Dreamwalker (19 page)

“
I saw you, when you bit me, I mean. I saw you when you turned into a vampire, at that bar with Helix.”

It was Madison’s turn to look ashen against the bold color of her lips. She cast a look to Boone but I didn’t see his response.

“
Yeah, I saw him too. What is the story there? ” I asked her.

“
Your powers are growing stronger. You should not have been able to see into my head like that. Usually it is only a one way link,” she replied, avoiding the original question.

“
There is clearly a lot about this world that I still don’t know,” I then quickly admitted.

“
Unfortunately, we don’t have time to chat about old times. We have a real threat and it looks like you might need our help after all. Wren is definitely a bitch with a will of steel,” Madison paused before continuing.

“
The fey on the other hand are twisted and corrupt. If you think I am a monster, the fey are ten times as bad. They torture within their courts just for entertainment. Wren teaming with one of them definitely poses a real threat,” she said grimly.

“
The only good news is that they can’t come and go without Samhain. That is when the borders between our realms are the weakest,” Autumn offered.

Madison shook her head. “No it is not good actually. If he is planning to overthrow, it will be in a matter of just a day or two, this Samhain. We have to keep her safe for at least a few days until after that. Wren will likely drop her deal if he can’t help her before then.”

This time I interjected with the question that had been plaguing me since all the memories came flooding back. “What about Sam and Jared? They have them both already. We have to save them.”

“
We don’t have to do anything. You are now priority number one and we have to protect you at all costs,” Madison said.

Clark and Graham had visibly relaxed a little and Autumn wasted no time checking on Clarks bruises. “I am so sorry, Clark! I had to though. I didn’t know who was leaking the Intel and I had to protect Noel.”

“
I know, just don’t make it a habit. Damn it, it hurt,” he cursed.

Boone interrupted the scene with his own agenda. “I am going after my partner and Sam no matter what. I can’t leave them in fey hands. Especially if they cross them over, then they are lost to us forever.”

“
I agree, we can’t leave them,” Autumn said, turning to Madison.

Madison stood there as if silently fuming before nodding. “Okay, okay. It is very apparent that we are on a suicide mission to rescue Jared and Sam. If Noel is going, I guess we would have to do what is ordered and protect her.”

This earned a knowing smile from Boone. “Orders are orders, just like Jared and I always said.”

“
Don’t get too cocky, just because you are getting your way. We do this by the book otherwise. We are not going in all halfcocked without a plan. Do you understand?” Madison asked pointedly.

“
Yes, understood,” Boone said accepting her terms.

I couldn’t help but wonder about Boone and Madison’s previous relationship now that I knew they went way back. Was he just her servant? How long was he a vampire servant before he left? He looked similar to his current appearance so it couldn’t have been long ago.

I had no claim on Boone and yet the pang of jealousy I felt was very real. I needed to take a deep breath and remind myself that I wasn’t his, I was Jared’s. It didn’t work though. Seemingly, my heart was wrapped up in both of them.

Madison turned to me coolly. “Not now Noel. If Boone wishes to tell you later, that is his choice.” Then she returned to the conversation at hand as Autumn replied.

“
We need supplies and a safe place,” Autumn added.

“
Okay, Autumn and Clark, you get the supplies while we plan our next move. You two will look the least suspicious in the store and draw the least attention. Hurry though.” Madison said.

Autumn and Clark took no time scrambling off to get everything we might need for the rescue mission. Graham had moved to Madison’s side and finally broke his silence.

“
PLI will be watching all the places you frequent. We need to find a place they wouldn’t think of looking.”

Then a brilliant idea came to me. We could stay at the casino. No one would look for us there. It was mainly just tourists and gambling addicts. I was about to speak up, but clearly Madison had read it already and was nodding in agreement.

“
Great idea Noel, if Autumn puts a glamour spell on us, we can walk right out of here, and in the front door.”

I was about to pull up a chair in the back when Autumn and Clark were back with their first two full bags of items. Then they were quickly gone again to fetch more supplies.

I peered into the first one and it was full of books, a very heavy bag of books. I had no desire to fill my brain with anything more than I already had right now and moved to the next bag. It was full of herbs and dried plants. Some spell casting tools I guessed, as well as some rocks and stones. I recognized the jade and amber among the stones.

When they returned with more bags the final time, Madison clucked her tongue and looked to Autumn.

“
We all need glamour spells. We are going to the casino hotel but need disguises. Maybe old patrons with fanny packs of wadded up money.”

Autumn smiled at Madison, and then she commented on the idea. “I think it is a great solution. This should be highly entertaining too. I could use some of that since this is all so serious. Just let me just get the mixes together.”

After several minutes of mixing and crushing a large array of items, Autumn poured in some anointed water and finished the mix. She pulled out six different ribbons to use it with. Madison stepped forward first and she took the candle and incense. I was amazed once again at the power of the transformation.

Madison was no longer a six foot tall Amazon model. Her overweight 5’5 frame was complete with curly white hair and a Forest South Retirement Center fanny pack. Graham actually chuckled at the sight of Madison in a bedazzled grey tracksuit which earned him an old lady evil eye.

Graham was next after Autumn added a few more ingredients and used a green plaid ribbon to anoint him. As with Madison, his transformation was instant. His once blond hair was now grey and balding. Liver spots decorated his skin and he looked very grumpy. His tan trousers and white polo were completed by a pair of actual suspenders.

I tried hard to refrain from laughing at his humorous transformation. He just continued to scowl as he took Madison’s arm and they seized up a perch at the back door.

