by Amber Flora
With that he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him and leaving me to my thoughts.
Mac fought the demon that lurked within. It would have been so easy to bend down and kiss her soft lips. Oh he wanted to; every time she was around it took every ounce of restraint not to push her against the wall and run his hands down her delicate thighs. But he knew he couldn’t; he had always known how Cody felt about Ashtyn. He had seen the way Cody watched over her while she dreamt. Ashtyn was his dream, she had been since the moment he learned of her existence, and Mac could never betray him. Granted, he did get a taste of what it would be like to be with her back at her cottage but he couldn’t be blamed for that. He saw the desire in her eyes, felt the heat between them, but she was right, it was a mistake. One he could never make again.
Chapter 9
I snapped out of my dream thanks to the mouthwatering smell of bacon. Absentmindedly, I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled my feet toward the yummy aroma. When I walked into the kitchen I saw a shirtless Mac standing over the stove with a spatula in his hand. Wow, was he sexy. His muscles throbbed whenever he flipped the bacon with his spatula, his pajama bottoms hung loosely on the crease of his waist. I thought about how gently he held me the night before, how unexpected it was coming from him. Suddenly my mouth wasn’t watering for bacon anymore. I pulled up a stool and sat at the end of the bar facing the stove.
“Good morning sleepy head, that must have been some dream you were having last night to sleep till eleven.”
I glanced at the clock on the wall by the fridge. I slept until 11? That wasn’t like me at all, even on the weekends I never slept past eight. I didn’t really remember much about my dream last night. Cody said he would watch over me, but I don’t recall him being there. I don’t doubt he kept his promise, maybe he just wanted to let me have one restful night.
“You could have woken me.”
He grabbed a couple plates, putting bacon and eggs on them and handing one to me. It looked delicious and I was starving.
“I could have, but you looked so peaceful lying there with drool running down your mouth.”
I flicked a piece of egg at him from my fork.
“I was not drooling!”
He laughed, picking it up and throwing it into the trash.
“Lass, if ya don’t stop using food as weapon I’m going to bend you over my knee and give you a good thrashing. What is your fascination with food fights?” He said mostly to himself, shaking his head.
“Where is Cody?” I asked, looking around the apartment.
“He had some errands to run before the two of you took your adventure. He should be back shortly.”
I took a bite of bacon, inadvertently letting out a moan of pure joy.
“You’re not coming with us?”
He was staring at my lips like he was more curious how they tasted then the bacon in my hand. Suddenly self-conscious, I sat the bacon back on my plate and opted for the eggs.
“Ahh, Macree, you’re going to be the death of me. No, I’m going to Cardician to look for the mystery woman. We’ll cover more ground if we split up.”
I dangled my feet off the tall barstool trying to calm my nerves. Could I handle this? Am I prepared to place my fate in the hands of a group of strangers? Mac placed his hand gently on top of mine as if he could hear my thoughts.
“Ya will be fine, just try not to be the big pain in arse ya are with me; it’s not becoming on a lady such as yourself.”
Well, he sucked at pep talks.
“Do you want me to throw another piece of food at you? You’re the pain in the backside, I’m a delight.”
Cody walked in and Mac swiftly pulled his hand away from mine. I sat up straight on the stool like my dad just caught me with my boyfriend.
“Hey, you want some breakfast?” I asked, pointing at my plate.
“Breakfast? It’s almost noon. Did you just wake up?”
I put my head down in embarrassment.
“Well, uh, I’m not sure what happened, I never sleep this late.”
I felt guilty although I didn’t know why; Cody had not given me a set time on when we had to leave.
“Go get dressed, we leave in half an hour.”
I was about to point my finger at him and tell him he had better stop ordering me around when Mac stepped in front of me.
“Lad, I love you like my brother, but you keep talking to her like she’s a child and we’re going to go rounds like we did when we were tikes.”
My mouth fell open. Holy cow! Did Mac just stand up for me? Not only that, but it was to his best friend. I wanted to break into a loud clap and yell “bravo!” but I didn’t think either one of them would see the humor in it. Cody glared around Mac and looked directly at me.
“If you want to shower I suggest you hurry.”
I’m not a rocket scientist, but I took that as my cue to leave and I practically ran out of the room.
After I had showered and worked a brush through my rat’s nest of hair I headed back downstairs. Mac was nowhere in sight, but I did find Cody in the study. I knocked lightly on the open door.
“I’m ready when you are.”
He stood up and walked over to me.
“How do we do this?” I had only flashed twice and once wasn’t by choice.
“Do I clap my feet together three times while chanting there’s no place like home?”
He looked at me with a bemused expression on his face.
“Since you have never been there before you will hold onto me. When we get there really take in your surroundings; the better the imagery in your mind, the easier it will be to flash to that place again.”
He weaved his fingers through mine, squeezing my hand reassuringly.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded my approval and in a flash we were gone.
