Dreamwalker (25 page)

Jared interjected. “Who are you going to contact? Do you need someone who can help?”

I hadn’t thought about that and it was clear that Sam hadn’t either. We looked at each other and she sighed. “You can join us since you are a clairvoyant also and contact Mr. Greene.”

He looked stoked to be included and wasted no time sitting down to my right, forming us in a triangle. I was not sure what was going to happen or how but I sat, and placed the bracelet over my left wrist, binding mine to Sam’s. We closed our eyes and a few deep breathes later, it happened.

It felt like we were being zapped from our bodies, our souls stripped. Everything was zipping by at extreme speeds until we came to a stop in a large office overlooking the Mississippi river. A man turned around that I recognized, Mr. Greene. He was sharp and polished in his tailored suit and tie. He was also clearly surprised to see us. And then his look turned serious.

“
I would say it is nice to see you all, but I doubt you are coming to me this way for a celebration,” he said candidly.

“
We are all locked up by PLI, both Graham and Clark are dead,” Jared explained gravely.

“
I told Yoseph we needed more help on the case. He thought you guys could handle it. Where are you?”

It was my turn to chime in. “Under Groovy Days on the Loop, Madison betrayed us.”

“
And tonight is Samhain. We don’t have enough time. Our window for catching Madison is dwindling and I don’t know what they have in store for you all. This is not great news.” Then he seemed to take in our astral forms and smiled.

“
Sam and Noel have the bracelet I am guessing. At least one thing is going our way. After this call, hide it again. Don’t let them gain possession of it. We need every advantage we can. I will do what I can from here.”

Jared gave him a nod of respect and then Sam and I gave him a wave goodbye. I closed my eyes and I was once again being lurched through the ether. I was snapped back into my body with little residual effects and rushed to remove the bracelet and tuck it back inside my bra.

I heard footsteps and we all stood to attention in apprehension of our upcoming company. They did not disappoint. Wren, August and Madison were standing there in front of the cell together, looking smug.

I had so many questions I wanted to ask, but all I could think about was wiping that damn smug look off of each and every one of their faces. I felt insulted by it, mocking me and my own stupidity. I didn’t get the chance to do anything though because Wren spoke in her icy tone.

“
You four were a pain in the ass to catch. I was not pleased when you cracked that dream too soon last time dear Noel. We almost had you. Luckily, Madison kept good enough tabs on you. Thanks to us, it seems we may be in for a ceremony after all tonight.”

“
Ceremony?” we all echoed.

“
Yes, ceremony, we are all going to be chosen by Persephone herself to go to Eleusis, for the immortality ceremony. This ceremony takes place only once every five years. She wants you four for some god forsaken reason and I just want to get what I deserve,” Wren said.

It is I who spoke up next. “Why did you betray us Madison? I understand why August and even Wren, but why you?”

She gave a little laugh, showing a hint of fang and replied. “I want to go to the underworld. I am bored of this life. I want my time in the house of Persephone. I was promised things, and I want them. Now is my time to cash in.”

“
You all were so easy. I didn’t even have to worry about catching you, you came right to me. I had you in the palm of my hand,” Madison bragged.

Then she continued on, “As soon as Boone brought you to us I knew this would be your fate. It was so simple from there. Once you effectively split yourselves from Mr. Greene and the others, I was even surer this would go down.”

Wren stepped forward, continuing where Madison left off. “Besides, with Noel’s blood coursing through Madison’s veins, it was like GPS. We were able to tap in anytime we wished.”

I wanted to curse myself for letting Madison bite me now. I had no idea that she could track me on top of reading my thoughts. I couldn’t believe she betrayed us just for a change in scenery.

They didn’t give us even a sliver of a chance to respond. They had sealed our fate and we didn’t even get a word in edgewise. It felt like total bullshit.

“
I am going to take Sam and Jared to get cleaned up. The rest of you better behave,” Wren said.

A few guards slipped into the cell and flanked Sam and Jared. They gave us one look behind them and then were escorted away. My breath caught in my throat at the thought of being away from my sister.

When they left, it was silent. Only Boone, Autumn and I were left in the cell. Immediately, Autumn came up to me and whispered in my ear. “Talk to him, you need to figure things out.”

I whispered a “thank you” in return. She went and sat in the far side of the cell and attempted to meditate. When I turned around, Boone was inches from me. I took a sharp intake of breath as he pulled me to him.

His kiss was gentle yet seductive. He was telling me that he wanted me and at that moment I couldn’t argue. His lips on mine felt amazing and I almost forgot the rest of the world as we stood there locked in a very hot embrace.

When he finally pulled away, his eyes searched mine. He could feel my desire rolling of me in waves, yet he also felt that small pocket of hesitation. I wish it wasn’t there, but it was and I had to deal with it soon.

“
I told you I would fight for you, and I intend to. You are too amazing to slip through my fingers without a fair fight. You have only actually spent real time with Jared once. We have spent all this time together and laughed as teens, adults and the elderly. You can’t deny our connection Noel.”

I nearly stopped breathing at his admission. He wanted me in spite of all the trials we had been through. He wanted me at every age, even when I was old. My heart melted just a little bit and my eyes peered into his as I reached up and gave him a chaste kiss. We didn’t have time for much else when we heard shuffling.

The guards were carrying Sam and Jared back to the cell. I swiftly moved away from Boone and a guilty blush rose in my cheeks. I was relieved that they were alright; I wasn’t sure for a minute there. They were clean and dressed in generic clothes. I was sure they were better than the dirty and tattered ones they were wearing.

Once again, I wanted to say something to them. Unfortunately Wren had returned with more guards.

