by Amber Flora
I thought about my recent conversation with Mac. He and Cody had begged me a dozen times to live in dream realm with them and escape the human realm but something about it felt wrong, I couldn’t explain it but every time I considered the notion it made me sick to my stomach. I knew every year I remained would mean I would be another year older and closer to death but I didn’t really mind it. It seems wrong to elude death; just because were given the option of immortality doesn’t mean we must take it. Eventually we all meet the same end.
“I’m waiting till I find a gray hair or start getting arthritis,” I shrugged.
“Ah, well, let’s hope you have good genes,” he smiled, looking me over with his piercing gray eyes.
“Not that I am unhappy to see you, Herrick, but why are you here? Last time we spoke you were on a mission to find yourself. I’m assuming you have made progress on that front?”
“That is a conversation for another day, love. I’m here on more of a goodwill mission.”
I grabbed the collar of his leather jacket, shaking him.
“Who are you and what have you done with the vibrant?”
He carefully plucked my hands from his clothing and frowned at me as if I had just played with his favorite toy without asking permission.
“Come on, love, hands off the merchandise.”
“You’re worse than a girl when it comes to appearance; you know that right?”
“I accept that,” he said with a tilt of his head.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“It’s nothing.”
He shook his head and quickly looked away as if I had embarrassed him.
“Oh no, buddy, out with it,” I demanded.
“I said it’s nothing, Ashtyn, let it go.”
I jumped up from the couch and headed toward the door to kick him out.
“Fine, it was lovely seeing you again, Herrick. Maybe we can do this again sometime. Thanks for stopping by,” I huffed, swinging open the door.
“Well I see your childlike personality hasn’t changed much,” he smirked as he leaned back on the couch to make himself more comfortable.
“In case you're not accustomed to human interactions, this is me kicking you out.” I waved the door back and forth for emphasis.
“Ashtyn, close the door and come sit down. Trust me when I say you’re going to want to hear what brought me here. Besides, I can taste your emotions and you’re not really as mad as you're letting on.”
I let out an exasperated sigh and slammed the door shut before stomping back to couch in defeat.
“Don’t read my emotions! It’s so intrusive,” I huffed.
“That’s like asking me not to breathe. Sorry, love, I can’t exactly turn it off.”
Can’t or won’t?” I was suspicious of his lack of control over skills he had since birth.
“Trust me, I didn’t want to make a house call but I figured you have a right to know the truth.”
“The truth of? Is there a class that teaches you how to be aloof? Because I have to say you are seriously a pro. Just tell me what you came to tell me.”
“I was looking for Damon as I’m sure you have been. I asked around, called in a few favors, was led on a wild goose chase. All in all, I’ve had a pretty interesting few months.”
I perked up at the sound of Damon’s name. “Did you find him? Please tell me you killed him — that would be the best birthday present in the entire world.”
Herrick shook his head no and I sulked back into the sofa.
“Sorry, love, wherever he is, he’s on full lockdown. I did, however, find something that also concerns you.”
As if he didn’t have me intrigued before, what else was going on that could possibly involve me?
“Well?” I asked, growing impatient.
“Rumor has it that Skyler is in shadow realm.”
Now I was one hundred percent confused. Skyler was my ancestor, an original Zeotec and the first vampire in history. His wife, Anastasia, just happened to be the cause of the vampire curse as well as the reason vibrants experienced no emotion. The memory my mother had left me revealed that Anastasia was a powerful Zeotec with all the unique abilities each realm possessed. If my mother's prophecy turned out to be correct, I would bear a child exactly like Anastasia, a child so powerful he could destroy the realms.
“Okay? Big deal, you found Skyler’s burial. I’m not sure why that would make any difference to me.”
“No, Ashtyn, you’re not getting it, love. Not his grave. Skyler is alive and living in shadow realm. I don’t know his exact whereabouts but he’s there, somewhere.”
My brain was having an increasingly difficult time comprehending what Herrick was trying to say.
“That’s not possible. He would have to be older than the first human. He would have been around since the beginning of time.”
“Trust me, I have thought about all of that. I don’t understand it either. All I know for sure is I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t believe it to be true.”
I rubbed my face hoping I was dreaming and I would soon wake up. It just didn’t make sense. Sure, vampires are immortal but every creature dies eventually. There was no possible way that Skyler had survived thousands of years on this earth.
“Why are you telling me this? I don’t understand.” My voice sounded shaky as I tried to keep it together.
“If anyone knows of your fate and your abilities, it would be him. Think about the answers he could have. Not only about you but the world we live in. The man has to be a wealth of knowledge.”
He had a point there. If anyone would know what could become of my future child or my so-called destiny it would be him but was I willing to hunt down the world's first blood sucker? Ancestor or not, the guy didn’t exactly have a squeaky-clean past. Even before he was turned by his wife's curse, Skyler was dubbed a ruthless man. What had centuries as a vampire done to him?
“So you're sure he’s still in shadow realm but you have no idea where?”
