Only in Her Dreams (30 page)

“You served him, Alexander! You took an oath to protect the leader of Erebos.” Maxim pointed his finger at Alexander.

“I swore to protect the ‘rightful’ leader of Erebos. That should’ve been my Master.” Alexander’s emotionless gaze held Maxim.

Every person in the room disappeared and Maxim focused solely on the man who could’ve saved his father.

“Enough!” Darius commanded. “It happened long ago. My guilt faded along with my banishment.”

Regaining his composure, Maxim addressed his twin. “You don’t need all these people to get what you want. Let them go and keep me.”

“Let’s not underestimate Guy, either. You mean nothing to him...but his daughter--and now his wife--mean everything. He went to great lengths to hide them from me,” Darius said. “You’re expendable, my dear
younger
brother.”

# # #

Lucessa watched the scene around her, completely helpless. Her family dysfunction ran deep, very deep. Questions bounced around in her head. Questions for Maxim and questions for her mother. She risked a glance at him, sitting on the couch next to Sandy with Alexander standing guard behind him, daring any of them to make a move.

Her mother sat tensely beside her, taking in the scene. She probably had no idea what was going on. She’d recognized her when she’d walked in...that was odd.

Lucessa had seen little hope of escape before Maxim showed up, and now there was zero chance. Maxim sat confidently on the couch opposite her, Marie, and Darius. His eyes penetrated his brother’s, the same stare pushed back at him.

“What do we do now?” she asked on a long, low sigh. “We’re all here and no one is there to await an answer from my father.”

“That’s a good point, my dear,” Darius said. “Am I correct in assuming you never told Guy I have his daughter?”

Lucessa wondered if Maxim
had
told her father what was going on. From the presence of her mother, she suspected her father was well informed. At least she hoped so.
He may well be our only chance.

Beside her, Marie rested heavily against her shoulder, her head against the back of the armchair. She looked up, her eyes were closed.
How can she fall asleep?

Her mother was ill and probably confused.

“You’re correct, brother. I thought I could handle this situation without dragging Guy away from his responsibilities in Erebos,” Maxim said.

Lucessa’s heart sank. They were on their own.

She looked at Maxim, making eye contact for the first time. And he winked at her.

Winked!

Her heart lifted.

Chapter 39

The roses opened in the early morning heat. A breeze blew across the grass and through the tall oak tree. She turned to smell the calla lilies, lavender, sweet peas, and jasmine surrounding her. She only felt safe and at peace when she was in her garden. In her garden anything--and everything--was possible, her family would stay together and their love would continue to flourish.

The sound of familiar footsteps on the pea gravel behind her drew her attention from the blossoms to the approaching figure. “Hello, Guy. Is Lucessa off to school already?”

Marie’s smile disappeared and she whimpered. Guy stood in front of her, shaking uncontrollably.

He took the final few steps and scooped her off the ground into his protective embrace. She sighed and melted in his arms, her body flowing with the curve of his.

“Oh Marie! I thought I’d lost you.”

“Lost me? I’ve only been tending my garden.” Her smile returned. “What is that look for? You’re scaring me.” A nervous laugh escaped her lips.

“Marie, you’re dreaming, my dear.”

“As long as I’m in your arms, I’ll always be in a dream...the perfect dream.” She lifted her lips, expecting his to press against hers, to fill her body with warmth. But nothing touched her lip, but the early morning breeze as it continued through the flowers and trees that surrounded them.

“We must talk,” he sighed.

Her eyes popped open and cold dread flooded her body.

“Marie, this is a dream. You’re asleep.” At her look of confusion he continued. “You’re with Maxim and Lucessa...think Marie! Where are you?”

“Yes, I remember. We’re in danger, Guy.”

# # #

Guy inched down the dusty lane, following Marie and Maxim’s foot prints. No sound and barely any light escaped the building at the end of the path. No matter the outcome, he’d bring his family home--for good. And destroy Darius. The time had come.

He’d stilled his rage at his middle brother. Maxim cared deeply for Darius, their twin connection created a strong bond. A bond Guy could not share with the pair.

