by Donica Covey
"Keely Morgan."
He nodded. “I know. You told me the other night."
"Right. I'm not thinking quite clear yet."
"Are you hurt?” The concern in his tone felt more than just a passing stranger wanting to know out of politeness.
"No. Scared me, yes. Hurt me, no."
He nodded and slid the chair over. “I'm glad."
"If you hadn't gotten there when you did...” She shivered and he reached for her hand.
When their hands met she felt a warm flush. Golden orbs around his green eyes seemed to glow. It should've frightened her, but didn't. He was calming. She didn't feel as lost as she'd been feeling for the last few weeks.
"Aldmakeelia,” the disembodied voice whispered again.
She tried to keep control of her actions so as not to startle him. How would she explain freaking out over a voice that wasn't really there?
He didn't move his hand. She didn't want him to.
"Thank you so much."
He leaned closer. “I'm glad I was there for you.” The strange cast to his eyes intensified and for a split second she was sure the pupils stretched into cat slits.
* * * *
Xavier couldn't stop staring into her eyes. He was drawn closer. The missing pieces in his life seemed to be falling into place. Something about her pulled at his mind and he searched for the memory he could sense was just at the surface. But as hard as he tried to grasp it, the recollection avoided him.
"Keely,” he began but wasn't sure what to say.
She studied him closely. “This is going to sound absolutely crazy.” Her eyes shifted away from him and then back. “I don't understand what's happening to me but I feel like you can tell me why I feel so out of place. Why I feel restless.” She sighed heavily. “Listen to me. I sound as insane as that man. Geez the things he was saying. He must've escaped from the Bliss House."
Xavier scanned his memory. The Bliss House was a state mental hospital. “What makes you say that?"
"He was talking crazy. Saying stuff about unicorns and black dragons."
He jerked his head so hard his neck felt like it was going to snap. “What about black dragons?"
"I don't know. Houses with black dragons, I think.” She eyed him warily. “Why?"
"I was just curious.” He couldn't tell her about his waking dreams. It made him feel so off kilter to have the images in his mind. Besides, if he said anything she'd probably think he was crazy.
He saw her earrings and forced a grin. “He probably saw your earrings and it set him to ramble about unicorns."
She reached up and grasped the lobe between her thumb and the tip of her middle finger. Then she rubbed her neck. “My necklace!” She frantically scanned the room.
"What?"
"I had a necklace that matched the earrings and it's gone."
She seemed so distressed by the loss. He shouldn't be surprised. She'd been through a frightening experience and to have lost an item that obviously meant a great deal to her was enough to pile on the stress. “Maybe the police will find it when they search the area in the daylight."
Her eyes misted over. “This set is the only thing I had from before."
"Before what?” Why was he asking her so many questions? Easy, because he felt for her, he'd feel for any woman who'd been attacked. But why was he feeling the need to find out more about her?
"My parents told me that when I was found I had a little box in my pocket. The necklace and earrings were inside it."
"Found?"
She leaned back in the bed. “I was adopted. I was found in a park...” she paused and he felt his curiosity peak. “I have to call my mom.” She looked around the room. “My purse. Renee brought it in. But I don't see it."
He stood up and scanned the room. “Maybe she still has it. You can use my phone if you like."
She shook her head. “No thanks. It will show up, I'm certain of it. I might have just left it in the car. Or maybe even the bar ... no, I don't think the girls would just leave it there,” she paused. “Never mind. I'm sure they have it."
She reached for him again and he was happy to feel her touch. He slipped her hand into his and she gave him a gentle squeeze. “Thank you again so much for being there. I don't even want to think about what he'd have done if you hadn't shown up when you did."
Anger surged through him. The protective feeling he had for this woman came from nowhere and it was extremely unsettling. He slid his hand from her grasp. “I'm just glad I could help. Since your friends are here they can obviously take care of you so I'm going to leave. I'm happy that you're all right."
She smiled and he felt warmth suffuse him. “Maybe I'll see you around sometime."
He nodded. “I wouldn't be surprised. We seem to keep bumping into each other."
He walked out and closed the door. His brain fogged like it had been doing since these visions began. He leaned against the cool cinderblock wall for support and tried to fight the images. It was no use, they seemed to have a life and will of their own.
The little dark haired boy sat on the lap of the beautiful dark haired woman. A man with hair of the blackest black sat next to them.
The woman's soft voice spoke. “Xiuhcoatl, the future holds such happiness for you. The Alicorno and Blacdrake houses will unite and be more powerful than any line that ever existed in this world."
A couple entered the room. The man and woman had hair of the whitest blond and eyes of the deepest purple he'd ever seen. Behind them stood a small girl. Her blonde hair hung in ringlets around her face. Her pale lavender eyes glowed bright as she met his gaze.
The other couple moved closer and took the seats that the boy's mother offered them. She then gave him a soft push toward them. “Xiuhcoatl take Aldmakeelia out to the gardens."
Aldmakeelia. Keely. Was it a coincidence? Keely was such an unusual name and it only seemed natural that it would be a derivative of Aldmakeelia. He shook his head. Maybe the lunatic from the park wasn't the only crazy man.
