Impassion (Mystic) by B. C. Burgess Read Free Book Online Page A

like to sit down, sweetie?”
    Layla looked up, finding her mom staring back at her through Morrigan’s affectionate expression; and her legs folded, dropping her into her grandmothers’ stealthy hands. She quickly found her feet, but she couldn’t stifle the tears or breathe without hiccupping, so she did her best to help them get her to the sofa. They sat her between them. Then Morrigan squeezed her shoulders while Daleen stroked her arm.
    “I’m sorry,” Layla gasped, burying her face in one hand, partly because she was embarrassed, and partly because everywhere she looked, her parents looked back through the faces of others.
    “Don’t be sorry,” Morrigan insisted. “We know this is hard.”
    Layla wiped her eyes, fighting to regain control, but her cheeks flamed and her hands shook. “I can see them… I can see them in you guys.”
    “We see them in you, too,” Daleen replied. “You’re a beautiful reminder of our children. It hurts to think about Aedan and Rhosewen, but we’re so happy we’re getting this opportunity. We’ve been dreaming about it for twenty-one years. Now you’re here and you’re healthy and so lovely.”
    “Thank you,” Layla whispered, meeting Daleen’s stare. “I’m happy to see you, too. I’m just... overwhelmed.”
    Layla looked at her lap, wishing she had a tissue. Then an entire box was held out to her. She glanced at the large hand holding it then followed a tan arm to Serafin’s emerald eyes. “Thank you,” she breathed, absently taking a tissue. Whereas before she couldn’t make eye contact, now she couldn’t break it. She couldn’t look away from the gaze that was hers, her father’s and her grandfather’s.
    “You’re welcome,” Serafin offered, a sad smile curving wide set lips. “Can I get you anything else?”
    Layla shook her head no, still unable to look away.
    “I expected resemblances,” he added, “yet they stun the senses. You’re quite the beauty, my dear. It’s marvelous to behold you with my eyes instead of my mind.”
    Caitrin stepped closer, and Layla flipped her gaze from one wizard to the other, finding round eyes boasting shiny blue oceans. Caitrin’s fair face and colorful aura were so bright he could have been an angel. In fact, Layla felt like she was sitting on a golden cloud with a whole band of angels.
    “So beautiful,” she whispered. “All of you. It feels like a dream.”
    Caitrin smiled. “To see you is a dream come true for all of us.”
    Looking at them was getting easier. With each passing second, Layla saw more of them and less of her parents. Still an emotionally charged sight to see, but a happier one, unmarred by despair and loss. Her grandparents weren’t lost at all. She’d found them.
    A heavy weight she didn’t know she bore lifted, and her dizzy brain swirled as relief rippled from her head to her toes. The hasty flip of emotion jarred her senses, and her lungs yanked in air as she burst into tears. This time she covered her face with both hands and cried for several minutes.
    When the tearful episode subsided, she cleaned herself up then slowly looked around, focusing on their faces one at a time. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, so she grabbed the box of tissues and passed them around.
    She figured there would be a quiet moment while everyone gathered themselves, but as she set the tissues aside, Morrigan pulled her into a tight hug. Layla’s first reaction was to tense, but she didn’t want to disappoint her grandma, so she turned and nervously slid her arms around her waist.
    “Layla,” Morrigan sobbed, “it feels so good to hold you.” She leaned back, stroking Layla’s cheeks like she’d never see them again. “Thank you for finding us. We’ve missed you more than words can say.”
    Layla swallowed and blinked back tears. “I had no idea how much I was missing.”
    “Oh, sweetie,” Morrigan exclaimed, pulling her back in.
    It didn’t take long for Layla to find comfort in