Dreamscape (28 page)

Somehow, I
figure his brother made a similar pact to the woman in question. “Is that why
you insisted I stay in the red room to come here?”

“That’s part of
it. Daegan will show his face eventually. You must be ready for him.”

I nod. The
weight of his calling or whatever it is he does, hits me. “Seems like there are
many reasons for you to not trust me. Thanks for taking a chance.”

He hugs me,
pressing my face against his chest. “You have no reason to thank me, Amelia.”
When he pulls away, promise lies within his eyes. “But, you will.”

I smile, hoping
my attempt is reassuring. “I’m holding you to that, right now.” I caress his
cheek and his big hand covers mine. “I had no idea this was what you had in
mind when you took me, but I’m starting to think I might just like working with
you.”

He laughs,
tucking my bangs behind my ear. “Working with me, is it? Am I to understand
there are no fringe benefits in sight for me?”

I lick my lips
then smile. “We’ll see.”

He presses his
lips to my hair. “Good as a promise in my book.”

I push away
from him. “Aren’t you supposed to be briefing me?”

“I’d rather
frisk you, but we can do that later.”

I cuff his
shoulder. “Be serious.”

“All right. Serious
you want. It is serious you shall have.

“We’re scouting
Olivia’s last known location. Zed will be there, so I cannot come. I will have
to take care of his responsibilities as well as my own. I hate to send you into
a new world without showing you the triggers and pitfalls you will have to
avoid, but Maybell is a great teacher. She’ll find Zed, so don’t worry about
that. What I need you to do is search for anyone who feels off. You might not
be able to form a mental link right away, so trust your instincts. Alert
Maybell the instant you sense anything slightly dark.”

“What do you
mean by dark?” I ask.

“Humans have
neutral or positive energy in the Dreamscape. With your level of ability,
darkness should essentially scream at you.”

“How am I
supposed to let Maybell know if I sense someone
off
?”

“You should be
able to communicate telepathically. I’ve instructed her to test your connection
before you two set off to locate Zed. You may find nothing, but you are our
best hope of finding Olivia.”

“What about the
guy you were searching for before?”

“We’ll worry
about him another time. Put him out of your mind. Olivia is our priority.”

I nod, taking a
deep breath. “Is that it?”

“Remember the
first rule when you face an Erobos?”

“Don’t let them
touch me.”

“And if they
get too close?”

I finger a
spike at my elbow. “I cut them.”

Seth smiles at
me. “That’s my girl. I would send you in with true weapons, but they would call
attention to you or be turned on you if you haven’t had the proper
instruction.”

“How?”

“Where Erobos
throw off darkness, you will exude light. It is who you are, part of your
nature. Maybell’s presence will dampen you, but you are already exposed enough.
She will teach you how to camouflage your power as you travel. It won’t take
you long to learn.”

I give Seth’s
hand a squeeze. “Ready, boss. Let me at ‘em.”

He grins at me.
“That’s the spirit.”

One question
won’t leave me, and before I take off into an unknown world, I have to ask, “So
what exactly will you be doing while I’m with Maybell?”

He sniffs, pulling
me toward the door. “I’ll be dealing with the other three billion people I have
to worry about, plus Zed’s share.”

I still
don’t know if I buy that number, but let him tell tales. Soon enough, I’ll know
if they are true.

I haven’t been
completely honest with Amelia, but I have to make sure she is okay before I set
out for my night without her. Normally, I wouldn’t bother tagging along, but I
can’t leave until I’m sure.

Zed and I
technically haven’t seen each other in a while and I cannot risk getting sucked
into his predicament. He should have converted Olivia immediately, yet his
hesitance is understandable. I am not eager to put Amelia’s soul at risk
either, but he should let Olivia decide.

My brothers and
I usually meet up every few centuries to make sure our remaining numbers
haven’t succumbed to temptation and to catch up, but with our circumstance
being what it is, it’s been too long since I’ve actually seen him.

