Lilly looked up to see him staring at her almost with a look of adoration and her face flushed with panic so she quickly asked. "Okay, so what about Claire and my mom?""Right! So Claire is mated or married to Ivan. Ivan is apparently some big shot warrior who is cousins with my dad, and adopted siblings with my mom? So technically not related to you at all. In all reality, Claire is actually only 7 years older than us. Explains why she looks so young for being your mother! Do you remember from before my parents dropped me off with you and Claire?"Lilly chose not to speak and just shook her head signaling for Brayden to continue. "Well you actually lived with Claire and your mom until there was an... um... 'accident'. We were only 5 at the time or well that time around, so telling you that Claire was really your mom you didn't question it. But I remembered having a different mom than you so Claire said we were cousins." Brayden paused looking to Lilly to make sure she was following b
Withdrawing from the link knowing Brayden had made it to Ivan and James Lilly decided to let herself enjoy the warm bath Brayden had started for her. Sinking in she felt everybody tense then relax from the heat assaulting her every muscle. Going through the plan in her head she realized they would have to pull Frank. Years ago she lightly mentioned needing someone at the in-between to keep tabs on Esteban. Little did she know Frank had volunteered and left before she was able to delegate anyone for the decision. Without making it a known decision many had come to believe Frank was a traitor, in order to prevent his cover from being blown she didn’t say a single word. However, she knew the pain he was put through because of the few times they had run into each other over the years. For every time he had let them go Esteban taught Frank a lesson. It pained her to know he was suffering so much just to keep her safe, and when she tried running away to live a normal life. Before long the t
Red.Just the color red, deep blood red burning hot. Lilly's sight was like someone covered her eyes with a red piece of paper. A chill ran down Lilly's spine as she felt her body move of its own accord. Moving up from the bench by the lake and pulling her forward. Her legs moved to bring her closer to where she imagined the lake would be. Mates? What are they, werewolves in some messed-up fairytale? War since 1917? They're in the twenty-first century! This is a dream she's still asleep in her room asleep with that loveable loser on the floor.Wait.... loveable? Is Brayden loveable in a way other than platonic love? Lilly felt her legs falter and a smoke-like hew grow in her vision as she inches closer to the water's edge. Her mind itched like someone was tickling it, but how could some reach her brain? The beautiful s
Brayden made his way down the hall to where he remembered his parent's room had been. The door flung open and a dark chocolate skin toned woman smiled with absolute joy flowing out of her. Brayden gazed at the small fragile woman before meeting her caramel eyes. He saw the brown ring slowly turn around her caramel circles before tears filled her eyes. "Hi, mom." That was all Brayden could say before he was pulled into the room. "Sit sit. Have you eaten? James... your father... sorry it's just been too long. I know how you've been but please tell me you know I can't truly see everything. Where did Lilliana go, weren't you too just out by the lake? Don't tell me Miriam took her away! You two have just as much processing as we mothers have a want for catching up." Brayden just waited for her to take a breath before he answered.
‘Where are you?’ The words rang in Lilly's mind as she stood staring at the man who had helped create her. Also remembered he was the one who had almost made her lose her life, more than once. The man laying on life support before her was no more than a sperm donor in her eyes. He was never there when she needed him and everytime she needed him the most, he tried to kill her and everyone close to her. Nia... the pain-filled her from the core almost as if the incident had just happened. Why did that memory have to take this long to come back, when everything else came rushing back at the lake. ‘Lil... Lilly! Lilliana, I need you to tell me where you are. Now!’ Brayden was panicking which he had every right to. If he isn't close enough when things go wrong ev
"Shit!" Miriam fell to the ground in pain, before basically yelling. "You said a little pain. This is not a little pain!" "Well, would you have come if I said it would be bad?" Brayden watched as Miriam curled herself in a ball from the pain. His eyes drifted to Lilly standing by the window looking outside at the falling snow. He made his way over wrapping his hands around her waist and pulling her into his embrace before whispering. "I told you not to let go." "I know, but I had to see what day it is." Lilly gently replied continuing to watch the snow casually fall with no other care in the world. "Okay, where are we?" Miriam had gained her strength back and was walking toward the window. "When" Lilly and Brayden mumble
