Catori stayed quiet as the three of them ate, giving Jennifer space to absorb everything she had learned. But as the silence stretched, Jennifer found herself worrying about Dakota. He had barely spoken since she read the prophecy, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“The food is great here. This was a really good choice,” she said, trying to break the tension.
“I’m glad you like it.” Dakota’s smile was warm, steady. The way he looked at her — those deep emerald eyes meeting hers without hesitation — made her feel like she could trust him with the truth. He didn’t seem to think she was crazy. Maybe, for the first time in her life, she had found someone she didn’t have to hide from.
“Do you think this peyote ceremony will work, Dakota?”
“I trust my grandma,” he said. “She earned her place in the community for a reason.”
Jennifer turned to Catori. “I’ll do the ceremony. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“Tonight, you rest,” Catori said. “Relax your mind. The ceremony lasts through the night, and we do not yet know how it will affect you. Some of your abilities may awaken. We must all be prepared for that.” She looked at both Dakota and Jennifer with a seriousness that made Jennifer’s chest tighten. “I will call the others after lunch so everything is ready. You can trust us, Jennifer.”
How did Catori always know exactly what she needed to hear?
“Thank you for helping me,” Jennifer said softly.
Dakota reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “We’re going to figure this out. Grandma and I are here for you. And… I think you’re going to love what I have planned for tonight.”
Jennifer didn’t pull her hand away. She let it rest beneath his, warm and steady, and felt herself drawn into those green eyes again. She had never felt anything like this before. Something was happening between them — something she didn’t have a name for yet.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Jennifer got ready for the nighttime adventure Dakota had promised her, but her thoughts kept drifting to Imala. How could their connection feel so strong, so quickly? She didn’t understand it, but she missed her.
For the first time since arriving in Texas, she reached out.
Imala, I hope you’re all right. I miss you.
A warm rush of emotion answered her.
I’m so happy to hear from you.
Jennifer felt Imala’s excitement through the bond.
You can hear me?
Yes. I think I can hear you anywhere. We are connected. I feel your emotions most of the day as if they were my own.
Jennifer swallowed. I felt the same thing in the forest. Your fear became mine.
Her attention shifted to her reflection. She had planned to wear something nicer, but Dakota had told her to put on her bathing suit and something comfortable over it. The instructions made her nervous.
Everything will be fine. Stop worrying.
Imala’s voice pierced through her thoughts, almost motherly.
I’m not sure I like someone being able to read my mind now.
Please, just relax and have a good night. You deserve it.
She was right. The cutoff shorts and fitted T‑shirt were more her style anyway. She needed to stop being afraid of being herself. She took a breath, let go of the nerves, and headed downstairs.
Dakota was waiting near the front entrance. The look on his face as she descended the stairs made her self‑conscious all over again, though she tried to hide it. He waited for her to reach the bottom, then walked with her to his car.
Dakota opened the door for Jennifer to get in. As they drove toward town, Jennifer realized how nice it felt to have someone take care of her, even in small ways. Her old instincts whispered warnings about riding around with a stranger at night, but she pushed them down. Dakota and Catori might be the only people who could help her understand her destiny.
The city lights came into view, glowing against the night sky. Everything looked different than it had that morning. Jennifer preferred the country, but the city was beautiful in its own way. Now she understood why Dakota insisted they do this at night.
“How much do I owe you for gas and everything for tonight and earlier today?” she asked. She couldn’t bring herself to assume kindness came without a cost.
“Not a thing,” Dakota said.
Jennifer smiled to herself. So this is a date, she thought.
“I’ll just count it as advertising costs,” he added.
Her heart sank.
The car stopped near a cabin‑like building by the water. They were definitely doing something involving water. Dakota stepped out and opened the back door.
“Here,” he said, handing her a vest. “Put this on and take off anything you don’t want to get wet.”
She loved the water. “Are we going on a boat or something?” The glow on the surface made her wonder what kind of adventure he had in mind.
“It’s a surprise. Don’t you want a little adventure?”
Jennifer considered his words. She did want adventure, but the echoes of everything she had faced made her wary of stepping into the unknown again.
“You’re right,” she said, hyping herself up. “Surprises are fun.”
She took the vest from Dakota and readied herself. A clear sky stretched above them, stars sharp and bright, and the water glowing from beneath in soft, multicolored light.
They reached the water’s edge just as Dakota stepped forward… and climbed into the water.
Jennifer froze.
He wasn’t sinking.
He was sitting casually on top of the water.
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