Chapter 18: The Vision

Lucinda

Well this could be a lot worse.

On the other hand, it could be a lot better too.

Beta William was at our head, walking ahead. He chatted occasionally with the warrior, a lean, muscular man. Lexi plodded beside me, her eyes set straight ahead of her. I sighed. She had been pensive since they had told me about this trip; I supposed she was worried, as was I. We had been walking for twenty-four hours, stopping only to eat and drink. Our indomitable bodies could handle the strain, so we were okay, albeit a bit tired.

We crossed a border into the territory of the Shadow Pack. Hallelujah. I glanced at Lexi in hopes of seeing her brighten, but no.

Why is she so blue? My other voice said.

I don't know, but I'm gonna do something about it. She's my friend.

She's your friend maybe, not mine.

Are you deranged? Of course she's your friend, you're a part of me.

Yeah, right. But I have to protect you, and I don't trust her.

How can you not trust her when I do?

Oh, don't be daft! Just because we share this body doesn't mean we're the same, dumbass! And for the record, I am the smarter one.

I rolled my eyes.

Wait, share this body? Where have I heard that before?

I rattled my brain, wondering where I had heard it.

Aha! Lexi told me that she and her wolf share a body! So that meant... my inside voice was actually my wolf?! I cautiously "spoke" to the other voice.

Hi?

Hello.

Are you... my wolf?

No, I'm Lexi's.

So... She's listening right now?

Like I said, I'm the smarter one. No, scratch that, I'm the smart one, since you're not smart at all. WHOSE ELSE WOULD I BE!?!?! She screamed.

Alright!  But why didn't you tell me?

I was waiting for your slow brain to figure it out. Took you long enough.

Fine. So what's your name?

Veli.

Nice name.

I know. I wouldn't chose a bad name, any more than you would.

I... How do you know I chose my own name?

To save time, I know everything you know. I'm in on all your conversations and thoughts, you know.

Oh.

***

Lexi

I did not say much during our journey to the Shadow Pack house. I was entirely absorbed in keeping my mind away from the dark magic that threatened to get too close to me.

I snapped out of my reverie when we arrived at the Shadow Pack house, which was slightly larger than ours. Alpha couple Ryan and Dawn Fraser welcomed us warmly and handed is over to the Beta female's care.

"Alright girls," she said briskly. "You can settle down and rest for the rest of the day. The Alphas will see you tomorrow, you have an appointment with them in the morning at ten. I hear you intend to spend time in the library?" said she curiously.

"Yes," I said.

"Brilliant. You have complete access to the library on the fourth floor, where no one will disturb you. You will leave before daybreak tomorrow night."

I nodded curtly and grabbed Cindy's arm to steer her away before she could vex the Beta female with anything.

We ended up in our room and I plopped onto the bed.

"Okay," she chirped. "What'll we do first?"

I groaned.

Before I knew it, she flopped down beside me next to the wall. She then proceeded to push me off.

"Cindy!" I scolded, annoyed as I landed on my butt on the floor.

She peeked over the edge of the bed at me, a devious smirk on her stunning features.

"Get off," I ordered. Pointing to the other bed, I snapped, "This is my bed; yours is over there."

She blinked in mock surprise. "Oh, but Lexi," she said in a fake innocent voice,"This is my bed. I booked it as soon as we got here."

"Did not!"

"Did too."

"You didn't!"

"I did!"

"Didn't!"

"Did!"

"DIDN'T!!"

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Lexi, but this is my bed whether you like it or not. As far as I can see, I'm on, you're off. Doesn't matter who got on first. Finders keepers."

"Finders keepers?" I growled.

"Loosers weepers," she growled back.

I pounced on her. A brief, lively scuffle ensued, during which we tangled each other up and each of us landed a few blows. Unfortunately, we found ourselves rolling on the cold, hard floor.

But neither of us would give in, so both of us laid ourselves down on the same bed, and slept soundly until morning.

***

We were led to the library where thousands of books lined the walls and shelves to the ceiling. It was warm and cosy, with easy reclining chairs, ancient statues, and paintings scattered everywhere. The rug before the fireplace was so inviting I cursed, grudging Cindy her luck. She, meanwhile, clapped her hands and pranced when she saw it. I told her I had to leave and she waved me away with barely a glance.

I left, shutting the door behind me. Now that Cindy was safe in the library, I could get to the meeting.

Alpha Fraser gave me more information than I could possibly need, telling me all about the shifters, their manners of communication, where he supposed they lived, and the most disturbing of all, that he suspected they want to begin a full-blown war. He said that some of his young wolves had been taken too. According to him, young wolves were targeted not only for their weaknesses, but also because the younger a wolf, the more the life force that could be taken, enriching the shifters with great power.

This was going to be a problem; a huge one.

At the end of the meeting, Alpha Fraser handed me a letter to deliver to my Alpha.

I said my goodbyes and went to find Cindy.

As expected, she was still holed up in the library. What I didn't expect was that she had read herself to sleep. I laughed quietly and stroked her silky, copper-colored hair.

My eyes glowed white as I stared at her. I was suddenly pulled into a vision.

I saw her crash out the window of some building, a girl in her arms. I saw the girl deal her three sharp slaps and drag her to her feet. Then I saw fire; lots of fire. Somewhere in the fire, I saw my brother running, trying to get out of the building. Cindy was outside, trying to run in but my parents were holding her back. I, meanwhile, was pleading with them to let her go. I heard the me in the vision say that she's the only one who can help him.

The vision disappeared and I came back to earth with a gasp. I blinked several times as I tried to get my bearings. With a sigh I fell back on the couch.

As was the case with visions, in some twisted way, Cindy and Tyler have already met in the future.

And Cindy would be the only one who could help him.