Gary Martin’s face was so red and puffed up that Remy was afraid he’d have a heart attack. Every vein in his forehead pulsated like lines on a map. And he still wasn’t speaking. He just glared at the three of them. This was definitely the angriest she’d ever seen her father.
Every so often he’d exhale loudly and look out the window as if trying to calm down, but as soon as his eyes returned to his children, he’d shake his head and grunt. It went on like that for several minutes before Greg finally spoke up. “Listen Dad--”
“No,” their father said, holding up his hand.
“Look, you need to know--”
Once again the hand came up as their father’s head moved from side to side.
Greg sighed and leaned back in his chair.
Although she’d managed to remain calm, Remy’s foot had a mind of its own and bounced uncontrollably against the floor. She glanced at her watch. Five minutes. Who did he think he was anyhow? Five freaking minutes? Finally having enough, she stood.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Gary bellowed.
“Oh, you finally found your words? Good for you,” she answered.
Their father slowly rose from his seat behind the desk. It seemed impossible, but his face was even redder that before. He sputtered, but the noises coming from his mouth were incomprehensible.
Remy knew this was the last battle she’d have with her father. The last real one. If she didn’t take control and win this, she’d continue to be under his thumb for what was left of her life. Placing her hands on the desk she leaned forward, her voice cold and steely as she spoke, “For Pete’s sake! Sit down and get control of yourself. You’re so far gone on your power trip, Admiral, you forget who it is around here that does the actual work!”
A boom resounded through the room as his fist came down hard on the desk. “How dare you talk to me like that?” he bellowed. “If you three were in the military, I’d have you court marshaled!”
“That’s your problem, Dad.” She spat his name as if it were vile. “We’re not in the military. I’m not sure we’re even part of your family! We’ve sat here and watched you make one jackass decision after another, obeyed you blindly, and put our lives in danger so you could play war.”
She felt a cool hand on her arm as her sister’s soft voice pleaded, “Remy, stop. This isn’t his fault. It’s not like he brought them here.”
Remy shook her sister’s hand from her arm. “I’ve never said it was his fault they’re here, but it is his fault that he’s trying to fight a human war with inhuman things.” Then turning her gaze to her father, she continued, “You don’t get it, Dad. You’re trying to use strategies you got out of some military training manual. These things don’t think or act like us. They know us inside and out. They’ve been watching us since the beginning of time. The only way to beat them is to think outside the box. Be unpredictable. We have to level the playing field.”
His anger dissolved as she spoke. The redness engulfing his face subsided, leaving a pink tint behind. Grabbing the arms of the chair, he lowered his body into it. Deep lines she hadn’t noticed before cut in around his eyes and mouth. He looks old, she thought.
Gary Martin cleared his throat. “Do you think I don’t know this? I know we can’t win this battle. I know it deep within me. But I can’t let the rest of you live without hope, can I? What kind of leader would I be? What kind of father? For as long as we can, we have to give the remnants of humanity some sort of hope.”
Shane moved quickly around the desk and hugged her father. “That’s where you’re wrong, Dad. We don’t have to create hope, it’s already there. We can win this, but only if we fight their way. Our way isn’t working. The only real hope is to take back what was stolen, and the only way to do that is to obtain the shroud.”
Their father’s gaze lowered to the desktop. “It’s too dangerous. I can’t lose you all,” he nearly whispered.
“Dad, look at me,” Remy said.
The old man raised his eyes.
“We’ve been on countless, dangerous missions. This one is no different from the rest. And this time we’ll have added strength and power. We can find infected military personnel, give them the inoculation, and build our own super army.”
Doubt clouded his face as he answered, “Remy, if we do what you three have done, then how are we protecting the human race? Are you still human? Do you even know?”
She sighed and plopped down in her seat.
“She doesn’t have any powers. They tried, but they couldn’t infect her. It’s just me and Greg. And yes, Dad, I’m still human. I feel the same only stronger. It’s no different than the Dren. Same concept with better side effects,” Shane said.
Gary’s eyes locked on his oldest child. “What about you, Greg? You haven’t said a word.”
He shrugged. “Everything they said is true. There’s nothing more to say. We can’t beat them if we don’t do this. You know it, we know it, and I’d bet money that even those,” he said pointing over his shoulder, “that you’re trying to fabricate hope for, would know it.”
Silence settled in the room as the Admiral moved to the coffee maker. As he went through the motions of making coffee, his mind stayed focused on what his children had told him. Deep down, he knew they were right. Although they could have been killed on any of the missions they’d gone on before, in his heart he felt this one, would certainly kill one if not all of them. As much as he’d like to think otherwise, he was a selfish bastard. If it had been anyone other than these three. These last three things he had left of her.
He shook his head muttering under his breath. Then glancing over his shoulder, he looked at his children. They waited patiently, without knowing the turmoil in his heart and mind. Had he voiced his thoughts, they probably wouldn’t have believed him capable of such depth of feeling. He knew that. The coffee maker sputtered. He poured a cup, and as he was about to return to his desk, turned back and added six lumps of sugar and a large splash of cream. Who gives a shit what the doctors say? Nobody lives forever.
