Dreamscape

by Christie Rich

  No doubt she will search for a way out. Rumors of an entrance to the mortal realm still circulate the inner worlds, but to my knowledge, no one has ever found the portal. For a moment, I wonder if that is what Daegan is after. Does he think Amelia could find the entrance? Volos had his memory wiped before he had completely converted, and he is the only one who knew where the portal was. Only time will answer that question, and right now, I have a recruit to look after.

  I deposit Amelia at her room and instruct her to be ready in five minutes. She gives me a shrug then closes the door.

  I’m changed and ready to go in three. Impatient as I am, I pace the edge of the fire wall. When she finally emerges from her room, clothed in skin-tight black leather, I take her in, not bothering to hide my assessment. A pretty blush infuses her cheeks, lessening the illusion that she is completely in control and ready for any threat. Still, her reaction merely enhances her beauty, her purity. Even with her harsh upbringing, Amelia has never truly embraced evil.

  My only hope is that she will be strong enough to withstand the cunning manipulations the Erobos are known for. I could spend more than a century warning her, but she is not the type who would benefit from such training, even if I had the time to give her.

  Taking a deep breath, I walk to her side. She fidgets with her hair until I still her hands. “You are beautiful.”

  She gives a huff. “I look ridiculous.”

  What she looks is exquisite , but I do not let the thought escape my lips. I brush my fingers over the spikes at her elbows. “Do you remember what I taught you?”

  When I lung at her, she twists away from me, taking a fighting stance, her legs spread wide, her hands up to deflect any blow I might throw at her.

  “Good,” I say, offering a sincere smile. “Once in the Dreamscape, follow my lead. If I tell you to run, do not hesitate. You must memorize our entry point for each world. Remember that the farther you wander away from the portal, the harder it will be for you to find it again. Some worlds have many portals, but all do not offer such convenience. There are also failsafe portals that are risky to enter. You must not enter a portal you are unfamiliar with. They could even be Erobos, and you won’t be able to tell the subtle difference at first. Do you understand?”

  “Yeah. Got it, boss. What do I do if we are separated?”

  “Find the portal and use it. I will follow as quickly as I am able. Due to their dark energy, Erobos cannot enter Oneiroi portals, nor can we enter theirs, but they can trick you and ambush you. Even if you make it to one of our portals, they can track you and will follow your trail quickly. Do not hesitate to return to my realm if the need arises. If nothing else will do, wake up.”

  “How?”

  “Think of a word that means something to you. All you have to do is scream that word and you will be severed from the Dreamscape.” I wait for a moment, giving her time then ask, “Do you have it?”

  She nods, glancing at the floor. I lift her gaze to mine. “I will not let you out of my sight. You shouldn’t even be noticed by the lesser ranks. It is the elite we have to worry about.” One elite in particular crosses my mind.

  “Daegan?”

  I nod.

  “Won’t the others question my being with you?”

  I attempt to keep my expression neutral. “It is not uncommon for me to travel with a beautiful companion, so unless they’re specifically looking for signs of life, they will not detect you, especially if you attempt to keep yourself dampened.”

  Amelia’s dark brows draw together over her green eyes. An edge of jealousy lies within her gaze, which brings a smile to my lips. She smirks at me. “I have no idea what you mean by ‘signs of life.’ Isn’t everyone alive in the Dreamscape?”

  “Humans have a level of consciousness specifically designed for dream travel. Since your body will technically be here, you will be in that mode of consciousness. It will be difficult for normal ranking Erobos to see the difference in life force. You must attempt to blend into your environment.”

  She gives me a few exaggerated blinks. “You make it sound as if they have an entire army.”

  “They do. Hundreds of thousands, maybe over a million. You must be careful at all times. You must follow my lead. They will be curious. Make no mistake, they will notice you; however, dreamers do not react to touch. Since you will not allow anyone other than me to touch you, this should not be a problem.”

  “Right. No one can touch me but you.” Her eyes narrow while she tucks the knife I hand her into her belt. “You know, you sound like a control freak, Seth.”