I was next and waited patiently while Autumn mixed my ingredients in her shell bowl and gathered my silky pink and cream swirled ribbon. I held the candle and incense while I waited dutifully.

She was gentle when anointing me and now I understood why Madison and Graham were scowling. I now had a too tight purple turtleneck under a pink sweatshirt and funny looking sweat pants on. It was all I was able to see before Madison pulled me back to the back door and spoke in her little old lady voice.

“
I think we should leave staggered so we don’t draw any more attention than usual. We will take Noel and meet you in the lobby after getting a room. You will know what we look like.”

“
Good idea, will you take a bag of books?” Autumn asked with a begging facial expression.

“
Yeah, I will carry them,” I replied with some surprise at the sound of my deep, raspy voice.

Boone just laughed. “You sound like you just smoked a dozen packs of menthol cigarettes.”

“
Ha, ha,” I said as I turned and headed into the October afternoon after Madison and Graham.

I was grateful for the stupid turtleneck after stepping into the chilled air. I stifled a sigh and tried to keep my pace slow. I didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention as it was. I shifted the backpack full of books as if it was painful to carry. Then I took the time to enjoy the sight of rows of trees changing colors, the hues of decay so beautiful.

I was surprised when I heard an old man trailing behind us looking out of breath and gasping for dear life. I was even more surprised when I realized it was Boone. He looked good for being old. He was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt just like normal only less stylish. He had the same glassy blue eyes and his grey hair was messy like he just woke up. I frowned at the karmic fact that I didn’t look that good old.

“
Wait. I am going too,” he managed to spit out in between gasps.

Madison looked disappointed but nodded in approval. We slowed our already snail pace so Boone could catch up and then stopped in front of an old Cadillac. I was not joking, an actual and genuine old person car. It was white and boxy.

I wanted to ask who’s car it was until I realized that we were hotwiring it. If I wasn’t so worried about PLI catching us, I would laugh at the comedic value. You never saw old people hotwiring a car. It was just unheard of.

We all quickly piled into the car as if we belong there and waited for Madison to finish. The quiet thrall of the engine came to life and I was relieved.

I didn’t want to admit it, but I was actually glad Boone managed to catch up to us. I once again felt comfortable now that he had joined my presence, old or not. I imagined us entering the casino arm in arm looking like a cute old couple and an idea began to take hold.

“
Hey Madison, I have an idea. Let’s pretend to be couples. Boone and I in love and you and Graham can play the old bickering couple. I think it could work.”

The words tumbled out before I had a chance to run them through my head and I reddened at the sound of it. Madison merely raised an eyebrow in interest and nodded. I didn’t even bother to look at Boone although I knew he was looking at me with interest as well. Even worse, I knew he could feel my desire for him.

Madison played the old lady well, and drove with her seat all the way up and erect. She peered over the steering wheel and drove excessively slow. I worried about being pulled over for bad driving but realized we were old and probably wouldn’t even be noticed. I decided Autumn had chosen our disguises well.

It was a really short ride to the casino down the street just on the riverfront. We managed to make it into the parking lot without any suspicious activity and pulled into a parking spot. I was relieved that we made it so far without a hitch.

Being the perfect gentleman, Boone took the bag of books and thrust it over his shoulder. Then he clasped his hand in mine and my old heart skipped a beat. As if on cue, I heard Madison and Graham bickering behind us.

“
We should have parked in the handicapped spot, you know it hurts my bad hip to walk all this way,” Graham said in a whiny tone.

“
Oh suck it up, Arnold. Walking is good for your bad ticker,” Madison promptly replied.

I was trying to pay attention to their hilarious antics, but the feel of Boone’s hand in mine was drawing most of my focus. Even old and wrinkly, his hand felt so right in mine. I felt jolts of electricity passing between us and was more confused than ever now. I was not sure whether my true feelings lie for Jared or Boone anymore. They were so different and still so intriguing.

My internal thoughts were once again cut short when we entered the lobby of the casino. It was lit up like daytime inside, lights everywhere. Multicolored hues of lights were flashing every direction as far as the eye could see. There were restaurants and bars lining the walkways to the casino entrance.

Realizing how long it has been since I had actually eaten anything, my stomach started to growl. I tried my best to ignore it and vowed to get room service when we secured our room. The front desk line was long and I dreaded waiting in it. Madison sensed that and commented. Her senses were really starting to creep me out.

“
Arnold and I will get us a room if you want to get something to eat at the diner with Jerry,” she said with her head cocked towards the fifties diner.

“
Sounds good,” I replied, not wanting to ruin our cover but hunger winning out.

Boone never faltered the charade, his hand in mine until we were seated across from each other in a red and black retro booth. I was not sure what to say once we are seated so I grabbed a menu and started skimming it.

Being the perfect gentleman that he was, he didn’t even question me. He just let me focus on my upcoming meal and did the same. I was secretly relieved and went on to deciding my dinner.

By the time we were halfway through our meal, the nervousness was forgotten and we were laughing like a bunch of insane old people. Apparently old people didn’t eat chicken wings and milkshakes often.

We were a mess and quite the spectacle. All of our worries were temporarily forgotten and I was wiping barbeque off his messy face with a wet nap. He was teasing me about my own aim as I felt his hands bring a wet nap to my face in return. Then I heard Madison and Graham bickering once again and knew our short reprieve was up.

“
It doesn’t matter what floor we are on Arnold, they have elevators. Your hip will be fine.”

“
What? I can’t hear you. Oh non-smoking dear,” she continued.