***
Early morning fog clung low to the ground, making him nearly invisible to the mortal eye. Several times already, the urge to walk up and knock on the entry door had pushed him forward. Each time he thought better of it and slid back against the building. Normally patient, something ate away at his resolve. That something bothered him. It wasn’t a premonition. It wasn’t his psychic vision. Whatever it was, it was something completely new and different from anything he’d felt before.
Daelen’s connection to Remy seemed strongest when she became emotional. Several times over the last few hours, he received flashes from some inner sanctum. Nothing that could really tell him what was going on. Just bits and pieces of the puzzle. A man’s angry face. A comforting cool hand. Without more visual pictures, trying to fit the puzzle together was impossible. He concentrated on her essence, trying to gain access to her mind. Each time he felt the closeness of her, she would force him away. This one had real power. No one had been able to block him for many long years.
Another vision. She was alone now, lying across a bed with an arm thrown over her eyes. Her erratic thoughts skittered through his mind. Dad. Greg. Shane. Shroud. We can do this. Can we do this?
Daelen waited for her mind to calm. When sleep overtook her he’d be able to connect. He felt her breathing slow. Mental walls began to fall. Her body, usually taut and tense, relaxed. When certain she’d entered the dream plane, he entered her mind.
***
Remy sat on a cold stone bench in the park where Daelen had left her. She was certain it was the same park, yet somehow it seemed brighter, almost ethereal in its beauty. Lush flowers sprung from every available space as if spring had exploded in only this part of Los Angeles. Looking around, taking it all in, she wondered why she hadn’t noticed those the last time she was here. She felt him before she saw him. His essence, warm and protective, swirled around her before solidifying into a form she recognized
.
“Hello again,” his deep voice greeted.
She tilted her head. “Daelen.”
He looked around and smiled. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Lovely.”
“Me? I didn’t do this. It is breathtaking though.”
“Quite the contrary, you made this place. We are in your mind not mine. I prefer the woods and trees. Had this been my dream you’d have found yourself in the woodlands of Ireland.”
“My dream? You’re not making any sense. How did you find me? What are you doing here?”
The bright blue sky darkened overhead. Grey haze drifted in surrounding the pathway and the flora began to wilt. “Now Remy, don’t ruin such a beautiful place with harsh feelings,” he said. “There’s no need for that.” With a wave of his hand the haze evaporated, the sky returned to a soft baby blue, and the plants regained their colors.
“How did you do that?”
“Anything can be accomplished in the dream plane, Remy. However, that’s not why I’m here. I have many things to discuss with you and very little time. We must move quickly. I gather your brother and sister have completed their tasks?”
A large black and yellow butterfly floated in to land on her knee. Feeling a bit drugged, she answered, “Yes. They are both strong now. We have a fighting chance.”
Daelen sat beside her. Holding out his finger to the small creature, he waited for it to climb aboard. “I’m afraid you don’t. Not yet. You’re on the right track, but before you can hope to really make an impact there are other things that must be done.”
Remy’s eyes narrowed and the sky once again began to darken. “How do you know so much about what we’re doing? Who are you really?”
He gently took her hand and suddenly she found herself sitting at a round wooden table in a cottage. The smell of food cooking wafted through the house. To her left, a stone fireplace gave off warmth as the burning wood inside popped and cracked. It was like something out of a fairy tale, and although she should have been frightened by the sudden change, she felt peaceful and at home here. “How--”
He smiled and released her hand. “How is not important. Dream walking is the easiest of all you will learn. This is my home. And this,” he said gesturing to a large bookshelf against the wall behind them, “is who you are.”
Remy rose and moved over to the shelf. Running her fingers across the ancient bindings of the books, she read the titles: Venificus Libri. Venificus Alica. Atrum Altus Nox Noctis. As her hand ran over the fourth book titled, Libri Animus, her stomach flopped inside her. Deep within, some part of her seemed to recognize these texts. They called to her. Each book felt alive and more real than anything in the waking world. Stunned, she turned to face him. “What is this? What does it say?”
“Loosely, it’s Book of Souls. One of the most important of our tomes.”
Electricity seemed to vibrate through her body as she caressed the old book. “This is the weirdest dream I’ve ever had.”
“Although it is a dream, there is reality mixed within. This place is real. These books are real. This is your true heritage and the world you belong to. If you were to have scientists run tests on you, they’d find that you’re genetically different than the average mortal.”
Remy shook her head. “What you’re saying is impossible. If I even understand what you’re saying.”
Another smile slowly spread across the man’s handsome face. “You are druid. In ancient times we were plentiful. Many were born to the line. However, over the last several hundred years, new births came few and far between. Several have been born that never made it to adulthood. You are the first we’ve encountered in five hundred years.”
Remy’s legs shook as she stood there, threatening to give way underneath her. Grabbing the back of the wooden chair, she pulled it to her and sat. “There’s no such thing as druids.”