Just as with
Ian. He is worse off than I expected and is closer to turning than I would have
ever imagined. His presence has already begun to corrupt my worlds. I’ve been
warning him to stay out of my territories, but he’s never listened to me
before. Not much has changed in that regard.

We
telecommunicate nearly daily, relaying progress and such, but physical contact
is not accomplished often. It used to be my brothers and I would fly through
the worlds together, sending dreams, tracking enemies, dealing with traitors,
but those days are gone.

Solitude’s cage
has leashed us all.

I wait for
Maybell to lead Amelia to the portal, giving ample time for explanations. Her
bravery fills the cobwebs of my soul, where empty promises hide in the shadows.

The one who
betrayed me enters my thoughts. She is still easy for me to visualize. Her
training was almost complete when she was unveiled as a traitor. I once
believed she could be saved, which is why her betrayal clings to me still.

She was to be
my mate. I should have been in every part of her. There should have been no
room for Erobos ideals, or temptations. The truth is, I didn’t know her. After
two centuries, I didn’t know her. And here I am potentially making the same
mistake, trusting the future of my race and the human realm to a girl with no
more experience than a foundling. I am mad to release Amelia into the
Dreamscape, but these are desperate times.

I have no
choice. She is the last hope I have. If we fail, her world and mine will plunge
into darkness. Her light will be expunged, and I will be consumed by the beast.

After they slip
through the portal, I follow, making sure they do not see me amongst the crowd.
This world is filled with interlocking cityscape, including hordes of people.
I’ve never seen so many occupy a world, which makes me wonder who this dreamer
is. He is highly present, which makes the place difficult to influence fully,
which is an advantage where Amelia is concerned. She will have to concentrate
to make an impact here.

Maybell ducks
down an alley, pulling Amelia with her. We are near the inner city, but we
haven’t reached the waterways yet. The people walk by, chatting and laughing,
oblivious to the fact they are the products of this dreamer’s mind.

It is clear to
see why Zed has spent much of his efforts on this one man. With a life force
this potent, he will be capable of doing great good in his lifetime. Hopefully
Zed can keep him on track.

I’m hesitant to
follow my teammates, but I’m curious to see how Amelia handles herself without
me. I have no desire to irritate either woman, so I inch as close to the alley
as I can to hear them better. When I’m sure no one is looking, I camouflage
myself into the stone façade of the apartment building.

Amelia’s voice
reaches me. “What do you mean?”

“Imagine you
have a ball of energy inside you as bright as the sun. Make it as low as a
distant star…good.” Maybell’s enthusiasm tells me Amelia has done well, but I
do not need the verbal cue to feel the difference in this world. The colors
have faded, but they are still more alive than most. “Now,” says Maybell. I
want you to focus on outside thoughts. Those that don’t belong to you.”

“I can’t hear
anyone’s thoughts. It’s just me in here.”

I bite down a
laugh. Maybell’s breath accelerates with her heart rate, but her tone remains
calm when she speaks. “You must ignore the noise of your own thoughts, Amelia.
Using your gift will become easier the more you use it, but it will be work for
you at first.”

Amelia’s sigh
is filled with frustration. “I still don’t hear anything.”

Maybell takes
her time in answering. “Let’s try something different. Focus on feeling those
around you. You should be able to distinguish those with life force from those
without. These people exist because of the dreamer. Who is here that doesn’t
belong. Whose energy feels different?”

Amelia’s probe
hits me like a blast. I focus all my attention to keep her out of my mind. It
won’t be long until she senses Zed.

“There,” says
Amelia. “It is a man. His thoughts are strong. Do you think it’s him?”

Maybell
chuckles. “We can only hope. Where is he?”

The two are
silent for a while, which tempts me to inch my way around the corner. If I am
careful enough, Maybell won’t notice me.

Amelia is the
first to break the silence. “It’s dark and smells like old paper.”

“What do you
see?”

“Not much.
There are statues. Gargoyles, I think. The building is old, out of place with
the rest of the city.”

Maybell’s voice
turns low. “A church?”

