by V. E. Lemp
“Yes, that’s who’s provided me with this news. Although I did have other means to gather information when I had access to Oneiroi technology.”
“And yet you gave all that up when you left,” Karen said. “Are you sure you won’t eventually miss it?”
Alex met Karen’s searching gaze with an expression that made her wince. “I’ve spent years missing things of much greater importance. One learns to manage, over time.”
Mary jumped to her feet. “Anyone ready for dessert? We have pie.”
“Sounds delightful,” Myron said, with what sounded like relief. “Can I help you clear the table?”
“No, no, Will can do that.” Mary bustled into the kitchen, balancing a half-empty platter on top of a casserole dish.
“Take it from me, Mom’s pie is pretty fantastic.” Will stacked dirty plates as Karen rose to her feet.
“Hand me that bowl, would you, Mark?” Reaching across him to grab the serving dish, she almost stumbled, but he grabbed her about the waist and righted her.
“If you want to sit in my lap,” Mark said with amusement, “all you have to do is ask, sweetheart.”
Karen swatted him with her napkin. “You wish.”
Alex was closely observing this exchange, his lips tightened in a straight line. Karen lowered her head, snatched up a handful of silverware, and placed it in the bowl. As she walked around the table gathering a few more items, she kept her face turned away.
“Apple or lemon?” Mary asked, walking in from the kitchen ahead of Will. She was balancing a large tray covered in slices of pie.
“One of each?” Myron smiled. “Or isn’t that allowed?”
“Oh, there’s plenty. Take as much as you want.” Mary distributed the pie about the table, pausing at Alex’s chair for a moment. “Now you really should eat two slices, Alex.”
“Not sure I can handle that.” Alex graced her with a smile warm enough to melt a stonier heart. “Although it does look delicious.”
“I’ll take apple,” Karen called out as she hurried into the kitchen. She dumped the dishes in the sink and slumped against the counter.
“Stressed?”
She looked up as Mark entered the kitchen, laden with more dishes and utensils. He deposited them next to the sink before turning and taking her in his arms. “Can’t say I blame you. You’ve been under scrutiny all evening. It’s worse than a criminal interrogation.”
Karen leaned into him and placed her head on his shoulder. “I didn’t think it’d be this bad.”
“I did. Remember, my love, I also know Alex Wythe. And in a somewhat different context. He was always a single-minded, stubborn bastard when it came to getting his own way.”
Karen lifted her head and looked up into Mark’s face. “I guess I never saw that side of him.”
“I imagine you didn’t. After all, he had what he wanted, didn’t he?”
“You mean I wasn’t thwarting his desires.”
“Exactly. Which I confess I had to do, occasionally, in the past. Although not as thoroughly as I’m doing now.”
“We should get back in there. They’ll wonder what we’re doing in here.”
“Oh, let them wonder.” Mark kissed her.
After a minute, he straightened and sighed. “I suppose we should return. I don’t want Mary to think we’re ignoring her pie.”
“Come on then,” Karen said, taking his hand. “Back into the lion’s den.”
“More like an audience with the Grand Inquisitor,” Mark muttered.
Karen was relieved to see Alex engaged in a serious discussion with Will and Mary. Sam and Myron were also deep in conversation but looked up when Karen and Mark entered the room.
“There you are,” Myron said. “I was telling Sam perhaps we need someone to narrate our video. I’ll have to check with my contacts and see what we can arrange.”
“Max McCormick,” Karen replied. “He’s an actor and has a marvelous voice.” At Sam’s concerned look, she added, “Not to worry, Max was one of the original Morpheus Project subjects and fully supports our efforts. I can give him a call tomorrow, if you wish.”
“I appreciate that,” Myron replied.
“Are you planning to ask Alex to appear in the video?” Mark sat next to Sam and reached over to grab two slices of apple pie from their original places at the table. “Take a seat, Karen, and try some of this pie.”
“No, I don’t want to compromise Alex’s position,” Myron replied. “I think he’s more useful if his identity isn’t exposed.”
“Probably a wise choice,” Mark said.
