Page 46 of Sight of Fate

“Roughly, six weeks ago,” he replies.

Maureen thinks about it, then shakes her head. “No, there must be another reason.”

There’s only one other reason it could be. Straightening, I take a deep breath and hold my hand out. “Maybe she saw me get a vision.” It’s the only explanation that makes sense.

Maureen looks at my hand and quickly grasps it with hers as if she’s afraid I’m going to change my mind. The moment our hands meet, the vision pulls me under.

Raine in dark jeans and a black sweater, running down a sterile white hallway, stopping every few feet to peer into a room. At the last one, she sucks in a breath and pushes open the door. Inside, a dark-complected man is strapped to a bed by thick, silver chains. Long, shaggy hair and an unkempt beard obscure most of his face. His big body is emaciated, practically a skeleton. Dead man walking. His eyes snap open. Amber with a gold hue, they burn with fury. Raine hurries over, but instead of freeing him, she bends down to whisper in his ear.

“Mavros, blink if you understand,” she murmurs. When he does, her shoulders slump with relief. “I’m so sorry. Just a little longer.” His lips are firm as his raspy voice orders her to leave.

Raine in a small room with two cots. Instead of street clothes, she’s wearing a hospital gown. Sitting. Hand in hand with a young girl. Dark hair, even darker eyes full of fear. Native American features.

Seconds go by. The door to their room opens. I gasp and open my eyes. Tremors build into a full-body shake. Macklin’s phone buzzes, and he glances at the screen, then types a message.

Clarissa jumps up and runs into the other room, returning a second later. She slips a chain over my neck and drops a stone into my shirt. “Press it against your heart. The stone will balance the spikes of energy and power happening inside you.”

I grasp it, but I can’t keep my hand still. Macklin pulls me into his lap and covers mine with his, pressing the stone to the center of my chest. “Breathe.”

Maureen leans forward. “Tell me what you saw. Please. I need to know where my daughter is.” Her fingers reach out and grip my upper arm.

Macklin’s face hardens, and a blue glow appears in his eyes. “Release her.” When she refuses to listen, a low growl emerges from his chest. “Don’t make me kick you out.”

She rears back, an affronted expression on her face. “This is coven territory, you can’t…”

“And Greystone is my city,” he snarls, cutting her off.

Clarissa grabs Maureen and pulls her to her feet. “Let’s give them some time.”

After they leave, Macklin shifts his attention to me. “Better?”

“Yes,” I breathe, cocooned in his arms. I stare up at him and wish for the hundredth time I was a sculptor. Not only because the lines of his face are perfectly symmetrical and classic. But my drawings can’t convey the combination of raw beauty and power he exudes. “Beautiful.”

Lowering his head, he smiles. “I think you’re seeing things. How many fingers am I holding up?” He lifts our hands.

“Two,” I reply. My hand seems so tiny compared to his. “I’m good now. The lodestone helped tremendously.” I shift to get up, and his arms tighten. “I…”

“How is she?” Clarissa asks, entering the room.

I stiffen, and Macklin reluctantly loosens his arms. “I’m better. Can you find me a pencil and some paper?”

She hurries off.

“Thank you,” I murmur, pressing my hand to his chest. “You’ve got a good heart, Macklin.” For some reason, his smile falls away.

Clarissa returns, along with Maureen, breaking up our staring contest. I carefully ease out of Macklin’s arms and move to my chair. With fast, quick strokes, I draw every detail of my vision.

“Where is she?” Maureen screeches, shuffling through the papers. Tears pour down her face as she studies the image of her daughter.

I tap on the words she’d whispered in his ear. “She told Mavros we would save him. That’s the address. Maybe he’ll be able to lead us to her.”

Macklin picks up the drawing, and his brows draw together. “Mavros isn’t a resident of Greystone.” He tilts his head. “But I’ve seen him. Somewhere. Mind if I borrow this?”

“Go ahead.” Clarissa puts an arm around Maureen. “Raine’s smart. And she has faith in this young woman and her visions.” Her violet eyes flick to me with a skeptical look. “We have to trust she sees the bigger picture.” She lifts her chin toward me. “When you’re ready, the coven will be here.”

I nod, although I have no intention of joining.

Macklin helps me stand, then keeps an arm around me as we walk to the front where Joy is helping a customer. Her brown eyes are full of curiosity, but she simply points to the white paper bag on the counter.