by Amber Flora
“Aye, and his little sister. She died during the Credo’s raid on the city. His mother is all that he has left.”
I buried my hands in my face at this revelation. He lost a sister too? This poor man, how could he possibly want to protect me after all he endured?
“How did the two of you survive? You must have been young.”
“Well now that’s a tale of woes. We should have been there, but as fate would have it, we were not. I doubt he will ever forgive himself. We were in the human realm at the time of the attack. Cody loved baseball and his favorite team was playing. We flashed into the stadium to watch the game, and by the time we got back, the city was destroyed and Cody’s father and sister were gone. In human time we were only gone a few hours; in our realm it had been three days. When we arrived all had been destroyed; we found Cody’s mom still holding his sister Sarah in her arms, refusing to leave her side. She hadn’t even known we were away; she thought he had perished in the attack along with the rest of them.”
Tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t help it, this was too much. How could anyone have been so cruel to do such a gruesome thing? Cody’s poor mother, how could she get over the loss of her husband and daughter in the same day? That would be enough to drive anyone insane.
“I don’t know if you’re our savior, lass, but if Cody believes it then that’s good enough for me. You don’t have to know how to save somebody; sometimes it happens just by a word or act of kindness.”
I wiped my tears away on my sleeve.
“What about your family? Did you lose anyone that day?”
Mac thought about Sarah. He teased her a lot but she knew the truth: He was head over heels for that girl. She was beautiful and funny, but what he loved most about her was she didn’t put up with his mouth. Sarah was quick to call him out when he was being a donkey. He respected the girl for her strong will. After she died, he didn’t much care for women with a personality; it was easier if he didn’t form an attachment, strictly business.
“Nah, I only had my dad to speak of, and he was a no account of a man that ran off like a coward dog while those around him lay dying. I haven’t seen him since.”
I placed my hand on Mac’s and he jerked it back as if startled by the intimacy.
“You are a good friend. I am glad neither of you was there that day. Even if you both hadn’t have been killed, no one should have to watch the ones they love die.”
Mac stood up, taking his plate to sink and cleaning it off. I could tell he was hurting from recounting the events of that awful day, but there was no way he was going show his vulnerable side to me.
“It’s a way of life, lass. We’re called immortals, but everyone dies eventually. What about your so-called uncle?”
I cringed at his words, but he was right, I doubt he was really my uncle. He didn’t appear to be anything but human. Surely that would have come out in conversation sometime over the last twenty-six years.
“Losing Ken was extremely difficult; he is the only family I have ever known. He taught me how to ride a bike, to drive— he even taught me how to repair the leaky faucet in the bathroom. I’m not sure if he really was my uncle, but I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The doctors said it was a brain aneurism; one minute he was here and the next he was gone. I didn’t even get a chance to thank him for everything he had done for me.”
He slapped me on the back like I was an old college buddy he ran into on the street.
“Well, this is getting too mushy for my taste, how about we see what’s on the telly? I do like a good horror flick.”
Chapter 4
Cody flashed into the sanctuary to speak with the council. He hoped they wouldn’t drag on the interrogation so he could get back to Ashtyn. He spotted Katrina talking to a priestess in the corridor. Katrina excused herself and ran up to him, wrapping her arms around him tight.
“I was so worried about you, how are you feeling?”
Sweet Katrina, such a heart of gold. She was so young when the Credo attacked, but that didn’t stop her from diving into the chaos and healing every soul she could find. She showed no fear, just pure compassion. She was so brokenhearted when she couldn’t save her best friend Sarah, his younger sister. He imagined that’s why she is so protective over him, trying to make up with one sibling what she couldn’t do for the other. He bent down and kissed her cheek.
“I am fine, Kat, I have been in worse predicaments than that before. You need not fret over my health.” Kat placed one hand on her hip in a scolding manner.
“Dakota Mass, I will fret over you until I take my last breath.”
An older woman walked up behind Katrina, placing her hand on the small of her back.
“As will I, Katrina, but take heed, my child, fretting over this boy is a full-time job and I do not want you wasting your life away on such silly matters.”
Cody sighed and Katrina giggled.
“Hello, mother, are you well?” He wrapped his arms around his mother and kissed her cheek.
“I am faring quite nicely with Katrina’s company, although the last few days have been long with her obsessive worry over a certain young man she didn’t have time to fully heal.”
Katrina blushed from her golden locks to the tips of her toes.
“I’m just going to check on another one of my patients. Glad you are feeling better. Bonnie, will I be seeing you for dinner?”
Cody’s mother nodded and Katrina gracefully turned and walked away.
“Why pick on her mother? You know how shy she is; I’m like a brother to her is all.” Bonnie waved a hand dismissively.
“My dear boy, I have been alive for over two hundred years. That girl looks at you like anything but a brother. She is not your sister, Dakota, however you may feel about her.”
