Upheaval!

by Deborah Martin

  “Yeah, but he’s been beaten up pretty bad. What if it gets worse?”

  Gregory’s hands clenched the steering wheel as we pulled into the parking garage for Martin’s building. “What do you mean he’s been beaten? How do you know?”

  “I had a dream and Cassandra tells me it’s true. She said I should tell you and I just now remembered I’m supposed to. I’ll tell you the whole thing after we’ve seen Martin.”

  Ten minutes later, Gregory was towing an overnight-sized suitcase on wheels. He put it in the trunk with our bags and we started for the airport. You’re thinking Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, right? Wrong. Gregory headed southwest to Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie. That’s where the corporate jet service Ev used was based. It would be my first time in a small jet and I was a nervous flyer in the big boys the commercial airlines used. I wasn’t looking forward to the experience.

  “Tell me about your dream,” Gregory commanded.

  I took a huge breath, tried to put the idea of flying out of my mind and made myself even more nervous as I once again related the dream. It didn’t get easier with every retelling.

  “Interesting,” Gregory said as he pulled into a parking spot. “We need to talk about this but hold everything until we’re at the hotel in Atlanta. We’re sharing this flight and there is no need to let strangers in on our worries.”

  Security, while just as thorough as at the main airport, was quick. I’m not sure how all the bills showed up on the x-ray but no one said a word when Gregory hefted that suitcase off the conveyor belt. A quick walk across the tarmac and we were seated in luxury even commercial first class couldn’t match. The seats were as comfortable as a recliner and swiveled around so you could actually look at the person you were talking with.

  The flight was uneventful. Our four traveling companions seemed nice but after brief introductions, involved themselves in conversation about a corporate takeover. The flight attendant served a pork tenderloin lunch along with my favorite gin and tonic – extra limes. It appeared Gregory had thought of everything.

  Two and a half hours later, we landed at a small airfield outside Atlanta and were whisked downtown by a limo that was waiting for us on the tarmac. Gregory checked us into the Marriott Marquis using my name and a bellhop ushered us into a suite on the forty-sixth floor. While I knew Ev lived high on the hog, I was truly impressed with the accommodations. From the window, I could see the rise of the Appalachian Mountains to the north. If I hadn’t been so uptight, I would have felt like some sort of celebrity.

  “You take that bedroom,” Gregory said as he pointed to his right. “I will take the other. Fix yourself a drink if you want one. I want to talk to you about your dream while we wait for the phone call.”

  I usually don’t drink during the day but between the small airplane and the circumstances, I felt justified in having a second gin and tonic before five. After dumping my overnight bag and purse in my bedroom, I found all the appropriate ingredients at the bar, including a freshly cut lime in the refrigerator.

  Gregory grabbed a Heineken from the fridge and plopped down on one of the couches. “How long have you been having true dreams?”

  I knew Gregory was trying to distract me from staring at the telephone, willing it to ring.

  “If what Cassandra tells me is right, that the details of true dreams stay with you where others fade, then this is the first. Sure, I sometimes remember things when I wake up but not in such vivid detail or for more than an hour or so.”

  “She is correct. And that concerns me. If Ev is in as bad shape as you saw, this isn’t your garden variety kidnapping-for-ransom. It’s a lot more personal. I have put out feelers to try to find Ev’s father. I have a suspicion he’s behind this from the wording in that letter we found. So far, nothing.

  “If you have another vision, either waking or sleeping, I want you to tell me immediately. Not just for Ev’s sake but so I can help you understand what you’re seeing and what to do with it. Do you want to watch television while we wait?”

  I felt like such a child. Whatever was going on with me the adults, meaning Cassandra and Gregory, wanted to stick their noses in. And ugh. Daytime TV. Not my cup of tea. Thankfully, my cell phone rang as Gregory channel-surfed, settling on some news channel. Seeing who it was via Caller ID, I went into my bedroom to answer.

