Visionary Wolves

Chapter 7: Greetings Chosen

After a moment, Hadleigh realized where they were.

“I know this place," Hadleigh told Keiron.

“Me too. It's how I knew you were mine."

They walked together hand in hand. Toward the center was the lilac tree. This time it had green leaves on its branches.

Their footsteps were floating. Though there were no flowers, they could smell the intense scent that reminded them both of spring from when they were young pups. It had been a very long time since Hadleigh had seen any lilac flowers, she realized.

When they arrived at the single tree they knew to sit in front of it. Once off their feet, they waited. A figure emerged from a foggy essence and walked toward the couple.

"Hello again," said Hadleigh. It was the best she could do. It's hard to know what to say to a goddess.

"Greetings."

“Hello," Keiron said quietly. Selene smiled at him.

Warm pink feathers continued to drop like snow around them. The scenery was tranquil. The goddess walked closer and glanced at Keiron.

“Do you have any questions for me, while I'm here?"

“How are my parents?"

“They miss you but they're with you every day." He nodded, pursing his lips to hold back any emotionality. Hadleigh took note, trying to avoid staring. Selene was shimmering as she crouched down to them. “I believe you're here for another reason."

“We didn't do this by choice. It just happened," Hadleigh explained.

“Oh, yes. My two of four. It may take some time but you will gain control of your visions. You must. It can be dangerous to be here for too long."

“Why shouldn't we connect with you for long?" Keiron asked.

“Lucien," she whispered.

“Is that who was here last time?" Hadleigh asked.

“Yes. And you young one," she pointed to Keiron. “I know your name but I shall never speak it. Keep it a secret as long as you can. If he finds out, he'll try to kill you first."

In an instant, the room became dark and black smoke wafted upward. The once purple flowers and pink feathers that fell were now burnt pieces of paper and ash. Selene pulled the mates, hiding them behind the lilac tree.

She pointed to the figure. Before her, again in the southeast corner stood the man with platinum hair, red eyes, and long fingernails. His fangs were elongated and the sneer on his lips was menacing.

Selene motioned for the wolves to be quiet. Then, Lucien bound Selene in black ropes covering her mouth. The mates stared at Lucien as he slowly turned his head toward them. How could he do that to a goddess?

“Hadleigh," Lucien said deeply. His voice was accompanied by several whispered voices, echoing her name. She gasped and turned to Keiron and he pulled her to him very tightly.

Lucien floated in front of them. A malicious smile turned up the left side of his mouth as he studied her. “Hadleigh Eyres. That's your name."

He reached out to touch the lilac tree. It became blackened and the green leaves that were there immediately died. They fell onto the mates in a clump. Lucien studied Keiron.

“I'm not familiar with you. Why?" He reached his hand to Keiron but immediately winced upon making contact. “That cannot be." He stared at his fingers and then back at Keiron.

Then with a flash of black, he was gone. The vision instantaneously cut out. Keiron and Hadleigh stared at one another in trepidation.

“What was that?" Hadleigh gasped.

“I know him. He's a vampire and he wants our blood. Mine and yours."

“I've seen him before too. Why does he want us?"

“We're Visionaries. There's something I've trained myself to do. We can do it for a short time when we're tethered. I can bring you to my mind and I'll show you what I know."

*Keiron's Memory*

It was a cooler, early spring morning when Keiron learned of his father's death. He had been standing outside watching the sunrise. The light in the sky was just cresting over the far-off mountains. Its illumination captured a feeling of hope, which stood out to him since hope was a feeling that was sparsely present as of late because of his dreams.

The re-emergence of birds who had been silent since late November signaled the time of year as their perky chirps echoed in one of the raspberry bushes. The sound of the nearby river rushing was another cue. The snow from the mountains was melting again.

New life was already sprouting underneath his feet. The tiny blades of grass were yearning for the surface from underneath the old, stick-like remains of the prior season. He bent down and caressed a plump, curved shoot of grass. The earth felt slightly softer and the scents that permeated the air were pleasant.

When he had woken up that morning, he wanted to speak to his dad. There were dreams that he was having that weren't making sense. If his father wasn't available he would seek out his mother's advice, who was just as capable and comfortable with counseling, if not more so. He'd wanted to do this but had gotten up far earlier than his parents to admire the morning.

When he lifted his eyes again to the horizon he was greeted with another pleasant aroma. He followed it until it led him to his mother's kitchen. While standing behind her, he watched her cook. She didn't need to do this. They had plenty of servers who would be more than happy to help but on Sundays, she had a particular affinity for making her family breakfast.

After Keiron set the table his mother called his brother Faeden to come downstairs. When he didn't answer, she let it go but after another ten minutes, she called again. No answer. Her request for Keiron to check on Faeden would alter his life permanently.

Keiron climbed the steps slowly, attempting to hear if Faeden was playing games again or sneaking friends into his room to drink. Hearing nothing, he continued. With a furrowed brow, he sought the scent of his kin up yet another set of stairs.

The smell of adrenaline was strong in the air, yet Keiron did not panic. That hormone could be present for a variety of reasons. An intense workout, a scary movie, or the fear of getting caught were all legitimate scenarios.

When he arrived at his father's door, the aroma of his brother was elevated and the cortisol wafting in the air was stronger. Faeden's heartbeat and labored breathing were other indicators of intense physicality or fear. Keiron opened the door.

There on the floor was Faeden attempting to revive his father using CPR. He was pumping on his chest. Sweat was pouring down his face. Keiron swiftly moved next to Faeden and asked what happened. Faeden had little information to give other than he came in and found their father like that on the floor. Keiron asked what he could do but Faeden just stared at him, his eyes welling with tears, and he shook his head.

"I've been in here doing this for twenty minutes," Faeden explained. "Didn't you hear me calling?" He breathed intensely, continuing to pump on his father's chest. Keiron shook his head and then tried pulling his brother off his father. Faeden immediately began screaming at his brother to let him go which prompted his mother's rapid, light footsteps to dart up the stairs.

When she flew into the room she dropped to her knees. She stared at her husband while listening to her son yell. Her eyes met Keiron's and after a knowing nod from her, he knew there was no hope. He let his brother go.

Faeden tried reviving him again but this time it was his mother to pull him off. Her gentle, yet firm touch coupled with her serious gray eyes made him relinquish.

Their healer, Jasmine, came and brought the body to her office. She performed a basic autopsy and concluded that it was his heart. A sudden freak heart attack. To think that with all the threats out there, a simple bodily malfunction would take his life was unheard of.

What was behind the sudden death of Keiron's father?