Winter's Legacy: Future Days (Winter's Saga #6)

“The level of healing is remarkable!” she breathed.

“It is, isn’t it?” he half-smiled at her awestruck expression and began leading her to the other side of the room.

“Where are we going?”

“To meet the family.”

Kylie stopped. Her worried green eyes glistened in the candle light. “They’re going to hate me.” Evan felt a tremor start in her hands.

“It’s important for them to know you, Kylie.”

“They know the attack was my—”

“Of course they know about that, but there’s so much more to you.” Evan nodded reassuringly. As though illustrating his point, he saw a burst of her future overlay his vision. He blinked to dismiss it. He didn’t need any more convincing.

“Trust me, Kylie.” He gently pulled her forward. Though her eyes were round with worry, she allowed herself to be led to the others.

Margo and Theo looked up from their spot on the sofa where they had been talking softly.

“Mom, Theo—this is Kylie Monroe. Kylie, this is my mom, Dr. Margo Winter and the guy who’s bound to be my dad someday, Dr. Theo Andrews.”

“How are you feeling Kylie?” Margo asked sincerely.

“You were shot up pretty badly, kiddo. We were worried you wouldn’t make it.” Theo stood and offered his hand.

Kylie took it reflexively noticing the genuine warmth in both of their faces.

“I’m feeling remarkably well, thank you.”

“Well, let’s not beat around the bush.” Theo parked his hands on his hips. “You work for Dr. Williams and were sent to infiltrate the family to feed information back to him. Am I right?”

Kylie’s eyes dropped to her bare feet and stayed there. She said nothing.

“Theo!”

“Margo, we don’t have the luxury of time. We need to know where she stands.”

The others throughout the house had made their way back to the living room to be a part of this poignant moment. Alik draped his arm over Farrow’s shoulders. Cole stood protectively slightly in front of Sloan who peeked around his biceps to watch. Creed stood alone, arms crossed waiting patiently for the scene to play out.

“It is true. I’ve worked for the Director since age seven. Most recently, I was sent to gather intelligence on the evolved gift of one of ‘The Original Three’. Evan Winter was my assignment. All intel gathered, was reported to the Director, himself. I am the reason you were attacked last night.”

The room was silent, simmering in the confession that hung heavy in the air.

Margo looked from the blond girl whose head was still bowed to her son, Evan. “Evan?” she asked simply.

Evan looked over at his mom, then back to Theo. “Earlier I mentioned the firelight manipulation was only part of my evolved gift.”

His eyes darted back to the girl standing at his side, whose hand was trembling in his.

“There was a second part of my evolution but before tonight it was hazy and uncontrollable. My theory is that Danny’s healing reset my evolution.”

“What are you saying, son?” Margo stood and stepped closer to him to study his face.

“Mom, I can see into the future—sort of,” he waivered.

Margo’s jaw dropped.

“I’ve gotten glimpses ever since the fire, but I couldn’t tell you because the first vision I received was for my eyes only—mine and Meg’s.”

“What?” Margo gasped.

Creed stepped forward, clenching and unclenching his fists.

“I shared my hazy vision with Meg and told her what I truly believed at the time: She had to allow herself to be captured by Williams then Arkdone. She had to be in those places to set the cogs in motion, positioning us to put an end to their evil.”

“You told your sister to sacrifice herself to the enemy based on a vision you had when you were delirious with pain from your burns?” Creed spoke through clenched teeth.

“Yes, and I’ll never forgive myself for it.” Evan took a deep breath.

“You can see into the future?” Theo asked, trying to redirect the conversation. “What are your limitations?”

“It seems I have to be touching the person to see their future.”

“What else?”

“Well, it’s all still new to me, but I think I am only able to see what’s in that person’s immediate future—an hour or so from that moment.”

“So things can change,” Margo nodded.

“Yes.”

“What was your most recent vision?” Sloan asked, stepping out from behind a seething Cole.

Evan looked back at the girl whose hand he held. “It had to do with Kylie,” he said to the room.

Then to her he added, “Remember the ‘new recruit’ you tried to rescue from death by Infinite Serum with your act of disobedience—dosing him with the synthetic corticosteroids in hopes of saving his life?”

Kylie frowned. “Of course I remember him.”

“Turn around and meet my little brother, Danny,” Evan said softly.