I cannot stay
still a moment longer. I must see Amelia. Using the topography of the building
to steady myself, I take the form of a fly. There are already plenty around,
which only shows the level of control this dreamer has. Normally, insects are
not part of a dream, unless it is a nightmare.

Once I am
around the corner, I take my place on the nearest window sill. Amelia stares at
Maybell, who is pacing the few feet between buildings.

Amelia’s
features are pulled in concentration and exasperation. “You know it?”

Maybell nods.
“I’ve not been to this world before, but I’ve heard about the place. It’s in a
bad part of town. I’m not sure I should take you there.”

“I can handle
it.”

Turning to face
Amelia, Maybell takes a deep breath, her upper body expanding far past that of
her human companion’s shallow inhales. “No time to waste, either way.”

Amelia smiles
as Maybell takes her arm and hurries out of the alley. I’m caught up in the
quickening breeze and take too long to follow. They are near the waterways when
I spot them again.

My heart swells
in my chest. It should have taken Amelia much longer to locate Zed. If anyone
can find Olivia, it will be her.

Maybell escorts
her through the channels, avoiding the ships that never dock. If this world
bothers her, Amelia doesn’t let on.

I would have
thought she’d have so many questions, but she is focused and keeps her mind
pressing forward. I should go now. I should let her progress naturally, yet
leaving is more difficult than it should be.

The excitement
on Amelia’s face warms me. She listens intently as Maybell instructs her in how
to choose another ship.

I take the
next. We sail through the waterways that have a way of blending together until
the high-rises look the same and the cityscape gives way to canyons of glass
and steel.

Just when I
think I’m going to lose the two of them and have to track them mentally, they
disembark on a dock in the third district. Trepidation stiffens my spine as I
send a message to Maybell to get back on the ship. Her eyes scan the waterway
until they reach me. She gives a slight shake of her head then turns back to
Amelia, who gazes up at the gothic cathedral that does not pass for a place of
worship these days.

Erobos thrive
in the third district and taking Amelia to an infested pit is not exactly my
idea of training. If Zed is here, I will kill him.

I push a
message to him and wait for a reply. His answer is immediate. He is not here.
Maybell doesn’t answer me when I zip her a warning. Likewise, Amelia is not
accessible.

My heart seizes
in my chest. It’s a trap.

With no time to
lose, I dive into the rushing current, which does its best to whisk me away in
the opposite direction. My body tightens against the water, parting it as I
speed toward Amelia.

This is the
strangest place I’ve ever been. It’s like a modern Venice or something.
Megalithic high-rises line the rushing waterways like they’ve been planted by
giants, row after row.

Unlike Venice,
nothing about this world is tranquil. The motorboats zip past, zigging in and
out of traffic, narrowly avoiding the boat in front of them.

No one says
much, yet there are more people than I’ve seen in my life on their way to who
knows where. From what Maybell said, Zedekiah should be inside this building.

I glance up at
the aged stone edifice until my eyes lock on a cracked gargoyle that leers down
at me, daring me to go inside. I make a face at it, steeling my nerve.

Maybell’s warm
fingers coil around mine, engulfing my hand into hers. A zing of energy
slithers from me to her and I cringe. I’m not focusing enough to keep my energy
down. She gives a light squeeze then precedes me through the arched entry.

Darkness
presses against me when I follow her. After the door creeks shut, nearly all
light is blotted out. My eyes take a few moments to adjust to the dim lantern
that barely flickers enough light to make out the walkway and some of the
arches in the distance.

My heart
plummets into an abyss and my pulse pounds in my ears. We walk into an open
rotunda with a central chandelier that hangs from a ceiling so high up, the top
is not visible. Candlelight casts the space in dark relief. There is one
mezzanine level above us followed by gilded frescos depicting grotesque figures
doing heaven knows what to each other.

For the life of
me, I can’t imagine why Seth’s brother would be here…unless he’s on the wrong
side of the fence.

An image of a
dark-haired stranger flits through my mind. I still don’t know who the guy was
that contacted me before my world became this crazy. Perhaps Ian isn’t the only
one close to turning. Perhaps this is worse than Seth knows?

