“Patton,” Varick interrupted. “I told Archer he could be here to support his friend. If you have a problem with your son being present, you may speak to me afterwards.”
“It’s a fair question,” Uncle Mark said. “What does Bristol’s abilities have to do with anything?”
“I would think that would be obvious.” As he spoke, Patton spread his hands apart as if offering us a great bargain. “We’re supposed to believe this girl’s abilities have made her aware of a boy in distress. We need to understand how they work. All you’ve told us is that she’s seen something that tells us a boy is in trouble. What exactly did she see? How? I think those are fair questions.”
It annoyed me that he was right. I went into my pocket and pulled out the picture that Archer had drawn, not even bothering to weigh my options. Somewhere, Seth was waiting for help. I didn’t have time to worry about anything else.
Reaching forward, I placed the picture down on the table, face up. I pushed it toward the closest McKnight, Wolf, who studied it briefly.
“I’m psychic,” I announced, as he passed the picture down the table. “That’s the best way to describe me. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been able to talk to ghosts, and have visions.”
There was a collective shifting in their seats as the McKnights all digested this. There were some nods, and some narrowing of eyes, as if they were trying to see if I was being honest. Sapphire smiled at me, clearly impressed. Other council members looked towards Varick as if to confirm that he knew about this.
“So you saw this boy’s ghost?” Patton asked, as the picture was handed to him. He gave it a cursory glance before passing it absently to Sapphire. “He’s dead?”
“No,” I answered. “I got a vision of him, alive. It was a few weeks ago when Archer and I found those puppies.”
“Puppies?” Patton said. “What puppies?”
I looked to Archer, but he was looking straight ahead. He gave his head a little shake and sighed.
“Really, Patton,” Sapphire said as she studied the picture of Seth. “Don’t you ever talk to you own son? My grandson Toby told me about how Archer and Bristol rescued those pups. He wants one himself.”
Patton arched an eyebrow and sent Sapphire a withering look, trying to intimidate her.
“My son should have told me,” Patton said. “But he probably didn’t want to admit that he’s been associating so closely with a Blackburn. I’ve advised him not to. I wonder if you’ve passed the same warning onto your grandson.”
Sapphire looked up from Seth’s picture and matched Patton’s withering look with her own. She looked more amused then intimidated and said more with a slight arch of her eyebrow than most people did with entire speeches.
“Toby and I have had several conversations where Bristol’s name has come up. He thinks very highly of her. I have no problem with the fact that my grandson is friends with a Blackburn.”
With a shrug that said that she considered the matter settled and Patton’s point irrelevant, Sapphire turned away from him and sent me a wink. I was starting to like her.
“I have a question about your visions,” Wolf had his hands folded in front on him, his scowl firmly in place. “Are they always about what’s happening in the present? Are they ever about an event in the past or the future?”
I understood why he was asking me that.
“They can be of the past, present or the future,” I said. “Sometimes I’m not sure which it is, but I had a visitor to my home last night. A ghost who had seen him. That’s how I know he’s a member of one of our families.”
I explained how Seth had seen and talked to the ghost. Gave them the particulars. Some of the McKnights, like Sapphire, seemed horrified at what I described. Others seem completely unmoved. Wolf continued to grimace.
“How can we sure that this child is a McKnight?” Patton asked with a shrug. “It could just as easily be a Blackburn.”
“Patton,” Sapphire sighed. ”If you believe Bristol’s story, and for the record, I do, then somewhere out there is a child who needs help. It shouldn’t matter if that little boy is a McKnight, Blackburn, Sheppard or Finklestein. How can we debate which family he may or may not belong to when he’s being hurt and abused?”
Patton shook his head, turning toward Varick as he spoke
“This is why I told you it was a mistake to have her on the council. She’s being emotional about a decision that could have repercussions for our entire family. It’s a mistake to have a woman on the council.”
“On the contrary, son,” Varick said. “Her point of view is critical to this council’s success. I’ll remind you, not only has she raised four sons, she’s led the research and development arm of McKnight Industries for well over three decades, has been running board rooms since before you were in diapers and has put men far more seasoned than you in their place without batting an eye. You disregard your aunt at your own peril.”
Patton looked unconvinced. He leaned back in his chair and glanced my way. “Bristol, you must think that I’m cold and heartless, but I’m not willing to risk our family’s safety for a child I don’t know. I hope this child finds the help he needs, but I’m quite sure there’s nothing that we can do for him.”
Sapphire stood up and folded her arms. “You’re wrong,” she said before turning her back on Patton dismissively. She crossed around the table and stood near me, leaning against the table. “Bristol, is it possible that you’ve seen more than you know? Some detail in the vision that might assist us?”
“Yes,” I responded with a nod. “It’s possible. I’ve been racking my brain for weeks trying to remember any detail that might help.”
“Well, then,” Sapphire’s smile widened. “Perhaps I can—”
Patton nearly sprang out of his seat. “Are you insane? They already know too much about our family. Payne has revealed his secret, and so has my son. How much more ammunition are you willing to give them?”
