What if he was a dead man walking?
What would Ronan do without him?
How could their family survive his loss?
Ten had more questions than answers, but one thing was for certain, with the help of friends and family, he knew they’d find a way through what was to come. Together.
13
Ronan
Ronan’s hands shook as he paced through Jude’s living room. River hadn’t given him any details about what they’d uncovered in Ten’s dreams, which scared him more than anything. While they waited for Ten and River to arrive, Jude was busy making phone calls. He’d spoken with Cole, Carson, and Madam Aurora. They were all coming by. Cope would bring Everly. Ronan had been against the idea at first, but Fitzgibbon pointed out that her gift was stronger than anyone’s.
His friends were right. The things Everly could do at her age staggered other psychics. Aurora especially. She’d had her gifts from a young age just like Everly, but she hadn’t come into the real power of them until she was much older. As much as Ronan hated to admit it, they needed Everly here.
From the corner of his eye, Ronan saw movement near the stairs. Everyone had met on the street and were on their way into the house.
“Daddy!” Everly ran to Ronan and wrapped her arms around him. The others filed into the house behind her. “I missed you today when you were working.”
Guilt swamped Ronan. He’d promised to take the entire school vacation week off to spend with her and here he was breaking his word. “I missed you too, honey, but we need your help.”
“I know.” Everly nodded solemnly. “But I’m not sure how much help I can be. Remember I told you I was having trouble with my gift?”
“I remember, but you’re the smartest little girl I know, even without your gift working at full power, I’m sure you’re going to be able to help us figure out what’s going on. Okay?”
“Okay,” Everly agreed. She looked as if she had more to say, but Ten and River walked into the house and Everly ran to them, hugging her father, then her uncle.
“Why don’t we all have a seat,” Ten said, offering Cope an apologetic look. “We called everyone together because I need help. I’ve been having this recurring nightmare. Last night I was able to see a bit more of what it’s trying to show me. I thought I had it all figured out, but River pointed out that a different solution was possible.” Ten offered River a grateful look.
“What is this dream about?” Cole asked.
“Cope knows a little, but before I say anything more, I want you all to try to see it for yourself. When you’re all done, we’ll talk it over.” Ten shut his eyes. Ronan could see he was working on his breathing exercises.
The house was quiet for several minutes. The only sound Ronan could hear, aside from his own heart pounding in his ears, was the kitchen clock ticking. His gut roiled. What the hell could River have figured out about the dream that he and Ten hadn’t been able to see themselves?
“Who wants to go first?” Ten asked, looking around the living room at his friends.
“You’re scared out of your mind, for starters,” Carson said. “For yourself, Ronan, and Everly, but I can’t see why. The picture is just beyond my reach, like something on a high shelf.”
Anyone who knew Ten would be able to see he was scared. Ten’s body turned in on itself, like he was trying to make himself smaller. His usually sunny demeanor was gone and the corners of his mouth drooped down.
“I see a woman in a sparkly pink dress. She’s screaming, but I can’t make out what she’s saying,” Cole frowned.
“Aurora?” Ten asked.
The older woman dabbed her eyes. “Oh, Ten. I’m so sorry.” Cole wrapped his arm around Aurora and started whispering to her.
“Ten, what the hell is going on?” Ronan’s heart pounded like a jackhammer. Terror like he’d never known in his life swamped through him. What he didn’t know was where the danger was coming from.
Ten pointed to their daughter. “I’ll explain everything in a moment. I want to hear what Everly has to say.”
All eyes turned to Everly, who sat on the living room floor with her back to the darkened television. It was the spot she usually sat in when it was movie night at Jude and Cope’s house. She sat with her legs crossed and her head bowed. When she lifted her head, she wore an angry look.
“Are you okay?” Ten asked.
“No, Daddy, I’mnotokay. Why couldn’t I see any this before?” Everly asked.
“Why don’t you tell me what you see, then we can talk about it, okay?” Ten sounded calm, but Ronan could tell he was anything but.