I take one more
step, but that’s as far as I’m going. Something’s wrong. Seth’s warning
ricochets through my mind. “Maybell?” I whisper, not yet comfortable calling
her Bell.

She answers in
my thoughts. “You feel it, too?”

I give a slight
nod. “We need to leave.”

Understatement
of the century. Maybell has already told me if we got into trouble to run as
fast as I can. I don’t question her, I whirl around and it takes all of two
seconds for me to register the wall of men in front of me.

My heart slams
into my throat as I press back against Maybell’s tall frame. She sidesteps me,
angling herself between me and the Erobos waiting to consume me.

Somehow, I
imagined I’d be able to have a little time to learn before I had to face one of
them, but right now, all I can think about is surviving.

One man steps
forward. He is darkness personified, except for his extraordinary light eyes.
His dark hair is slicked back, giving a perfect view of his broad, angular
features, which steal my breath. His beauty takes a minute for me to process
fully. Daegan. Fantastic.

A slow smile
slides along his mouth, tempting, sensual. I swallow against the bile burning
my insides, assessing the situation. There is no chance I’m getting out the way
we came in. I glance over my shoulder to the empty hallway. They want me to go
that way; otherwise, I would have a wall of Erobos at my back.

Daegan takes
another step and Maybell hisses at him. When she glances at me, I try not to
jump. She’s grown fangs and her face has taken on feline angles, not the least
of which are her glowing green eyes. Although she has no whiskers to speak of,
she is menacing.

“What should we
do?” I ask her telepathically.

“Amelia,” says
the man, his eyes widening in what looks like real concern. “Step away from the
creature. We will protect you.”

I snort. He
must think I’m ten ways an idiot. “Yeah?” I say, straightening my spine. “Who’s
going to protect you from me?”

He laughs and
his resultant smile disarms me. His voice is like velvet stroking my insides.
“For one so young, you have quite an ambitious heart.”

“You have no
idea.” I narrow my eyes at him, but refrain from cocking a hip. I’ve got to be
able to move if he comes after me. “Enough with the small talk, mister tall,
dark, and creepy. Who the hell are you? What do you want?”

“You…of
course,” he says with a casual flick of his wrist. The other men laugh and shoot
out catcalls. Yeah, that was a given. He takes another step, and it’s all I can
do to keep my ground. Every cell inside me wants to run. “Soon, you shall know
your true calling, Sibylline.” He circles around us and I follow his movements,
my muscles coiled. “Or are you something else? Even dampened, you are
extraordinary.”

“Leave her
alone, Daegan,” says Maybell in an all-too-familiar way.

So she knows
him, which doesn’t exactly help the situation. If she knows him, he knows her.
His presence slithers up against me. At first, he repels me, but something
about him is also hypnotizing. He’s a mystery I’d like to solve. I shake my
head. No, he’s a monster. To keep my focus, I press my fingernails into my
palms until I’m ready to cry out from the pain. I was warned about this. Erobos
tempt first then tame then torture, in that order.

Daegan tilts
his head, staring Maybell down. His arrogance permeates the room. We’ll just
have to see about educating him a bit. We are not down and we certainly aren’t
out.

Our best bet is
to run, even though I’d love to get in a good punch to his smug face. Too bad
he’s not getting anywhere near me. Seth taught me well, and I’m not about to
let him down now. Since we can’t go through the front door, I need to make
another one. My only hope is that Seth was right when he said I could affect
the Dreamscape with my thoughts. I concentrate on the hall behind me. In my
mind it expands, morphing into the narrow lane of a marketplace, full of
people.

Daegan’s
features twist into a frown before he nods at one of his men, who circles us
using micro-steps, as if we won’t notice. “Do you not wish to know why I want
you, Amelia?”

My mouth
scrunches up. “Nope. I’m good.”

The guys laugh.

No more messing
around. Once the image is firmly planted in my mind, I push it into the room.

