Amelia was a statuesque woman with grey hair styled in an elegant bob that framed her heart-shaped face. Her blue-green eyes sparkled with a sharp intelligence, and her stylish, eclectic outfit was a testament to her impeccable taste. She wore a luxurious silk blouse in a vibrant shade of turquoise, paired with a pair of sleek black trousers and a statement piece of jewelry - a diamond-encrusted necklace that glinted in the light.
At 70 years old, Amelia exuded an air of confidence and authority that was both intimidating and awe-inspiring. She stood tall, her shoulders back and her head held high, as she gazed at Selena and Liam with a piercing gaze.
Liam felt a shiver run down his spine as he met Amelia's gaze right through him. Her power was tremendous. It was almost like getting a CT scan, but one would really worry about peeing their pants if they knew Amelia Lowrie - Kinsman.
Apparently, Selena would be this powerful or even more so after her veil was lifted, which happened after she gave birth, and would diminish when a female daughter gave birth or an astonishing heir was produced.
Amelia had been blinded in her past life, as she never did the rite of mysterious passage with her heir in her last life. Her vision was eerie now. Her blue-green eyes were wide open. Her head turned as she looked at her granddaughter, then she looked at Liam, appalled.
He had always been a little intimidated by her, but he knew that he had to stand his ground. After all, he was here to support Selena, and he wasn't about to let anyone or anything get in the way of that. He stood confidently.
"Grandma?" Selena questioned, stepping forward and breaking the tension. "I'm glad to see you again so soon. Did you come to help, too? How are my parents?"
Amelia's eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. "Right on time, Selena," she said, pulling her granddaughter into a tight hug. Liam's face contorted as he saw Amelia's actions.
As Amelia took Selena's wrist in her bloody hand, Selena's eyes glazed over, and she went limp. Liam caught her, holding her close as Amelia spoke in a mysterious tone.
"Faiceamaid a' Bhan-dia," she said, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
Selena's vision began, and she saw the golden threads of fate, followed by a brilliant light that was Dônn. She noticed multiple threads of new fate emanating from her, tying her to Dônn's life energy.
Dônn's voice echoed in her mind, "Selena, you must not change the predetermined anymore. The cost is too much. You nearly returned to me."
"If you love me so much, then do not kill the people I love." Selena addressed the deity.
Dônn's voice sounded, "That is the will of the universe, my child."
Selena frowned, "It is your universe." The golden deity pulsed silently, "I do your will, I speak your words. Listen to mine in return. I save lives for you, so save lives for me."
Dônn pulsed silently, its patterns and knots and sacred geometry twisted. Her vision was filled with the future. Selena surrendered to view another future's worth of events, sadly.
As Selena had her vision, Liam was still holding her, a look of concern etched on his face.
Arthur Lowrie appeared, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Dear, the parlor would have been a better choice than the doorway," he said, his eyes narrowed on Liam.
"Oh, shush," Amelia said. He was right. The gift sight did not come with common sense or even funnily enough, good timing.
Amelia turned to Liam, her expression mysterious. "You used my donation improperly, Liam," she said, her voice low and husky. "You see, people who have brains like Selena and me need to be treated differently; it is a genetic predisposition."
Liam's eyes widened as he realized the truth. He had a eureka moment, remembering the research on tuberous sclerosis caused by the A.A implants. He recalled that Selena had suffered from the worst case of it in their past life, without an integrated implant. It was because of the 'tangle' that Amelia vaguely mentioned.
Feeling guilty, Liam watched over Selena as she lay in bed, unconscious for hours. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a terrible mistake, one that had put Selena's life in danger, but caused billions to suffer. He'd need a Seer to detangle people.
As Selena finally came to, Liam was by her side, holding her hand. "Hey, you're awake," he said, relief washing over him.
Selena looked up at him, her eyes cloudy with confusion. "What happened?" she asked, her voice weak.
Liam took a deep breath, unsure of how to explain the events that had transpired. But as he looked into Selena's eyes, he knew that he had to tell her the truth. He grabbed her hand.
