What the hell was that?
Logan chuckled like he felt my reaction. “You already know, Claire.”
“Oh, that’s right,” I smiled, looking away. With the swing in conversation I forgot Logan read my thoughts earlier. Logan gestured to Brent towards the other room and they left to talk.
I felt the fervor in my cheeks and out of nowhere, I realized my puzzle might not be complete after all. These friends and I were put together for a reason. Something in our seals decided our fates. Was it a coincidence that Layken and Logan shared abilities with Reese and Brent? I started to panic at the thought.
Calm down, Claire. You don’t even know if that’s possible.
Is it possible? The very idea caused my head to spin. Of course it was possible to have more than one friend, even really close ones, but could I have two loyal enough to be my Aegis? The other side of the coin was harder to fathom. Was it possible for my seal to match two peoples exactly? Did I have two Paramours? Was Logan’s seal stamped to match mine also? If so, what did it all mean? I saw Logan and Layken together with a child in my vision. That must have meant I was wrong about the possibility. But Omni did say outcomes could change depending on our choices.
You love Brent so there is no choice.
Ignoring my bias subconscious, I knew it could be true. I did feel something for Logan that I was unable to ignore even after everything that happened at the loft when I was free to leave – some force was keeping me there. I compelled myself to think of something else, keeping my mind from racing so I didn’t get too upset about the situation. The last thing I wanted was Brent or Logan to know what I was thinking.
Brooke, Riley and Brody were sitting around a makeshift table they put together with saw horses and plywood. Reese and Layken were not far away, talking quietly, and Brent and Logan were still in the other room.
I approached Layken and Reese hoping I was not interrupting. “Hey guys.”
“You okay?” Reese asked me.
I nodded.
“I need to call Maggie. I’m sure she’s worried sick,” I said, pursing my lips to the side.
“You can use my phone,” Layken said, pulling out her phone, which made me smile. It was so Layken. The case was completely bedazzled. I felt the weight of the heavy gems when I picked it up.
Layken noticed my grin and laughed. “This girl loves bling,” she giggled.
“I guess so,” I giggled back, dialing Maggie’s number.
“Claire, how did it go? Are you all right, dear?” Maggie answered, her voice tinged with worry.
“Yes, I’m fine Aunt Maggie,” I replied, walking to a corner of the room where I could have a little privacy.
I filled Aunt Maggie in on everything that happened with Kace and learning about the others like me. She told me she had her suspicions because they had all moved to town around the same time. I told her we were going after Kace and would do our best to send him back to The Realm. I tried not to cry thinking about the fact if we failed, this could be the last time I spoke to her. I made a point of telling her again and again how much I loved her and how grateful I was for everything she had done for me.
“I love you so much, too, Claire. Please be careful,” she fretted, sighing heavily.
“I will, Maggie,” I promised, biting down on my quivering lip to restrain my tears.
“Oh, and Claire…” she started.
“Yes?”
“If anyone can do this, it’s you. I believe in you, now you just need to believe in yourself,” she finished with sincerity.
This was the part I struggled with. Could I ever believe in myself enough to find good in the man I watched end Mandy’s life or the man that took my parents from me?
“Thanks Maggie. That means so much to me. I should go now. I love you.”
“I love you too, dear.”
My heart felt heavy as I hit the button ending the call. I felt a fight in me for the first time since this began. We had to end to this. I was the only family Maggie had and the thought of leaving her alone in the world was agonizing.
When I lifted my head I saw both Brent and Logan were standing beside me. They both had the same look of concern on their face.
“I’m fine,” I snapped at both of them. “Stay out of my head, please,” I said, a little angrier than I wanted to but they needed a warning.