  I swallow past a lump of regret and sigh. “I must maintain my realm, Amelia. What you see as controlling I call survival.” When I extend my hand, she takes it. “There is just one other thing we need to get straight before we get you settled.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You will not leave your designated sleeping zone while in the Dreamscape.”

  She coughs out a laugh. “Designated sleeping zone? Seriously?”

  “Amelia, I have taken great measures to keep you safe. Even if the unthinkable happens and an Erobos latches onto your life force, you will merely wake up. If you were to wander my realm before I can return, they could follow you here. The designated sleeping zone was created to keep them contained, should they manage to return with you.”

  “I thought I would just be in my room.”

  I catch myself chewing on my upper lip, so I rub them together, hoping she didn’t notice my worry. “It is not safe for you to dream in your room without me being present. I cannot guarantee that once we slip out of your dream world we will not be separated. If an Erobos followed you here and accessed the fire wall, my realm would fall.” And so would I.

  I take her hands, pulling her closer, making sure she is paying attention. “Amelia, my realm is the only thing separating Earth from the Erobos. If my realm falls, so will Earth.”

  Her eyes widen and she nods. Increasing in tempo, her heartbeat is the most telling response she gives. “As long as it isn’t in that Den of—um, as long as it isn’t in your library, I’m good with it.”

  I smile, imagining her draped across red velvet in nothing but skin. When she slaps my shoulder, I laugh. She knows me so well, yet she acts as if I am still a mystery for her. “That is exactly where you will sleep if you intend to come with me.”

  Anger flares inside me. Who does this guy think he is? He can’t just tell me what to do and expect me to obey like I’m his dog. He’s already got one of those. “No way,” I tell him. “There is no way I am ever climbing those stairs again, let alone sleeping in that room with the glass floor.”

  Seth gives me a onceover before he smiles. “For your information, that floor is solid crystal, not glass. It is ten times as strong as any manmade structure you have ever lived in. That room is the safest place you could be. I’ll take no arguing from you.”

  “I won’t do it,” I tell him, folding my arms over my chest and cocking my hip.

  He gives me all of a half a second to prove me wrong. I’m thrust over his shoulder as he heads for the library before I can say another word. I’m not going to kick or scream or do anything that will compromise me, but the moment he puts me down he better be ready.

  I close my eyes as he ascends the stairs. All it would take is for him to trip and I’d fall over a hundred feet. No. I won’t think about that. I have to stay calm.

  To my surprise he doesn’t set me on my feet at all. When I open my eyes, he’s lowering me to the bed. The domed ceiling reflects a cascade of pearlescent light over us.

  I twist away from him, punch his shoulder, and glare full force. “I can’t sleep here. It’s not even dark.”

  “You may make it as light or as dark as you wish. This room is designed for your needs. As before, merely speak your requirement and, apart from an exit, you shall be accommodated.”

  I lean back on my elbows and stare at him. “Do you realize how freaky you are? You can’t just comman
d me to do stuff. I should be able to make my own decisions.”

  “Until you are capable of protecting yourself, precautions must be made. I thought you would be happy to begin your training. There is only so much we can do in my realm. You must experience the Dreamscape yourself to truly learn anything of value.”

  He’s got me. I should feel comforted knowing that nothing can reach me in here, but it feels more like I’ve been dumped in a cage with a bowl of water and a bit of kibble.

  “Fine,” I tell him, because there really is no point in arguing with him. Maybe if I don’t think about where I am, I won’t have too many problems.

  Warm fingers brush the line of my jaw, making me shiver. “Are you cold?” asks Seth. He doesn’t even move, but the covers suddenly shift underneath me then slide along my body up to my chin.

  “Nifty ability,” I say, smirking at him.

  “Yes, well, I do what I can.” He manually adjusts the blankets at my throat, his chest coming within inches of my face. When he leans back, I make myself look away from him. Even in a T-shirt, he makes my mouth go dry. He clears his throat and I narrow my eyes. Am I that obvious? Before I can ask him, he says, “Are you ready?”

