“Are you in Heaven?” I asked.
“No, I am not able to pass on yet. I’m sort of stuck you could say. I did something that is not acceptable and you are the key to releasing me so I can move on. That is why I visit you sometimes. I visit because I haven’t yet moved on. Those of us who are stuck can still visit.” She looked away and then brought her eyes back to me. The bathroom putting on makeup, it was her.
“The bathroom was really you. I thought souls could only visit in dreams. Is it different for you?”
“Yes, once I pass on I can visit in dreams. You saw me in the bathroom, yes. Sorry if I startled you honey. I also placed the lipstick and the black dress in your house. You need better clothes.” She smiled. I knew those things weren’t there before. She was trying to make me pretty.
“Mom I want to help you move on. I will do anything I can to help.” It didn’t matter what I needed to do. I wanted to help her. I needed to help her. Just as she had always helped me as a child.
“You can. Just by simply listening to me now. Landon is the one in trouble.”
My head started to hurt at the sound of his name. I didn’t want to talk about him. I wanted to protect myself from Dedrick but she wanted to give me answers so I would listen.
“I saw him coming before you were even born. I knew your fate. That he would stop at nothing to reunite with you. The two of you are twin souls. You are an Affinity.” She ate a cookie.
“What is that?” I asked, because I had never heard of the term.
“God created you so perfectly he split you into two. One soul a man and the other a woman. You can’t help but find each other. It is destiny that you two should be together, but it is very hard to be with your twin. You are so much alike that it is a struggle. It’s like being with yourself twenty-four seven. I know because your father is my Affinity. That is why he left his first wife to be with me, but we struggled. We drove each other mad. Although our love was strong.” She ate another cookie and then continued.
“Affinity’s can be best friends, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives, or nothing at all to each other. Sometimes they never find each other on earth. Only in dreams do most Affinity‘s find each other. It is there that they can be together with no problems. Because once you awake you are back to living your daily life. You, my daughter, had been haunted by his dreams once. Lucy told you about him. It opened up a path for him to come and see you. Landon, he dreamt of you since he was born. He is the stronger soul. That is why he can revive his memories.” She paused as though to make sure I was still keeping up. I nodded and gestured for her to go on.
“With your father and I it was too hard. We will always be twin souls. Fortunately we will not have the struggle to be together at Home. Things are easier there. What I have done is why you are being visited by Dedrick. He came to me first. I had not yet met your father but I was searching for him. All our memories of all our lives haunted my every thought. I was not just clairvoyant, I was the stronger soul. So I would do anything to see him again. Dedrick knew this. So he found me in my dreams and he offered me whatever I wanted. Well I turned him down. I knew he was bad news from the start. Years later, I found your father on my own. I didn’t need Dedrick’s help. Then your father left me. He said he couldn’t take my seriousness, or my crazy thoughts about being psychic.” She now looked sad. I remembered this face. She always wore this expression.
“So he didn’t remember you did he?” It made sense to me.
“No he did not. So I let him go. It was what was best for us. Even knowing that, it hurt so badly. To let him go ripped me apart. It killed me to see you fatherless. Luckily I healed, and you need to as well. Dedrick came back eventually. He wanted my soul again. I knew I couldn’t leave you alone and go with him. It took all I could to pass up his strong promises. He promised me that he could give me your father back and that you would never be alone again. I knew it was all lies, that I needed to get rid of him. So I made a deal with him. I told him about Landon. I knew your future. I knew he was you other half and he would come for you.” It didn’t surprise me that she knew, because Aunt Paul had told me she knew.
“Once he found out about you and Landon it was like he hit the jackpot. He wanted Landon more. Landon was the stronger soul. And I knew his future. I knew he would be handsome and successful. He wanted it. All he wants is to be like Landon. The perfect soul to steal. Your souls are famous at Home, the only souls to be reunited in every lifetime since your creation. No other Affinity’s have ever achieved that. So I told him who you were and he agreed to wait and take Landon instead. I am so sorry to involve you but because of what I did, making a deal with him, well that’s how I got here. Turns out that is a big no-no.” She hung her head.
“Wait so, he doesn’t want me?” I asked.
“Nope, you were just a gateway to get to Landon. Once Landon came into your dream to help you that was all it took. Now he will take him. You have to help Landon, it will not be easy, but because of what I did if Landon is taken I will stay here for a long time. Until Landon’s soul is back at Home and you have forgiven me.”
“Mom, I forgive you.” I put my hand on hers and squeezed. I would do anything to help my mom. Unfortunately I had no idea how to save Landon from Dedrick.
“I don’t want to be famous mom; I didn’t want any of this. I just want to be left alone and be with Dallas.” Tears ran down my face as I stared at my beautiful mother.
“Time is running short. There are a couple things you need to know in order to help Landon. First, you need an Angel willing to break some rules, second you need a Watcher and third you need one half of an Affinity besides yourself or Landon. Someone like your father.”
“What?!” My father? What did Richard have to do with this? Yes he was half of an Affinity but mom said herself he was the weaker soul.
“He is your blood. It is very rare to have two Affinity’s in the family so it will make you very strong. Find him honey, I have to go. All my love sweetheart, all my love.”