Then with a tilt of her head, Wren called forth the guards to our cell. They were swift to unlock it and had appeared by our sides in the blink of an eye. I didn’t see what happened to everyone next. I felt the quick pinch of an injection and the whole world fell to black before I knew it.

I felt groggy and disoriented when I stirred. The blindfold was removed and I saw nothing but blackness until my eyes adjusted. When they finally came in focus, I stifled a gasp. We were in a temple. There were so many people here. A sea of people flooded the temple, making the air stifling.

The whole temple was lit by candlelight, flickering amongst the gathered. It appeared that we were at some sort of altar encompassed in a circle of chalk. Our hands were loosely bound in front of us and we all looked at one another as we regained consiousness.

The situation was definitely dire. We all realized with dismay that help was not coming to rescue us this time. I could read it on everyone’s defeated faces. There were just too many people here. No gift or power that we as individuals or as a collective could save us now.

We were actually here, Eleusis. Greece was a far cry from home. All the myths were real and we were smack dab in the middle. I had only read about this place in history and Greece myths.

I always wanted to visit Greece, but never imagined it would be under these circumstances. I was still not sure how they managed it so quickly but have to live with the knowledge that it has happened. The gravity of the situation settled in the pit of my stomach.

Immortality was a heavy word. Persephone planned to grant us immortality tonight. What does one do with an offer like that? It was flattering yet scary at the same time.

No one should want to live forever. We lived our lives to the fullest and made peace before letting go of this world and entering the next. To be gifted and live forever was a loaded responsibility. It could corrupt as much as it could improve a person.

I was jilted back to the scene as a hushed tone crossed the masses. I strained to see the commotion and I saw a figure in the distance. The crowd was parting and bowing as the figure approached. As they moved closer, I saw it is a woman.

She was dark and exotic and every bit as beautiful as I imagined she would be. Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. I had no doubt in my mind that I was face to face with a goddess.

She was clothed in luxurious grey silk robes. Her brown hair pinned up in a sophisticated up do, an intricate silver crown atop her head. She was carrying a torch and a sheaf of grain.

Her smile was delicate and proper but didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her porcelain skin was flawless and radiant in the candlelight. I found myself entranced by the richness of her beauty. Clearly the guys were having the same reaction, their mouths hung open in awe.

I quickly broke my sight away to look for our captors. Even Wren had the guile to look submissive to her. As she moved closer, everyone bowed down. I even found that we were doing so as well. Regardless of good or bad, she was still a kind of royalty and demanded respect.

It was clear to me that Boone and Jared never expected to meet Persephone in the flesh. They stared on with wonder written all over their faces. I wanted to be jealous, but couldn’t deny her otherworldly beauty. She was simply gorgeous.

As I stood there bowing in admiration, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen to us. Would we be damned? Would it hurt? Would we still all remain together? The questions were tumbling through my mind like a bowling ball picking up speed. I was almost panicked at the prospective. I was afraid to say anything that would break the enduring silence.

Then, a melodic chant broke from her lips and the crowd followed suit. It was the most beautiful melody I have ever heard and brought tears to my eyes. I was enchanted by its beauty. The tune flowed easily and echoed from the temple walls in a staccato rhythm.

I briefly glanced up at the twinkling sea of stars in the night sky. Tears began to drop at the overwhelming magnificence I was encompassed in. Just being present was a gift to be cherished.

I finally broke away from the night splendor and faced Persephone. She was moving to enter our circle and my heart was beating at a steady thumping now. I submitted and bowed down once more in a show of admiration.

She stopped in front of me and smiled a genuine whole hearted smile. I was glowing from the attention, radiant. She lifted a chalice of jewel studded gold from her altar and raised it in the air while everyone cheered. She parted her lips and took a gentle sip.

More cheering exploded around us. She leaned down and placed the chalice to my lips and I sipped without hesitation, needing her approval. It tasted of tart tangy pomegranate. I bowed down in thanks before she moved to Sam. It was clear everyone else was engrossed by her and they all sip as well, bowing in thanks.

Persephone put the chalice in its place back on her altar and used the torch to light the waxy red candles starting at North and ending at West. She blessed the circle and the melodic chant begins more fervently. Everything around us began to swirl and turned pixilated as the world began to melt away once again.

***

When I came to, I was clearly dreaming. I was in a bed of plush cranberry, my head aloft a pillow of down feathers. The four poster bed was covered by a thin, shear wine colored canopy. I didn’t want to wake from this dream. I felt weightless and at peace.

I looked over and saw a vase of red tulips tinged with silver just like the field from my dream with Jared. I smiled, knowing it is a dream with Jared. My beautiful trinket bracelet of stones rested on my left wrist and I found I was wearing a silk negligée that fit perfectly on my thin form. It was black and lacy. I looked like a sex kitten I decided as I emerged from my cocoon of comfort. I looked in the mirror and giggled.

My bare feet slid to the floor and I wrapped myself in the black silk robe left on the hook next to the door. With a twinge of excitement, I ventured out to find Jared. Gray and ivory baroque wallpaper lined the paneled hallway and tall ceiling. I pulled the handle on the door next to mine.

It swung open easily and I stepped into plush Faberge carpet. My feet sank into the little slice of heaven and I looked for Jared. The bed was filled with a sleeping form and I slipped in beside him, closing my eyes in delight.

I was surprised when the man rolled me over and pinned me down. It was Boone and I was breathless against him. His blue eyes penetrating mine told me that I was not in Jared’s dream. It was Boone’s dream. He clasped my hands above my head and kissed me without abandon, full of passion.