“Yes, I think it best that we keep Alex in the shadows.” Karen toyed with her fork. “At least until he’s more acclimated to being back in human society.”
Alex glanced over at them. “Did I hear my name?”
“We were just discussing that it would be best to leave you out of Myron’s video. Your information’s obviously valuable, but perhaps exposing your story to the world isn’t the smartest choice at this time.”
“True. I think I’m more useful at this juncture as a silent partner.”
“Agreed.” Mark turned his full attention to his slice of pie. “This really is quite amazing, Mary. Ever thought about going commercial?”
Mary smiled and shrugged. “Will always tells me I should, but I don’t know if I want to turn my hobby into a business. Once that happens you lose what made you love something in the first place.”
“Quite true,” Mark said, before finishing off his slice.
“Well,” Sam said, “I hate to break up this party, but I must get back to my motel. I’m expecting messages from a few colleagues.”
“No problem. I’m sure we’re all tired after this day,” Myron said. “And I don’t want to impose upon Mary any longer, although she’s gracious and never complains. Since we’re all staying in the area we can continue our conversation at another time.”
Mark stood. “Of course. Though there’s something I’d like to discuss with you briefly before we leave, if you don’t mind, Myron. And Sam, if he’s willing.”
“Fine by me,” Myron said. “Perhaps we could step outside?”
Mark looked over at Karen. “We’ll only be a minute.”
“No problem.” Karen licked the last bit of apple pie from her fork. “I’ll just wait for you here.”
Mark, Myron, and Sam walked out onto the outdoor patio. After a moment, Mary rose to her feet and gestured for Will to join her in the kitchen. “Time to attack the dishes. No, Karen, you sit. Will can help me. It’s actually one of his chores.”
“All right, Mom. I got the message.” Will grinned at Karen before he followed his mother into the kitchen.
Karen tapped her fork absently against her plate. She looked over at Alex, who was watching her intently.
“Must be difficult for you,” she said at last. “Dealing with so many people all at once.”
“It is.”
“You look exhausted.”
“I am. But able to function, at least on a basic level.”
Karen surveyed his face, still beautiful after so many years. “You should think about yourself. You don’t need to be so damned stoic, you know.”
“Really?” Alex raised his eyebrows. “And who is going to take care of me?”
Karen ducked her head. “Oh, I’m sure you can take care of yourself.”
“I’d prefer that someone help me,” Alex said, very softly. “If she would.”
“You know that’s not possible.”
Alex rose and walked around the table to stand behind Karen’s chair. “I’ve learned almost anything’s possible.”
Karen shifted in her seat. “Perhaps in the universe of the Oneiroi. But not in this world.”
“Really, Karen?” Alex rested one slender hand on her shoulder. His fingers slid down from her shoulder to the hollow of her neck. “I still have your necklace. It was collected when my avatar was … decommissioned. I’ll gladly return it whenever you wi
sh.”
Karen sat absolutely still, although her heart was hammering against her ribs so hard she was afraid Alex could hear it. “No. I don’t want it back.”
“I see. You want no reminders of our life together.” Alex placed both his hands on her shoulders and pulled her back against him. “Nothing from the past, then? No matter how beautiful?”
“The past is gone, and unless the Oneiroi have devised some method of time travel there’s no going back.”
“No, sadly, they don’t possess that technology.” Alex lifted his hands from her and gripped the back of the chair. “What exactly are we to be to each other? I’m not entirely clear on that point.”
“I thought I made my position abundantly clear. We can be friends, I hope. We were friends before.”
“You thought so, anyway, didn’t you?” Alex’s voice was edged with irony. “But then, as I’ve told you, you’re rather oblivious when it comes to recognizing the truth of relationships.”
Karen turned her head to gaze into Alex’s face. “What do you mean?”
He regarded her with an expression she couldn’t decipher. “I was never your friend, my sweet. I wanted you in my bed practically from the moment I met you, certainly from the night of your senior art show on. All of what you call friendliness was me seducing you. You do realize that, deep down, don’t you?”
Karen refused to look away. “I don’t think that’s true.”