We were standing in what looked like a large church. The marble floor had flowers wrapping around vines and there were what appeared to be church pews on either side of the massive building. It stood a couple stories tall with columns that led up to a golden-colored ceiling with a skylight. Statues of men and women of all sizes filled corners and shelves. There were two huge wooden doors that were ajar to allow people to walk through; beyond that looked like a long corridor I assumed it led to other areas of the church-like structure. A tall, thin, blonde hair goddess turned her head in our direction and began walking over. Macaroni, did every female dreamwalker look like this? If so, I have to be a half breed because this girl looked like she just stepped off the page of a swimsuit catalog. She was wearing a light purple soft flowing dress that drug a little behind her as she walked. I saw her amber-colored eyes glowing as a slight smile crept across her flawless complexion.
“Cody, I wasn’t expecting to see you today. What a nice surprise.”
He knew her? Oh, well, this was just fabulous. How well did he know her exactly? If she was his girlfriend I was going to die of embarrassment.
“Yes, well, this trip had to be a little secretive. Katrina, this is Ashtyn Lane.”
The blonde-haired bombshell curtsied, then looked around the room suspiciously.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Ashtyn. I have heard so much about you.”
Really? Because I haven’t heard a peep about Cody’s prom queen.
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” I said, sticking out my hand for her to shake it.
Katrina looked at Cody and then at me apologetically.
“Kat is a healer, Ashtyn. If she shakes your hand some of her energy will flow into you. It’s probably not a good idea with this being your first time here. It can ... do things to you.”
Oh ... my … God, was he trying to say Katrina could turn people on with a touch? Oh I was really starting to hate this girl.
“Oh” was all I could say as I pulled my hand back in embarrassment.
“You’re off to a great start!” I joked with my inner self.
“Dakota, to what do we
owe this pleasure.”
A soft voice said from behind. I continued to stare at the sexual goddess in front of me.
“Mother, I wanted to request a meeting with the council.”
Mother! I spun around so fast I stumbled and would have smacked face first into the ground if Cody hadn’t caught me. I raised my head, still holding onto him for balance. When my eyes met the woman standing in front of me, she gasped.
“You look just like Deandra. I would swear she were standing right in front of me if it weren’t for your teal eyes.”
I straightened, brushing my hair out of my face.
“Hello, ma’am, it’s very nice to meet you.”
Cody’s mother's soft features hardened and she glared angrily at him.
“Dakota, I will take you the council. She will remain here until such time she is summoned.” Cody grabbed my hand again.
“I am not leaving her here alone, mother.”
Bonnie flicked her hand annoyed.
“Oh, Dakota don’t be so dramatic, she is a grown woman. I do think she can survive a few minutes without you. Kat will keep her company. “
Cody looked over to the supermodel.
“I would love to. I have waited so long to meet her, we will get along splendidly.”
Well isn’t this just dandy. I get stuck with the people pleaser.
“I’ll be back shortly. Don’t wander off and don’t talk to anyone but Kat.”
I gave a sarcastic salute as Cody walked away with his mother through the double doors.
Katrina directed me over to one of the pews and I sat down. I folded my arms around myself, something I did a lot when I was nervous.
“So, how do you know Cody?” I asked watching Katrina sit next me, brushing her fingers through her long blonde hair. Please say you're his cousin.
“His sister, Sarah, and I were best friends. Cody and Fintan made it their life's goal to annoy and harass us.”
I looked at her apologetically
“I am sorry about Sarah. I have heard a lot about her. Did Cody’s friend Fintan pass away as well?” Kat looked at me in confusion.
“Oh, no, sorry. I’m so use to calling him Fintan I forget sometimes. Fintan is Mac, he started using Mac when he became a watcher for the guard.”
I blurted out a laugh and a few people looked at me oddly.
“Mac’s first name is Fintan? Oh, I am so going to use that information.”
Kat giggled.
“Been giving you a hard time has he?”
I shrugged.
“Typical Mac stuff, has he always been an ass?”
Katrina put her hand over her mouth, and I realized ass might be an inappropriate word to use with healers.
“Mac changed after Sarah died. I guess we all did really. He put a wall up to protect himself. He has such a gentle heart, I hope one day he finds someone who can help him move on. Men like Fintan and Cody are commodities around here. I know a lot of girls who have tried to win their affection.”
After I moved past Kat’s not-so-subtle comment about the boys, it all started coming together. Mac and Cody losing Sarah not only brought them closer together, it hardened them. They both lost the girl they had loved that day.
“He loved her, didn’t he?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“We all did, she was a beautiful soul. We were young when the Credo attacked, but I have no doubt if she were still alive her and Mac would be together now.”
I had no idea. It was kind of nice seeing him in a different light. A boy in love. My heart ached for him, for all of them, especially Sarah who never got the chance to find out how much she was really loved.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Of course you can.”
Katrina smiled.
“I thought dreamwalkers didn’t have any powers, but you can heal people with just a touch, and my mom had premonitions. Well, it just kind of seems to me like you can do a whole lot more then walk through dreams.”
Katrine looked deep in thought before responding.
“Was that a question?” She asked, smirking.
