and preparing for the war that is to come. We won’t be able to call on other clans, as the witches answer to Stevie. We can’t call on any vamps, either, as Randall will find out.” Everything Jackson had said only highlighted the struggle ahead for us.
“I can call on all the packs, as they answer to me. I will call the elders here for an emergency meeting to ask them for their help; it will be no easy task to sway them, so we need to make sure Ryan is able to showcase her powers for them, to be able to believe that she is indeed the chosen one.” Wow, no fucking pressure then. “We will also need to make lodging arrangements for the packs willing to fight for our cause. I am not like Randall; I will never force my people to fight a battle they do not wish to fight. I ask that you all show some respect to those who wish not to take part in this war.”
“How long do we have to get her ready?” Alex asked.
“You have about two weeks.” The whole room erupted, everyone was shouting and yelling to the point I couldn’t understand a word any of them were saying. I was about to walk out of the room when suddenly everyone stopped yelling and looked to the door. Aurora was just standing in the entryway; she looked so small and fragile, with her hands clasped in front of her and head slightly downcast, yet she was still so lovely. Jackson stood to make his way over to her, but then she spoke, and her words stunned us all.
“The time frame you have given is long enough; you will all be ready. But none of you will be training Ryan right away. She has another path to take before then, I have foreseen the struggles she will face. It will be hard on her, you will want to quit Ryan. Just know that the struggles that are coming will end, please remember that. My vision also tells me she must marry in order for her powers to truly be unstoppable—only by uniting two worlds will you be able to stop the war from ending all supernatural’s.” I swear to God that you could have heard a pin drop in the room.
I looked around the room, almost wanting to laugh at the stunned looks on the faces of the men, but when I looked back to Aurora, she had a look of such pity and it sparked my fury.
“I know this is hard to hear, bu—” I cut her off, not wanting to hear what she had to say. Hasn’t she already said enough?
“You have no idea what the fuck I am feeling, and I don’t know how to believe you after that trick you pulled on me today.”
“You may not think so right now, but believe me I do know how you feel. Like you, my future has already been planned for me. I will marry someone I do not love either, Ryan, but for the greater good I will do what needs to be done. You can either fight me on my vision, and we all die, or you can try to understand that marrying to save lives rather than for love will be the only way we all live.”
What the fuck was I supposed to say to that? “My brother is not thrilled with my future outcome either, and chooses not believe it will happen, but I have never been wrong. I am asking you to please trust me and let me guide you through this, as I am the only one in this room that can help you unlock the other half of your powers.” Before she could continue, Dom interrupted.
“How in God’s name do you know how to help her unlock the other half of her powers?” Everyone was waiting for her answer.
“Because I know who put the lock on her powers, and he also showed me in the vision from the past how to unlock said gift, if the time ever came.”
“Wait—you said he?” Trust Kai to only hear the “HE” out of everything she said. I rolled my eyes at his nonsense.
“Yes, Mr. Cane.” Aurora was looking at me like I should know who “he” was, but I had no idea who she was talking about. Then out of nowhere, the answer hit me.
“It was my dad, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, Ryan, it was the last gift he gave you.” I wanted to drop to my knees at the thought. “He also left you a message, I don’t know how he knew that you would meet a seer, but what he has to say will hurt you, so you must be prepared.” I didn’t think I would ever be ready for anything my dad had to say to me; I still haven’t opened the letter he left for me. I left that letter in my room at the cabin, I may never know what he had written now.
I sighed. “Okay, Aurora, let’s do this.” I wasn’t sure why my dad would put a lock on my powers, but I knew he would have only done it to protect me.
“You all need to back up, please, so I can begin. Ryan, I need you to relax and take a few deep breaths and just try to open your mind. I know it’s hard, but if you could just try it would make it a lot easier and less painful for you.” I tried to ignore the feeling of being watched and concentrated on clearing my mind and letting Aurora in.
“Ryan, I’m going to touch your hand now, and I need you to try not to resist or it will hurt you. It won’t be like before.” I didn’t understand what she meant. “I’m trying to show you a memory, not read your thoughts, so it’s a bit trickier.” Dear God, what the hell have I gotten myself into? Before I could ponder that thought at any length, I felt a stabbing pain in my head and a cry tore out of my mouth. I heard a commotion, but I couldn’t move—I couldn’t even open my eyes; it was like my body was frozen in place.
A Beautiful Dream: The Dream Trilogy Page 15