Star Gods, стр. 27

Sage laughs. “I give you permission to beat my brother up, Claire.”

“What?” Tyce responds playfully. “You’re not even going to protect your favorite brother?”

“Zeke’s my favorite,” Sage answers just as playfully, and I feel her sadness lift some. “You’re my third favorite.”

Ashe snorts. “And here I thought I’d be number three.”

Tyce places his hands over his heart. “So not fair.”

Ashe chuckles, hanging his thumbs from his front pockets, and rocking back onto his heels. “You ready to give this a try, Sage?”

She places her hands on her hips. “I’m not sure how you think I’m going to travel, but I’ll give it a go.”

“You’re up, Zeke.”

I rub my hands together. It’s somewhat exciting to be the teacher for once. “The most important thing about traveling is you have to stay focused. If you think of something other than where you’re planning on going, you’ll end up there instead.”

“If I think of Chicago instead of your house I’ll end up there. Got it.”

I pause. “Our house is your house too, Sage.”

She shifts, looking uncomfortable, biting on the corner of her mouth. “Are you expecting me to stay?”

Alarm shoots through me. “Of course. Why wouldn’t you? You’re our family, our sister.”

She smiles and relief pours through me. “Maybe I just needed to hear it.”

Tyce wipes at pretend tears and sniffs. “That’s just so endearing.”

I shove him; Claire punches him, and Ashe chuckles.

“Zeke, why can’t you think of our parents and travel us to them?” Sage asks over giggles.

“I’ve tried. Several times actually, each an utter failure. I can’t get a read on them. I don’t know if they’re somewhere that’s protected or if…”

“Of course, you’ve tried,” she interrupts. “I shouldn’t have asked such a stupid question.”

Ashe surprises me and puts an arm around her shoulders and giving them a squeeze. “It wasn’t a stupid question.”

Her eyes fill and she pulls away. “I need a minute, okay?” She turns her back on us and goes to where the trees line the woods.

“You don’t think she’s really going to go back to Chicago, do you?” Tyce asks quietly.

“Her reply surprised me as much as you.” My mind buzzes lightly and Sage’s body stiffens. Did she feel it too?

“I think you shocked her,” Claire whispers. “She said it herself. She wants a family and here she has one. She fit right in from the start, and maybe deep down she was afraid to think she finally has somewhere she can stay and be happy and safe.”

Ashe crosses his arms with his eyes on Sage. “I can’t imagine what she’s been through, and then to discover she has brothers, a family, a twin, and abilities.”

“She’s obviously not had a support system like you three have,” Claire explains. “Showing affection toward her pushed this all over the top and she’s trying so hard to be strong. Not that I’m saying you did anything wrong, Ashe.”

“I get what you’re saying, Claire, and I agree. I’m not going to stop being affectionate to my sister, she’ll just have to get used to it.”

“We need to find Mom and Dad,” Tyce says.

“Yeah, we do.” I cross my arms while watching Sage out of the corner of my eye.

“Maybe we shouldn’t do this today,” Ashe suggests.

“Aren’t you full of surprises,” I reply.

He scowls at me. “She needs a clear head to do this, Zeke. You know that more than any of us. She’s preoccupied. She could end up in China for all we know.”

I watch my twin as she breathes deeply. “You may be right.” I instantly feel some relief when our sister walks back toward us.

“I’m sorry.” Sage finger combs her bangs. “You took me by surprise is all and just for the record, I was hoping to stay.”

I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Do you feel up to trying this?”

She nods. “Yeah, I want to try.”

“Are you sure?” Ashe asks. “One wrong thought and you could end up anywhere, and what if Zeke can’t find you?”

Sage touches Ashe’s shoulder. “Then I’ll think of my overprotective big brother and come right back.”

“Huh,” Tyce states. “Can’t argue that.”

Ashe smiles. “No, I can’t.”

“Let’s keep it simple then.” I start backing up, ignoring the stronger buzz inside my head. “Think of family, of me specifically, then try and travel to me.”

She rolls her shoulders. “Okay, I can do this.” She jerks her head to the side and rubs her ear. “What is that sound?”

“What sound?” Tyce goes instantly on the defensive.

“The buzzing?” I ask.

“You feel it too?” She rubs her arms. “It’s like a feeling and hearing all in one.”

“It’s the Luminaries. They have a message for me.”

“You’re not going to answer it?”

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

She comes closer. “I think you should answer it. It could be something we need to know.” She cringes when the buzzing gets louder. “How can you stand this?”

“I’ve been receiving messages for as long as I can remember. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Wait.” Ashe points to Sage. “Through your connection, you’re getting messages too?”

“I think it’s coming through Zeke.”

“It’s going both ways,” I answer. “Since the connection thing at home I can feel Sage’s feelings, her emotions, and her confusion.”

“I’ve been picking up on yours too. I thought I was going crazy.” Sage rubs the side of her head. “This hurts, Zeke. I don’t know how you can stand this. Can you answer them, please?”

“She’s right. No matter how you feel about them,” Ashe darts his eyes upward. “You still have an obligation to help others, especially those who don’t deserve to be hurt or lost because of personal feelings.”

“Okay, you’re right.” I gaze between Sage and Claire. “Protect the girls while I do.” And I allow it through.

“Do his eyes always do that?” Sage asks.

“You’re not getting the message along with him?” Ashe asks.

“Why would I be getting his message?”

“You know, the twin connection thing?” Ashe answers and I suppress a chuckle. “So, are you?”

“No, Mr. Overprotective. I don’t think so.”

“You’d know,” Claire states. “Zeke says it’s like a