“I just wonder if you all don’t have a little a little magic in you.”
She looked at her hands as if she was mulling it over.
“You know, I never thought of it that way. You might be right. I didn’t even know I had these abilities until the attack. Typically our gifts don’t present themselves until we reach adulthood. But the trauma of the attack thrusted mine forward. I was at the library waiting for Sarah to meet me when I heard a loud noise and then a bright light. I must have blacked out because when I opened my eyes there were people screaming and bodies everywhere. I saw Mr. Landry, one of our teachers, holding his head with his hand. It was covered in blood. I rushed over to him, placing my hands on his head and I felt the energy running through me. My hands began to shake and just like that the wound healed. When I realized what I had done I started running from person to person healing them. By the time I made it to Sarah’s house I was too late. I would have gotten there sooner, but there were so many people. I couldn’t just leave them. If she hadn’t been late she would have been in the library with me. I could have saved her.”
I had tears streaming down my cheeks. How could I hate this girl? She was so genuine and humble. I couldn't imagine the torment she put herself through for not being able to save her friend.
“Oh, Ashtyn, I’m so sorry. Sometimes my mouth gets away from me. Please don’t cry.”
“I’m the one who should be sorry, Katrina. Don’t blame yourself. Think of all the people you were able to save. You were just a child, you should never have had to endure that kind responsibility so young.”
Katrina smiled warmly.
“You are a lot like your mother. You have such a harmonious way about you.”
I realized I had pre-judged this girl. I was still jealous over her natural beauty, but there was so much more to her than that, she was genuinely someone I could see myself being friends with, if circumstances were different.
Cody walked into view trying to gauge the situation.
“Are you all right?”
I stood up, walking over to him.
“I’m great, just a little girl talk.”
He noticed my puffy eyes but said nothing.
“They are ready for you.”
I straightened my back, reminding myself why I was there.
“I really enjoyed meeting you, Katrina, I hope I’ll see you again soon.”
She touched her hand to heart.
“The pleasure was mine, really. If the boys get to be too much of a handful, you are welcome to come see me anytime.”
I waved goodbye and followed behind Cody.
“You two became fast friends. What all did you talk about?”
I placed my hand on his back.
“Well, let’s just say I plan on giving Fintan a nice razzing when we get home.”
He gave a hearty laugh.
“Mac is going to strangle her.”
We stopped in front of a red door and I sucked in a breath. This is it. Go big or go home. When Cody opened the door I saw Bonnie and four other people sitting at a round table. They looked so earnest, they were all wearing the same pearl-colored robes and it was difficult not to laugh when the image of “Star Wars” crept into my mind.
If somebody said “May the force be with you” I wasn't going to be able to contain myself. A older gentleman stood.
“Ashtyn, how very nice it is to meet you. Don’t be afraid, please sit.”
Cody pulled out a chair for me and I took a seat next to Bonnie. I knew she wasn’t my advocate and wished they had sat me next to the big scary guy with the scar on his face. He seemed a safer bet at the moment.
“I am Roger, the High Priest. He looked around the table. This is Gloria, Ben, Rebecca and you know Bonnie.” I bowed my head to each of them. Roger definitely looked the oldest, but that didn’t necessarily mean much in this realm. I
didn’t know what the girls did, but I guessed by Ben's fierce look he was some kind of soldier.
“Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice,” I said, trying to sound businesslike.
I saw Rebecca smirk out of the corner of my eye.
“Cody tells us you managed to find your way to Cardician. That’s simply fascinating. Have you experienced any other anomalies?”
I snorted. “You mean like my eyes changing colors, finding out I'm not human or that my father may or may not be some kind of magician?”
Ben cleared his throat.
“Wizard.”
I nodded to him.
“Thank you Ben, Wizard.”
Gloria burst out laughing. Roger gave her a “be serious” look and continued.
“Yes, other than those. I understand. ...”
I cut him off.
“How difficult this is for me? Yes, I seem to be hearing that a lot lately. No offense to the council, but I am getting real tired of talking and not getting much accomplished. Now, we came here hoping you would assist us. If you aren’t willing to do that then we’ll be on our merry way.”
Cody nudged me. “Umm, Ashtyn.”
“Oh, sorry, I’ll be on my way. I can’t speak for him.”
“That’s not I meant,” Cody sighed.
I glowered at him.
“Well, what do you want then? I’m trying to negotiate,” I barked.
Roger held his hand up to silence me.
“What do you propose we do, Miss Lane?”
That’s better.
“First I think we need to find my father. I’m pretty sure he will be able to shed some light on a few lingering questions. Then we need to go through my dreams with a fine-tooth comb. If my mother did hide clues in them we need to find them before the Credo do. Lastly we need to find as many dreamwalkers as we can and catalog their skills. Who can heal, who has premonitions, and are there any other skills we don’t know about.”
Everyone was staring at me, I didn’t know if they had a hospital for Dreamwalkers who went crazy, but I was pretty sure if they did, a couple of them were wanting to put me in there right about now.