Uncharted

Questions

Claire had to hold back a smile, the kid was too mature for his age. When he acted all macho like this she couldn't help but laugh at his innocence. Shaking her head and holding up her hand as if to silence him she just began speaking casually before he was able to start. "As always my dear you have all the questions. But as always I can only answer a few as I do not know all. However, your father and my mate Ivan may have answers I do not." Claire's smile beamed speaking of Ivan and then she blushed and smacked Ivan's arm.

Well, that was kind of easy, some answers down. Brayden thought of where to go from here. Obviously, Claire was not Lilly's mother maybe start there? He looked over to Lilly as she stirred in the seat shifting so her head was now on the back of the seat. She slowly started to fall until he finally grabbed her and placed her across the seat with her head in his lap. This reminded him of her attempt to torture him earlier causing the blood to quickly flow back down to just below Lilly’s head. God just having her sleeping head in his lap was a turn, how was that even possible? He had almost forgotten there were other people in the car until his father cleared his throat.

"Do you really wish to ask of her family while she sleeps son?" James' words snapped Brayden out of his thoughts. Brayden made eye contact with James through the rearview mirror before nodding once without any hesitation. "I will answer your questions to the best of my knowledge but I will guarantee she will not enjoy finding all this out after you. Trust me she will be furious just like last time, her hair is red after all."

“What do you mean last time?” Brayden asked thoroughly confused looking at each adult’s eyes before him.

The three in front of him exchanged glances before sharing a laugh as if they had just shared an inside joke. They continued in silence as Brayden sat waiting for them to respond. Looking down at Lilly he somehow knew he had to continue she would be mad but she would get over it. She always did, and this time he could do a lot more than just tickle her to make her forget why she was mad. Again feeling himself become tight, Brayden finally looked up asking the most important thing to him right now. "If you're not Lilly's mother where is she?"

The atmosphere in the car immediately shifted and restless glances were again shared. Finally, James started by saying, "Son it may be best to start from the beginning. At least your beginning."

“Dad what do you mean by my beginning?” Brayden said fighting an oncoming headache, his eye twitching as he forced back the pain.

“Well before I answer any more questions just give in to the pain, I bet it will answer all your questions.” James said, and with that, the flood of memories began to flow through Brayden’s mind as if an entire lifetime flashed before his eyes.

“How many times have we done this?” Brayden said in between flashes.

“That I know of?” James asked again glancing back in the mirror.

“Sure?” Brayden said then seeing a conversation between him and Lilly that led to them jumping through time. “Oh!” Brayden said without thinking.

“I think it best you just sit back and let your mind remember.” James said and the car became suddenly quiet as Brayden watched multiple lifetimes play before his eyes. Multiple battles and dreams he had previously had that he now realizes were not dreams but memories surfacing.

After an hour of driving the car finally pulled to the front of what appeared to be a small wooden cabin. Brayden gently placed Lilly on the seat now with more care. As he went to get out of the car James stopped him by saying, "Son I look forward to catching up. But for now, I think it best you inform Lilliana of both your roles in this war. This is something she must hear from you. And when her memories come to her, it may be best you two be in private." He placed his big hand on Brayden's shoulder giving it a squeeze. James looked out to the forest around the cabin and the small lake at the end of a small stone path. Finally returning his gaze and finishing his thought by adding. "This ground is protected so should she need to spar with you to release energy or even some anger." A low chuckle escaped his lips as he practically laughed the next sentence. "Or if she even wants to practice magic she is safe to. It has been quite some time since she tested her full power." James returned to his stone emotionless face before adding. "But please don't wait too long both your mothers have waited anxiously for this day. I am afraid once they see Claire, after she and Ivan 'catch up' they'll come looking for you. You've got an hour maybe two."

“Dad I have a lot of questions though, and a lot of weird gaps in my memories though.” Brayden said reaching out to grab his dad’s arm before he could let him go.

“Son you’ll be fine, right now she needs you more than you need me.” Again James laughs before adding, “And I can tell you both are having a hard time keeping your hands off each other. Between you two and Ivan and Claire, I felt like I was stuck in a car of hormonal teenagers. I mean technically you two are, Claire and Ivan on the other hand.” James just shook his head before sighing and saying, “I believe you know how to find me when you need me. But please for the love of God should you two go any further than you did in the car, go to your room. We have young ears that have been added since you were last here.”

Brayden chuckled and nodded while waiting until everyone had gone inside before opening the door by where he had placed Lilly's head. To his surprise, Lilly had completely shifted back into a sitting position and was using the door as a pillow. Brayden acted quickly catching her and placing her upright in the seat. The sudden jolt brought Lilly to full attention reaching for her wrist. Brayden grabbed both her hands squatting down saying in a soothing voice. "Lil it’s okay, it’s just me. I have a few things we need to talk about before I let you go okay?"