What did I expect him to think of such an odd question? When the doors start to shut, I block them with my foot and force a polite smile. “Please. It really does matter. Ethan went through a lot of pain to get that tattoo. You have no idea. I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”
The doctor slides his hands in his coat pockets. “He sustained several glass cuts on his forearm, but nothing life threatening like a blow to the head can be.” When I hold his gaze, refusing to react to his annoyed comment, he sighs. “I’m sure once the stitches do their job, his tattoo will heal without too much damage, Miss?” He eyes me, eyebrows raised.
“Inara,” I say in a trembling voice. It’s not good that Ethan’s dragon is damaged.
“Ahem, well, Inara, if that’s all, I’d like to be on my way.”
I pull my foot back and nod my thanks. As I turn and lean against the wall, the medallion on the necklace Ethan gave me before he left a few days ago shifts between my breasts, reminding me of his insistence that I wear it and never take it off.
Is it possible that Ethan’s tattoo isn’t protecting him right now? Could he be stuck in his dream world? Is that why he’s not waking up? In the past, whenever he touched me, he would absorb my dreams about my entire next day. He said watching me go through my day was a bright light shining through all that darkness in his dreams. But I haven’t dreamed my next day for four nights now, so even if I touch him, I can’t help him fight his way through the darkness.
I clasp the medallion through my shirt and rub its raven yin-yang design under my fingers as I whisper, “This necklace might be protecting me, but what’s protecting you, Ethan?” As soon as I voice my worries, an idea comes to me.
“Your mom texted me this morning that you were here, something about Ethan being in a car accident? Is he doing better?” Aunt Sage’s curly red hair is a brilliant contrast peeking out from under her black knit cap as she glances my way when I slide into the passenger seat of her car.
“No, he hasn’t woken up yet.” I shut the door, then hold my cold fingers against the heat blowing through the air vents.
My aunt’s brow pinches as she presses on the gas and pulls out of the parking lot. “Then why are you asking me to pick you up? Your mom said you packed a bag. I assume so you can stay?”
I meet her questioning hazel green gaze. “That’s why I asked you to come get me. I need your help with Ethan.”
Her eyebrows raise. “My help? Yes, of course anything, sweetie. But what can I do to help Ethan?”
“I’ll explain once we’re back at your house. Do you mind dropping me off at Ethan’s house first? I’ve got to grab my car, then run and let Houdini out. I’ll follow you out to Barboursville after that.”
After I give her directions to Ethan’s, my aunt’s gloved hands grip the wheel tighter, the only indication she’s worried. “Does this have anything to do with your ability, Nara?
When she learned about my ability to see a day ahead in my dreams not too long ago, Aunt Sage had been adamant that I not interfere in the natural course of nature. Other than my great aunt, Gran (who learned about my ability years ago), Sage is the only other family member I’ve told. At the time, I’d thought her adamant warnings were because she was following her new-agey-and-in-tune-with-nature instincts.
“Please tell me you’re not interfering,” my aunt continues, her tone tense. “After seeing the videos your father left you before he disappeared, I can’t imagine you defying his request to stay out of people’s lives. My brother’s missing. I don’t want to lose my niece too.”
“I’m fine, Aunt Sage.”
And that’s the real reason she’s concerned. I’d inherited my ability to see my next day from my father, whom I’d recently discovered hadn’t abandoned us years ago. He’d left to protect us because he believed our family was being punished for the thousands of lives his ability allowed him to save while working for a secret government division that prevents major disasters. Unfortunately I learned the truth about my dad on the same day that I found out he’d gone missing. Where are you, Dad? I need to tell you so much. Starting with the fact that Fate is responsible for all the “accidents” that happened to our family.
“That’s not an answer. Are you using your foresight to help Ethan?”
The tension in my aunt’s voice pulls me out of my worried musings. I can’t let renewed concern for my dad overshadow my current fears for Ethan. Right now I need to focus my energy on helping him wake up. I meet her stern gaze and shake my head. “It has nothing to do with my ability to see ahead. If there’s something I can do to help Ethan, I have to, Aunt Sage.” She nods, apparently satisfied with my answer for now.