“Sorry, love, a man like that has gotten pretty good at hiding over a few millenniums.”
I knew I needed to find Skyler, not just to piece together my ancestry but because something was telling me it was a necessity, that he was the missing piece of puzzle.
“Then we track him down. Shadow realm isn’t that big. He has to be held up somewhere, and I’m guessing a man like that doesn’t just roll over and let someone else control his realm. I’m sure he’s still a key player in the running of the city.”
Herrick shook his head from side to side, making a ticking noise with his tongue.
“Three months and you're still as stubborn as the day I left you. I’m a vibrant; if I can’t find him, you sure as hell won't be able to.”
“You’re forgetting something, Mr. Big Head.” My stubbornness wasn’t the only thing that hadn’t changed. His ego was fully intact.
“What might that be, my dear hummingbird?” he asked, quirking a brow.
“I’m family. If you knew you had a relative in town wouldn’t you at least want to take a peek at them? All we have to do is make our presence known. I’m betting he will poke his head out long enough to catch a glimpse.”
“Now who has the big head?” I stuck my tongue out at him like I had so many times before.
Looking into his bright gray eyes and his disheveled hair — which made him appear even more handsome — reminded me of how much I had missed him. Herrick had been my only friend during my captivity. If he hadn’t been there to protect me against Grison and help me escape from Damon, I’m not sure I would have survived. So many days I just wanted to give up but thanks to Herrick teaching me to fight and defend myself I grew more confident in myself and my abilities. He had saved me on more than a few occasions and never asked for anything in return, even though it went against his very nature.
“Is this what you have been doing ever since you left? Hunting down Skyler?”
“I went to a few fashion shows.”
He winked and I knew he was referring to my suggestion of a new line of work.
“Seriously, where have you been? I haven’t heard a peep from you in three months. I had no idea if Damon had found you or if you were on a mission and now you just show up out of the blue like you didn’t drop off the face of the planet.”
I didn’t want to push the issue. I knew if I pushed too hard he would shut down like he always does but the last time we were together I could have sworn that Herrick had felt something, which was supposed to be impossible given that his race was null of emotions. The moment I asked him about it he decided was the time to perform his famous vanishing act. Ever since that day I couldn’t quit wondering if he was capable of feeling and, if so, how had that changed him? He seemed like the Herrick I had met the first day in Finland; maybe I imagined the whole thing.
“What do you want me to say, Ashtyn? You want me to give you a detailed list of my actions over the last few months? I didn’t know I was obligated to keep you up to date on my personal life.”
Yeah, I definitely imagined it.
“Just forget I asked. Thanks for the information. You can go now.”
“Stop being so dramatic. You need my help and you know it. I came back here to tell you what I had found. Doesn't that count for anything?”
As much as I wanted to hate him at the moment, and I did want to hate him, I had no illusion of the man that Herrick was. That’s why I didn’t say anything the night we had slept together. It started out as two angry lonely people seeking release but by the end of our rendezvous I knew I had felt something for him. The extent of those feelings was still unknown but that night would go down in history as one of the most exhilarating moments in my life.
“Fine, but I’m telling Cody and Mac. If we're going to shadow realm to hunt down my long-lost ancestor than were going to need all the help we can get.”
“Fair enough, but I caution you, love, I don’t perceive Skyler, relative or not, as a family man.”
I smiled, touching my dimples with my index fingers. “Who can turn down this face,” I joked.
Herrick laughed, shaking his head.
“Not the men in your life, that’s for sure.”
“Funny, prior to discovering my heritage men never even noticed me.”
“Oh trust me, love, they noticed. You just didn’t want to be seen.”
“Should we hunt down Mac and Cody?” I asked in an attempt to divert the subject elsewhere.
“It’s been a long day for both of us. What do you say to planning our trip in the morning? Skyler has been alive since the beginning of time. Another day isn’t going to hurt anything.”
“I guess you’re right. I’ll set up the guest room for you.”
I got up to retrieve an extra pillow out of the hall closet.
“Why bother? It’s not as if we haven’t shared a bed before. Care to break the neutral zone?”
Chapter 3
I awoke alone for the eighty-sixth day in a row. It wasn’t like I didn’t want Herrick next to me, I did. I had prayed that Cody or Mac didn’t decide to dream-walk last night and wander into my dreams. If they had, they would have found out just how much I wanted Herrick in my bed and I would never be able to look either of them in the eyes again. That was another reason I couldn’t act on my desires. Even though I knew it was wrong and I hated myself for it, I still cared for Mac. Our relationship was at a stalemate ever since the night we said our goodbyes in Damon’s cell. I knew he still loved me and a huge part of me honestly believed that I could live out the rest of my days with him by my side and be perfectly content, but something was holding me back. No matter how many times I attempted to make a move and give into the feelings that consumed me I couldn’t follow through. I had made so many mistakes over the last six months; I refused to let my love life be another. Until I had a clear-cut view on my feelings for both men I would have to keep my distance, which lately seemed like an impossible task.