Just like that my eyes flew open and I was back in the room with Justin. My mom was gone and I felt sick. I lost her all over again. Justin squeezed my hand reassuring me that it would be okay. I started to cry hard and I couldn’t stop. My world was upside down. I was famous in Heaven and a nothing here on earth. The man that shared half of my soul was in danger and it was up to me to save him. On top of that I needed to ask my stranger of a father for help.
“Listen Avery, I will do all I can to help you, but you have to pull yourself together. You heard your mom. The weaker you are the worse it gets.”
“You’re right. I need to be strong right now.” I wiped the tears and sat up straight.
“I know this is a horrible time to tell you this, but I am in love with Kerri.”
“I figured as much. So?” I wasn’t sure why he was telling me this. He was looking very nervous. Biting his lip as he pulled out a little black box.
“I am hoping to turn this party into an engagement party.” I gasped at the beautiful ring in the center of the box. Wow, my best friend would have all her dreams come true. I was suddenly so happy that whatever I was feeling was momentarily on pause.
“Really? Wow that is so perfect. You are such a great guy for helping me. Thank you. And I know that you will take care of Kerri.” He smiled and closed the box. He sat up and headed toward the door.
“So I need to go out there and propose to her. I am so glad I could get you all the answers you need. I will continue to help you, but for right now let’s go celebrate.” I stopped and looked at him. He was kind and perfect. He knew all my thoughts. He knew I was thinking this of him, because he was not only psychic he also read minds as well. He was like the strangest person I had ever met but I was getting very used to strange lately and I just didn’t care. I cared that he was in love with Kerri and I knew he would take care of her.
“Yes I will. I will never lead her into harm; I will always lead her away from it. No one
would ever love her more than I will. I know her future and it looks really good.” He laughed and so did I.
We walked out into the very over crowded living room and he found Kerri as I scanned the room for Dallas. I only found Landon. He was talking with a very pretty blonde. They were talking very close to each other because the music forced them together. It was very loud, but that didn’t bother me. The pretty blonde bothered me. Why?
I was jealous of her. I wanted him to move on but something inside me wanted him to be leaning into me, like he was leaning into pretty blonde. He looked at me just then and our eyes locked. Pretty blonde was still talking but he was staring at me. We were twin souls and it was going to be really hard to not want him but I had to do it for the sake of our lives. I had to help him stay away from both me and Dedrick. I looked away from him and it pained me inside. My heart burned and I pulled myself away. I had to find Dallas, my boyfriend. The man I was in love with in this life. I knew that I could still have Landon in my life as a friend but I couldn’t live without Dallas. Finally I found him. He was making drinks for Kerri and a few of our fellow co-workers. I hated that he was working on his day off. So I marched over and pulled the bottle of vodka out of his hand.
“No way! You not doing this. I love this song and I want to dance.” I really did like the song. It was slow and romantic and I wanted to feel him against me. I also wanted to save him from Kerri and the others.
“Thank you Princess Snow. I wanted nothing more than to dance with you.” He smiled and kissed my cheek. We danced to the song and he rubbed my back tenderly. He was so sweet I could be in that moment forever.
“So did he do any good for you?” He asked with a sly smile.
“What?” I stopped and looked at him. How did he know that I needed something from Justin?
“Well I had a little visit from a freaky little Angel named Ianni last night. I know it all Avery and I am not scared. I know that Landon and you used to be married in another life. And I also know you are the girl he has been searching for.” His voice was a bit shaky at the Landon and you were married part, but other than that he seemed strong.
I froze. I stopped dancing and stared into his beautiful eyes. He knew and he didn’t care. A tremendous weight had been lifted from me. He didn’t seem to be freaked out by this news. In fact, he seemed to be okay with it. I smiled and hugged him so tightly I didn’t want to let him go. He hugged me back just as tight. I had to remember to thank Ianni for what she did. Goodness knows what trouble she got into for telling Dallas all that she had.
Just then I saw Justin pulling Kerri to the front of the living room. She seemed to be totally confused. The music stopped and Justin bent down in front of her.
“Kerri, I know its fast but I want to be with you forever. I want to wake up next to you every morning and kiss you goodnight every evening. There is no doubt in my mind that we are meant to be together. Will you…”
She didn’t even let him finish before she blurted out, “Yes!”
Everyone applauded as she jumped into his arms. Dallas and I said our congrats when she showed off the ring even though I had already seen it. She looked happy and he looked proud.
“Come on, let’s go outside where we can talk. It’s so loud in here,” he said as he led me out to Kerri’s deck. The night was still and silent. The stars were all out shining so bright. It was a great night and terrible night all wrapped into one. All the pressure to fight a demonic Dark Guide on one side and all this love before me, surrounding me, on the other.
“You really know and you don’t care? You don’t know how much that makes this a lot easier.” I confessed, “I know it’s crazy and unbelievable but it gets a lot more complicated trust me.”
He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Avery, I don’t understand too much, but what she showed me is very compelling and it’s hard to not understand. I have always believed in the afterlife. It also helps me be at peace with losing my parents. Knowing that they are either here on earth again, or in Heaven waiting for me.” He smiled. He looked peaceful. I liked that somehow this story had helped him deal with their deaths.