  “Hi Doll. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to call last night but things got crazy around here and I didn’t get free until well after your bedtime. Why aren’t you in the office?”

  As much as I hated to tell the story yet again, I told my boyfriend about the previous forty-eight hours.

  “You’re having true dreams? About Ev? Where are you? I’m on my way.”

  I sighed. “There’s no need for you to come, Tony. I’m with Gregory who apparently not only knows how to handle the situation but is a wizard who knows about these things, too.”

  “I don’t care.” Tony was adamant. “If something’s upsetting you, I’m coming. I don’t want Gregory or anyone else comforting you if you’re scared. Besides, my nose might come in handy and I’m better with my fists than any wizard.”

  I told Tony where we were.

  “I’m in Nashville and will be there in about four or five hours. Tell Gregory I’m coming – he’ll have to tell the concierge service to give me a pass to your floor.” He hung up and I sat there a moment, trying to formulate a good way to tell Gregory we were going to have company, wanted or not.

  Gregory just nodded when I told him. “I assumed he’d find out and the way he looks at you when you’re together tells me he would want to be wherever you are. It’s okay. I imagine he knows how to handle himself in tetchy situations, given his nature.

  “If you can, I suggest you try to nap for an hour or so then we will order dinner. I have a feeling it’s going to be a late night.” He headed into his bedroom.

  Even though I didn’t think I’d sleep, I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. I was actually just about to drop off when I felt something land on my chest with a thump. I grunted with the sudden weight, my eyes flew open and “What the hell?” was about to come out of my mouth when I saw Fudge staring down at me at close range. He was batting at a scroll tucked into his collar. I took it off him and as I unrolled the note, he made himself comfortable next to me and started his usual bath.

  Darlin’,

  You sounded mighty upset when you called and you’ve never gone out of town without giving me plenty of advance warning. Something’s up. Whatever it is, Fudge wouldn’t let me near him and just kept yowling. I figure he needs to be with you wherever you are so am sending him on. He knows where you are but I don’t – all I did was give him a push, as it were. You need to call me to tell me where you are so I can send his food and litter box.

  E

  Holy shit. Witches can teleport animals? And now I had not only a kidnapped boss and an overprotective boyfriend to contend with but a cat that wouldn’t stay home.

  (Witches can only send familiars through the ether. We know where we are at all times. Stupid pets would get lost and die. That fat witch knew what I was from the beginning but stayed silent. My human will learn these things. In the meantime, she has dreams I need to help with and I cannot do that from a thousand miles away. F.)

  I resolved to get at least a few minutes’ view of the back of my eyelids before calling Elinda. I must admit, I felt better with Fudge’s warmth curled next to me. I drifted off …

  And found myself back in that damned cave, staring at Ev. He didn’t look any worse but didn’t look any better, either. No sounds came from him this time and after a slightly panicked moment, I saw his chest rise and fall. Although I thought I was alone, a voice said, “Turn around. Notice your surroundings.”

  I started at the voice but turning in a complete circle, I saw Ev and no one else. If I was going to hear voices in my head, at least it was only in a dream. I hoped it didn’t start happening when I was awake. Since what I
dreamed was supposedly real, it wouldn’t hurt to have a look around.

  Ev was definitely in a cave but man had been here. There were floor-to-ceiling beams visible in places. An old mine, maybe? The lantern light showed a tunnel behind me, just a little higher than I was tall, and I’m short for a human. Whoever brought Ev in here would have to be strong, to haul a 500 pound ogre while stooped over. I walked down the tunnel, feeling my way along the wall, conscious of the fact that I was in bare feet. The tunnel floor was cold and the rocks made me wince with almost every step.

  About fifty steps along, the tunnel widened and I was lucky I was walking slowly. I came upon the mouth of the cave abruptly and although there wasn’t a drop-off, the ground sloped steeply away from me. I would have stumbled and probably fallen flat on my face if I’d been walking any quicker.