“She told us about her ability,” Sapphire pointed out. She turned to face Patton, her calm demeanor in sharp contrast to his outburst. Sapphire looked like a schoolteacher admonishing a disruptive student. “Despite her own discomfort, she told us. She put this child first. I admire that. And I think Seth deserves the same from us all.”
Patton narrowed his eyes, but with a glance around the room, he began to smile. He lowered himself into his seat, grinning as if he’d just been dealt a full house when he knew his opponents had nothing but a pair
“If you like,” Sapphire responded, with a shrug. “You should all be aware that no matter which way the vote goes, I will help her.”
“Even if it means your seat on the council?” Patton’s grin widened. “If you go against council wishes—”
“If helping a child in need is against council wishes, then it’s a council I have no wish to be a part of. However, I have more faith than you do in the other members. Varick, I assume you approve of this plan, since you brought Bristol to us.”
Varick stood up and walked over to me. He placed a protective hand on my shoulder.
“Indeed,” he said. “Willard?”
Willard shrugged, refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
“If Sapphire wants to reveal her ability, it’s her business.”
Varick looked to Laird.
“I’m sorry,” Laird said with a shake of his head. He looked me in the eyes as he spoke, which made me believe he was sincere. “It’s not that I don’t want to help. Bristol, you seem like a nice girl. I don’t think that you’re lying, but I the idea of exposing our family in any way just doesn’t seem right to me. We have children of our own. I have six grandchildren. You may have the best intentions, but not all Blackburns do.”
“Teague?” Varick looked to the one McKnight from the council that had been here the last time.
“This isn’t the first time this young lady has come before us,” Teague said. He jabbed a finger at me. “Last time, she spoke about creatures of shado
w that wanted her dead. If you remember, we nearly lost three of our own: Blasé, may he rest in peace, Toby, and Payne. That fiasco ended with Varick choosing to pull the plug on his own brother.”
“My brother was the one who nearly killed Payne, Blasé and Toby,” Varick interrupted. “He was responsible for the death of my wife and unborn child. I did what had to be done.”
“And what proof do we have that was true?” Patton asked. “Her word?”
Varick looked furious.
“If Bristol said he did it,” Archer said. “Then it’s true. She’s also responsible for saving my life, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“I haven’t forgotten anything,” Patton said dismissively. “Halden? What about you?”
I looked at Halden, who just shook his head.
“I’m voting with Patton,” he said. “For years, we all knew where the lines were drawn. You trusted McKnights. You did not trust Blackburns. Too much is changing too fast. I’m sorry. I hope you can help this boy, but unless I can be sure he’s really out there and one of us...”
“Well, then,” Patton stood up slowly. “That’s that. Now, Sapphire, I do hope you’ll reconsider. Going against a council vote means expulsion.”
Sapphire kept her steely gaze fixed on Patton.
“I can’t tell what you want more – for Bristol to be denied help or for my expulsion from this council. As I said before, I’m not going to be able to look myself in the mirror if I don’t help Seth. But you forget, we haven’t heard from Wolf yet.”
Patton smiled. “I think we know where Wolf stands.”
“Here’s an idea,” Wolf interrupted. “Why don’t we let him speak for himself? I have one more question.”
“What can I tell you?” I asked.
Wolf arched an eyebrow, but his scowl remained in place.
“I’m sure that list is endless, but my question is for Payne.”
Next to me, Payne sat up straight. Wolf’s eyes darted back down to his hand on mine and I felt a sudden wave of sadness roll off of him.
“You know this girl,” Wolf said. “You nearly died for her, and that says something, considering your ability. Tell me why I should trust her.”
Payne looked taken aback by the question. He turned and looked into my eyes.
“The first time I met Bristol,” he began, “I felt connected to her. You know about my father. She’s given me strength I never knew that I had. Because of her, I was able to say no to him and break his hold over me. Because of her, I’m happy. She’s not just my girlfriend. She’s the love of my life.”
Payne turned and looked at Patton.
“I understand that you want to protect our family,” Payne said. “So do I – and Bristol is family, in every way that counts. I stand with her, no matter what.” He turned to look at me.
“I love her,” he finally said.
I held Payne’s gaze for a few moments. I still didn’t understand what it was that he saw in me, but I knew it was real and that it was forever.
When I looked over, most of the McKnights looked uncomfortable. Seeing a McKnight professing his love and adoration for a Blackburn didn’t sit too well. Sapphire was smiling. Patton didn’t seem to care.
The one I was waiting for was Wolf, who seemed lost in thought. He was staring at the fire again, his arms folded against his chest.
“I fear for you,” Wolf said slowly, looking away from the fire and at Payne. “I’m very fearful that you might have your heart broken, Payne. No, no,” he said quickly when Payne looked like he was ready to interrupt. “I believe that you are indeed in love with Bristol, and any fool can see she loves and trusts you. That’s the part that worries me.”
Sapphire reached out and took Wolf’s hand. Their eyes met, and for the first time, he smiled, although there was no joy in his face.
“That’s not the question before us,” Wolf continued. His scowl returned to his face, and he dropped Sapphire’s hand after a moment. “Bristol, you seem like a very lovely young lady. I understand why my brother Varick has such affection for you, but I simply don’t know you well enough to trust you.”