Everything started to blur and turn white before they were back in the dark fruit cellar. Miriam looked to the bed of her once cherished love. She used all the strength she had left to crawl to the monitor and unplug it. The beeping stilled and the room grew silent. "He said he was going to bring you home to make a new plan and was attacked. James wasn't even there was we arrived." Miriam cried until her eyes couldn't take it anymore. Brayden help Lilly to lean against the wall as he walked to his mother-in-law to finish their conversation. “Other than a slight pain in the chest do you have any other pain from the jumps?” “I hurt everywhere Brayden but I doubt it has to do with jumping.” Miriam said holding her head as she tried to hold in her vomit. “I loved a man that used me to create a child to also be used t
Rubbing her eyes Lilly forced her eyes to focus on the red ceiling of her room. Blinking away the fog she realized where she was and began to silently cry again. She rolled to her left side pulling her legs to her chest as she continued to cry. It had been 50 years. That's right basically 2 lifetimes since they lost the child. Not just any child their child, her child, little sweet perfect Niamh. They first went back trying to save her but found it actually caused a worse fate for mankind than was worth saving one child. Even if that one child was their own. The thought of all the lives they had lost made the pain inside too much to handle. Eventually, the tears stopped coming and her face was stuck to the tear-soaked pillow. How could the man who was supposed to protect her more than anything use her and her daughter to kill others? A man who had done nothing but protect her all her life. Were all the 'close calls' actually him trying to use her to e
"I put you in his hell and I am the ONLY one that will ever be able to get you out." The words echoed through Miriam as she came to a stop. She knew that voice had to be Lilly but she couldn’t dare look to see who she was talking to. With a bright flash, everything was slowly fading to the darkness around her and a thicker chill began to fill the air. Crouching down to the ground and attempting to make herself small Miriam attempted to focus on the sounds around her. She could only hear silence, no wind, no birds or animals scurrying along the forest floor. How could such a place exist?“I know you’re out there sweetheart.” Miriam’s entire body shivered from the sweetening voice of her memories, a much simpler time. Refusing to let her emotions take the better of her Miriam chose to burrow herself into a tree. “Daddy will always find you, no matter what.”Miriam wanted to reply to him and state how much she hated him but knew that’s what he wanted. She waited for anything, breathing,
Without a word from the group the small group made their way to the barn to continue their conversation. Lilly slowly looked around for Brayden and the girls to ensure Jessica was still with them. “I already linked her and told her what was going on.” James said from behind Lilly as if reading her mind. “Brayden took the girls to get ice cream, we really should hurry I don’t think Claire will last longer than 2 hours. She has a high pain tolerance but I counted 3 contractions only minutes apart while you and Ivan had your stare down.” “Okay, it’s best we get this out of the way anyway.” Lilly said following Ivan and Frank into the barn. She came to find Frank attempting to whisper to Ivan asking what what going on, before James cleared his throat. “I know us coming unannounced kind of puts a damper on your family plans, or unplanned family events, but we need to get this conversation over with in about 30 minutes so you can see your child’s birth.” James said as he made his way to a
"He's not going to be happy with you when he discovers this plan." James says lowly as he catches up to Lilly."He already knows the plan." Lilly says as they make their way out of the field and to a little farmhouse."How does he know the plan?" James asked in total shock."The same way you and Jessica know the plan." Lilly spoke as if they were speaking of the time of day."But Jessica just had the vision this morning?" James said as they came to the farmhouse door and he knocked."Brayden saw this day and conversation happening the day before Nia was born." Lilly said taking in a deep breath. "I've known this day and conversation was going to happen for awhile. However, I think I am going to change part of it and he won't know until after.""Am I allowed to know the change in plan?" James said trying to read Lilly's hints.Before Lilly was able to give a full answer the door opened to a surprised Ivan. "It's early is it not?""I feel the an
Stepping through another blinding portal Brayden finally find his voice just as the wind picked up and started blowing Lilly's hair into his face. "You are going to tell me what's going right?"Lilly laughed as she pulled her hair from Brayden's face while saying, "Would I ever hide anything from you?""Lilly you basically have been since the moment I realized I lost myself, but you knew where everyone was." Brayden could feel his fear seeping in not knowing where exactly Nia was. The fact he had lost everyone for 2 full weeks was beginning to weigh him more than he expected."Son everything will be fine." Jessica said coming forward to pat his arm."Trust in those that you love and all will work out." James said shortly following Jessica to Brayden's side. With those words the wind began to fade and their eyes adjusted to the sun's rays."Of course I trust you all, I'm worried about myself. How could I got 2 weeks not knowing what was going on, and think the fake you