"Hey."
He realized Keely's two friends were standing in front of him. “Hello."
"Thanks so much for helping Keely."
He raised his hand. “Enough. You're all very welcome. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to be going.” He pulled away from the wall and paced away trying to put as much distance between the three women as he could. He stepped out the door where the car was waiting for him.
He sat down in the backseat. Through the car windows he watched the first rays of dawn begin reaching across the sky. After the night he'd just had maybe doing his drinking at home was the best option.
* * * *
The Seer watched the vortex swirl once more and Vrono stepped into the cavern. “Where is the girl?” Her shout echoed through the passageway.
"I had her but a man caught me before I could bring her.” He raised his hand. From it dangled a chain with a silver unicorn. It had a dark purple stone as its eye.
"Alicorno.” She paced away from Vrono. “What did he look like?"
"As you described—Blacdrake."
She uttered a curse. “You have to go back."
He bowed. “There is a problem. She was taken away by some men in blue garments."
"Then I will have to accompany you and see if I can sense her.” The Seer paced away from Vrono. She hated the thought of going to the earth world but her power to sense them from this distance was growing weak.
A wave of dizziness washed over her and she leaned against the wall for support. The vision filled her mind and made her hopes rise slightly. If she could get rid of the girl and seduce Blacdrake, then she would inherit his powers and rule the kingdom. With the power Blacdrake would tap into upon his return he'd be formidable indeed. If they united she could share his power. She was a powerful witch in her own right, but it wasn't enough. Montrose still was strong enough to control her. Once she melded with Blacdrake her power would multiply twofold and she would be nearly immortal. When she conce
ived an heir of Blacdrake she'd have all his powers. The vision of the Blacdrake had shown him to be very appealing. Bedding him would be a pleasure.
Another thought crossed her mind. The Alicorno descendant had powers of her own. All that was required was the girl's return to Grogan. When the Seer had her brought back she could get those powers. A knife to the heart would strip the power from the girl. Then the power would be transferred to the Seer. Between her own power, the girl's power and Blacdrake's she'd be completely invincible.
Invincible.
A smile crossed her lips and she pushed away from the wall. “We have much to do.” She turned and headed back through the vortex.
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Six
Keely sat on the sofa in her apartment. Renee and Di were fussing over her. All the way back to her place they had taken turns chewing her out for being foolish. Then they complained about their own stupidity for letting her leave the bar alone.
"Would you guys stop please?” She grabbed a large throw pillow and pulled it to her chest. “I've had enough for one night, I just want to rest and be alone."
"I don't think you should be alone,” Renee argued.
"Shut up, Renee!” Keely exploded.
Renee and Di exchanged looks of complete shock. “Okay.” Renee dropped onto a chair. “I'm sorry, I care. Is that so bad?"
Keely shook her head. “Not at all. I love you—both of you—for caring about me and wanting to take care of me, but I'm fine. I just want to be alone and get some rest. I'll take a nap and then call my parents."
Renee exhaled and stood up. “Fine. You need something, anything, and you call me."
"I will.” She started to stand.
"We know where the door is. We'll be waiting for a call."
"Thanks, you guys. Sorry I spoiled your night."
"There's always next time."
Keely shivered violently. “No. No next time."
"I'm sorry, Babe. I shouldn't have said that."
"Don't worry about it. Bye."
The girls left and Keely went to the door to make sure the locks were secure. The memory of the man's hand across her mouth made her whole body tremble. Hot tears stung her eyes, her legs went weak, and she crumbled to the floor in a small heap. Her stomach twisted into knots and her palms began to sweat. What the hell had she been thinking walking out of there by herself?
Look at these clothes. No wonder Psychoman grabbed her. She looked like she was on the prowl. She ran to her room and stripped out of the revealing shirt. After peeling off the jeans she donned a pair of sweats and an extra large t-shirt.
She dropped on the bed and buried her face in the pillow. While it could've been so much worse, it was still a nightmare. Hard sobs wracked her body and tears soaked the pillow. The light of dawn peeked through her window, as her eyelids grew heavy.
"Trust Blacdrake, Aldmakeelia,” a voice whispered in her mind. “He is your lifemate. He will guard you and bring you home."
"Lifemate?” she mumbled the question just before exhaustion and sleep weighed her down.
* * * *
Xavier walked into the house and his mother came darting into the room. She grabbed him and scanned him all over. “What happened? Are you hurt? Where were you? Why weren't you home?” The questions rapid-fired at him.
"I took a walk and stopped in a bar for a drink. After I finished I went outside to walk around and get some fresh air. I saw a man attacking a woman so I stopped him.” He clamped his jaw tight. She already knew all this from his earlier call; now he had to go through it all again. He peered into her worried eyes and sighed. “Oh dear. Is she all right?"
He nodded. “Scared, but the doctor thinks she's fine."
"You could've been killed interfering like that,” she fretted. “But I'm very proud of you.” She kissed his cheek.
"Have you been up all night?"
"Of course. You tell me there's been an accident but give me no details and I'm supposed to be able to sleep?"
