Motion (Sequel to "Collide")

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

A/N: hey you guys! Sorry for the wait, this chapter is super long, but I feel like it's quite an important one. I hope you'll enjoy learning more about Brit's ability! Also, this book might be longer than expected... I may have rewritten the whole ending. Whoopsies! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one.

Much love always,

Julie

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An unfamiliar smoky scent filled the little house, as steam rose from the pot that Sangye set in the center of a low wooden table. The four of us sat cross-legged around it on worn cushions while Sangye prepared bho jha, which we learnt was butter tea, a typical Tibetan beverage.

I watched Sangye poured us the tea carefully, a small smile plastered on his face. He was undeniably happy. At least as much as a Tibetan monk would show it — modestly and respectfully.

"It has been a long road for you," he said finally, looking in my direction first, then at Hayden and finally at Michael. "Michael, I presume? I am honored to finally meet you."

"Likewise," Michael sincerely said with his cup in his hands, bowing his head politely. "Thank you for welcoming us."

"Please, do not mention it." Sangye's eyes lingered on my husband with curiosity. "It is nice to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you. I feel like I already know you."

"I was looking forward to meeting you as well," my husband politely answered with a shy smile. "I wanted to thank you for all you've done, Sangye. For my wife, and ultimately for us."

"It is my pleasure," he answered in a soft voice with a bow of his head. "I would like to congratulate you for the wedding. It fills me with joy to know your souls are now united in marriage. You are meant for each other."

"Literally," Hayden added with a soft chuckle, and I couldn't help but snort lightly at his comment. I reached for Michael's hand beside me, and addressed him a smile.

I gazed at Michael who was taking his first sip of Sangye's beverage. His eyebrows slightly furrowed together before he put his cup back on the table. He was struggling to hide the grimace from his face, but as the polite and well educated man he was, my husband swallowed the tea and didn't say anything. He cleared his throat as if nothing had happened, and I had to fight the urge not to laugh at him. I looked away, knowing that if my stare crossed Michael's, I would miserably fail.

I knew he would comment on the beverage later, though.

It's true that the tea was thick and salty, nothing like what we knew from home, but somehow, I found it comforting. I figured such a beverage was needed in high altitudes, as it held a lot of caloric energy.

"Indeed," Sangye chuckled deeply as well. "Did your son accompany you here?"

"No, sadly he did not," I answered with a shake of my head. "This isn't exactly a curtesy visit. There are things I need to figure out, and we didn't want to bring Faraji into this."

"What is the matter? Are you all right?" Sangye asked, instant panic flickering in his eyes.

"I feel fine," I answered, trying to keep a reassuring voice. "I just... There's something weird happening to me."

"I'd say scary rather than weird, Hale," Hayden chimed in, giving me a pointed look. He turned his attention to Sangye and exhaled heavily. "Whenever Hayley experiences one of her dreams, she looks... Lifeless. Her whole body doesn't respond to anything, her heartbeat is faint, her breathing is slow. It's like she's barely alive."