Dreamwalker (Persephone's League of Immortals)

by Andrea Heltsley

  After I finished, he tossed the shirt back on even though it was still bloody and rejoined the group. I was actually dismayed to see him put it back on so fast. Boy was I in trouble.

  Pointing left to right, Autumn introduced her entourage, “This is Graham, Clark, Joe, and Mr. Greene. I believe Madison is out back smoking.”

  Joe jumped up and shook my hand. “Names Yoseph, but everyone calls me Joe.”

  “It is nice to meet you I think,” I said nodding politely.

  This earned me a smile from Autumn. “Ok, so Mr. Greene is the boss I guess you would say and Clark is my new partner. Graham and Madison are partners. Joe works alone like Mr. Greene does. Boone and Jared are partners also, but I guess he has already explained that.”

  “Who is it you actually work for, the C.I.A. or something? Is Wren a rogue agent? Where is Jared? I really want to know what is going on. This is such a train wreck,” I spat out in rapid succession then rubbed my temples as if I had a headache. “My brain hurts just thinking about all this!”

  Autumn slung her arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to her in reassurance. “I know this is a lot to take in, but Nells I am still your bestie no matter what the circumstances. Don’t freak, this is a safe house and Wren and her team can’t find us here.”

  “Yeah, it’s not like every day I am pitted against a sexy woman with a proclivity for guns and things that go bump in the night. Wren is scary at best,” I confessed.

  Then, I took time for the rest of the information to sink in and I began tumbling things around in my dizzy brain.

  “Team,” I shot back, more questions piling up.

  “People with abilities and Autumn, you knew all along? What about Jared? Boone has abilities too?”

  This time it was Mr. Greene who spoke up. “Yes, team. We are not C.I.A. and neither are they. We don’t really have a name, but I guess you could call us a rogue sect of Wren’s organization.”

  He paused before continuing. “She is part of an organization that uses individual’s with abilities to complete their servitude and achieve immortality. Autumn was apparently deep under cover trying to protect you all this time until the timing was right to bring you in.”

  Then he turned to Autumn. “Thanks for bringing Noel to us. You can trust us, we are loyal.”

  “With all due respect sir, it wasn’t my choice to bring her out of hiding and here to you.”

  He just turned to me and gave me a waning smile. Something about the tone in his voice sent a chill through me. He may be telling the truth, but I just couldn’t trust anyone right now. My world had been turned upside down and I didn’t even know which way was up.

  Everything was so confusing and bumping around inside my head. Soon my vision began tunneling and I crumpled to the floor before I faded away.

  This time the vision was of that same hazel eyed girl in my last vision. She was sitting on a wooden walkway. Bamboo was growing cleanly around her in flower beds. Water was flowing from a tranquil fountain in front of her. Cherry trees were blooming and petals were falling in the slow breeze.

  In the background the sun was shining down on her. Her light brown hair was glistening in the sun and she looked at peace. She was wearing a white tunic and stretch pants. Her breathing was slow and steady; her body was formed into a yoga pose, appearing to be meditating.

  She sat this way for several minutes before a figure approached from behind. He was dressed in similar clothing and sat down beside her.

  I gasped knowing they couldn’t hear me and grew confused at the unexpected appearance of Boone. He was there and he knew this mystery girl. They didn’t speak and he just took her hand. They sat there in silence, soaking up the sun and saying nothing.

  It was Boone who finally broke the silence. “You can’t hide her forever.”

  His eyes were studying hers, but then she shook her head and broke their connection.

  “Actually, I can. She can’t get involved in this life. It’s dangerous and no way to live. Besides, if PLI gets a hold of her, it’s the end of the road for us. They will never let go and we will be slaves for the rest of our god given lives.”

  She shuttered and stood to end the conversation, but Boone turned her and folded her in a warm embrace.

  “You know I won’t let that happen. We can protect her. Let us help you. Besides, if they find her first, then it is already game over. You won’t even get the chance to help her. C’mon Sam, let me help.”

  Just as the other vision before, it turned pixilated and swirled away, blown to pieces like tiny flecks of multicolored dust.

  When my sight cleared and I was able to open my eyes, Boone and Autumn were there beside me with looks of concern masking their faces. Although this vision was a lot quicker than the last, it was much more telling and I felt so much closer to some real answers.

  “Nells, are you ok? What happened? Do you need some tea? How about a taking a nap?” Autumn asked with genuine concern in her voice, blue eyes filled with emotion.

  My first instinct was to shrug it all off and say no to everything, especially with betrayal so fresh on my mind. Then I thought it over. I don’t really want to talk just yet about this with Boone in all this chaos.

  Tea sounded like a sketchy idea in mixed company. The nap was exactly what I needed. Then I could talk to Jared and see what was going on. Maybe he could shed some light on everyone and who I should trust.

  “A nap would really be nice,” I responded, grateful for Autumns’ trust. She knew I dreamed of Jared and she was still taking a chance on me. I gave her a wry smile and feigned a yawn for the audiences benefit.

