Page 24 of Visionary

Vea nodded. “By the stars.” When Vea smiled, another tear fell. Her dark eyes were glassy as they filled with tears. “It’s why I changed plans and had you two stay here together. I knew everything would happen as it was supposed to.” Vea readjusted on the couch. “Being bound doesn’t mean that you’re destined to be with each other no matter what. Circumstances have to align. You both have to be ready to accept the bond for it to solidify.”

I had read about bound beings in one of the books Ceril had. “I think we are already bound,” I said, looking at Aiden and glancing down at his chest where I had bitten him just hours earlier. He glanced at my neck, the mark nearly gone, now only a soft red mark barely visible.

Vea smiled, “Okay.” She rubbed my back, and I flinched when she touched my scars. “I’m so sorry!” She gasped when she realized what she did. I just shook my head and told her not to worry about it. Aiden was so good about avoiding them. I didn’t think twice anymore. Her touch hurt but not as bad as usual. “I needed to have this conversation with you both, in person. Aiden, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“Why are you apologizing? I never wanted to know anything. I always knew my father as a waste of space. He still is if you ask me.”

“We should go. We shouldn’t be here too long.” Vea grabbed my hands. “We will figure this out, Severn. Please don’t be discouraged. Either of you.” When she grabbed Aiden and my hands together, something felt like it fell into place.

After she let go, Aiden gripped my hand tightly. I squeezed back just as tight.

We stood together and walked over to the small door to say our goodbyes before Mitz and Vea left.

Aiden looked at me with admiration. He kissed me softly, and I pulled him into a hug. “Severn?” His voice was quiet. “I’m an Animus, aren’t I?”

“Yeah. You are.” I replied, hugging him tighter.

27

AIDEN

Severn and I stood in the kitchen having a sweet treat before going to bed when my phone went off in the living room. We both walked over and sat on the couch while I picked up my phone and read the message.

Milo

Are Mitz and Vea still there?

Me

No, they left hours ago. Why?

Milo

No one has heard from them…

I tapped Milo’s name on the screen immediately to call him. I spoke first when he answered. “What do you mean no one has heard from them? They left almost three hours ago.”

“Just that. Vea was supposed to go to Des’s tonight for dinner but never showed up. We can’t get in touch with her or Mitz.”

“Someone needs to drive up this way and take a look around. We can’t risk going out.”

“No. Neither of you leave,” Milo said quickly. “I’ll keep you updated.”

Hanging up the phone, I looked at Severn. “Vea and Mitz are missing. No one has heard from them since they were here.”

Severn set his pudding down and looked at me, concerned. “What?”

“Someone is going to come up this way and check things out. They are looking everywhere.”

There was nothing I hated more than sitting around and waiting to hear something when I should be out trying to find them. Severn and I sat in silence on the couch, nothing on the TV, neither of us touched our phones. We just waited to hear something.

Finally, I stood from the couch and stormed off to my room. “I can’t just sit here anymore,” I said as I pushed the door to my room open and began pulling clothes out.

Severn was close behind me and pulled me away from the dresser. “Aiden, stop. What are you doing?”

Without hesitation, I replied. “I’m going to go look for them.”

“Whoa, hang on. This could just be a way for them to lure us out or something.”