"Where have you been the last 2 weeks?" Brayden said to Lilly and she only stopped to look around her. The confusion didn't leave Brayden, he was just as confused he thought he was just talking to his grandfather."Where's my mom?" Lilly said, without waiting for an answer she quickly turn to run up the stairs to their apartment."Lilly!" Brayden yelled running after her only to stop at the open door of their apartment. "Lilly, what's gotten..""That's not my mom," Lilly said watching the woman sitting on the couch staring at the blank wall."I know?" Brayden said as if they had already discussed this. But they hadn't, how did he know that wasn't Miriam?"She's in the in-between," Lilly said turning to Brayden holding out the necklace for him to see she was also there. They both stared at the shining metal in her hand before Brayden broke the silence."How?" Brayden asked taking the necklace between his fingers. The only time he has seen this sword is when Lilly uses it in his dreams
"Mom!" Lilly yelled back to Miriam every time she heard her mother yell her name. Suddenly the yelling stopped, and everything became too quiet. Nerves were all over the place as Lilly pushed herself through the forest. The familiarity of this darkness was too unreal and seemed too similar to Brayden's most recent dream."There you are." The deep voice from behind Lilly had her freezing in her tracks. Holding what breath was left in her lungs she forced herself to face the voice she had only ever heard in her dreams."Why am I here?" Lilly forced out the moment her eyes locked onto the red glowing eyes before her."Ah right to the point." An evil sneer came across the man's lips as he stops walking a mere 20 feet from her. "Esteban I'm not playing any games, what do you want?" Lilly says reaching for her bracelet only to realize it was not there."Oh come now you really think I would let you bring that in here?" He says smirking before adding, "You really should respect your elders y
"Liliana!" Miriam ran frantically into the darkened forest, what just happened? She was just with her daughter and son-in-law and now she's in a forest alone? Frantic thoughts and panic filled her every bone. "Liliana! Brayden!""You won't find them." A low voice just above a whisper blurts out from behind her.Miriam quickly turns only to see more trees in every direction. Her panic must be playing tricks on her, the only way to find her family now is with magic. But if she uses her power it will attract her father to her. Exhaling deeply Miriam continues to trudge through the ever-darkening forest. Soon it will become so dark she will not be able to see the uplifted roots before she trips on them."Want to see why I brought you here?" The voice again feels so much closer, there is no way Miriam only hearing things."Who are you?" Miriam finally stops and just listens without attempting to look for the owner of the voice."Oh, dear Miriam." The voice lets out a sickening laugh before
"Alright fine, I'd just hate for such a pretty thing such as yourself to get hurt." Mark said with a slight wink."Not in this lifetime Mark." Lilly said grabbing onto Brayden's side both to pulling strength and keep him by her side."Well if you ever need to be satisfied I'm in room 206." Mark said licking his lips."Oh trust me if I ever get that desperate I'm better off dead." Lilly said before then watching the color drain from Mark's face.Unable to think of a comeback Mark turned and hurried down the hall to his family's apartment."God the last two weeks he has been on my ass." Brayden said exhaling the air he had been trying to keep in."Why two weeks?" Lilly said releasing his hand and continuing up the stairs."Oh we've been here for two weeks before you guys." Brayden said casually, "It's no biggy I've jumped and landed in the space before you a few times remember?""Right, I just didn't realize it was two weeks." Lilly said faintly
"No matter what you say I will not risk anyone's life," Brayden quickly closed the distance as he spoke. "Especially your life. For something as simple as a pastry, no matter how delicious they maybe.""I get you're trying to be all macho right now, and possibly turn me on but I am actually really upset about the orange rolls." Lilly looked into Brayden's eyes trying to hold in her own laughter at the ridiculous conversation."So you admit that this is turning you on." Brayden asked leaning in closer to Lilly forcing her heart to race."You would take that part out of everything I said and turn it on me." Lilly rolled her eyes trying to hold back the blood from rushing to her face. "My point is they were the first ones Nia got to help me make, ever. I couldn't even try them.""Look I will go out and buy the ingredients right now and we can make some. Maybe the familiar flavor will help my mom's memory." Brayden said looking to the entrance to their hideout.