I pull my attention back to the task at hand as Theo’s fingertips curl into my skin.
“Watch it,” Sebastian growls.
“Can it,” Toshi says from the window sill. “At least give her this.”
But the more I focus, the more muddled the voices become. I can hear many people speaking at once, but none of them sound like Kyle. It’s like I’m swimming through a sea of sound, trying to reach out for the hand of the person I’m looking for. Spirits are swimming and swirling around me, like the current of the ocean that drags a branch out to sea. I feel myself sinking further into the darkness. I feel the sounds of the voices weighing me down. Some of them are whispering, and some of them are screaming.
But none of them are Kyle.
“War is coming.”
“Famine will follow.”
“Tell my girl I love her. Tell her she’s protected.”
“Mom?” I ask. “Is that you?”
Her presence hits me like a brick wall, and it leaves me breathless.
“You are protected, my sweet girl,” she says.
“Mom,” I say breathlessly. “Where’s Kyle? Where is he?”
“Kyle?” my father asks. “Who’s that?”
“Daddy,” I say with a catch in my throat.
I can feel my lip trembling as Theo clamps his hand down onto my skin.
“What’s happening?” Toshi asks.
“Shut up,” Theo grumbles.
“Listen, you don’t have much time, princess,” my father says.
“Why? Why don’t I have time?” I ask.
“We need you to know that you’re protected. You’ll be safe from what’s coming.”
“What is it?” I ask. “What’s coming? Where’s Kyle?”
“I don’t know who Kyle is,” my father says.
“Stay strong, sweetheart,” my mother says. “Keep your head high and keep looking over your shoulder. And when it seems to get to be too much, don’t leave. I promise you things will be okay.”
“But where’s Kyle?” I ask with a whimper.
Suddenly, the connection is lost. Theo’s hand lifts from my knee as I curl into myself. I don’t care any longer. I don’t care about them seeing me cry. I hold my stomach and fold myself in two and sob as the light of the fire dances along my skin.
Sebastian slides from his chair and wraps his arm around me, pulling me between his thighs as I curl into his touch. Theo is stroking my hair, sending shivers down my back. Toshi sits in front of me.
Cupping my hands within his.
“It’s okay,” Sebastian says. “We’re here.”
“Why couldn’t we reach Kyle?” I ask.
I sniffle and lean my head back to look at Theo.