Page 122 of Visions & Shadows

Trees rush by, and they’re driving down a narrow road. The air coming through the open window is chilly.

They drive past a sign that reads ‘James Street’ and something else that’s a bit of a blur.

They laugh again as Doug takes a right and turns into a parking area. He finds a parking spot, and they start walking toward a huge building.

I glance around and realize they’re at a hospital.

“Ready for chemo, sis?” Doug asks. I can hear tension in his voice.

My heartbeat speeds up, and my eyes dart to Sarah. She smiles up at Doug and hooks her arm into his. “I have to be. It’s this or nothing.”

“They could be wrong, you know.” he tries to encourage her while hugging her tightly to him.

Sarah turns her face into Doug’s shoulder, and I catch the heartache she’s trying to hide from him.

“What if the chemo doesn’t work? They said I only have a couple of months left. I might not make it, and I don’t want to leave you.”

Her panic is raw and real, and I desperately want to take it from her.

“You’ve been doing so great,” Doug says as his palms frame her face. “You’re a fighter. You’re going to beat this.” He pulls her into another hug, and it looks like he’s trying to give all his strength to her.

God, I want to help this brother and sister, who love each other unconditionally, with all my heart.

I have to find them.

I look at the name of the hospital, then everything blurs again.

“Alchera?”

I blink, clearing the haziness still lingering around the edges of my sight.

Raighne is standing behind me. He reaches for my arm, but before he can touch me, I spin around.

“They’re in Ireland. We have to move fast. Sarah, the woman, is dying. We have to go now.”

Panic swells in my chest. I just want to find Sarah.

“She’s what?” Raighne stares at me in disbelief.

I walk to the doorway, saying, “She has some kind of cancer and only has months to live. Maybe less than that. She needs me.”

Raighne’s hand shoots out, and he grabs my arm. “Hold up. We need to talk.”

“Now?” I take a deep breath before glancing at him. “We don’t have time to talk. We need to find Sarah and Doug.”

I yank my arm free and walk straight to the station wagon. Without looking back, I get into the vehicle.

The last thing I want is to talk about my feelings while my chosen ones need me.

By the time we finally reach the motel, I don’t care that it looks rat-invested.

Jason and Finian arrange three rooms, and I have no choice but to follow Raighne to ours.

“Go shower,” he mutters as soon as he shuts the door behind us.

Letting out a sigh, I head to the bathroom, and when I’m finally alone, I close my eyes and fight to keep my chaotic emotions from exploding all over the place.

Everything’s becoming too much for me to handle.

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