“Of course. I wonder why you were the only Royalist following that man. If you knew he was so dangerous why didn’t you take every precaution to keep the tram safe?” Her words came out harsher than she intended.
“I didn’t plan to be at the tram station today, but as I walked through the streets he passed by me and . . .”
Landry looked at Talia, considering his next words carefully.
“Something just didn’t feel right. Sometimes I sense things about people. I decided to follow him and found myself on the tram with you. At first I thought maybe—”
He stared into the fire.
“That I was with him?” Talia whispered. Why does it hurt so much that he doesn’t trust me?
“If I had known what was at stake, I never would have let the tram leave the station. That’s something I’ll have to live with.”
She didn’t have his ability to feel others emotions, but she understood the look. His shoulders slouched, he couldn’t hold eye contact, and the hand holding his plate trembled slightly. Today’s events shook him more than he wanted to admit. The weight of death did affect him.
“If I knew how dangerous he was, I would have acted immediately. It’s my fault those people died.”
“Major, I mean, Landry, thank you for saving my life. I know that one doesn’t stack well against how many died, but . . .” Her voice tapered to a whisper. Her hands knotted together, a perfect mirror of her emotions.
Landry moved to kneel beside her. He pointed to her hands and said, “May I?”
Talia nodded. The connection was instantaneous as she heard his thoughts.
I should thank you. You pulled power to the doors so we could get out. You saved yourself and me with you.
If only I were faster. If only we could have warned everyone else. Talia tried to pull her hands free.
Landry held her hands tightly, but gently. I’m not going to let go.
Their emotions swirled together in a writhing mass of sadness and guilt. As they rode the waves of emotion, Landry leaned forward and, untangling one hand, he lifted Talia’s chin until their eyes met.
There was the pull, the need between them. Talia leaned forward as Landry moved closer. The shock when their hands touched was nothing compared to the sensation of their lips meeting.
The kiss brought Talia’s loneliness to the surface. She shuddered as all the years of solitude and fear burst into flames. She wrapped her arms around Landry and pulled him closer. Everything faded away and all that existed were his arms, his lips.
Landry nibbled on her lower lip and something within Talia broke free as she melted into him. Neither could tell who the whispered thoughts belong to, or whose emotions surged through their veins.
When the saltiness of Talia’s tears reached her tongue, she remembered that this wasn’t a dream.
She removed her hands from his hair and half-heartedly pushed him away at the same time her kiss grew hungrier. Her body wasn’t ready to give him up, but the slight pressure had its effect.
Landry pulled away, and they both gasped for air.
Talia touched her swollen lips. Her eyes searched Landry’s face. She couldn’t believe how strong her reaction had been. She wanted to pull him closer, but her mind ruled her body and she leaned away. Her hand moved from her lips to brush the bare spot where her necklace used to rest.
Landry said, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine. I—” Talia glanced at her hands, which still trembled. The tears slid quietly down her face.
Landry took her hand. “Talia, forgive me. I never should have taken advantage of the situation.”
Talia tentatively stretched her thoughts outward. The mental barrier was solid, protecting Landry’s thoughts, keeping her out.
“You found a way to touch me without letting me inside your head.”
“I spent the last week figuring it out.”
Talia wiped the last traces of dampness from her face. The kiss had freed more than just her desire. The years of loneliness and the last two weeks of fear had finally worn her down. Why not trust someone and see what happened? Perhaps a relationship could bring some of the happiness she had always denied herself.
She squeezed his hand. “It wasn’t the tram, you know, and I kissed you back.”
“What?” Landry’s eyes widened.
Talia chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. “The kiss. You shouldn’t apologize. Unless you regret it?”
“The only thing I regret is the timing. Emotions are high, and it could have been our way of dealing with survivors’ guilt.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“I don’t know. Both? This is out of nowhere. A week ago we couldn’t stand to be in the same room together.”
“That’s true.”
Talia pulled her hands from his and gathered their plates. She turned away and went to the sink. “You’re right of course, it probably was the tram.”
Landry jumped up and followed, reaching for her arm. “Wait.”
She jerked her arm out of his grasp and set the dishes in the sink before turning to glare at him.
“What? Are you going to find some other way to deny the attraction between us? Don’t forget I’ve heard your thoughts.”
“You’re right, but I don’t make it a point to give in to physical attraction every time I feel it. You were a person of interest in my investigation. That doesn’t make this easy.”
“Were? I’m not anymore?” Talia softened a bit.
Landry sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “No. Look, I think we both need to rest. Can we talk about this tomorrow, or better yet, over dinner in a few days?”
