Her arms, moving from Jared’s shoulders, were placed on each of Jared’s cheeks. She leaned in kissing each cheek before pulling back. “Te amo fratrem meum.” The words were spoken with shaky vibration. “Vale et nunc.”
Jared placed his fist over his heart, his eyes searching Lana’s. “I love you, my brother, and this is not goodbye. I will see you again,” Jared spoke, his voice strong but low with emotion as he took her in his arms hugging her tight. “Te amo fratrem meum.”
“Careful, Jared.” Sid grabbed Jared’s arm to keep him from squeezing Lana too tightly.
When Jared pulled away, Lana felt Noah’s presence slowly fade. The energy Noah brought slipped from her body, making her bones feel like jelly. Fully having her mind, body and voice back, Lana yelped out a warning as she began to fall. Sid was waiting, catching her to him in a tight grip.
“Fuck!” Sid cursed, shaking her gently. “Lana!”
“I’m fine, just a little weak.” Lana pushed away looking up at Jared, who was staring at her in disbelief. “Jared, are you okay?”
“Was that really my brother?” Jared stared at her in total astonishment.
“I would never play a joke so cruel, Jared,” Lana informed him. “Yes, it was your brother.”
Jared stared for a few seconds longer before nodding, and then placed a brotherly kiss to her forehead. “Thank you,” his voice cracked, before his face hardened to keep his emotions in check. Walking away, he headed toward Tessa. Leaning down, he whispered something to her as he placed a gentle kiss to her lips, and then walked out the door.
Everyone was silent after Jared left, still reeling at the events they just witnessed. Caroline placed her hand on Lana’s arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m already getting my strength back.” Lana glanced up at Sid. “Could you put me down, please? We need to finish this.” Sid did as she asked, but kept his arm around her.
“Let me finish this, Lana.” Caroline frowned, worry creasing her forehead.
“No.” Lana shook her head. “I’m going to take care of Damon, but the dark man we are both going to have to do.” She scrunched her brows in thought. “I’m not sure exactly what is going on with him and I’m not sure I have the strength for what he wants.”
“The dark man?” Sid’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his arm tightening around her. “Who the fuck is that?”
Lana and Caroline shared a glance. “Not sure.” Lana pulled the rest of the way from Sid. “He won’t say anything other than he wants Duncan and Sloan here.”
“I don’t like this.” Sid grabbed Lana turning her toward him. “You’re not doing this anymore. I forbid it.”
Lana jerked away from him giving him a wide-eyed glare. “Forbid may be in your vocabulary, Sinclair, but it’s not in mine.” Pushing past him, she walked toward Damon who was staring at her and not too happily. “I know you don’t want this, but it won’t be as intense as what just happened with Jared.”
Damon only nodded, but grasped Nicole’s hand in his as he pulled her close.
Gripping the back of the chair next to her and holding on tightly, Lana steadied herself. Her legs still felt a little wobbly and she didn’t want to embarrass herself by falling on her ass. Before she could start, she felt Sid come up behind her without saying a word placing his large hand next to hers, her back to his front without touching. Without touch or words, he let her know that he was there for her. Caroline also came to stand beside her.
Clearing her throat and mind, Lana opened herself up. Her eyes locked onto Damon as everything else faded. “Her name is Rose?”
Again Damon nodded, his lips thin with tension.
Lana looked down as she tried to make sense of images that flowed through her mind like an old time picture movie. “She isn’t as strong as Jared’s brother.” Lana frowned, rubbing her forehead. “I’m getting images and…”
Caroline gasped her eyes shooting to Damon, but Lana gripped Caroline’s arm hard, shaking her head.
“Caroline, back off.” Lana’s voice was firm, her eyes still on the ground.
“Sorry.” Caroline frowned, biting her lip, not making eye contact with anyone.
“Did you know that Rose was sick before she…died?” When he didn’t answer, Lana looked up at Damon. “Listen, she needs to move on and she’s not going to until you lose your selfish attitude and answer my questions.”
“No.” Damon glared at her, but answered, “I didn’t know.”
Lana nodded. “She wanted to tell you, but was afraid that you would leave her.” Again, Lana looked away frowning. “So instead, she begged you to change her. Did you turn her down? Did you not want to change her?”
“No,” Again, Damon answered with the one word answer.