Only in Her Dreams

by Christina McKnight

  As he walked across the room, he landed kick after solid kick into rib cages, heads, and the backs of his men. The time was now. He had a plan to carry out and it was time for his men to prove their worth.

  “Alexander!”

  His second in command walked in from the poor excuse for a kitchen. The house had no electricity or running water, therefore, the appliances that remained were useless. Alexander looked well-kept and groomed, as usual. How he kept himself thus was a mystery to Darius.

  Looking down at his own attire, Darius knew his own personal hygiene could be improved on. That would change once he became the Dark Leader.

  Darius returned his gaze to his man. Alexander stood, ready for his next assignment. His second in command looked forward to returning to Erebos, but that was not where they were headed. He recognized the hunger in Alexander’s eyes and the determination in his stance.

  “Tonight we embark on another mission,” he commanded Alexander. “Find the girl’s weakness--that which will bring her willingly to us.”

  “Allow me to deliver the girl to you, Master.”

  “No, that’s not the way it will go down. She must choose to come with us--and to go against Guy and Maxim.” That had been the catch--her willingness was imperative to his mission. Ultimately, she would be the one to convince them to hand over Erebos. But before that happened, he needed to crush every illusion she had of who her father is; where her father’s loyalty stood and all the dark secrets they’d kept from her.

  The men around them began to stir out of their drunken stupors and others pushed humans away, urging them to retrieve their clothes and get lost.

  “Of course, Master. When do we leave?” Alexander’s head bowed in subservience.

  “We ride at midnight. Select three others to travel with us.”

  “We ride, Master?”

  Darius waved his hand, dismissing Alexander’s question, and moved through the house to his room. After twenty-two years he had something positive to report.

  Chapter 8

  Darius preferred to let his brothers believe his powers had indeed been stripped, gone with his banishment. That’s where his deal with the Dark One came in handy. He’d had a link to the girl for years now, bringing a dark presence to her dreams--her nightmares. Which made it all the more galling that he’d been unable to track her exact location.

  Closing his eyes he concentrated on the dark side. A thrill coursed through his body every time he traveled to this forbidden land. He would lead these people, his type of people.

  His eyes opened and he stood in front of a rusted, black iron gate. It parted to allow him entrance.

  He proceeded down the fog-ridden path toward the castle in the distance. It was an imposing structure covered by black tinted ivy. Everything in this place held a black tint, the streets, the building, and most of all—the people. Soon-to-be, his people.

  As he approached the massive fortress, the doors glided open of their own accord. The interior was as dark and fog laden as the exterior, dim candles shown upon the carpeted floor he moved across.

  “The Dark One will see you in the billiards room.”

  Darius stiffened and stopped his progress, turning toward the voice behind him.

  No one was in sight. What the fuck?

  He straightened his shoulders and continued through the foyer and down the hall leading to the billiards room. Again, doors parted and he entered.

  The Dark One lounged against the far wall cue stick in hand. He studied the freshly racked pool table. “You’re in time for a game. Grab a cue, Darius.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Darius retrieved a cue stick from the wall and turned toward the table. The Dark One leaned across the table, aiming for the racked balls.

  “I hear you have good news for me,” he said as his stick connected with the white cue ball. On impact, the colored and striped balls rolled toward the corner pockets.

  Darius watched in awe. Every ball found its home in a hole, ending the game before it started. What the fuck?! He thought to himself, for the second time in less than ten minutes.

  “Well?”

  “Yes. My informant gave us accurate information about where the girl lives,” Darius said.

  “Have you confirmed this for yourself?” The man stood straight and returned his stick to the rack on the wall. He faced Darius across the table, hands on his hips. The man was intimidating, the thing that nightmares were made of.

  “Of course.” I’m not an idiot.

  “Well?”

  “Well…what?” Darius asked. Standing around a pool table, in such a casual setting should be relaxing, but he was on edge.

  “Why is Erebos not yet mine?”

  Good question. How to answer that without getting his ass set on fire, he wondered. “I’m working on it.”

  “Work faster. I’m in need of a new home, this one’s going to shit.” The Dark One stared at Darius, no hint of a joke on his face.

  “I don’t plan to drag this out longer than necessary.”

  Chapter 9

  “Oneiroi...What the hell is that?” She’d expected him to say a lot of things, but this wasn’t one of them. She wasn’t even sure she believed in heaven or hell, let alone the existence of Zeus, Morpheus or Greek mythology. “Let me get this straight...you’re an Oneiroi and you’ve been sent by some Greek god to protect me from the evil Oneiroi?” This is ludicrous. “I have the card of a doctor who can help you.”

  He arched a brow. “That will be unnecessary, I assure you. I wasn’t sent by ‘some Greek god’, but The Dream God.”

  The air around her had gotten heavier, harder to inhale as the conversation had gone on.

  “Humans hold a distorted idea of my kind. It is quite different than what your books, myths and movies teach,” he continued. The look on her face must’ve convinced him that a little more information was needed. “I’m from a place called Erebos and that is where my kind--dream watchers, if you will--reside.”

