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I rubbed my hands over my face.
“Adam?” Dalton gained my attention again and he winced. “What happened? Did you hear someone?”
“Dad,” I admitted. “I heard him speaking to another man. They whispered, and I was almost a floor above them. There’s no way I should have heard them. But I wondered what they were saying, and then I could hear them.”
Dalt’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, um, that’s new.”
Bard grunted and nodded. No one said anything to hurry him along. We’d learned long ago that Bard would speak when he was sure we were ready to hear what he needed to say.
Time passed as Cal appeared to be asleep. Technically in the real world he was, but could someone sleep in the dream world too? Chris tried not to wince or appear in pain. Dalt’s jaw clenched and unclenched with the pain he also felt.
“All of you have bonded.” Bard gave each of us a look as we confirmed with nods. All except Carmon, who lay without moving. Bard knew Cal had bonded with Sylee, though. They’d already been bonded when we’d trudged through Bard’s Forest to save Sylee’s family.
“Our bond opened up more.” Jeff added more information when Bard did not continue to speak. “The girls can now talk to all of us, and we can talk to them. Our emotions come through too.”
Bard nodded. “That is good.”
Drew still lacked patience and was the first to fold. “What is it, Bard? My girl and babies are out there, and I need to protect them.”
Our uncle shook his head. “No, you do not need to protect them, Lord Earth. They are well and need this separation to grow in their powers. Do not think of them as weak.”
Drew grunted and shook his head. “Jazz may be the tiniest woman on this continent, but I will never consider her weak again. She may be stronger than me.”
“I never thought I would feel so alone without Grace,” Dalton admitted. “This is our first time apart since our bonding. I don’t like it.”
“Tessa can kick my butt like none other,” Jeff smiled at a memory, “but she’s so young. I’ve never worried about someone more than her.”
Bard’s eyes gleamed at my brothers’ admissions. “I am glad you are all well bonded and have opened your hearts. Now, it is time for you to grow even more.”
“How so?” In the back of my mind pots and pans banged. “Shoot. I need to wake up, Bard.” The man cocked his head at me in question. “Someone broke into my room. The Mindolin wants my blood. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling he shouldn’t have it. I spoke with Life—"
Bard looked shocked. “You spoke to Life?”
“Um, yeah?”
He shook his head. “Life is missing, Adam.”
Even Cal’s eyes opened and focused on Bard. “Missing? Since when?”
“She’s been missing since the Mindolin took over my forest.”
All of us exchanged looks.
“What did you say?” Chris asked, stuttering through his words. “I mean, how do you know she’s missing?”
Bard looked at us like we were crazy. “The only reason the Mindolin could take over my forest is if Life was missing or allowed it for some reason.”
Drew shook his head. “We’ve seen her. She conducted the treaty meeting. She’s the one who told us about the history of the Elementals and Mindolin.”
Jeff’s face had paled, much like everyone else’s. “Why would Life allow the Mindolin access to Bard’s Forest? I mean, that’s the only explanation, right?”
Bard’s brows drew down as his jaw tightened. “Find Life, and you will find your answers.” He looked to me. “Stay where you are, Adam. Do what you can to keep Carmon alive and make your father trust you.”
“Onyx said something about a betrayal,” I admitted. “Please tell me I’ve already done that. I can’t betray my brothers further.”
Bard shrugged. “I am not a seer.”
That was helpful.