Liam took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Selena's as he began to explain. "Amelia had to untangle you again, because I screwed up when I made it originally and used the Great Seers' genetic material to build it. I was trying to use it to save her granddaughter as she asked me to. Amelia was always vague, especially since the veil was never lifted."
Selena's eyes widened in shock, her face pale. This was the future Liam, the one who she saw right behind her, "You, you pushed me back here. Were you trying to kill me?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear.
Liam's eyes reddened, and he shook his head vigorously. "No, I tried to catch you. Pull you out. McKenna, she pushed you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Selena's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. "What do you mean? What happened?"
Liam rubbed his eyes, his face etched with pain. "She was always so mean to you, Selena. When I saw what she was doing, even at 70, I couldn't let her do it anymore. When she walked to section 4, where you were working,"
Liam's Adam's apple bobbed; he took a sip of water, the anxiety drying his mouth. "I recognized you when you walked into work, so I followed her when she left during the growth acceleration experiment."
Liam dried, swallowed, and continued, "When she crept up, I presume, looking to age your face more, she noticed me, and she just pushed you. I was horrified, so I grabbed you."
Selena's eyes flashed with anger, her voice rising. "That was you tugging my ankle? Why did you torture me in school?"
Liam took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Selena's. "McKenna hated you. I tried to stop her, but..I couldn't, I was a coward following my Dad's orders to protect the seer, and I protected her out of a sense of duty to Jonah."
"I was the last person to talk to Jonah. I lost my lower leg in the accident. He was drunk. He made me promise to cure McKenna and protect her. He begged." Liam said sadly, "I couldn't let him down. So I did, but in the worst way possible. I hated myself, her, and I followed my orders."
Selena's face went white, her eyes wide with shock. She felt like her whole world had been turned upside down. "So you tried to save me?"
Liam continued, his voice filled with emotion. "Yes, you were quickly getting younger, then something pulled us in. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew I had to protect you. The loop failed, and the hub was destroyed behind us. I felt a huge force push me. You became a kid and disappeared. I suddenly became young again, and I woke up here."
Selena's eyes filled with tears, her voice shaking. "How long did you know?" she asked, her heart heavy with emotion.
Liam's eyes dropped, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have been in this body since the night you almost died in the ICU. Amelia found me right away."
Selena's face contorted in pain, her voice rising. "So the Liam I grew up with and fell in love with is?"
Liam's eyes locked on Selena's, his voice filled with emotion. "I was dying there in the future, so it took a while for the memories to knit together, but I'm still here, I just remember everything, both lives. Like you do. I'm so sorry for teasing you, making it hard for you, baby. I didn't know. I was following orders."
Selena's eyes filled with tears, her voice shaking. "What orders? Did you swear fealty to her?"
Liam shook his head, "No, Amelia. When Jonah and your parents died, all we had were Monty and Edward. He could also tell us a short view into the future. As you know, only heirs who are females can see far enough to discern an outcome."
"Monty and Edward could only tell us if anything. The other Kinsman's gifts were far too weak. Although they moved around the world, we had no chance without you." He continued.
Selena's face contorted in pain, her voice rising. "Did you understand that I ended up running away to California because of all the torment from McKenna and you guys after she transferred. Calling me a cow and a pig caused my eating disorder. Then crack baby. Made a mockery of me, and you all made it hell. I ended up a hooker, a junkie, and a stripper. I barely made it out of Josiah Barnes's hands and escaped his human trafficking ring alive."
Liam's eyes locked on Selena's, his voice filled with emotion. "I'm sorry, Selena. I promise I didn't know. But please, you have to believe me. I love you. I grew up and regretted it so much. I remembered you every time an orphan cried."
Selena's eyes filled with tears, her voice shaking. "I don't know what to believe, Liam. I don't know what to think."
Liam's face contorted in pain, his voice filled with emotion. "I know, Selena. I'm so sorry. I'll do anything to make it right. Just please, don't leave me."
Liam's words poured out like a confession, each sentence laced with regret and sorrow. Selena's eyes remained fixed on his, searching for any hint of deception. But all she saw was pain, remorse, and a deep longing for forgiveness.
As Liam spoke, Selena's mind reeled with memories, long-buried emotions rising to the surface. She remembered the torment, the constant belittling, and the cruel words that had scarred her for so long.