  “Dream watchers?” He had that right! The man had watched her in her dreams for as long as she could remember.

  “We are given a charge to watch over. We are able to walk amongst mankind’s dreams,” his voice rang clear with conviction, his eyes never wavering from her own.

  Had he fed this line to others? Why me? So many questions invaded Lucessa’s mind, she didn’t know where to begin. Breathing deep, she calmed herself to focus. “How did I become your ‘charge’?”

  He stared at her, the question hanging between them. Would he answer her?

  Maxim finally spoke. “It was many, many years ago.” Pausing, he took a sip of his wine. “Do you remember a time that I wasn’t with you?”

  “You’ve never actually ‘been with me.’ You’re more of a lurker.” Oh heck! I just said that out loud. She leaned back on the sofa and smiled to cover her discomfort.

  “A lurker, huh?” Maxim’s lips also parted in a smile. “My responsibility for the last twenty-two years has been to watch over you.”

  “And you did this by invading my dreams,” she said this as a statement, not a question. “Why are you here now?”

  “You were never in danger before.”

  # # #

  Maxim chose his words wisely, careful not to say too much. His objective had been to tell her just enough so she’d allow him to protect her until he could handle Darius. In a way, he’d already told her too much. He could only hope she didn’t connect the time of his appointment as her watcher and the time of her father’s death. Does she remember me saving her from the car?

  “Why am I in danger now?” Lucessa leaned forward, as if to meet the threat head on. His respect for her increased.

  He should’ve expected the question, but he’d deluded himself into thinking she’d simply accept his protection.

  “There are men who seek to use you to gain power over Erebos. I’m here, on behalf of my kind, to make sure that does not happen.” If she asked many more questions, he’d be hard pressed
not to give away more information than was necessary.

  “What do I have to do with ‘Erebos’?” The confusion on her face worried him. She was a smart woman and if she thought about the situation long enough she’d make the connection he dreaded. This connection must be avoided.

  “I’m unsure, but if you would permit me to have a look around, maybe add a few safeguards to your home, I might be able to find out why they seek you.” Not a completely dishonest answer.

  “You keep saying, ‘they.’ I need some answers from you, Maxim,” Lucessa said, rolling her eyes. “I can’t believe that your leader thinks I needed an Oneiroi to watch over me. Now I’m in danger and you don’t know why? Why watch over me in the first place? You have to know more than you’re telling me.”

  With this, Lucessa--he was still getting use to speaking her name--jumped up from the couch and headed to the kitchen, her stride purposeful and much like his eldest brother’s. It was odd the many similarities between the two.

  Her anger and frustration at the situation was understandable. Maxim held years of anger inside, anger over his father’s death, anger over Darius’s banishment, and anger over his petty role as this girl’s watcher. No one understood anger better than Maxim.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, stress weighing heavily on his shoulders. Sometimes he wished he were brave enough to walk away from it all, live the simple life Guy had chosen on Earth. Give up his powers in return for zero responsibility. He would gladly give up his ability to move between Erebos and Earth, his gift to influence the lives of mankind, and the power to think himself to another place. But after all Guy had given up to return to Erebos, that option was not open to Maxim. He had to see this situation through. Hopefully salvation for his twin would be granted in the process.

  Lucessa reentered the room, a half bottle of wine clutched in her hand. She’d risen to refresh her wine glass.

  Would she refuse his help and banish him from her house? The thought that he’d be unable to fulfill his promise to Guy was unthinkable.

  “So, how are we going to catch the evil Oneiroi?” A smirk pulled up the corner of her mouth.

  “We? First off, there will be no ‘we’ in this. And make the evil Oneiroi, plural. In Erebos they are called Melas Oneiroi.”

  The smile slowly drained from her face.

  # # #

  He was the crazy one, Lucessa was sure of it. But what did it say about her that she sensed he told the truth? All this talk about Oneiroi, Melas Oneiroi, and Erebos had to be complete and utter nonsense. In her studies of Greek mythology, that one quarter her freshman year of high school, she’d never heard of Erebos or dream watchers. And wasn’t all that stuff made up anyways?

  That’s why it’s called mythology, right? Next, she’d find herself looking for proof that vampires and werewolves existed. Where will it end?

  She should call the cops, but how could she make a move without alerting him. Maxim would be safer in a facility--with doctors trained to help the deranged. Where will that leave me? He was the man from her dreams. She probably belonged in the padded cell next to his. What a great pair they’d make. Maybe they’d benefit from group counseling sessions and deal with both their delusions at the same time. They could swap happy pills in the general area of the hospital. Assuming, they were given permission to socialize with the general population.

  Again, she forced herself to play along with his game. She didn’t feel threatened by him, so what was the harm? It helped that he wasn’t bad to look at. There were worse ways to spend an evening, right?

  “Yes, I said we. You can’t take full responsibility for keeping me safe. I’m capable of protecting myself.” She flipped her hand in the air to lighten the mood. The conversation had become far too serious for her liking.

  “It sounds like you are patronizing me, Lucessa.” He stood and paced the living room. “This is a serious matter.”