He looked at his dear mother’s face, her brown hair with hints of gray, the dark circles under her eyes showing her years of worry. She was so beautiful once; when his mother walked into a room heads would turn. Power and grace; that’s how they use to describe her. She was still beautiful, but the light was gone in her eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time he had heard her laugh.
“I came to speak with council I must be quick about it, I have matters to attend to.”
Cody thought about how he had left Ashtyn alone with Mac. He knew Mac would protect her, he was as trustworthy as they came, but he also knew his fondness for the opposite sex. An unease settled upon him as he thought about what the two of them could be doing in his absence.
Bonnie brushed her delicate hand through her son’s hair.
“I know why you are here; I was the one that sent for you. The rest of the council is waiting for us.”
He looked surprised. She summoned him? His mother is on the council, but usually she stayed out of affairs that concerned him.
“Conflict of interest,” she would say.
“Why did you summon me, mother? You knew who I was with. Did you think it wise for me to abandon her like that?”
Bonnie stepped back.
“Watch your tone with me, my son. You think me to make rash decisions? I am not punishing you, Dakota, or that girl.”
Cody’s voice turned gruff.
“Say her name, mother! It is Ashtyn! You were there when Deandra named her— say her name!”
Bonnie raised her hand as if to strike her son and quickly lowered it, ashamed she even considered it.
“I am aware of her name, but I will never share the same belief as you and your father; she will be no savior of mine and I curse the day Deandra told me of that child growing inside her. I should have begged your father to stay, not to leave us and help her escape. My daughter died so hers could live. Her daughter's life was not worth more than mine.”
There it was, the reason he and his mother would never be as they once were. He knew she still loved him and he loved her, but they were fighting two different battles. Bonnie would never accept Ashtyn as anything except the cause of her pain. Cody cou
ld not blame Ashtyn for what had happened to his sister, the girl hadn’t even been born yet. But Bonnie did. The only family he had left in the world was his mother; he loved her with all of his heart, but he was sworn to protect the one person his mother blamed for all her sorrow. He couldn’t imagine how that made him look in her eyes. Another reason he failed her as a son. She deserved better than him. He lowered his head, speaking more softly.
“I have played that day over in my mind countless times. If I could take Sarah's place I would, but I can't, mother. I can, however, ensure she and father's death were not in vain, and I believe Ashtyn is the key to that.”
Bonnie looked at her son. He reminded her so much of his father. How proud Elias would be to see the man he grew into.
“Your life means just as much to me as your sister’s, you are my child too. This entire war is in vain. Nothing will change that. I know I cannot change your path and I try to keep out of your affairs, but please, my son, do not place all your hopes on this girl. You have the opportunity to take your own path and set your own destiny.”
Bonnie cupped her son's face in her hands.
“You are all that I have left. I want to leave this world knowing you have something to hold onto besides revenge.”
Cody would say he is fighting to rebuild Avonya and restore peace to dreamwalkers, but Bonnie knew the truth. He wanted Ser'ie and the Credo to pay for what they took from him, and if he had to use the girl to get it, he would.
“Let's speak with the council, mother. Nothing will be solved between us today.”
She nodded, leading him through the center of the sanctuary. It was not as massive as the temple in Avonya, yet still beautiful. The inside architecture was reminiscent of ancient Greece, standing two stories tall with intricate columns governing high arches that secured a golden ceiling. He looked down, admiring the marble floors with flowers and vines etched through them. It was a solemn escape for the survivors. Sanctuary is where the council lived before the formation of Avonya; now it was a safe haven for all remaining dreamwalkers loyal to the cause.
Bonnie greeted others as she led them into a large room displaying burgundy velvet curtains covering two large double windows. In the center of the room was a circular table that held the same etchings as the marble floor outside. At the table sat four dreamwalkers wearing pearl-colored robes that hung loosely and floated to the ground. The council comprised multiple talents. Roger was a priest and the oldest in the council, he was Deandra’s mentor and adviser. When Deandra left he had no choice but to take over the role of High Priest. Gloria looked the age of Cody, but she ventured out of dream realm less frequently than most, which allowed her to be over two hundred years old and maintain her youthful complexion. She was keeper of records. Gloria kept track of dreamwalkers and all their history. Benjamin, the general of the guards, took over the role after Cody's father died. Elias trained Benjamin himself, and while he was younger than the other council members, he was wise beyond his years. Rebecca, the healer, showed her career on her face. She was there the day the city was destroyed and nearly died herself draining her energy to the point that she fainted trying to save every injured soul she could find. Her features told the story of her pain and self-punishment for not being able to save more lives that day. Then there was Cody’s mother, the teacher who devoted her life to her students. She helped them to understand the importance Dreamwalkers held in the world. Bonnie provided them with an understanding of not only their ancestors but the human realm and human ways as well. She was a sponge of knowledge on every realm and its dwellers. After the attack it took years before she could step back into a classroom. Every face reminded her of Sarah, so young and full of life
“Dakota Mass, please have a seat.” Roger said, waving his hand toward an empty chair.