Patton smiled. Sapphire jutted her chin, determined to keep her word.
“However, I do know Payne,” Wolf said, leaning back in his chair. He began to stroke the hair on his chin as he regarded Payne. “I have always known you were special. And you’re no fool—you take after your mother, you know. And since I am forced to believe that ghosts do exist, I don’t want to risk the wrath of Linda’s ghost. I vote to help Seth. For Payne’s true love.”
Patton rose from his chair, walking quickly towards the door. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye to his son.
Chapter Five
My Oldest Friend
The rest of the council quickly left on Patton’s heels. Most of the members gave us small, polite goodbyes. Wolf leaned in and kissed my cheek tenderly before leaving.
Sapphire was one of the few McKnights who stayed, and immediately had me come sit with her in front of the fire. She had instructed Payne to pull up a chair across from me, while Varick brought Archer a pad and pencils. Now she was studying my face.
“First,” Sapphire said with a warm smile, “let’s talk. The three of us” –she gestured toward me and Hunter – “are a very rare breed, you know.”
“You’re a McKnight by blood, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said. “One of the very few women in either family, as you know. And the first to be on the council, thanks to my brother Varick. Patton wasn’t pleased that his father supported me over him. His opposition to your argument may have been more about resentment that anything else, but let’s forget that for a moment. Let’s see what we can do to find Seth.”
She reached out to take my hands in hers.
I nodded as I took them, wordlessly trying to tell her that I was grateful. I could tell Sapphire was going to be an important ally. She didn’t look at me and just see a Blackburn, the enemy. She saw me, the person. She was smart, confident and was able to put Patton McKnight in his place without batting an eye.
“You said earlier that you had tried to remember every detail,” she said. “But it’s possible there are more details that you’ve seen. Small fragments you’re unable to remember.”
“Maybe,” I said. “I don’t remember.”
I winced as I played that remark back in my head.
Sapphire arch an eyebrow and smirked.
“Memories can be very tricky,” she said. “But they happen to be my specialty. Now, since you’ve been so open and honest about your abilities, I think it’s only fair that I return the favor. I’ve mostly kept this little trick to myself. Varick knows, as does my husband, and a few others who I’ve helped on occasion, but you’ll be the first outsider that I’ve ever told. Well,” She looked to Uncle Mark. “You and your uncle. I am trusting you.”
“I understand,” I said. “Thank you.”
Sapphire gave me an approving nod as she sat with her hands folded and crossed her legs, giving me a few moment to settle in.
“Here’s how it works. If you relax, I can enter your mind, and see what you’re seeing. I can then help you control it. So if you think about your vision with Seth, I’ll not only be able to see it, but control it.”
“Control,” I said, frowning. “What?”
“For example, I can slow down the memory to a crawl if necessary. While we study it for details you might have missed. I can rewind it, or fast forward. I can work wonders inside there.” She pointed to my head. “Questions?”
I thought about what she said, trying to picture it how it would work.
“You said you’ll be inside my head,” I said finally. “Will you see other things? Private things?” I blushed as I pictured Sapphire stumbling onto memories of me and Payne making out under our favorite willow tree. I couldn’t help looking at him; he was listening intently.
“Possibly,” Sapphire said, nodding slowly. “I can’t control what I see. It
’s your mind. Controlling memory can be difficult. If we see something that reminds you of another memory, that second memory may come rushing to the surface. I can try and push back, but it’s still your mind. I’m just a guest. You need to understand that.”
I liked Sapphire. She had stood up for me, and more importantly, for Seth. She was Toby’s grandmother, and there must be a reason why he turned out to be such a sweet guy. I trusted her, but not so much that I was eager to have her tiptoe inside my noggin.
But if it could help me find Seth, I’d open my head up to the entire McKnight council.
“Let’s do it,” I said.
“Aunt Sapphire,” Payne said. “Can I ask a few questions?”
Sapphire shifted slightly in her seat to look at her nephew. “Of course.”
“You said you can do things with memories,” Payne said. “Can you change them? Manipulate them in some way? Erase them?”
Sapphire pursed her lips as she considered the question.
“I can’t change a memory,” she said. “So, if you were to remember a girl that you had a crush on telling you to go away, I can’t change that memory so that you heard her wanting to be your girlfriend. I could possibly dull the memory, or push it away so it doesn’t come to mind as much, but it won’t last. I’ve tried it a few times. Given the tragedies in this family, I should think you’d be able to see why people would like to have that happen, but the stronger the memory, the quicker it comes back. And I would never manipulate a memory or thought without a person’s permission.”
Payne nodded, satisfied.
“Let’s get started,” I said.
“Good,” Sapphire said. “Once we begin, you’ll be in a trance-like state. You may not be able to hear anything your uncle or Payne says to you, but anything you say to me, they’ll hear. So feel free to talk to them. Your uncle will write down anything that’s important. Archer will draw anything that you describe. Just relax, sit back in your chair, and focus on the fire.”
I nodded, and as I watched the flames dance, I listened to her voice and focused on Seth. The world around me seemed to fade, and I felt as if I’d slipped off into a deep sleep.
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