Guy had forced Darius’ hand. He felt responsible for the danger Marie and Lucessa where in and the choices Maxim would be forced to make

He maneuvered around the car parked in the driveway and crept to the side of the house, trying to pick up any sounds.

“How did it happen?” Maxim’s question drifted through the shuttered window.

“Do you really want all the gory details, brother?”

Guy listened intently to the voice he hadn’t heard in over twenty years. A voice he’d only heard raised in anger.

“I think you owe me an explanation. He was my father too!”

“I owe you?” Darius chuckled. “I think you have that twisted, brother.”

What are they talking about?
Guy wondered. He laid his ear against the plywood barrier to hear every word.

“Tell him, Master.”

“It really was a misunderstanding. Alexander and I were recruiting men to force
our
father out of power.”

“A mutiny?” Maxim asked.

“Lovely way to put it! Father happened upon our efforts. We argued, again. His horse startled and he was thrown...his head landing solidly against a boulder.”

He killed my father.
A rock formed in the pit of Guy’s stomach. If Darius had killed Morpheus, then he wouldn’t hesitate to kill again.

# # #

Lucessa couldn’t believe Maxim still sat there, after all he’d just found out. His twin was responsible for his father’s death.
What a selfish prick!
Because of one act, Maxim had lost his father and been forced to betray the only other relative he had. Any other person would be crushed, seeking answers for the injustice in the world. When Lucessa had lost her father she’d felt like it was the end of the world, but she still had her mother, even if she’d been forever changed, damaged.

Maxim’s had been left with no one.

Instead, he sat across from her, his head held high and his face holding no expression. He’d believed his twin could change, would change--that in the end, Darius would do the right thing.
Did Maxim think he can still save him?

If it were she, she’d be unable to contain her hatred for Darius and his kind, his Melas Oneiroi. The man had not only taken Morpheus from Maxim, but also Lucessa’s father from her. And possibly her mother.

Maxim’s strong jaw held almost an innocent look; his hair fell softly in front of one eye and down one rounded cheek. Muscles bulged under his t-shirt. She couldn’t help but think of the pictures of her and her father when she’d been young. They held many of the same features, as did Darius. But where Maxim and Guy had the faces of men in their early thirties, Darius’ face and body were dissipated. His arms were covered in track marks and his face was pockmarked from years of abuse. His cheeks were hollowed and his eyes were sunken. Maybe it was malnutrition or just an unhealthy lifestyle that made him appear so much older than Maxim.

A noise not far behind her had her body stiffening. Something rustled against the side of the building, so faint that neither Alexander nor Darius heard it. She turned her gaze back to Maxim, careful to keep her expression as emotionless as his. Maxim’s eyes captured hers and willed her to keep quiet and not make any movement. Then he looked away.

“But the situation is out of my hands now,” Darius said.

“What do you mean it’s out of your hands?”

“Well, I was forced to make a deal with the devil, so to speak.” Darius’s chuckle sent tendrils of fear snaking up her spine.

“What did you do, Darius?” Maxim’s lips pulled back, baring his teeth.

“Only what I had to do.”

“All you
had
to do was stop fighting Guy’s way of leading and come back to Erebos.” Maxim’s mouth relaxed, his hands pushed his hair back.

“We both know that was not a possibility.”

“I knew no such thing! I’ve waited all these years to have my twin back.” Maxim’s hands fell from his head, to lie limply on the couch.

“It doesn’t matter now, anyways. I don’t want Erebos, I’ve set my sights a little higher.”

The gentle scraping, almost as if the breeze pushed the tall, dry weeds against the building, began moving down the wall, away from Lucessa and toward the only entrance to the shack. She barely registered the conversation around her, concentrating instead on the light sound moving along the walls at an agonizingly slow pace. The hair on her neck stood on end.

“You’re so naïve, Maxim. Always thinking the best of people and giving them second chances.” Darius laughed as he rose to pace in front of the fire.

Maxim stared back in silence.

“What? Nothing to say?” Darius stopped pacing, his shadow projected onto the wall behind the couch.