  She took a deep swallow of merlot, its earthy flavor trailed down her throat, as she thought about her next move. She suspected he spoke the truth; there was no other way to explain his appearance in her dreams. Her being insane was not an idea she was ready to entertain.

  Whatever she was mixed up in was bigger than she was, possibly even bigger than Maxim. Still she needed some reassurance this was indeed the truth. If it was, her life was about to change...again.

  Maxim continued to pace.

  “Give me one reason why I should believe any of this.” There, she’d said it. Now the ball was in his court.

  Maxim halted and faced her. “Because I rescued you from the crash that killed your father. Our destinies were set in motion then. We are forever linked. Get used to it.” The hard edge in his tone startled her as she looked into his flushed face.

  It took a minute to sink in. That was the nightmare that visited most often. The headlights shone into the back seat; she clutched her most treasured possession; the sound of torn and crushed metal; and then the strong arms that pulled her from the vehicle before it exploded. She pushed the memory back down where it belonged.

  She shivered, the aching loneliness took her in its thrall as always. She lived with these memories alone, because her mother hadn’t remembered the crash--nor her father nor Lucessa-- most days.

  That night, she’d lost everything.

  Tears fell. Looking up, Lucessa saw the pleading look in Maxim’s eyes. The look begged her to believe him--to believe in him.

  Could she believe him--this familiar stranger?

  Chapter 10

  Darius and Alexander crept along the side of the house, making their way to the same gate they’d entered the night before. It stood slightly ajar, as they’d left it. Darius kept their mission between Alexander and himself, he didn’t trust the others; there was no telling where their loyalties ultimately lie. They would sell their souls for a chance to return to Erebos, but he was unwilling to return until he grasped what was rightfully his.

  When that day came, the Dark One would banish his older brother and Maxim would beg Darius to spare his life. Forgiveness was not one of Darius’ strong suits. It shocked him that his younger brother hadn’t joined him when he’d left. His twin was a coward.

  He rubbed the place above the hollow spot in his chest. They’d been close, thick as thieves, but Maxim had made his choice. He’d chosen self-preservation and left his twin out to dry.

  “Alexander, take the lead.” Darius shifted, his eyes appraising the men standing behind Alexander. “Men, you’re here for one purpose and one purpose only,” Darius’ words stopped the group of Melas Oneiroi after they entered the back yard. “Find anything I can use. You’re not to harm the girl. Don’t even look at her. Alexander is the only one to enter her room. She is to be left unharmed.” I have other plans for her.

  The men nodded their understanding. Unfortunately, they weren’t known for following directions.

  “If my orders aren’t followed, don’t worry about returning to Erebos--you won’t even make it back to the house,” Darius said, making eye contact with each man in turn. Blank stares returned his penetrating gaze.

  His original reason for wanting unlimited access to Earth was different from his men’s. He’d been young and naïve then. He thought himself in love. Fucking idiot. He’d fought for the ability to travel between Erebos and Earth, unsupervised. His father, and now his older brother, forbade this liberty to the Oneiroi. Only in dreams can they travel to Earth. And they must only interfere to steer the human down a better path.

  Blah, blah, blah. He could almost hear his father’s last lecture, before his unfortunate accident.

  The men dispersed inside the back door of the house, and Darius receded into the shadows to await their return.

  # # #

  Lucessa yawned and stretched her arms high above her head. Her shirt lifted ever so slightly and exposed her bare midriff. Her questions became less persistent as the evening wore on.

  “Where are you staying while you’re here? Do you just go
back and forth?” she asked as her hand again grasped her wine glass.

  “My leader has insisted I keep to this world until this matter is resolved.”

  “Why don’t you stay here? I have an extra bedroom that’s never been used,” Lucessa said. She kept her eyes locked on Maxim as she poured the last drop of wine into her glass.

  He hadn’t imagined it’d be this easy to convince her of the severity of the situation, but the tidbit about the crash had pushed her over the edge. The change in her demeanor was instantaneous.

  “Thank you for the kind offer.” He accepted without a second thought. He couldn’t protect her unless he was able to be close to her.

  That he enjoyed her company was a plus.

  She was like no female he’d ever come into contact with. She was neither vain nor selfish. He should’ve known this since it was his responsibility to watch over her. It was true, humans could hide their true nature in their dreams, but not Lucessa. She was everything she appeared to be. Caring, honest, and compassionate.

  She shifted her wine glass from hand to hand. More questions were coming, he could feel it.

  “So, were you born in Erebos?”

  “Yes.” He loved the way she looked so unsure of herself as she asked the question. He’d answer anything to keep her talking and looking at him in this way.

  “What about family? Do you have any?” She averted her eyes after asking the question. “I don’t mean to pry.”

  “You’re not prying in the least. Actually, yes. I have two brothers. My mother died giving birth to my brother and me. My father passed away years ago.” He’d never shared the details of his past with anyone. There were no secrets in Erebos--except the secret he’d helped Guy keep all these years.

  Lucessa stiffened at his answer. “I’m sorry about your parents’ passing.”

  “It was long ago--almost a life time ago,” he said.