Chapter 44 #2
Macklin whips his head toward her. “Hell of a gamble.”
She laughs. “Visions are accurate, but they don’t come with a guarantee. If someone changes their actions in a significant way, it can alter the outcome. Bringing Charli here was only the first step, but a big one.”
My eyes widen at her statement. “It’s nice to meet you too, but I’m glad I didn’t know, or I probably would have run in the opposite direction.
Before I came here, my relationship with my ability was complicated.
Sometimes it felt like a curse, and other times, a gift.
But at the root of it all, I thought it destroyed my family. ”
I shrug. “I did everything I could to avoid contact with others so I wouldn’t accidentally trigger a vision, but sometimes they came to me anyway. While I helped others, I was constantly terrified someone would find out what I could do and post it for the whole world to see.”
Raine nods in a way that tells me she completely understands. “Magic is complicated, and there’s always a price. The one you paid was steep.” She tilts her head. “You said before. How do you feel about it now?”
I take a deep breath. “Supernaturals don’t react the same way as humans, which has helped me overcome a lot of my fears.
I’m still not crazy about touching people, but it’s getting easier.
Plus, the lodestone has helped tremendously, controlling a lot of the emotional spikes I used to feel.
” I glance at Macklin. “I love it here. Being a supernatural with a talent that helps people.”
She smiles. “Good.” Her eyes dart to Macklin. “I see the two of you are bonded. What about Teague and Andros?”
“Teague, not Andros,” I state, watching the girl reach out and touch Raine’s arm, then nod.
Raine smiles and motions to the little girl beside her. “This is Tala. She’s an extremely talented dreamwalker but a little shy. Tala helped me reach out to you that first night.”
“Hello, Tala,” I say softly. “I feel like I know you since I saw you in a vision. Your father too. I’m sorry he didn’t make it.”
Her dark eyes perk up. “He told me. Said you were nice.”
“That’s sweet of him,” I say, looking at her, then Raine. “Should we call her mom or someone else to let them know she’s safe?”
“There is no one else,” Raine says, squeezing the little girl’s hand. “But we have each other, right?”
Tala nods.
“Tala is a very brave girl,” Raine tells us.
“The night before I went to save Mavros, Tala intercepted me in my dreams. Asked for my help. And I instantly knew Mavros would have to wait a little longer for his rescue. Even though it killed me to tell him. He was ready to die, but I needed him to live and endure torture a little longer to save all the rest of us.”
“He’s in rough shape,” Macklin interjects. “Almost all the captives are. Ramiro, a panther, didn’t make it.” His voice is rough with anger. “But if you hadn’t taken the steps you did, we’d still be clueless. This is widespread, and the few we’ve saved are only the tip of the iceberg.”
He goes on to explain everything they’ve discovered on the HRC and the number missing from the Vales, but he doesn’t mention the possibility of an insider helping the HRC or his suspicions about Clarissa.
Her lips twist. “They might have started out with the noble intention of preserving the human race, but their experiments are geared toward figuring out how to extract our powers for themselves, not destroy us. At least, not yet.”
“Are they succeeding?” Macklin asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
“Not as far as I know, but I only saw bits and pieces when I was there,” she replies, rubbing her head.
“Is there anything we can do for you?” I ask, remembering her hooked up to a machine in my vision.
Her lips twist in a wry smile. “Not today, but you never know when that will change.”
Macklin strides over to her. “If you need anything, call us.” He takes my hand in his. “And Raine, thank you.”
She yawns and wrinkles her nose. “Sorry, I get tired pretty easily. Do you mind if I cut today’s visit short?”
“You’re the only other person I’ve met who has visions like mine,” I tell her. “Once you feel better, I’d love to get together again.”
Her brow wrinkles. “Sounds great, but you should also check the coven’s historical records. There’s a lot of information on seers in there. I can’t believe Clarissa didn’t tell you.”
Macklin stiffens, and I lift a shoulder. “I only met her the one time. Maybe she forgot.”
“Did you not join the coven?” she asks, a troubled expression in her eyes.
“It’s not for me,” I state firmly.
She looks at me, then Macklin, likely sensing something’s going on but doesn’t pursue it. “Okay. I’ll be happy to help. And I’ll see if Mom can pull some info. It will give her something to do besides hovering over me.”
Maureen comes into the room. “You need to rest, Raine.” Her eyes flick from her daughter to me. “Thank you for helping to find my daughter. I know I gave you a hard time, but I hope you understand why.”
Conscious of Raine and Tala sitting there, I give Maureen a bland smile. “Thanks to your daughter, I’ve found my mates and the person I thought I lost a long time ago…myself. I hope you realize how lucky you are to have Raine as a daughter.”
She blanches. “Mates?”
“Macklin, Teague, and Andros,” I tell her, my smile solidifying when I see her consternation. “Nice meeting you, Raine and Tala. Give me a call when you feel up to visiting some more.”