“There’s nothing I can do about that now, but I can stop you from making another mistake.”

“Another mistake?”

“Yes,” Maxim squared his shoulders. “Guy won’t let you live after taking his family. He’s put up with your disobedience and mutiny before. But I don’t see him continuing.” His clenched fist slammed against the arm of the sofa. The action startled both Greg and Sandy.

“There is nothing you can do. I know what I want and I better get it soon. I cannot go back on the deal I’ve made.”

“The deal you’ve made? Your riddles are getting old!”

Everyone in the room fidgeted with anxiety. Greg moved a bit closer to Sandy. She didn’t shift away, possibly because that would mean moving closer to Maxim. Lucessa almost laughed but suppressed the urge. Maxim could be an opposing figure if you didn’t know him. Lucessa squeezed her mother’s hand, not to wake her but to reassure herself that she was there, still present. At least in body, if not in mind.

Marie shifted on the arm of the chair, causing Lucessa to lean away from her, closer to Darius and away from the door. She looked up to make sure her mother was awake. Marie’s face turned toward the door expectantly.

The room shook as the door flew off its hinges, landing against the couch Maxim, Sandy, and Greg occupied. Sandy jumped so high she landed on Greg’s lap. Alexander grabbed Maxim by the shoulders, holding him in place. Darius turned from the fire. It all happened so fast.

But Marie didn’t flinch.

# # #

Maxim sensed Guy the second he parked down the dirt lane, next to Lucessa’s car.

Guy moved into the room, gun drawn, and moved next to Marie and Lucessa. After he saw they were unharmed he turned to Darius, his gun pointed where the man’s heart should be. “Brother, you’ve taken this too far. This quarrel is between you and me,
not
my family.”

“Guy! I should’ve killed you when I had the chance. Thankfully you’re here now, away from Erebos and safety. And I’m one step closer to having my kingdom.” Darius moved back to his armchair, sitting as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “Have you come to give me what I desire?”

“You’ll have neither my family nor Erebos.”

“I hate to interrupt but can I leave now?”

In unison, Guy and Darius faced Greg.

Maxim took the opportunity to pull out of Alexander’s restraining grip, throwing him off balance. He covered the distance between the couch and his brother’s armchair in two long strides. His arm lifted and cocked back. Maxim’s aim was right on and cracked Darius in the jaw, his twin’s head snapped back against the back of the chair. The smug look finally drained from his face.

As Darius slumped over, Maxim heard Guy and Alexander shuffling behind him. “Get out! Run!” he shouted to Lucessa and Marie. Both women hesitated. “I said get out!”

“I can’t leave you,” Lucessa breathed.

“What the fuck...”

Maxim didn’t let Darius finish his sentence before his fist again swung, this time hitting his brother in the temple. Next, he swung around to check on Guy. The two men struggled as Alexander tried to gain control of the gun.

Not wanting to distract Guy, Maxim moved around the edge of the room. Sandy and Greg had moved, pressing their bodies against the wall bordering the fireplace. Maxim inched toward the door for a glimpse outside. Lucessa and Marie fled down the long drive to safety.

A weight lifted from his chest. He breathed a sigh of relief.

As he exhaled, the cold edge of metal pressed against his throat. “Don’t move,
little
brother,” Darius hissed in his ear.

The knife pressed deep into Maxim’s neck, nicking the skin. A trail of warm blood moved slowly down his neck and onto his shirt. Darius stepped back, pushing the blade further into Maxim’s flesh, forcing Maxim to step back and away from the door. He lost sight of Lucessa. The sight would have to last him an eternity if he didn’t survive.

Darius moved, placing his own back to the door and blocking any escape. They now faced Guy and Alexander as the men toppled over the couch and disappeared. The gun slipped out of both men’s grasps and slid across the floor. Four sets of eyes watched its progress as it came to rest under the chair Lucessa vacated moments before.

Alexander snapped out of it before Guy and pinned him against the ground. His brother stared into the man’s eyes. They promised a painful, slow death if he broke Alexander’s hold.

“Get up, brother. You’ve lost. Thank you, Maxim for delivering exactly what I needed.”