We grow quiet in the car and I stare out the window, thinking about something Samson said to me before I left the hospital that made me question if the people in our lives happen randomly or if their existence has a more meaningful purpose.
I went looking for Samson as soon as I formed a plan to help Ethan. I found Ethan’s brother sitting in a chair in the hall outside Ethan’s room. Head in his hands, elbows on his knees, with his fingers digging deep into his blond hair, he looked as beat down as I felt.
He must have sensed my presence, because he said quietly, “What did I miss, Nara?” His light blue gaze lifted to mine, full of doubt. “You said I didn’t look deep enough. What didn’t I see that I should have?” Rubbing his forehead, he rushed on, “I was told to go to Ethan once before. Thankfully I was able to be there for him then, but this time I’m right here in front of him, yet I’m powerless to reach him.”
His cryptic comment surprised me. “What do you mean you were told to go to Ethan?”
Samson blew out a harsh breath and shoved a hand through his hair. “I got lucky with my government job. They didn’t seem to care that I only had two years of college. I worked hard and was already moving up within the company, despite my dad’s belief that I’d fail without a degree hanging on my wall,” he said, curling his lip derisively. “I knew Ethan had been having trouble at home, but I thought, ‘how could I help’? I’d made my share of mistakes and was still kind of stumbling my way through life. What could I offer him? I mean, that’s what parents are supposed to do…be there for you. Give you direction.”
Samson lifted his shoulders, then let them fall with a heavy sigh. “While on a weekend trip to visit old friends from my early college days, I chatted with the man next to me on the airplane. He asked if I had family and I mentioned Ethan, saying I wished I were older and more established so I could help him. Do you know what he said to me next? He looked me directly in the eyes and told me to go get my brother, that he needed me to be there for him. He was so intense, insisting that I follow through.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I didn’t know what to say. Other than to promise him I’d go and to thank him for his concern.” Samson’s lips crooked briefly as if reliving the surreal moment all over again in his head. “He could’ve been totally crazy for all I knew, but the seriousness and empathy in his expression made me think he must’ve lost someone close to him; that there were things he would’ve changed in his past if he could have. Even after I landed, I couldn’t get the look in his eyes or the passion in his voice out of my mind. Suddenly I was worried. I immediately booked a flight to Michigan.” Samson’s eyes watered and he exhaled a shaky breath. “I barely made it, Nara. If I hadn’t listened to him…”
“But you did listen.” My heart ached for the pain and guilt in Samson’s gaze. When I shared Ethan’s dreams in the past, I experienced one of his painful memories. I saw Ethan attempt to hang himself; I felt his despondency over his parents’ inability to understand what he was going through, and then his relief when Samson came bursting into his room to save him. Samson didn’t judge Ethan, didn’t scream that he was crazy. He just grabbed him in a bear hug and accepted his brother. He and Ethan left that very day. “You saved Ethan, Samson. You, not some stranger on a plane.”
He blinked and brushed
away the mist in his eyes. “But I don’t know if I would’ve gone right then if that man hadn’t made me promise not to delay.” Samson glanced away, embarrassed. “I don’t want to fail my brother again. I couldn’t bare it if I lost him.”
Kneeling, I put my face in front of Samson’s. “You asked me what you didn’t see. You know what that is, Samson? Ethan might be surrounded by darkness but he craves the light. He seeks it out. He’s a good person.”
Samson straightened his spine. “I know he’s a good person. I’ve never questioned that. I just feel like he confuses his awful dreams with reality sometimes, you know? That he lets them own him. I know they trouble him, but dreams are dreams. They aren’t real.”
I tilted my head and held his gaze. “Are you saying that things in life are always black and white? That dreams can’t have a measure of truth in them, or mean more than just a series of made up images we see while we’re sleeping?”
Samson frowned. “What are you getting at?”
I rubbed my sweaty palms down my jeans, then offered a half smile. “You listened to a stranger’s insistence about Ethan and even acted on it. If that’s not believing without concrete proof, I don’t know what is.”
