Quicksilver Dreams(154)

                “I needed to keep her safe.” Ryder confronted his father with anger that was vibrating off of him almost violently. Why such a strong reaction? Toward his father, no less? I didn’t sense that his father was a bad man, just hurt and confused, though he covered it up with his force of will.

                “Why wouldn’t she be safe on Earth?”

                “There were men trying to kill her.”

                My mind was being tickled. Flashes of imagery—woodland with dappled sunlight—teased the fringes of my mind without allowing me to fully grasp their significance. When had I been kicking a ball through the woodlands, dodging trees? What was that?

                “How does this become our responsibility?” Talon demanded of Ryder.

                “Talon!” Miara said sharply.

                “Because Ranik is trying to kill her, and he’s our responsibility.” Ryder’s teeth were clenched.

                Don’t let this happen anymore, Taylor. Help them. I knew that sweet voice whispering desperately in my mind. Her energy was calling to me, needing me, pulling me so sharply that I couldn’t resist.

                In the next moment, I was in the woodlands, sitting on a blanket with Asily, drawing a picture of her on canvas. I was using charcoal and could see that it was mostly done. When had I completed so much of it? Curiously, I asked, Why haven’t you gone to them? Let them see that you’re okay.

                I can’t. They have to come to me. You can help them with that. This is your gift. You’ll grow into your power as you practice with it. You have to help them access the Gods’ plane. Not now, but soon. Promise me. When the time is right.

                “Taylor!” I felt like I could hear Ryder’s voice from far, far away. He sounded frantic as he said, “Mom, I can’t feel her! Her energy signature is gone!” I looked around with concern, expecting to see him.

                Why can’t he remember you? We were all together in the same dream.

                Spirits can’t interact outside of the Gods’ plane, Tay. You’re going to have to help him remember this one.

                Oh. So last night wasn’t just a regular dream.

                Of course not, or you would have remembered it.

                How will I remember this one?

                I can help you, but you’re going to need to concentrate on this memory as you go back. Focus yourself.

                Focus myself. Got it.

                Now go back. Asily smiled sweetly, and just that quickly I felt my weight on my feet. I nearly stumbled from the unexpected pressure, but Ryder was grasping my arms.

                “Dammit, Taylor! What happened?”

                “I was on the Gods’ plane,” I breathed, blinking my eyes back into focus. The flood of dream detail, the horror and the bleak pain that continued to poison them all, played through my mind.

                “What are you talking about?” Talon was clearly taken aback. “How would you know about that? Why were you brought here?” Just like that, his anger, now mixed with confusion, was directed toward me.

                I realized this drama had nothing to do with me being here or my questioning of authority. This was a family still grieving over the tragic loss of their daughter. This horrible argument was a refusal to accept and grieve in a healthy, meaningful way, which meant they had never been able to move on and live freely. It was hurting all of them. Asily could see this, and she wanted to see them all heal.