“Don’t you? Even if I confess it, as I’m doing now?”
“All those conversations we had, that wasn’t seduction.”
“Wasn’t it?” Alex’s lips curled into a smile. “Mental seduction works just as well on certain individuals as any other kind.”
Karen clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “So you only wanted me for sex?”
There was a flash of anger in Alex’s eyes. “I can’t believe you’d ever think that, much less say it.” He pulled out the chair beside Karen and sat down. “I could get that from anyone. I wanted you, all of you. I wanted a lover, not just a plaything. Someone who could hold her own in a worthwhile conversation. Someone who cared about the things that mattered to me. Someone who loved me completely and someone I could truly love. And I did obtain that, as you may recall.”
“I do remember.” Karen scooted her chair back. “But again, we’re talking about the past.”
Alex laid one hand on her leg. “We don’t have to be.”
“The fact I’m married to Mark doesn’t give you pause?” Karen held out her left hand. “There’s a ring on my finger, Alex. Not something I take lightly.”
Alex took hold of her outstretched hand and wrapped his fingers around it until the ring was obscured. “I’ve seen so much, experienced so much. More than you could ever imagine. What makes you think I care about such a minor inconvenience?”
“You should, because I do. And despite your determination to do so, you’re not going to seduce me again.”
Alex tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her toward him with such force Karen almost fell off the edge of her chair. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” He leaned forward until they were nose to nose. “I’ve had some time to contemplate my strategy, you know, and I’ve learned a few interesting tricks from the Oneiroi.”
“Well, unless you learned mind control you can forget your stupid strategy.” Damn it to hell, her heart was beating too fast and her breathing was far too shallow.
Alex just raised his eyebrows and smiled one of his dazzling smiles. “So resistant, but not, I believe, disinterested.” He released her hand and sat back in his chair. “I expected you to put up a fight, kiddo, so I’m not too discouraged. I know your loyal nature.”
“I really don’t understand you.” Karen cursed the quaver in her voice. “You think we should just pick up where we were before. Before you essentially abandoned me. In what universe does that make logical sense?”
“A universe where we’re meant to be together, despite all obstacles. Which I believe to be this one.”
Karen sat back and stared at him. “Seriously, what are you thinking? I’m sure there are scores of women who’d be happy to be your lover, for as long as you might wish. More glamorous and exciting women, and certainly”—she pointed a finger at him—“younger women.”
Alex laughed. “Oh, my sweet,” he said, after he collected himself, “what a little goose you are. Of course I can find other women. But they’re never going to be what I really want. I want you. I want what we had, what I believe we can still have.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m perfectly happy with myself, but frankly I’m not that damned special.”
Alex shook his head and stood up. He reached over and pulled Karen to her feet. “You”—he laid his hands on her shoulders—“make me feel something no one else has ever made me feel. That’s very special to me. I never found it in anyone until I met you. And I don’t expect to find it again, no matter how exciting or glamorous or young my other options may be.” He placed one finger under her chin and lifted her head. He stared into her eyes for a second before leaning over to rest his forehead against hers. “Karen, my dearest, obstinate darling. You should know logic and sense mean nothing when it comes to love.”
After a moment Alex stepped back, still holding on to her shoulders, and looked her up and down. “It isn’t a choice for me,” he said, with great seriousness. “It isn’t something I can change. Or replace,” he added, releasing his hold on her as the patio door opened.
Karen stepped away quickly and turned to watch Mark, Myron, and Sam file into the room. Mark glanced from her to Alex and back again. “Mary stepped out?”
Karen frowned, not fooled into thinking he was as calm as his expression. “She and Will are in the kitchen. Taking care of the dishes. I offered to help, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”
“I see.” Mark strode across the room to stand next to Karen. He placed his arm around her shoulders. “Sorry,” he whispered in her ear.
Sam cleared his throat. “I really must be going. Let me say goodbye to Mary, and then I’ll head out.”
“Ask her to step out here for a minute, would you?” Mark tightened his grip on Karen. “We need to leave too, and I want to thank her for her hospitality.”