“Good morning, lazy bones. I see you haven’t been keeping up with your training.”
“Are you saying I’m getting fat?” I spun around trying to get a peek of my butt.
“No, I’m saying those who sleep until ten don’t usually have a strict training regime. Why must you always fish for a compliment? You look fine.”
Why did I seem to find myself attracted to smart-asses? I really need to ask Kat if dreamwalkers have therapists. I was pretty sure I would benefit from a few sessions.
“If you must know, I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night.” I wasn’t about to tell him that he was part of the cause. I would never hear the end of it.
“Well you are getting old,” he smirked.
“This coming from Grandpa.” I really had no idea how old Herrick was but I knew he aged much slower than humans.
“Proof of how vital it is to keep up with training. This old man could take you down in a second.”
I didn’t respond. He didn’t need to know just yet how far I had come in my training. Not only had I gotten good at fighting but I had all but much mastered my ability to wield fire since he last saw me.
“Want to get some breakfast before we flash to dream realm?” I asked in an attempt to change the subject.
“A vibrant in dream realm, this should be a fun day.”
“Just a thought but I wouldn’t go around advertising your race. It’s a bit off-putting to some.”
“It isn’t something I make a habit of, love. I’m curious though, what about you?”
“You mean do I tell people you’re a vibrant?”
He shook his head no.
“Does it frighten you that I am a vibrant?”
I thought about his question. I didn’t want to lie to him but I also wasn’t sure I could answer honestly. The truth was I wasn’t sure either way.
“Can I tell you a secret?” I asked, connecting my eyes with his.
“Don’t I already know a few?” I knew he was referring to him being the only person that had knowledge of me obtaining mother's memories.
“It wasn’t even a year ago that I was a nobody. I had no knowledge of realms or other worldly creatures. I was so afraid of the unknown that I wouldn’t even allow myself to truly live. Now I am a descendant of a powerful Zeotec. I am able to wield fire with just a thought and could potentially have a child that could change the course of history. I guess what I’m trying to say is that yes, you frighten me but not as much as I scare myself.” I felt as if I just dropped a twenty-pound weight. I couldn’t believe I said out loud what I had thought to myself for so many months. Herrick tilted his head as if he were studying me or probably reading my emotions. After a few awkward moments, he sighed and reached his hand out gently, caressing my cheek.
“You were never a nobody. Ashtyn, in just a few months you have endured more than most immortals. I have seen you take on one of the most dangerous men in existence just so you could protect those you care for. Time and again you have defied any barrier laid before you. I don’t consider that something to be fearful of; you should be proud. You are a force for good, love, not evil and if you do have a child there is no possible way something that comes from you could be anything but pure of heart.”
A tear fell onto my eyelash and he softly wiped it away.
“You seem different somehow,” I said, trying to figure out what had changed since I last saw him.
“I put on a couple pounds, ate a lot of fast food,” he joked, knowing well that I wasn’t referring to his physique, which was, of course, still perfect. If he had gained a few pounds, it was all muscle.
“We better go. Mac usually makes his rounds with his informants around this time. I don’t want us missing him.”
“Oh yeah, it would be a shame if the Irishman couldn’t join us.”
We appeared in the center of the sanctuary. A lot had changed in dream realm since Roger, the former high priest, was found guilty of treaso
n. Because dreamwalkers could flash from place to place pretty much any time they pleased, it was nearly impossible to keep them imprisoned. That meant Roger’s sentence was death. It was hard on everyone, especially Ben. As the general of the guards, he was tasked with the gut-wrenching job of carrying out the sentence. I knew it had taken a toll on him. Roger was not only his friend. He looked after my mother and other dreamwalkers for hundreds of years. After Roger’s deception was made public, the council decided it was time evaluate the way things were done. Another high priest or priestess had not yet been named and Cody’s mother Bonnie had stepped down from her role on the council. Bonnie said that she could best serve dream realm with her teachings and that she no longer felt as though she was contributing to the cause. Cody was taken aback. His mother had been on the council long before he was born. He remembered the joy it gave her to be a part of the cause and make a difference. That’s even where she had met his father. Elias was the general of the guards and Ben’s mentor before he passed away. He and Bonnie served on the council alongside my mother. Any dreamwalker you ask would tell you that was the time when dreamwalkers thrived — when anything was possible and hope was plentiful. Now, with Roger and Bonnie gone, only three council members remained: Ben, Gloria and Rebecca. Even now there was talk of Rebecca also resigning. Something had to be done soon. If the council crumbled there was no telling what would become of the remaining dreamwalkers. Unity would be the only thing that could save dream realm from self-destruction.
“So this is the famous sanctuary? Not bad, but I prefer the Ritz,” Herrick said, taking in his surroundings.
“You have never been here before?” I was surprised that as traveled as Herrick was he had never stepped foot inside the sanctuary.
“I don’t make a habit of treading on someone else's turf. I was in Avonya a few times before the attack, but not many dreamwalkers end up on the hit list.”