He obliged, pulling out the chair and resting his fists on the table.
“We were recently visited by Mac, who told quite an unusual story. It has to do with you meeting Ashtyn in the human realm. After much discussion, we have come to a decision as to how we would like to further deal with this delicate matter.”
Cody maintained his composure; he had to play his cards right if he was going to get back to her quickly.
“Council, I feel obligated to inform you I have told Ashtyn of her heritage and the imminent threat on her life.”
Gloria gasped and then frantically began writing. Benjamin glared at him.
“You did what?! On whose orders? Are you going rogue, soldier?”
He snickered at Ben’s absurdity.
“Rogue? Isn't one of the main things taught in the guard to improvise? Given the circumstances, what would you have expected me to do? Instead of seeing this as disobeying orders, you should be seeing it as an opportunity. Would you not agree we have a better chance protecting her and finding out the truth if she knows who she is and where she came from?”
His mother looked at him, unblinking. Cody knew exactly where he got his poker face.
“Dakota, given the recent turn of events I feel the council will be in agreement with me that we need further time to gather a strategy as how best to proceed from here.”
There went his poker face. Was he imagining that his mother was helping him? It was obvious the council could have deliberated at that very moment. It may have taken hours or even days to come to a conclusion, but his mother had just given him an out. By saying they needed time to discuss, that small window would provide him with the chance to get back to Ashtyn until they had a plan in place. Rebecca looked uneasy while the remaining council members looked back and forth at one another.
“Let us deliberate privately. Dakota, will you please wait in the sanctuary while we discuss?” Roger asked while stroking his white beard. He rose from the table, bowed to the council and walked out the door.
Cody sat in one of the pews at the back of the sanctuary. Dreamwalkers did not believe in God as humans did, but they did believe in a higher power. The priests and priestesses were the most revered in their world. They believed without religion and guidance the world and all in it would be lost. Katrina came up beside him, taking a seat next to his.
“She truly does love you. I know she has a strange way of showing it sometimes, but she confides in me.”
He placed a hand on top of hers, squeezing it softly.
“I'm glad she has you to talk to. Thank you for being there for her as you have these past few years.”
Katrina locked her amber-colored eyes on his.
“You don't come around much anymore. I know the two of you don't see eye-to-eye, but she misses you.” Katrina sighed and continued. “I miss you.”
Cody felt a sting of guilt. He had been avoiding his mother— she didn't understand what he was trying to do, she didn't believe in the same things he believed in. Most times when they tried to have a conversation it just turned into an argument, so he thought it best for both of them if he just kept his distance.
As for Katrina, he didn't how she felt about him. Maybe his mother was right and she did care for him differently then she would a brother, but all he could see when she looked at him was Sarah. Perhaps one day he could let go and see her for the woman she was, not the girl he once knew.
“I have to see this through, Kat. I don't expect you to understand, but I've come too far to give up now.”
Katrina wrapped her arms around herself.
“The council doesn't exactly share information with me, but I hear things and more importantly I know you. I am not going to lecture you like your mother, but I feel it is my job as a healer to not only heal the body but the soul. Your soul is aching, Cody; if whatever you are doing will give you peace then do it and be free of this burden you carry."
He reached out his arms, wrapping them around Katrina. He could smell her hair; it was a sweet combination of jasmine and lilac. He held her there, feeling the warmth of her touch, the softness of her skin against his cheek. She was so delicate and pure. It made him wish he knew he
r in a different time when he might have been able to give her the things she deserved, the man she deserved.
Chapter 5
Mac sat on my couch munching on popcorn and watching some scary movie whose main plot was a college girl with big breasts running for her life. I sat in my recliner attempting to read a book, but every time I would get to a new page I would begin thinking about the events of the last couple days and have to start over.
“I have to go back to work Monday,” I said, as if it had just dawned on me.
He looked back at me, tossing another piece of popcorn in his mouth.
“Are you serious? I hate to break it to ya, lass, but you won't be going back there ever.”
I slammed the book closed.
“I don't know how you make money, Mr. ... what is your last name? I can't just tell the bill collectors I'm a dreamwalker so I shouldn't have to pay you.”
“Mac is my last name, actually its Mac Donagh if you want to get technical. I get paid by the council for being a guard, since I don't see you as a very good protector I doubt that's what they will pay you for but regardless we all get our money from the council. Each Dreamwalker is assigned a role that best suits the individual. I'm not quite sure what a girl with your tongue is capable of— oh, wait a minute, now I am.”
I threw a couch pillow at him.
“You are a vulgar beast, If Mac is your last name then what is your first?”
He picked up the pillow, placing it behind his head to make himself more comfortable.
“Wouldn't you like to know? Sorry, that's on a strictly need-to-know basis. If I told ya I'd have to kill you.”
I pouted, getting up to pour myself some tea.
"That’s a little heavy-handed given my current situation, don't you think?"
I turned around, walking back in the living room. He placed a finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet.