Dreamwalker (20 page)

Our eyes met for just a moment and for that fleeting second I could see Boone and me growing old together. It was so sweet that I had to avert my eyes to break the spell. Then, we were focused on Madison and Graham.

“
I will pay, you go ahead,” he said to me.

We just managed to join Madison and Graham when we heard an old lady greeting us. It was Autumn, and I had to stifle a giggle at the sight of her and Clark. She was old as dirt with thick bottle cap glasses on, using a cane.

Clark was wearing an old pair of sweats and suspenders as well over his plain blue t-shirt. His hair was combed over and he was also wearing thick glasses and a hearing aid. It was Madison who was the first to reply.

“
Bess and Howard, nice to see you, our rooms are ready.”

Autumn nodded and we headed towards the elevators in satisfaction. We managed to snag an elevator to ourselves but didn’t break character until we had entered our room.

“
Autumn, you are brilliant! That worked so well, and everyone was so convincing, especially Madison,” I said as I sank into the plush chair in the corner.

“
Thanks Autumn, we couldn’t have done it without you,” Graham said.

Autumn just blushed and said “Thanks” as humbly as I have ever seen her. Then Madison spoke up.

“We need a plan. No one is leaving this room until we have some sort of rough idea of what the hell we are doing. We have a few hours before these disguises wear off then we need new ones. In the meantime, I am open for suggestions,” she told us firmly.

A thought was niggling in the back of my mind and I piped up. “I could go under again. Maybe I can get into one of their dreams long enough to get a location out of them. Autumn can watch me for any sign of a struggle and can pull me out if I am in distress.”

Boone frowned at this idea but was too tired and weary to disagree. Madison seemed to approve of the idea.

“
Okay, that sounds reasonable. Autumn can work on making some new spells for our identities and research the tarot card as well. Boone, you look like shit. I think you need a nap.”

He looked like he was going to protest, but changed his mind and just nodded.

“
Clark can be on lookout just in case Wren shows up. Graham and I are going to play some slots and map out a safe exit in the meantime. We can meet back here in an hour or two and come up with a more concrete plan based on what we all find.”

Without waiting for approval, Madison twisted her fanny pack forward and opened the door for a very tired and old looking Graham. The door clicked shut behind them and we were left to our assignments.

“
I am pretty tired if you don’t mind Autumn,” Boone asked.

“
No, go ahead. It has been a crazy day and a half. Thanks for all your help,” she said dismissing him and focusing on Clark.

“
Are you good with guard duty?” she asked.

“
Whatever your heart desires Bess,” he said with a touch of sarcasm.

Autumn just rolled her eyes and turned to me. “Do you think you can fall asleep without any type of help from me?” she asked.

“
Seriously, I am so damn tired it will be a piece of cake,” I replied.

“
Ok, but if you need me just ask,” she said smiling sympathetically.

“
There is only one bed. Noel, do you have a problem sharing it with me?”

I felt his eyes watching me, unsure. The desire was still there and he was afraid I would say no. “That will be fine. Maybe you can snuggle up to me. That way, you will be the first to notice if I start to struggle.”

Light sprung to his eyes and he agreed. That settled, I yawned and pulled the covers down. Truthfully, I was terrified to be alone in the midst of my nightmares. Then I slid into the bed, aware that Boone was quickly following cue. I turned on my side, nestling my hair in my pillow.

Soon, I felt Boone’s warm body up against mine. Even in these disguises he affected me. Just the feel of his arms wrapped around me sent chills down my body and I wanted to turn and do more than sleep.

I was exhausted though and hoped Boone couldn’t feel my thoughts betraying me. I was already teetering on the border between his effortlessly perfect connection with me and Jared’s heat and familiarity. It was enough to drive a girl crazy.

I settled down into him, weary and bone tired from all this chaos. It took me no time before I was fading away, melting into another dream. Once my vision came into focus, I realized that this was indeed another of Jared’s dreams.

I felt traitorous somehow, having these dreams while having such intense feelings for Boone. Shaking off the thought, I focused on my surroundings. It was exceptional as all the rest have been.

I was standing in a field of swaying dandelions. Mountains surrounded me in gentle slopes of greens and greys. My hair was flying in swirls amongst the puffs of dandelions and I giggled. Instantly, a pair of hands was enveloping me from behind.

At peace, I sunk into his embrace. We just stayed there like that for a long while, swaying to the hypnotic rhythm of the field. Finally, I pulled away and turned around. He was flashing me his thousand watt smile and I felt like melting all over again.

I brought my lips to his and basked in the taste of them on mine. He brought everything inside me to the surface and I was once again struggling to keep myself in check.

Remembering that blurb in our last dream about intruders, I broke away and pulled him down to the ground. I sat cross legged across from him and looked into those grey eyes swirling with emotion.

I was about to question him when he brushed my face and tucked my hair behind my left ear. His hands on my flesh sent sparks through me and I was once again at his mercy.

When we parted again, flecks of dandelion were floating around us and I giggled. He lightened up and laughed as well.

“
It is so good to see you. I needed this. I needed you,” he said.

“
Trust me, the pleasure is mine,” I replied lightly.

“
You look well. I hope you are older than fifteen this time, I wouldn’t want to get in trouble for kissing a minor,” he said as he shot me a mischievous look.

This brought a giggle. “Oh, I would have to say I am much older. I have reached geriatric old this time.”

“
Autumn is still torturing you I gather. I guess she is keeping you safe then?”

“
Yes. She is truly trustworthy. So much has happened since our last rendezvous. I got many memories back that were lost to me before. I am really Noel Maristolla and I have a sister, Sam.”