  I nod, not knowing if I really am ready for this, but I have to start somewhere. My stomach flutters as if someone released a thousand bouncy balls inside me.

  Seth stretches, yawning. “Would that I could take the spot beside you, but unlike you, I have to be physically present to affect the Dreamscape.”

  “What?” I ask. What he said doesn’t make sense.

  He flushes as though embarrassed or worried. “It’s nothing,” he says, making me sure it is something.

  Even though I’m dying to find out what he meant, I let it go. I’m going to experience more of the Dreamscape soon enough, if I can ever relax. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, imagining the pool and waterfall I’ve come to love.

  “Not there,” Seth murmurs into my ear. His warm breath feathers wisps of hair around my face, not helping the shivering one bit. “The ball, remember?”

  How can I forget? “Why there?” I ask, making myself keep my eyes closed. If I open my eyes, I’ll get lost in his.

  His cheek brushes against mine as he inhales near my ear. My head flies with dizziness. What is he doing to me? I can barely keep my wits when he answers me, his breath tickling me to my toes. “I don’t want you to be noticed at first. We shall enter the Dreamscape from a world you are not connected to.”

  “Okay,” I tell him, wishing I had a single clue what to expect from here.

  “It’s nineteen sixty-seven in uptown Manhattan. We’ve arrive in style in my nineteen thirty-four cherry red Ford Coupe. The bellman can’t take his eyes off you and neither can I. It is a small party for the elite.”

  “Whose dream is it?” I ask because he’s making me crazy with desire, and I need to think about something else.

  “Charlotte Robinson. She’s been in a coma for more than forty years. This was her coming out party. The day she will never forget, the day she lost everything, after finding the one thing she could have never hoped for with her life as it was.”

  I’m already sad for her. “What was that?”

  “Her true love.”

  I sit up, pushing Seth away from me. “What happened to her?”

  His head tilts, mirroring the angle of mine. “She was hit by a car…sustained a traumatic brain injury. Her parents kept her on life support, but her father just passed away last week. The estate is wealthy enough to keep her going, but now that he is gone, the executor will likely pull the plug.”

  I gasp. “That’s awful. What did she lose that night?”

  “Her secret boyfriend died after he whisked her away from the ball for a stolen moment. She was reluctant to leave, and he, in his excitement to get her alone, pulled her into road. They never saw the car coming. The driver was distracted by a beautiful woman on the opposite sidewalk. He only looked away for a moment, but that was all it took.”

  “I don’t want to go there,” I say, gritting my teeth to keep the unexpected tears from spilling into my eyes.

  “Amelia,” Seth says in a consoling tone. “This woman has relived her most favorite moment over and over again. She has never had a nightmare, and, even though she has grown old and feeble, she will always remember being young. She will also be reunited with her boyfriend shortly. She’s almost off the radar. Hers is a safe world for you to enter. A dying world.”

  “Do I have to wear that dress again?”

  Seth’s sparkling blue eyes rove over me playfully. “I would love to see you in it again, or out would be good, too.”

  I shove his chest and my fingers stick. “Stop being such a guy.”

  He laughs. “I can hardly be a girl.”

  “No kidding.” I flip my hand to the side and lay back down. “Whatever, but I want you to get us out of there fast. I don’t want to be there when that lady kicks the bucket. Got it?”

  He smiles. “Close your eyes.”

  Amelia’s dark lashes flutter against her cheeks before she complies to my demand. My eager heart beats steadily as I anticipate seeing her in the green gown again.

  The color is light enough to set off the moss of her eyes. She will be unpredictable, but I’m looking forward to testing just what she is capable of.

  I talk to her in soothing tones, describing every minute detail until her breathing steadies and her eyelids dance with the movement of dreams.

  I brush my fingers along the line of her hair, inhaling her sultry scent before I make myself leave her. She will be safe, yet I cannot help caving to the zing of my nerves.