  Chapter 9: Answers and Trust

  Autumn wasted no time guiding me into a back bedroom for a nap. She looked as if she wanted to tell me something but didn’t want anyone else to hear. Her eyes kept darting to and from me until we made it into a plush bedroom, all country oak. The door shut behind her and I found myself immersed in a room of rich emeralds and solid silky greens.

  Autumn led me to the bed and I sunk into a heavenly mix of silk and Egyptian cotton and let out a sigh in contentment. I indulged in the comforts of this quaint country home before I returned my attention to Autumn several minutes later.

  When I finally turned back to Autumn, she looked like a chitterling nervous bird. I beckoned for her to join me and then waited as she sunk down beside me.

  “I am so glad you’re ok. You have to believe me. I couldn’t tell you the truth. I always was and still am your best friend. I’m sorry you had to find everything out this way. Gosh, I wanted to tell you so many times. There were just too many things that could happen to you if I told you. Believe me Nells, ignorance is bliss and that is all I wanted for you.”

  “Fortunately for you I have hit my bullshit quota for the day and am just too damn tired to deal. Thanks for letting me nap, I appreciate it,” I answered in a slightly frosty tone.

  Autumn recoiled as if stung and nodded. She gathered her composure and leaned in just a breath away from me. “Tell Jared everything. Tell him I said hi. And please try to trust me.”

  Then as quickly as she could, she left, letting the door click shut behind her. I became all too aware of my newfound privacy and sunk down into the bed in relief. Even with everything that was whirling around in my head, it took much less time than anticipated to drift off to sleep.

  Once I opened my eyes, I scanned my surroundings. I was less surprised each time and was quicker to maneuver my dreams. It was different from the visions. The dreams were so much more eclectic and over the top. The visions were slivers of reality I was chosen to watch, like a rerun on television.

  This dream was no exception. I was at a train station. It was bustling with women in petticoats and men in suits hurrying to catch their trains. The black wrought iron signs were intricate and beautiful. Nothing of that quality and detail was made in our current times. I was sitting alone on a black metal bench and observed my own dressing.

  My black petticoat
was covering an unusually sleek emerald green dress for the times. Knowing I was out of my element just made me pull my coat closed tighter. If anyone was paying attention, they would have noticed how out of place I was, but everyone was bustling about in a hurry. I was looking all around for the one I was waiting for. Jared.

  After a few minutes of sitting there uncomfortably, I spotted his short blond hair in the sea of men wearing top hats. The fire ignited inside me and I stood there anxiously waiting for him to notice me. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until he saw me. He flashed me that crooked smile and I let out a sigh of relief.

  When he reached me, I was thrilled when he wrapped me up in his arms and gave me a kiss with more heat than I had ever experienced. When we finally parted, I couldn’t help the blush rising to my cheeks when I looked into his sexy, steely eyes.

  “It is such a relief to see you. So much has happened since I saw you last. I haven’t told anyone about our dreams, but Autumn seems to know anyway.”

  A grim look crossed his face and he put his arm around me. “We can’t talk here, but I know a place just up the block we can talk safely.”

  We walked in silence, since I was too afraid to say anything and extremely relieved to see him. His hand was warm and firm with mine entwined in it. My butterflies were swirling and I let all thoughts of Boone drift away like distant memories from another time.

  I was engrossed in the picturesque surroundings when we came to a halt and Jared opened a white picket fence. The enclosed property was a small and cozy cottage. Small tendrils of ivy climbed the sides of it and the door was a curved wooden door with character. We made our way up the cobblestone path and enter as if it was ours.

  I stopped long enough to teeter in my stilettos on the creamy swirled welcome mat before Jared had me in his arms.

  “Here, let me help you to the couch. I am sure you have tons of questions and I am not sure just how long we have together.”

  I looked up into his stormy eyes and compelled myself to focus on all the unresolved questions brewing.

  “I am at a safe house I guess. Why can’t I tell anyone we share these dreams? I am not sure who I am supposed to trust. And where are you? Oh, and what about your partner, Boone, should I trust him?”

  At the mention of Boone, I got a startled reaction. “Boone is with you? Good. He should be the only person you can trust. I don’t know who leaked information to Wren and her fellow loony tunes.

  They are extremely careful around me. I can’t even get into their dreams and they have blocked me from having visions. It is like Fort Knox wherever they have me.”

  At this, it is my turned to startle. “You have visions too? This is normal? I just started having them earlier today. It scared the crap out of me, just before I met Wren. She sure is a peach.”

  “Wren is tough as nails and not likely to give up her cause. She believes she can become immortal through divine servitude at any cost. That is what makes her different from us.”

  Jared continued. “Our group doesn’t believe in slavery of any kind and take offense to the mere idea. This world is tricky and dangerous. I am sorry you got caught up in it,” he said with genuine remorse.