That declaration brought a look of shock to his eyes. “Maristolla, as in you are one of the daughters of Jason and Rita Maristolla?”

“
Yes, that would be me, in the flesh, well I guess in the astral projection,” I replied.

“
This makes so much sense now. All of this does. I can’t believe I was sent to you to wake your powers. You are the stuff of legends, Noel. I am not kidding,” he said seriously.

“
What is the deal with my parents? Why are they so special? I thought it was Sam and I that were special. This is all so freaking crazy. I didn’t even remember I had a sister until a little while ago. I was normal two days ago. Forgive me if I have trouble swallowing all this. All this information is like a jagged little pill.”

“
I know, but it gets better. If Sam is your sister, then you two can magnify each other’s powers. Together, you two would be the most powerful clairvoyants in the entire world. You would be able to manipulate your visions and see the future in its entirety. It is an immense responsibility and a great power.”

I wrinkled my brow in confusion. “You mean to tell me that my parents had these powers too? How come we never knew? We were just a normal family.”

“
Years after they left PLI and went into hiding, it was rumored that Rita had children. The only way they could have escaped detection is if they stripped their powers and lived like average Americans. They must have tamped down yours as well.”

“
Our group knew Sam but had no idea she was a Maristolla. They just thought she was just a regular gifted clairvoyant. The only thing I don’t understand is that after their death and you two disappeared, you should have regained your powers,” he added.

“
That’s because Autumn stripped them again when she wiped my memory twelve years ago,” I supplied.

This earned me a nod in understanding. “Ok, that explains a lot. Where is Sam now? We need to get you to her now. It is the only way to keep you safe and away from PLI.”

“
That is the real problem. She is currently being held prisoner by Wren and August. I can’t get to her yet. We are working on that at the moment. I need some information from you,” I said as I paused to inhale the crisp mountain air around us.

“
So that means that she is here, somewhere, with me. I have not seen her, but that isn’t surprising considering the hospitality they have shown me. I am only alive because they want me to give them you.”

“
I need you to tell me everything you can about your prison. Where are you being held? What have you overheard from them? Are there any guards outside?”

He winced at my line of questioning. “I don’t know anything and yes respectively. They are tight lipped around me. I have no Intel of use. There are two guards outside, and I think one of them is a fire starter. I am not sure about the other one.”

I looked off into the distance, not wanting to show the disappointment that had washed over me. I hesitated before continuing. “Do you know Sam?”

I clearly caught him off guard because his eyes widened at the question. “I only know of her. She used to be a rogue like us until her and Autumn defected all those years ago. Then it has been radio silence ever since.”

“
But I had a vision of her and Boone. They clearly have met recently. Aren’t you his partner?” I asked, more confused than ever now.

Jared looked up with genuine surprise at that bit of information. It was the last thing I saw before the dream shifted to pieces around me and I was placed into another one.

After my vision cleared, I realized I was in Disney World. Characters and people were congregating everywhere around me. I was standing in line for it’s a Small World and peered around to see it was Sam’s dream.

She was standing next to me smiling her gentle older sister smile. Her brown hair was fluttering in the wind and her hazel eyes were sparkling like twin jewels. Relieved, I threw my arms around her and squealed in excitement.

When we parted, I was ready to mend fences. “I missed you so much!!!! This is a killer dream sis!”

Then I added, “Oh, I have my memories back now. I am sorry for the way I treated you last time.”

“
It’s ok; I know you didn’t know who I was. That is my fault. I should have kept your memories intact.”

“
Don’t beat yourself up, it’s ok. I know you did it to save me. I miss you now though!”

A warm smile that reached all the way to her hazel eyes broke out now. “I miss you like crazy little sis. I wish I could have seen you under better circumstances.”

I made light of the situation, like I did when I was nervous. “Are you kidding? We are in Disney World. This was the best vacation we ever took together. Mom and dad couldn’t keep up with us the whole trip. We ran them ragged. Just wait until we ride the tea cups. Let’s ride until we get sick.” I said, pulling her forward in the line for the ride.

“
Noel, you’re awesome. I wanted to know you all this time. Ask Autumn for the box I left for you. Don’t trust anyone else though, just you and her. It’s very important,” she urged still smiling.

I was still thinking of the dream with Jared and I had to ask about Boone. “Sam, when did you meet Boone? I saw a vision of you two in Japan I think.”

There was hurt in her eyes and she shook her head. “He found me a week ago and tried to get me to give you up. I broke, Noel. I told him, I am so sorry. Then, suddenly I have been found by PLI. I don’t like coincidences and I think something is up. Watch your back sis.”

She placed something in my pocket. When I went to pull it out, she shook her head no. Resigned, I just sighed and nodded.

All of this new information unsettled me. I knew he wasn’t in contact with Autumn before now. How could PLI find her so easily? I was about to respond when once again I lost the dream and faded away like the multicolored dust that fell around me.

When I regained my sight again, it was clear that I was in a very different dream. I was in a club of sorts. The atmosphere smelled of sweat, sex and perfume. The lights were illuminated in multicolor flashes and strobe lights. Scantily clad women were done up in skimpy costumes with vibrant colors. There were feathers and glitter everywhere.

The music was loud and it vibrated through me. I felt the beat of the steel drum and I swayed automatically. A line of show girls entered the stage and start a choreographed musical number. It was then that I realized I was in a burlesque.

I heard someone say “Noel” in a stern voice and I came to. I was one of the dancers and that was my queue to step onstage for the number. I looked down to see my striped thigh highs and lacy black panties. My bustier was black and tight with cleavage spilling over. I looked sexy and daring.