Nodding, she turned to look up at him. “I just wish Caroline would get here.” Her eyes left his to look at the Warriors and Nicole, who stood around the room waiting for her. “But I guess I’ll go ahead and get this over with.”
Sid stopped her before she could pull away, tilting her chin so she had to look him in the eyes. “Is this safe for you?” His thumb rubbed gently against her cheek. “Can you be harmed in any way?”
Caroline walked in before Lana could reply which was good. Her mind could be harmed, just like Caroline’s had been, if she wasn’t careful, but she didn’t think the dead who were present now were angry spirits.
“Sorry, I got here as fast as I could.” Caroline sat her bag down next to the door looking around. “Where’s Sloan?”
“I don’t know, but we need to start,” Lana whispered, wringing her hands together. “I’m getting really agitated and I hate feeling this way.”
“That’s because you’re too close to this. You need to let me do it,” Caroline ordered; her voice was firm, holding an edge of nervousness for her sister.
Lana knew her sister was right. She was too close to this, but it wasn’t in her nature to step back. “No. I got it. Just—”
“Sid, I need to be taking care of this.” Caroline stepped around a surprised Lana. “She’s too close and her agitation is off the charts. This could be dangerous for her.”
Lana stepped in front of her sister. “You know what, Caroline, I’m getting sick and tired of you running to Sid like you did Mom and Dad when we were what…five-years-old. I’m a grown-ass woman who can make her own damn decisions, so back the hell off.”
“You told me it was safe,” Sid growled, ignoring her outburst.
Lana moaned, raising her hand to her forehead in frustration. “It is.” She shrugged Sid’s hand as he reached for her. “But they’re getting agitated, which is making me agitated, so we need to do it now.”
Sid didn’t let her attitude back him off. He reached for her again forcing her to look up at him. “You can bitch and moan all you want at me.” He shook her gently to gain her focus. “I will not stand here and watch anything happen to you. I am asking you again, is this safe?”
Caroline crossed her arms, her foot tapping a fast rhythm on the carpet as she watched Lana closely. “This isn’t something to play with, Lana.”
“I understand your concern, Sid, but safe or not, I have to do this. If I don’t, I could possibly go crazy. Until you have dead people in your head, you will never understand what it’s like. Caroline knows I’m right, but we are both at risk here, and like it or not, I’m doing it.” Lana looked at them both. “Now are you going to be behind me on this or keep glaring at me, because honestly, if you are going to continue to glare I’d rather you leave. I want this done and over with.”
“I will always be beside you.” Sid leaned down, kissing her lips gently. “But I swear, if you are harmed, dead or not, whoever harmed you will…” Sid dropped his forehead to hers. “Damn, this is weird shit that I don’t know how to handle and it’s driving me insane.”
“Welcome to my world.” Lana kissed his cheek, before giving him a sad smile. Turning away, she faced Damon, Jared and Duncan. “Are you guys ready?”
Jared straightened up from the wall he’d been leaning against. “Honestly, I have no idea.” Crossing his arms, he stared down at her. “In all my years, I have never seen anything like this and I don’t know if I quite believe it.”
“You calling her a liar?” Sid rushed up in three long strides and was in Jared’s face.
“No, so calm the fuck down.” Jared leaned in toward Sid, his eyes narrowed. “I’ve seen her do some things that even I can’t explain, but for us to have loved ones or whatever…who have been dead for well over thousands of years…” Jared shook his head.
“Does Noah ring a bell?” Stepping forward, Caroline’s voice was clear as she stood beside her sister.
Jared’s eyes flew to hers as he slowly uncrossed his arms. “How do you know that name?” Jared growled, his eye large in disbelief.
“He’s your brother, isn’t he?” Lana replied, knowing a little shock value was the only way to get through to hardheaded nonbelievers.
Jared searched the room before his eyes landed on Lana. “Are you saying my brother is here?”
Caroline and Lana both nodded at the same time.
For a slight second, emotion played across Jared’s face, but then it was gone. “It can’t be.”
Lana looked off, her eyes unfocused for a slight second. “He knows you did everything in your power to save him.” Lana stopped to look back at Jared. “Do you understand that?”
Jared nodded, his eyes searching hers. “Can you see him?”
Lana nodded. “He is very tall and younger than you, but he has your smile with lighter hair. He is a very handsome young man.”
Both Lana and Caroline laughed.
“What?” Jared glanced back and forth at the two women.