“We have to save Landon. I don’t know how to begin to tell you why.” I paused. “My mom did help me. She also gave me a huge assignment to take on and I need all the assistance I can get.” He put his hand on my mouth.
“Shh, I know Princess. I know it all. Ianni told me about Dedrick. She told me he is dangerous and it would take a lot to stop him. What I don’t know is why he wants you. I will do what I can to stop him though.”
“No, you don’t understand, it’s not me he wants, its Landon.” He was misinformed because Ianni didn’t know all the truth. His eyes widened. He was now understanding it a little more.
Chapter 15
Dad
We spoke outside for what seemed like hours but was probably only a few minutes. Dallas was getting even angrier that someone wanted to hurt his girlfriend and his cousin. I could see the protective side of him coming into play. His muscles were tense and he kept looking inside, watching Landon. He stroked my arms and at times looked at me with sympathetic eyes.
“We can do this. I know it. There is no doubt. We have to do whatever you’re mom said. We have to see your Dad.” When he said this I tensed up and shut down. Hearing this again killed me. What would I say to my absent Father?
“We have to get out of here and plan what we will do,” I said. “Let me say goodnight and I will meet you by the truck.”
He nodded and I went back inside. I found Kerri showing her ring to some of her old high school friends. I told her that I was tired and I wanted to get home. She hugged me and told me to call her tomorrow. I knew that I couldn’t call her until I figured out this situation. I agreed anyhow. Justin found me and looked at me. He knew my lie of being tired was only a cover up.
“I will be there tomorrow to help, so expect me about noon. Okay?” He said. I was a fool to think he didn’t already know our plans.
“Yes and thank you Justin,” was all I could say. He kissed my cheek.
I now had to tear Landon away from pretty blonde. This would not be easy. He saw me coming and he took her through the front door. I followed them. Once we were outside pretty blonde was all over Landon. Kissing him and leading him to her car. I didn’t know what to do at this point. I couldn’t tell him not to go with her but it wasn’t safe.
Just then a gust of wind blew through pretty blonde’s hair and started to get stronger. I saw a swirl of yellow feathers surround them. Pretty blonde drew back from him and started cursing.
“What the hell?!” She said loudly.
It was Lillith causing the wind. She knew that Landon wasn’t safe either and she would stop Landon from going home with this girl.
“Hey don’t worry I have your number I will call you. I gotta go with my cousin. So drive safe,” he said as he led her into her BMW. She said some more things as she sped off into the night. He turned to face the feathers. Lillith laughed as she appeared to us. I was shocked to see this soft side of her. Her usual harder side had faded.
“Now Landon, you know you should stay away from girls like that. Naughty boy,” she teased. He laughed and then shot a look at Dallas who was watching from his truck. Suddenly he looked worried.
“It’s okay. He knows everything and we have a lot to talk about so I would suggest you get into the truck before more people come outside.” She looked at me, up and down. Her once nice eyes had turned mean again. “Nice dress but we have a long drive you might want to change before we hit the road.”
“Hit the road? I am not going now. I figured we could leave in the morning.” I was angry now at her presence. How could she know everything Dallas and I discussed? Unless she was listening to our conversation, which I knew she was. She was sneaky like that.
“If we go back to your apartment it won’t be safe for you to sleep there. You have to try to trust me on this one. Let’s just get you changed and we will leave. Please
Avery.”
Oh crap now she was being nice again. I wondered why my house wasn’t safe. We jumped into the truck and stopped at my place. I grabbed a few things and changed into a very comfy shirt and jeans. Dallas changed at Landon’s so it was just Lillith and I alone. I expected a long lecture but she was very silent. Her and her yellow wings just sat there. I wondered if she, like Ianni, wanted to see what it was like to be human. She seemed to stare at my things for a long time, being very curious.
“Okay I am ready,” I announced.
“Good lets go. Your place is depressing.” All I could do was roll my eyes at her. Whatever.
The drive was going to be very uncomfortable, yet again, but I had more to think about now. I was going to see a man who left me at four years old and started a new family. I didn’t know how I was going to pull this off. My stomach ached and my head hurt. This was harder than talking to my dead mother. Dallas reached over and held my hand in his, ever so gently. Just to let me know he was here. I could feel Landon’s eyes burning through me. Sure enough, when I turned to look at him, they were staring right at me.
“Landon, focus! Did you hear anything I just said?’ Lillith yelled. She had been talking for the last hour about how we needed a rebellious Angel, a Watcher, and another half of an Affinity. She also spoke about how it was imperative that he start cheering up and stop sulking. The more his head was clear the easier this would be.
“So Dallas, you’re not mad at me?” Landon said, completely ignoring Lillith.
“Landon, how could I be? This is not something you did on purpose. You’re special, you both are, and you’re magnets to each other. I can’t be mad at that. I don’t want to lose you guys.” How Dallas could still be so positive and forgiving was the reason I was in love with him. Any other sane guy would have run for the hills.
The Many Lives of Avery Snow Page 13