“That was different.” His frown shifted to a scowl. “If there was even an ounce of truth to his words, my brother was in trouble. Ethan needed me. I couldn’t take the chance he was wrong.”
“It was a leap of faith for you then. Have you told Ethan about your experience on the plane? About why you came home when you did?”
Samson slowly shook his head, his voice hesitant. “Do you think I should?”
“Yes, I do. Let Ethan know you’re open to…possibilities. I think he’d feel better knowing you believe that not everything can be easily brushed aside as impossible.” I held my breath and hoped that I helped. Ethan would never want his brother to torture himself like this.
Samson smiled and gently tapped his knuckles on my chin. “Now I know why Ethan likes you so much. You truly are a ray of sunshine.”
I smiled, my eyes wide. “He said that to you about me?”
Samson waggled his eyebrows, looking smug. “Nah, he’d never share. I overheard him call you Sunshine one day while you were on the phone with him.”
You’re not the only one he hasn’t shared with.
I pursed my lips ruefully and shifted my gaze to the floor. “I doubt your parents will ever think very highly of me. I’ve been banned from seeing Ethan until visitors are allowed.”
“What?” Samson jumped up, hands fisted by his sides, outrage spreading across his features. “They don’t get to decide what’s best for him.”
I scrambled to my feet and gripped his arm. “Calm down, Samson. I need to leave for a little bit anyway. Maybe that’ll give them some time to reconsider.”
He scowled. “Ethan would want you with him.”
I applied pressure to his tense forearm. “Please don’t fight with your parents because of me.”
Inhaling deeply through his nose, Samson took a few calming breaths. “I’ll talk to my parents, civilly. I’m sorry, Nara. My dad can be such an ass.”
“Well, I did pretty much insult their parenting.” I dropped my hand and shrugged. “I get them being offended.”
“Their pride only punishes Ethan.” Shaking his head, he shoved his hands in his denim pockets. “I’m still in the dark as to where he’s been. I checked his car for his phone before they towed it to Mike’s Body Shop, but couldn’t find it. I even checked his computer, but he’d wiped all the history from his recent web searches. I only found school projects on his hard drive. Who do you think this Danielle person is?”
Just hearing the girl’s name stiffened my spine. “I have no idea—” I paused and my heart suddenly raced. “Wait. Is it possible to find out where he’s been from the tracker you put on Ethan’s car?”
He grimaced. “Unfortunately, no. I paid for the bare minimum, low-tech device. It doesn’t track where his car has been, just its current location.”
“Nara, we’re here.”
My aunt’s fingers on my cheek draw me out of my thoughts. “Are you okay, sweetie? You seem really preoccupied.”
“Just thinking about Ethan,” I say as I push the door open and hitch my backpack on my shoulder.
She offers an encouraging smile. “He’s going to be okay.”
I blink against the sleet that’s starting to fall and shove my hands in my leather jacket pockets. “I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure of it. I’ll see you at your house in a half hour.”
Chapter Four
Nara
“Down, boys,” I say affectionately. The smell of fresh pine hits me as I pat my aunt’s dogs’ heads and instantly seek the source.
My aunt always buys a live Christmas tree and every other year she changes the theme. This year’s theme is apparently silver and blue: blue lights, silver and blue bulbs, silver icicles and blue crystals hang beautifully on the tree sitting by the front window. The dogs are sniffing my jeans and shoes so hard, I smile and say, “You guys smell Houdini. Maybe one day I’ll bring him.”
“Can you imagine the mayhem with four beasts tearing around this small house?” Aunt Sage shakes her head and chuckles when Bo, the Jack Russell, pings off the furniture to take a fast nip at Luke’s back leg, before zooming off down the hall with the offended Rottie in fast pursuit. Duke races behind the rambunctious duo woofing deeply, his Shepard’s tail wagging in excited swoops. Bells jingle with their antics, since each dog has one on his collar. The constant sound would drive me nuts, but Christmas is my aunt’s favorite holiday so even the pets have to get into the Christmas spirit.