Sam nodded and walked into the kitchen, reappearing almost immediately with Mary. “I’m so glad you could all make it,” she said, wiping her hands with a kitchen towel. “I’m sure Ariel and Elena will be sorry to miss you, but you know how it is when girls get a night out.”
“Tell them we said hello.” Karen reached up to cover Mark’s hand where it rested on her shoulder. “And thanks again. Perhaps we can take you to dinner next time. Will your expense account cover that, Mark?”
Mark glanced down at her with a smile. “Hardly, but I think we might be able to manage. Everyone, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll walk out with Sam. It’s been a long day. Myron, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I believe I’ll come with you. I’m staying at the same motel, after all.” Alex stepped forward to shake Will’s hand and give Mary a quick hug. “Thank you for the wonderful dinner.”
Mary twisted the towel in her hands, obviously flustered by Alex’s embrace. “Yes, well, you need to come back.”
Mark kept his arm around Karen as they followed Sam and Alex down the hall to the front door. Outside, Sam wished them all a good night before jumping into his van and speeding away. Alex strode off down the block without a word, leaving Mark and Karen several paces behind.
“Was he being very difficult?” Mark asked. “I didn’t know Mary and Will were planning to disappear, or I wouldn’t have left you alone.”
“It’s okay. He was, and is, being difficult, but I think I can handle it.” Karen pressed herself a little closer to Mark’s side. “Just a lot to process all at once.”
“I’m sure.”
Karen paused and turned to stand in front of Mark. “Would you mind kissing me out here on the street?”
Mark grinned. “
You should know I don’t mind kissing you anywhere.”
Out of the corner of her eye Karen watched Alex turn to head toward the motel. He disappeared from her sight. “Was that meant as a double entendre, Mr. Hallam?”
“Well, not initially, but now that you mention it …” Mark leaned down, but before he could reach her lips Karen pressed forward to kiss him repeatedly, until the memory of another kiss was pushed into the recesses of her mind.
When they arrived at the motel, Alex was nowhere in sight. Karen took Mark’s hand and pulled him swiftly down the hall to their room. “Just how tired are you?” she asked, flopping onto the bed.
Mark locked the door. “Sweetheart, I’m never that tired.” He crossed to the bed and looked down at her. “Although it’s been quite an exhausting and stressful day.”
“A hellish day. But now we’re finally alone, and it’s still several hours until midnight.”
“Well then, let’s see if we can turn this day around, shall we?”
“I won’t say no to that. Or anything you have in mind, really.”
“Careful,” Mark said. “I’ve quite an inventive mind, you know.”
“Do you?” Karen pulled him down onto the bed. “Prove it.”
Which, she later admitted, he certainly did.
Dream Journal, June 13th:
I followed a figure dressed in black. The figure’s clothing—a floor-length taffeta dress and trailing veil—indicated a woman from another time. I couldn’t see her face behind the dark netting but had the impression of very pale skin and dark eyes. But the oddest thing was that she was floating, just inches above the ground.
As we stepped into the front parlor of an imposing house, the woman vanished. There was a man standing in the parlor, also dressed in clothes from another era. I noticed a panel mounted on the wall behind a long mahogany counter. The panel was filled with hanging keys, like in an old hotel.
A second woman entered the parlor. She caught the man’s eye and began speaking, discussing some matter with great intensity. The woman was slender, with dark hair, and when she turned I instantly knew she was one of the Oneiroi’s avatars. Although the woman stared in my direction, both people seemed oblivious to my presence. The man handed the woman a brass key attached to a large wooden block. He told her to go and “look for herself.” I followed the second woman out of the parlor and trailed her as she climbed a flight of wooden stairs. At the top landing, I gazed about and saw bodies laid out everywhere, as if this hotel had been set up as a temporary morgue for some natural disaster or epidemic. The woman used the key to open the doors off the hallway. In each room were more bodies. It appeared the avatar was searching for someone in particular, someone she couldn’t find. I stared at one body and jumped. I thought I saw a hand move. I tried to speak, desperate to let someone know the person was still alive, but when I opened my mouth I couldn’t make a sound.