  I shifted on the couch, trying to get comfortable and digest the string of explanations I was getting. “What about Autumn? She was in on this the whole time?”

  “Ah, so she told you. Yes, she went missing twelve years ago. Autumn was one of our youngest recruits and a very talented witch. If it helps, she truly does think of you as her best friend. None of this changes that.”

  “Right before I fell asleep, Autumn told me to tell you she said hi and to trust her. Should I? I am scared and monumentally confused. You seem to be the only one I feel I can trust and you are practically a stranger. I can’t explain why, my soul just seems to recognize you in a way that puts me at perfect ease,” I admitted candidly.

  “I would say yes, you can trust her, but right now, no. I am not sure who I can and can’t trust, and Boone should really be the only one. Make sure he knows what is going on and that you two get out of that safe house. It could be compromised and I can’t risk losing either of you.”

  “Ok, but how do I get him alone? There are half a dozen people here and they don’t want to let me out of their sights. I don’t even know if Boone hasn’t already told them what is going on.”

  This earned me a wry smile. “Boone won’t share. He is a vault of secrets and isn’t likely to share anytime soon with anyone. I bet he hasn’t even told you anything. I know Boone, and like I said, you can trust him.”

  “Ok, but how do I get him alone without raising suspicion? It will be impossible, especially without Autumn knowing. I can’t keep secrets from her; she knows all my ticks and tells. I need suggestions,” I said with mild aggravation.

  “Ok, Boone feeds off of energy. He is an empath. You don’t have to say anything. Just pretend you saw monsters in your dream and he will sense the truth. It will be enough truth that the others will buy it. That should get him to look for an opportunity to be alone with you,” Jared replied.

  “So what does that make me?” I asked inquisitively.

  “You and I are both dream walkers, and clairvoyants more precisely. We can enter dreams, have visions and even see the future after extensive training.”

  It made so much sense. I wanted to ask more questions but he just looked so damn sexy, I couldn’t refrain myself much longer. It was a dream after all.

  With most of that settled I let the questions fade and leaned in for a sweet gentle kiss. Before long, the kisses turned needy and passionate. The quaint cottage melted away except for the flickering of cream candles in my peripheral.

  Somehow, the questions grew fuzzy and all I wanted was to be closer to him. I was desperate to have him. When he broke away from me, he was giving me his trademark grin as he pulled off his coat and then slid my petticoat to the floor.

  I was about to pull off his shirt when he took my hand and led me further to the bathroom. I let out a gasp in appreciation at the detail of this particular dream.

  The room was lit with tall creamy molten candles. A claw foot bath tub was full of shimmering bubbles and tiny yellow flower blossoms. I bit my bottom lip as I let the soft emerald silk slip to the floor. I grew aroused and I just let him see me standing there naked and vulnerable, a pool of silk around my heels.

  I stepped forward, and began to unbutton his shirt. He tossed it aside and pulled me in for a needy kiss. Wasting no time, I undid his pants and dropped them to the floor, impatient. I wanted him, I needed him and I had to have him.

  Once he steadied, I pulled myself away. His eyes were smoldering. Rough, and with more intensity, he guided me down to the tile. I let out a cry of surprise as the cold tile met my naked body.

  I didn’t have time to acclimate before he was on top of me. He kissed me with desire and then trailed his kisses down my neck and to my collarbone.

  I only got to see a fragment of the look of admiration on his face before our time was up. My eyes grew wide as Jared and the cottage swirled around me like a windstorm, and then settled as dust around me.

  I sighed in frustration and disappointment when I saw Autumn peering over me. She was waving her hand in front of my face and calling “You Hoo, Nells are you there?”

  “Ugh, I’m not in right now, but leave a message and I will get back to you,” I said placing a pillow over my face in exasperation.

  The dream came rushing back and flooded my thoughts. The silk pooled on the floor, the cold tile beneath my naked body and the fire that lit as our bodies touched before the dream shifted away.

  Then a damper part of the dream surfaced. Tell them all I dreamt of monsters, Boone would know the truth. Now I just had to make that happen before Autumn dissected everything and guessed what I was up to.

  I took the pillow off my face and Autumn was sitting there, with an annoyed look on her face.

  “I am so thirsty. Darn cotton mouth. Tastes
like I swallowed the newspaper whole. Can you guide me to the kitchen a.s.a.p.?” I asked pleading with her.

  The annoyance broke and a flash of compassion sliced through her cool facade before it was quickly back intact and she was guiding me to the kitchen.

  What I found when we reached the kitchen was unexpected and stopped me dead in my tracks for a moment. A tall blond with plump and pouty magenta lips was sitting on the counter talking to Boone. I couldn’t help but feel a small twinge of jealousy at her easy nature with Boone.

  Her full blue eyes were played down by a set of black plastic frames. The grey dress looked designer as did the strappy wedges on her perfectly polished feet. She looked as if she could be on display in a window in New York. Even her accessories were expertly placed and looked like expensive trendy pieces.