The clattering
of metal and the hum of voices fill the space. I give Daegan a gloat before I
grab Maybell’s hand, not waiting to see his reaction.

We race into
the crowd, dodging a woman pushing a cart full of vegetables at the last
moment. The temptation to look over my shoulder is too great to resist. It’s no
surprise that Daegan and his men pursue us, plowing into people, throwing some
out of the way. The problem is they are gaining on us.

I glance at
Maybell, sending her a signal to split up. The worst thing we could do would be
to get caught together.

“I won’t leave
you,” she screams. “Just keep running.”

Seth said I’d
get faster with time, but my time for training was up the second I stepped into
this world. I’ve got to do something else. Escape is not an option at the
moment. Even if we make it out of here and catch up with Zed, once Seth finds
out about this he’s gonna lock me in his realm for good. I need to show him I
listened. I need to show him he can trust me. More importantly, I need to help
Maybell and the others who are counting on me to come through for them.

In the
distance, the marketplace expands into some type of square. Sending Maybell a
mental note to meet me there, I jet down a side alley. Maybe not the safest
thing to do, but if we stay together like this we will both be taken for sure.

Daegan follows
closely behind me. His presence slithers around me, seeking a place to take
root. I’ve never experienced this kind of darkness. It’s at once frightening
and enticing, a constant call to discover. I’m no detective, and I’m not giving
in to this strange desire to see what he’s made of.

His voice
floats over me. “We have come to rescue you, Amelia. Stop. Listen to what I
have to say. Seth is dangerous. He was imprisoned for a reason. He has lied to
you. You know in your heart I speak the truth.”

This guy
wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped him upside his handsome head. I don’t
bother to answer him as I rush forward, weaving through the city, searching for
an out, or at least a waterway rushing to somewhere else.

After a while,
his calm façade shatters. “You will stop, Amelia!”

At this, I
laugh, pushing myself harder to escape him. Seth said that if one of them
caught me, I had to cut them. I have the distinct impression if Daegan catches
me, I won’t be able to move, let alone scream.

I’m gaining
ground on him, which brightens my hope. He doesn’t say anything, but his
presence is still with me, shadowing me. When the crowd in the market comes
back into view, I smile, giving all I have to reaching that beacon. The weird
part is no one is even looking at me as I flail my arms and kick up dust from
the street.

Two, maybe
three strides away from the opening, a hand descends on my shoulder, and I
scream. He’s caught me.

I’ve never seen
anything like Amelia. She not only manipulated the dream of an omnipresent
dreamer, she singlehandedly thwarted Daegan’s attempt to capture the two most
valuable members of my team, herself included.

Once I found my
way inside the church, I stopped in the shadows, watching Amelia take on the
leader of the Erobos army. She did everything I taught her and more. Where
there was no escape route, she created one. She didn’t allow him to lie to her
when so many others have fallen prey to his thrall.

The Erobos have
a way of sinking into the very soul of a person, only to leave with a piece of
it when they are through.

I should have
followed Amelia right away, but Maybell, it seemed, was their true target. Once
Amelia ran, only Daegan followed her. The other seven men chased after Maybell.

Perhaps Daegan
is smarter than I’ve given him credit for. Amelia is too pure for him to turn,
and Maybell will keep her on task. With Maybell out of the way, the Erobos have
a better chance of ticking away Amelia’s armor.

Between the two
of us, Maybell and I dispatched the other Erobos quickly. Daegan departed the
moment he saw me. I’ve finally caught up to Amelia, only to have her ignore me
when I yell at her to stop.

Her focus is
admirable, but I need to catch her before she reaches the marketplace and
causes a scene. More Erobos may be in the area, and the last thing we need is
another fight.

She’s faster
than she was in my realm, which normally would be a good thing; however, right
now I would have preferred for her talent to have awakened later.

“Amelia!” I
call. She plows forward.

Giving all my
effort, I finally reach her. I place my hand at her shoulder, and she screams.
I delve into her mind because she will not respond no matter how loudly I call.