"I said incident, not accident.” He moved into the parlor and sat down on a loveseat. “Mother, I have some questions."
She sat in her Queen Ann chair opposite him. She looked every bit the royal of the chair's namesake. “All right. If I can."
He cleared his throat and tried to form the questions. “I know you and Father adopted me. Where did I come from?"
"Well Dear, when a man and woman love each other very much,” she began with a broad smile.
"I'm well acquainted with that aspect of it."
"Yes, and that concerns me greatly."
"Can we please be serious?"
She sighed. “There wasn't much history about you. They found you abandoned in a church near the convent off Orchard Boulevard. You were small and frightened. Only three years old and you cried so for your mother."
"Did I have anything with me?"
She shook her head and pursed her lips. “Not that I recall. Nothing but the strange little black suit you wore. Oh. There was also your stuffed dragon."
He sat up straighter. “Stuffed dragon?"
"I guess you don't remember him. You called him Draco and you slept with him every night."
"You didn't happen to keep it, did you?"
Again she shook her head. “There was an incident when you were five. You had a nightmare and threw it into the fire. Why so curious now? You've never been interested before."
"No reason.” He stood. “I'm going up to bed. You should too, you look pale."
"Thank you.” She grinned and when he extended his hand she took it. Hers felt chilly in his.
"Mother, are you feeling all right?"
"Of course I am. But you're right, I believe I'll lay down for a bit. Walk me up?"
He nodded and when she placed her hand on his arm he covered it with his and escorted her up the winding staircase. Once she was safely deposited into her room he strode to his own.
There was one consolation: at least those annoying pictures in his mind couldn't possibly be real. He was only three when his parents adopted him. The children in the latest vision were five or six, at least.
"Xiuhcoatl. She's in great danger. You both are, but she needs your protection. Go to her."
His gaze darted around. There was no one else there. So where had the voice come from? Curiosity got the better of him. “What danger?” he asked the empty room.
"The Seer and her servant are coming. They will kill her; you must not let that happen. Bring her and come home, Xiuhcoatl."
"I am home.” And obviously losing my mind.
A soft whisper of breeze brushed past and he felt the touch of lips on his cheek. There were no open windows, so where had the wind come from?
* * * *
The Seer emerged from the vortex and shifted her view from side to side. If anyone had seen them she'd have had to take care of the problem. Fortunately there was no witness.
Vrono stood by her side. While his clothing was still the earth realm jeans and shirt, she had to do something about her robes. She snapped her fingers and was changed. The pants and shirt were more binding than her robes and she felt immediately stifled.
"We need to hurry. I don't like being here,” she groused.
Vrono agreed. “Can you sense her?"
The Seer held up the silver unicorn and chain and murmured an incantation. The chain stretched out from her fingers and pointed the way. She followed its direction and soon a large building loomed into view. “She's inside."
Vrono nodded. He reached for the door and tried to pull it open but it was securely locked. “How will we get in?"
"You've lost faith already?"
He shook his head and stepped back. The Seer placed her hand on the vertical bar and pulled. The door slid open easily. She followed the pull of the silver chain up the steps. Excitement surged. Any minute now the girl would be hers.
At the door to the girl's room she stopped and hesitated. The sound of voices filled the hall. She
grabbed Vrono and drew him into cover of a doorway. She waved her hand across each of their faces, and they became cloaked against the prying eyes of passersby. It wouldn't do to get caught at this moment.
The people hovered in the hall, talking incessantly. The Seer's temper flared and she was sorely tempted to use magic to remove them, permanently.
They finally opened a door and disappeared inside. Now to get to the girl. Before moving back to the open, the Seer closed her eyes and concentrated. “Her name is Keely. I sense confusion, fear, and pain. The girl is weak. This is the perfect time to move in and take her."
Vrono fell into step beside her. He had something on his mind, she could tell. She focused her concentration on him and read his thoughts. She let loose a cackling laugh. “Yes, Vrono. After I've accomplished my goal you may have her for a time."
He smiled at her. “Thank you, Madam."
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Seven
Keely sat up in bed. She had drifted off and, though her dreams were wildly jumbled, they weren't overly frightening. She crossed her legs Indian style and sat up on the mattress. Now that she'd had time to gather herself she needed to call her parents. Not to tell them of the attack, that would be a mistake. But the park had triggered something. A memory. Was it a fluke that the park where she'd been grabbed was very near the place where she'd been found as a child? Maybe she was just all confused from the night of restless sleep.
She reached for the phone and dialed her parent's home. It rang twice and she almost hung up but her mother picked up on the third ring. “Keely, twice in three days. What a nice surprise. What's wrong?"
"Nothing really, I was just curious about something."
"What has your mind preoccupied?"
"I know I was found in a park when I was little. What park was it?"
"I don't think it had a name. It was in a little subdivision in Chesterman. Named for some kind of tree, I think."
Her palms began to sweat. She wiped them on her t-shirt hem. “Cherry Orchard?"
"That might be it. Yes, I think it is. Why?"
What was going on? She hadn't thought about her life before her parents took her in, so why was it all bubbling to the surface now?