She set her feelings aside because none of them tormented her, but this version of Liam had in that life. She recalled the desperation, the feeling of being trapped with no escape.
But alongside those memories, Selena saw some of Liam's actions in a new light. The times he would say she wasn't worth it, and she was spared the bullying of others. The comments about beating up someone who couldn't even defend herself it was to spare her.
He didn't actively be a terrible person unless she was around, whispering in his ear. She realized that he had been trying to protect her, even if his methods had been misguided. She saw the love in his eyes, the genuine remorse for the pain he had caused.
Selena's heart ached, torn between the desire to forgive and the need to protect herself from further hurt. She looked at Liam, really looked at him, and saw the boy she had fallen in love with, the boy who had been just as broken as she was.
Liam's voice cracked with emotion as he continued to plead for forgiveness. "Selena, please...you have to believe me. I was so blind, so lost. I didn't know what I was doing. McKenna lied her whole life and just said her gift was blocked eventually. But I know now, and I'll do anything to make it right."
Selena's gaze lingered on Liam's face, searching for any sign of insincerity. But all she saw was desperation, a deep longing for redemption. Another thing was how did she know about the gift; did someone let it slip?
"Selena, don't leave me," Liam begged, his voice trembling with emotion. "I know I don't deserve it, but please...give me a chance to make it right. I'll do anything, just don't leave me."
Selena's heart wrenched at the desperation in Liam's eyes. She saw the boy she had fallen in love with, the boy who had been just as broken as she was.
"Okay," Selena said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll give you one chance. But you have to promise me one thing."
Liam's eyes lit up with hope, and he nodded eagerly. "Anything, Selena. I promise."
Selena's gaze locked on his, her voice firm. "You have to be honest with me, Liam. No more hiding things, no more lies. Can you promise me that?"
Liam's face contorted in pain, but he nodded. "I promise, Selena. I'll tell you everything. I'll make it right, I swear,"
As Liam spoke, Selena saw the sincerity in his eyes, and her heart was very complicated. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to try. He was so ashamed and desperate.
"I have already started working, easing your burden and using what I remember to save the world. When I saw all the changes and I synchronized with this reality, I was astonished by you. You're amazing, Selena."
Selena's eyes locked onto Liam's, her expression a mix of emotions. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the desperation to make things right. She heard the words, the promises, and the apologies. And she felt the weight of her own emotions, the hurt and the anger, slowly beginning to lift.
"I need time, Liam," Selena said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need time to process everything, to figure out what's real and what's not. But I want you to know that I love you too. You're my ally in this, my partner in every sense of the word."
Liam's face lit up with hope, his eyes shining with tears. "Really?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
Selena nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Really," she said. "We're in this together, Liam. We'll face whatever comes next, side by side."
Liam's face contorted in a mix of relief and joy, and he pulled Selena into a tight hug. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice muffled against her shoulder. "Thank you for giving me another chance."
Selena hugged him back, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, that there would be challenges and obstacles to overcome. But with Liam by her side, she felt a sense of peace.
She also saw his future through her gift and knew he'd stick true to his words, but a change appeared that didn't exist before. She saw her pregnant self through his eyes. She quietly processed it, not wanting to jinx it. She was never able to be a mother in her past life.
Selena's mind reeled as she processed this new information. She had never been able to be a mother in her past life, and the thought of carrying a child filled her with a sense of hope and joy. Whenever it happened. Hopefully not too soon. They had so much work to do.
She looked after plenty of orphans in her last life. She always longed for a child of her own, one that wasn't doomed when they were rescued; they didn't have much of a chance with the toxins they inhaled. Most of the United States and Canada were ravaged.
Selena shook off the sadness of remembering the hundreds she watched over die until a cure was found. Rage boiled in her that it wasn't free, but it was in the past; those kids had a chance now. This child would get the best. She'd move, but she didn't want to jinx it, didn't want to assume that this future was set in stone. So she kept her discovery to herself, quietly processing it.
As he embraced Selena, she felt a sense of comfort and security wash over her. Yet, amidst the warmth of their embrace, doubts crept into her mind. Was this the right choice? The future loomed before her.