  I race to my room, barely taking a moment to pat Baltek on the head. Hastily, I call the flames and rush through the barrier into the Dreamscape.

  Once through, I find the nearest portal and skip from world to world until I’m there in the penthouse apartment. Normally the room is cast in a sepia tinge, but tonight it is vibrant, alive with activity, alive because Amelia has made it so.

  I freeze when I reach the dance floor.

  Another man holds Amelia in his arms, twirling her around the room effortlessly.

  A hushed grumble erupts from me before I can halt my reaction. I don’t recognize him, but that doesn’t mean anything. He could merely be a fragment of Charlotte’s memory; however, he could be the newest Erobos agent recruited to infiltrate my realm. Not all of them come to us tainted enough to tell. I cannot—will not—take chances with Amelia.

  I amble over to the edge of the dance floor, grabbing a glass of sparkling champagne from a passing waiter. I down the drink in one gulp, raising a few perfectly plucked eyebrows. If only the drink could calm my nerves. Unfortunately the Dreamscape is only as tangible as the dreamer’s mind allows.

  The Old Hollywood theme has been taken to a new level for this affair. The partiers in question have attempted to capture the allure of the time, but it is only Amelia that does it justice.

  She takes my breath, watching her laugh up at the dark-haired stranger. I study his face, his manner, every angle I can to jog some sort of recollection, but there is nothing.

  I only allow myself an instant to assess him before I stride toward them to cut in. No man, not even a dream, will take her from me.

  The fellow ignores me even though I follow his exaggerated twists and turns. When I finally manage to tap his shoulder, he turns his head and looks at me. He is at least six inches shorter than me, yet still quite a bit taller than his flushing companion. His liquid brown eyes assess me before he turns back to her, not bothering to comment.

  Every muscle I have bunches to spring at this imbecile, yet, I make myself stay calm. Amelia eyes me as they swirl away from me, her expression far from the fear I expect. She seems calm enough, only curious. I told her to run from Erobos, but like me, she probably does not feel darkness in this man. I promised myself I wouldn’t delve into her thoughts, but I cannot leave it be at the moment.

  When I
enter her mind, I slide into a storm racing to nowhere. Thoughts blur together, hardly distinguishable, but I manage to catch a few. Who is this guy? Why is he here? Why is Seth so upset? What should I do? I could stomp on his foot. Tell him you’re thirsty. Tell him to let you go. How did I even end up dancing with him? He is sort of handsome. Who am I kidding; he’s smokin’ hot. Let Seth stew till the song is over.

  A low growl erupts from my lips, making a handful of people stare at me. I offer a cordial smile before I bound over to the stranger and waylay him right in the middle of the dance floor. Hisses of concern flit around me, but I take no further heed before I grab Amelia’s hand and haul her with me to the front door.

  She stares at me for a few moments before she says, “Was that entirely necessary?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She huffs, attempting to pull her hand from mine. I give a solid squeeze and tug her shaking digits through the crook of my elbow, which manages to bring her reassuringly closer.

  She offers me a frown then says, “Why’s that?”

  “You said you wanted an expedited departure. I am merely accommodating you.”

  “Ha!” Electricity sizzles between us, and I am tempted to yank her against me for a dance she will never forget. She goes on, not showing a single sign of the charge she creates in me. “Don’t think I missed how you looked at that guy. Who was he, anyway? And why does he keep showing up in my dreams?”

  Not waiting for the butler to do it, I grab a coat for Amelia then throw the door open and escort her into the hall. “No idea, and what the hell do you mean? You’ve seen him before?”

  She glances over at me, but her gaze travels to the oriental hallway runner, making it hard for me to gauge her reaction. I’ve already violated her privacy once tonight, and I will not do it again. I didn’t exactly enjoy the interaction. Before I can pull her down the stairs or into an elevator, she yanks her arm out of my grasp and careens to a halt. “He warned me that you were coming before you came to get me. It’s why I woke up that night.”