Free Seeing is Believing by Michelle Graves Page B

everyone has been waiting for you.” The way Conall leveled me with his stare sent chills rushing down my spine.
    I looked to Ian for help, but all I got in return was a look of trepidation. It seemed neither of us wanted to take the first step into the house. This wasn’t my first rodeo, though, so I would bite the bullet and take the plunge.
     

 
     
    The house bombarded me with despair as I entered. The loss felt by all of the Seers and Guardians coalesced and threatened to topple me. Gasping for air, I bent, trying to block out all of the emotions, but failing miserably.
    “Sena!” Conall shouted to the house.
    A sudden rush of calm washed away the fear, pain, and despair. I looked up into the eyes of a Seer I’d never met. Her face betrayed no emotion.
    “Thank you. I don’t know what you did, but thank you.” I wiped tears from my face, attempting to stand upright once more. Somehow, in the span of a few seconds, I’d begun impersonating Quasimodo.
    “If it ever becomes too much, just let me know. I can help,” she said, turning to walk up the stairs. “If you would please follow me, we have been waiting.”
    “Who is she?” I whispered to Ian, hoping he would know what had just happened.
    “I don’t know,” Ian replied, his entire body rigid.
    “Are you all right? If we need to leave, we can. You say the word.” Threading my fingers in his, I hoped I could give him what little strength I still possessed.
    “We can’t leave. They deserve better from us.” Ian’s reply was despondent, as if there were no other choice but to face what he’d been running from for thousands of years.
    “He wouldn’t have asked this of you, and neither would she.”
    “Perhaps not, but I should have been here. I shouldn’t have turned my back on them when they needed me the most.” Ian’s choked reply was interrupted by a woman that looked shockingly familiar.
    “Welcome home, my love,” the woman said, wrapping her arms around Ian.
    “This has not been my home for many years, Mona.” Ian tried to pull away, but the woman held firm.
    “Nonsense, this has always been your home. You left because you needed to. You were always destined to return.” Mona pulled back, resting a hand on Ian’s cheek. Her gaze turned toward me, and I saw something in her eyes I’d never seen in her sister’s. This woman channeled unimaginable power. “You must be Molly.”
    “Yes,” I squeaked out, again unsure what I should be doing. Maybe a curtsy would be appropriate?
    “It is an honor to finally meet you.” Mona reached for my hand to hold it tightly in hers.
    “Finally?” I asked. The whole situation had knocked me off balance from the moment I stepped foot in the door.
    “There is much to be discussed. Some questions will have to wait, while others can be addressed now. First, let’s get you settled. Sena will show you to your room, then we will review what has transpired and what is yet to come.” Officially dismissed, she turned and walked back into her room, shutting the door behind her.
    “If you will follow me, I have your room ready,” Sena said, her eyes still glossed with tears.
    “Thank you.” I reached out for her hand to squeeze it.
    “It’s just a room, I’m not giving you a kidney or anything,” Sena responded.
    “No, not for the room, for earlier. I don’t know what you did, but that was the first time in a long time I haven’t been overwhelmed by what everyone was feeling.” My talents had developed in a way not even Xavier had anticipated. They had all thought I would just be able to read minds, but instead, I was becoming an empath.
    “Like I said, if you need me, let me know. Lord knows I’ve had to calm dog boy down enough.” Sena looked over to Conall who was glowering back in her direction.
    “I thought we’d discussed the name,” he all but growled, giving credence to her nickname.
    “Don’t be so sensitive,” Sena responded, stopping outside of a door. “This is