“A what now?” Sawyer asked.
“Visions are rarely given to children,” Dakota said. “In my pack, a vision quest is the time when a child moves to adulthood, and when you have the gift, you are sent on a vision quest. The tribe leaders are with you to keep you safe and bring you home should you get lost. If you return safely home, the leaders allow your visions to continue. If you cannot, they are kept locked away for another year. Some with the gift are never allowed freedom of them.”
“When were yours unlocked?” Henry asked.
“When I was eighteen.”
Henry glanced at Sawyer, and Saeward was once more struck by the pain their young mage had suffered as a child. If Dakota’s pack kept their children from the visions until they were old enough to be safe, what must the visions have been like for Henry, who had them when he was so young with no guidance or training?
“How can we do the vision quest thing?” Sawyer asked.
Dakota’s jaw clenched. He stared at Sawyer with his golden eyes, searching, demanding, wanting. Saeward wasn’t entirely sure what other emotions he could see in the new guardian’s eyes. He shielded himself well, hid behind a wall even larger than the one Saeward himself had hidden behind for so long. Dakota eventually exhaled and turned to Henry. “I can escort you on your quest.”
Henry glanced nervously at Sawyer once more.
“It’s up to you, Henry,” Sawyer said softly. “We can always find another way.”
“No,” Henry said. “This is how it has to be. I can do it.”
Dakota seemed so uncomfortable. The rest of his mates didn’t seem to notice. They were focused on Henry, worried for their young mate that they all adored so much. But Saeward’s eyes kept moving to the newest member of their family. He certainly didn’t want to be there. His body language said as much. But he wasn’t leaving either. He was a conundrum.
Saeward leaned forward, and Dakota turned to him, pulling his gaze away from Henry and the others. “How dangerous is this?”
Dakota’s jaw clenched again. “Very. He must be cleansed and grounded first. All of you will be needed.”
And Dakota was very unhappy about that.
“Cleansed how?” Saeward asked.
“I am unsure. I will ask for guidance.”
Saeward didn’t think it was a great idea.
Sawyer’s hand touched his leg and drew his attention.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think anyone but us should know. It’s too big of a risk to Henry.”
“Okay.”
A thought popped into Saeward’s head, but it was too odd.
“Tell me,” Sawyer said softly, always able to read his thoughts on his face. He was so tuned into his mates.
“Cecil,” Saeward said.
“What about him?”
“Do you think he may know what we need?”
Sawyer grinned and kissed his cheek. “I think he might.”
“The little brownie too. She probably can help.”
Sawyer ran his hand through Ward’s hair. “What would I do without you?”
“You’ll never have to find out.”