  The moon was at a quarter and with clear skies, gave off just enough light for me to see I was in a forest. As a matter of fact, about all I could see were trees. There wasn’t even much of a clearing before the woods started, maybe twenty feet. I took a couple steps out of the cave and looked around.

  I was on the side of a mountain. Or at least that’s what I thought since the ground continued up from where I was. Somewhere in the distance off to my left, I could see a light twinkling from another hill. But that was all I could see. There wasn’t any noise to speak of, just a gentle soughing of the breeze in trees that were starting to leaf out.

  “Wake up, now,” said the voice. “You need to tell the wizard what you have seen.”

  I felt myself wake and although upset, I didn’t feel nearly as rattled as I had twelve hours earlier, after the first true dream. I opened my eyes to a view of nothing but chocolate brown fur. Fudge had draped himself over my head. His fur was long enough that it tickled my nose and my sneeze effectively dislodged him. He took the ungracious movement in stride and after licking my nose once, started cleaning the part of his stomach I had sneezed into.

  My cat was acting very strange. He’d never slept on my head before. In my hair, always, but sprawled across my face? Never. I heaved a sigh. Gregory had said to tell him immediately if I had another dream and the voice had said the same thing so I’d better do as I was told.

  First, though, I had to comb the snarls out of my hair and splash some cold water on my face. The clock said it was shortly before 7:00 p.m. My stomach said it was getting to be dinner time.

  When I walked into the living room, Gregory was lounging on the couch, watching the evening news. He looked up when I cleared my throat. “I take it you slept a bit. Are you ready for dinner?”

  “Yes, I’m hungry,” I replied. “Gregory, I had another dream about Ev.”

  “First, let’s order room service. While we wait for the delivery, you can tell me about it.”

  Although my stomach said I was hungry, my brain didn’t want a lot of solid food. I ordered a salad and some broccoli cheese soup. Gregory ordered a steak. How could he be so calm in such a crisis? Men!

  “About your dream,” Gregory prompted.

  “Hang on. I have to call Elinda. Fudge just appeared on my chest with a note from her.”

  “Your cat is here? You didn’t tell me you were a witch, just that you were having true dreams!”

  I slumped in my chair. “I didn’t know! All this stuff is new to me, too. Cassandra said something about it and so did her dad but I’ve never cast a spell in my life.”

  “If your cat was able to make his way here, he’s a familiar, Amy, not just a pet. That makes you a witch. Did you hear any disembodied voices in your dream?”

  “Erm. Yes.” I told him what I’d seen and what the voice had said, both at the beginning and just before I woke up.

  “The place doesn’t sound familiar but then again, I am a stranger to these parts. Some people I know might have a better idea and if I need to, I will call them.

  “The voice you heard was Fudge, guiding you. Wait until Ev finds out he has a witch for an assistant. He’s going to have a conniption fit!” Gregory was almost bouncing in his seat with glee.

  “Fudge can talk?” I asked.

  “Not in the conventional sense, no. You will hear him in your dreams and as you become more comfortable with who you are, you will sense what he’s doing or thinking when you’re working magic. It’s difficult to describe to someone who’s not accustomed to it. I think you will have to find out for yourself how things work in that regard.

  “As far as Fudge’s accoutrements are concerned, you may be able to bring them here yourself.”

  “Me? How would I do that?” This was all too much to handle.

  Gregory frowned but then the corners of his mouth turned up a bit. “You’re a witch, Amy. You can do things mundane humans cannot, and that might include being able to teleport objects. You don’t know what your strengths are, except for having true dreams. If you like, I can help you try or I can just get them for you.”

  It didn’t take me but a second to make up my mind. I was too riled about Ev, the dreams and having my life turned upside down yet again to process anything more. “I can’t handle this at the moment. You do it.”

  “Not a problem. I’ve been in your apartment and know his litter box is in the bathroom but where do you keep his food?”

  I told Gregory which kitchen cupboard held Fudge’s food. He closed his eyes and just a few seconds later, Fudge’s litter box and food container landed on the floor in front of me with a ‘plop’ that was hard enough to scatter some litter around.