Daelen’s chin tilted up as a deep musical laugh burst forth. “Most humans believed there was no such thing as demons either. We see how well that worked out.” He leaned forward and took her hand. “As difficult as this is to comprehend, you must believe. Things that are seen are not always real, just as unseen things can hold more reality than the bed you are sleeping on at this moment.”
Remy exhaled and let her eyes wander around the room. Everything seemed solid. Each object had mass and structure. The table under her hand felt cool and smooth. Tendrils of smoke slithered out of the fireplace like tiny snakes. She could smell it.
“Drink this,” Daelen said.
On the table in front of her a hand-painted porcelain cup materialized. Steam rose from the contents. “What is it?”
“Proof,” he said as he pushed the cup closer to her.
Lifting it to her mouth, she sipped the warm brew and licked her lips. “Mulled cider. One of my favorites.”
“You can feel it, smell it, and taste it, but is it real?”
“It can’t be real. I’m dreaming.”
Daelen’s chiseled features softened as he spoke. “Your mind is capable of great and wondrous things, Remy. You hold the key to winning this battle. Not in the strength of your sword, not even in the elixir your scientists have managed to create. The power you hold in here,” he said, pointing to her head, “can lead you to victory.”
“But I’m just Remy. I’m a fighter, that’s what I do.”
He chuckled and patted her hand. “Well, just Remy, the mother of all battles is upon us. With my training, and the help of your companions, the demons, as they like to call themselves, can be subdued. Are you brave enough to try?”
Uncertainty filled her. This whole situation seemed too bizarre and farfetched to be real. It’s just a dream, right? She squared her shoulders and answered, “I’m game. What do you want me to do?”
Daelen’s eyes sparkled with mirth as he spoke. “Wake up and come outside. I’m waiting.”
***
Her head throbbed almost in rhythm with the beating on the door. “Wake up I said! I know you can hear me. I’m not standing outside your door all day!” Shane’s voice called through the door.
Remy sat up and slid to the side of her bed. “I’m coming. Shut up!” Everything in her room looked exactly as it had when she’d entered a few hours before. “Wow. I’m losing it.” Still cloudy headed, she unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Do you have to make all that racket?”
Unabashed, Shane entered. “What took you so long?” Then looking around the room asked, “What were you doing in here anyhow?”
Remy covered her mouth and yawned. “What do you think I was doing? Sleeping. Does that word mean anything to you?”
Rolling her eyes, the young girl trounced over and flopped on the bed. “You’ve been asleep for hours. Much longer than you normally do.”
She moved to the dresser and rummaged through her clothes. “Hmm.”
Shane’s watchful eyes locked on her sister as she went through the motions of dressing. “What’s wrong with you? You act like your drugged or something.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Remy answered and threw a pair of jeans in her direction. The folded pants hit Shane square in the chest. One leg flew up over her shoulder.
“Ouch. What the heck?” She extricated herself from the flapping pant leg and tossed them to the floor.
“Don’t you have something to do? I don’t feel like talking. I’m tired.”
“Uh huh. Must have been some dream.”
Remy spun and faced her sister. “What do you know about it?”
Her head tilted to the side. “What are you talking about? Are you on something?”
“The dream, Shane. What do you know about the dream?”
Flabbergasted, and worried about her sister’s state of mind, she closed the gap between them. “What is this? What’s wrong?”
Remy peered into her eyes. “Why did you say that about a dream?”
“It’s just common sense, Rem. If you wake up tired and feeling like crap, then you�
��ve probably had a dream that overworked your mind. Why are you freaking out about it?”
She rubbed her face, closed her eyes, and shook her head. “It was a dream. I think. I’m not sure. I just don’t know.” Then once again looking at her sister, she said, “You want to do a little experiment with me? I need to check something.”
“Sure. But I think maybe you need to see one of the docs first.”
“No. If we do this and nothing happens, I’ll go see one. But no one can know beforehand, okay? No one.”
“Okay. What do you need me to do?”
Biting down on the side of her bottom lip, she paused for a moment before she answered, “I need to go outside.”
Shane brought her hands out in a wide dramatic arch. “Oh, is that all? Just go outside when the entire facility is on lockdown and everyone is forbidden to go near the doors. Sure. Let’s just get right on that,” she scoffed.
“It’s really important.”
“Mmm hmm.” Shane’s hands rested on her hips. At that moment, she looked more like their mother than she would have thought possible. Remy had to smile.
“Listen. If what I think happened, happened, we might have some heavy duty allies out there.”
Pointing to the bed, the young girl ordered, “Sit down and explain yourself before I go get a doctor.”
Remy sighed and dropped on the bed. If Daelen was really out there, she hoped he was patient. Because her sister wasn’t going to budge until she’d heard the entire story.
***
As the fog lifted, a dark shape loomed inside it. After a muttered incantation, the haze thickened and swirled around the buildings like a shroud. He waited patiently, knowing he’d gotten through to her. She would come as soon as she was able. After receiving the call, few druids could or would resist.
To be continued...
Other Books by Willow Cross
Oceans of Red volume two:
Demon Evolution
Oceans of Red volume three:
Demon Apocalypse
Ghost Diaries
Oceans of Red Volume One Page 7