I smile after Duke, pleased to see him so happy. He has an extra special place in my heart, since Ethan and I rescued him from an abusive owner. “Yeah, good point. I’ll wait until the spring when they can play outside.”
Shrugging out of my jacket, I lay it across the couch’s arm and immediately walk over to my aunt’s shelf of New Age books, my gaze scanning the titles. “Remember that crystal necklace you created to help me get my dreams back? You said that you chose the Celestite because it was known for its dream recall property. What about metals? Do you have a resource in here that says which metal conducts psychic energy best?”
My aunt reaches for my hand as I trace along the titles and turns me toward her. “Psychic energy?” Her gaze searches mine, apprehension evident. “You told me you weren’t planning on using your dreams to help Ethan, Nara.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to use my foresight to help him. That’s what you’re concerned about, right? But I am going to use my dreams.”
She grips my shoulders. “But your foresight is part of your dreams. Which makes me wonder…don’t you already know if he wakes up or not?”
Taking a deep breath, I ponder how much to tell my aunt. She doesn’t know anything about Ethan’s issues or his ability. When her hold tightens and her face sets in a stubborn line, my stomach knots. What if she refuses to help? I can’t do this part without her, so I tell her the one thing that will blow her mind while also ease her worries. “I can’t use my foresight from my dreams to help Ethan, Aunt Sage, because he doesn’t show up in them. He never has.”
“But…” Her hands fall away from my shoulders. “You’re with him all the time. How is that possible that he’s never in them?”
My lips quirk. “Crazy, huh? Remember when you first met him and you said, ‘he’s an old soul’?” I pause and spread my hands, shrugging. “Maybe that’s why.”
She narrows her gaze doubtfully. “That makes as much sense as—”
“The fact that I can see my entire day through my dreams the night before?” I arch my eyebrow.
A smile flickers and the tension in her face eases. “Okay, so you can’t see his future. I get it, but then how will your dreams help him?”
There’s no way I’m telling my aunt that Fate is a very real entity who has attacked me outside of my dreams s
everal times in the past for interfering with other people’s fate. If she knew that Ethan and I combined our powers through our dreams in the past so I could confront Fate and get him to back off, she would flip. But even Ethan doesn’t know just how much power Fate wields in the dream world—that if I die there, I’ll die in the real world too. And Fate would like nothing more than for that to happen. My abilities are a prickly thorn the vengeful entity wants to permanently extract from his shadowy hide.
My aunt can’t know any of this or she’d shut my plan down, cutting off my chance to try to help Ethan.
Fortunately Fate can only get to me through my dreams if Ethan and I touch while we sleep and only if I’m wearing the crystal necklace my aunt gave me. And since I haven’t been having my dreams about my next day lately, I feel pretty confident that Fate can’t show up. At least I hope he can’t. On the other hand, the evil Ethan experiences in his dream world makes your skin crawl and is freakishly real, like walking through an endless, interactive haunted house. I don’t want to go into his dreams without some level of protection.
This is where my aunt’s expertise as a jewelry designer is crucial to making my plan work. So I tell her the parts she needs to know. “Remember when I wore the crystal necklace you made to help me get my dreams back but it didn’t work?”
She nods. “But you did eventually get your dreams back.”
I only got them back because Ethan stopped touching me. He had my dreams the whole time. I’d never “lost” them like I thought. “I did dream that night I wore the crystal, just not my dreams. I had Ethan’s dreams. I don’t know how. Maybe it’s because Ethan and I have a strong connection, or maybe our dream abilities, even though they’re different, somehow allow us to bond that way. All I know is, I was able to project myself into his dreams. It’s a horrible, monster-filled dreamscape, Aunt Sage. When I asked him how he handled them, Ethan says the dragon tattoo on his arm helps protect him. Unfortunately his arm was wounded in the accident and the tattoo is damaged. I’m worried that…well, that he might be stuck in his dream world and that’s why he hasn’t woken up. I overheard Ethan’s doctor talking to another doctor. He says Ethan should’ve woken by now.”
Destiny, YA Paranormal Romance (Brightest Kind of Darkness Series, Book #3) Page 3