  “Sorry for the mess. I usually only transport closed containers. Call Elinda and tell her you’re with a wizard who got Fudge’s things for you, but no more details.”

  I dutifully made the call and Elinda was really good about not asking for any details of what was bothering me. All she said was, Be careful, darlin’ before disconnecting. I took Fudge’s things into my room, surprised to find his dish inside the food container. Gregory was thorough.

  While we ate dinner, I admonished Gregory not to say anything to anyone, especially Ev, about these new-found abilities of mine. “I have no idea how I feel about it all. I don’t need him nosing in my private business any more than he already does.”

  He acquiesced but I could tell he was disappointed. I had no idea why Ev would freak out about me being a witch. Gregory, however, did and wanted to watch the show when Ev was told.

  “When do you suppose we’ll hear from the kidnappers?” I asked, trying to get back to the most important subject.

  “I’m rather surprised we haven’t heard anything by now. Based on what you told me happened in your office, they’re able to keep tabs on you and I would have thought you’d get a phone call or note shortly after we checked in.”

  He shoveled another piece of steak into his mouth and around it, continued, “But I wouldn’t worry. They’re probably trying to keep you off balance for some perverted reason. As long as your dream says Ev is in the same place and not in any worse condition, I won’t get concerned until tomorrow.”

  We finished eating and while Gregory put the cart back into the hallway, I grabbed the remote and started looking for something to watch on television. I’d brought my tablet but knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate enough to read. A James Bond movie was on and I thought that was mindless enough to watch while stressed. Fudge came out from the bedroom, curled up in my lap and went back to sleep.

  “I love James Bond,” Gregory said as he sat back on the couch he’d claimed for his own. “Have you ever noticed how he always has exactly the proper equipment he needs for whatever situation he’s in, and it’s always such an amazing gadget?”

  I remarked that I had, and added that the car chases were always fun, too, and wondered how much the British government had to pay for all the destruction. We watched in companionable silence until there was a knock on the door around 9:30 p.m.

  Gregory motioned me to stay seated and I could see some sparkles in the hand he held behind his back as he opened the door with
the other. The sparkles immediately disappeared as soon as he saw who it was.

  “Hello. I see you had no difficulties getting onto this floor,” he told Tony, opening the door wide.

  “Nope. All I had to do was show the concierge my ID and he gave me a room key. I thought it safer to knock, though, knowing what was happening. Hi, Doll.”

  Tony crossed the room in three strides, sat on the couch next to me and enveloped both me and Fudge in a big hug. After kissing the top of my head, he held me back and, looking sternly at me, asked, “Are you holding up okay and why did you bring your cat?”

  Fudge extricated himself from the embrace and moved farther down the couch. He tolerated the werewolf but wasn’t overly fond of being so close to a dog, human form or not. I answered with, “As best I can, I guess. I didn’t bring Fudge. He brought himself a couple of hours ago, apparently with Elinda’s help. Everyone’s telling me I’m a witch as well as having these damned dreams.”

  “When did you find this out and why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Cassandra’s dad mentioned it a few months ago but it sort of came to a head when I told her about the dream. I would’ve told you eventually but it’s not something you say on the phone, y’know?”

  “Wow.” Tony looked at me as if I had a huge zit on my nose. “Not that it changes anything but this is rather unexpected.”

  “Would you two like me to go into my room so you can continue your conversation in private?” Gregory interjected.

  “No, because there’s really nothing more to discuss.” I was starting to get peeved. “Whatever I am, it’s an ‘is’ and I’ll deal with it when Ev is home, safe and sound. Until then, the commercials are over and I’d like to watch the movie.”

  After looking at Gregory for direction, Tony put his overnight bag in my bedroom, stopped at the bar to fix drinks for both of us and sat down next to me. Both men appeared to be totally relaxed. I felt like a jack-in-the-box, ready to pop with the next turn of the crank.