Talia nodded her head. “You’re right. And sleep sounds good. I hurt all over.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. Here let me get a cot for you.” He grabbed a cot and sleeping bag out of a storage compartment. “There’s a ledge over here just right for a cot.”
“Thank you.” Talia marveled again at how organized everything was. Landry was a prepared man. “Do you have a plan for getting picked up from here?”
“Yes. My men are probably on their way. They should pick us up sometime in the morning. Here you go, it’s ready.”
Landry spread the sleeping bag onto the cot, then grabbed a second cot and bag, and headed over to the door.
To Talia, it looked like he moved as far away from her as he could get. She climbed into the bag and hoped for a dreamless night.
Chapter 19
Jaron returned to his spaceship after leaving the tram, ready for another rest. The years of prolonged living took a toll on his body. He tired easily; without the demon’s strength he would be powerless.
There had been a time when Jaron had burned with the fire of hatred. Now he had burned out. Only the demon motivated him now, but how much longer could he keep control of his own mind?
“Just a little longer and I will be with you again, Dailya. There’s one more thing to do.” Jaron visualized Dailya as he stared at the ceiling.
He needed rest. His mind was tired from the constant strain of the morphing spell. However, he kept remembering his coming of age Oracle.
On his home planet of Orek, all those with potential magical abilities received an Oracle before admittance into wizard training. He never puzzled over its meaning. That had been clear. No, he puzzled over the choice he had made.
His Oracle told of two things that could free him from this darkness. First, a forgiving heart, and second a welcome death. Jaron knew he could never forgive the Dragumon for what they had done to his world, his home, and his family. That left a welcome death, and it approached quickly. He only hoped that death would stay its hand until he could see the Dragumon destroyed.
Too often, he could not find his true self. He had become someone or something else. A small sadness crept in and took up residence with the others already living in his heart.
“Dailya won’t recognize me when I finally reac
h her. I hope she can forgive me.”
With that thought, sleep overtook him; it was not merciful. Jaron dreamed he watched the tram plummet over the cliff. It fell slowly, allowing him to see a face peering at him from the rear window. Not one but two.
“Dailya!” His cry ripped the stillness of the air and returned time to normal. Before Jaron could take a step forward, the tram was gone.
He had killed them.
Jaron had killed his beloved wife and son.
Talia crouched behind the charred remains of an aeroflyer. She squeezed her eyes shut, but since she dreamed, the chaos and carnage remained visible. The familiar scene permanently burned on her retinas.
As she watched, the aeroflyer transformed from a charred mess to a perfectly bright and smooth metal. Her reflection stared back. Half her face was badly burned and falling away from her skull. The other half was blood splattered but otherwise unmarred.
Not now. Please not now.
Talia watched the street, hoping the dream would end quickly. Two Dragumon came around a building. Their scales glittered in the sunslight. She could clearly see their long, pointed ears swiveling in every direction, searching for the slightest sound. Cat-like in their movements, they hunted. Hunted for her.
Come on. I’m tired of running.
The creatures lowered their weapons, and Talia’s resolve weakened. Even in her dreams, she didn’t want to die.
Wake up! Wake up, before . . .
Too late, the red light flared and Talia became a blazing ball of fire and pain.
A scream broke the silence of the cave. Talia bolted upright and scanned the darkness.
Where am I?
Her breathing came fast and shallow, but the shivering hadn’t started yet.
Landry called up the lights from his cot.
Blinded by the light, Talia tried to lift her arm to shield her eyes, but the muscles didn’t respond. She squinted as they teared up from the glare.
“What is it? Are you hurt?” he asked.
“No . . . no.” Talia forced her body to obey and lay back down, pulling the sleeping bag over her head.
The trembling started and she tried not to whimper as her skin blistered. She ached for the small warm ball that should be curled up next to her.
Why did it have to be a burning dream?
Landry’s cot scraped against the floor followed by a dull thunk, thunk as wood landed in the fire pit. After a moment of silence, his hand rested on her shoulder, the slight pressure adding to her pain through the fabric.
“Talia, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine, please just let me . . .” Her voice came out breathy and ragged as she shivered.
Landry pulled the bag away from her face and gasped. “What happened?”
Talia gingerly touched her face, assessing the damage. The hot skin was bumpy and raw beneath her fingers. Without seeing, she knew it was red and scarred from the burns. Her throat was raw, but she had to tell him something. The only thing that came to mind was the truth.
“It’s the aftermath of my nightmares. It’ll be better by the morning.” There was no need to tell him how. She would need to be quiet when she slipped out to drink the sunsrise. A lump formed in her throat and she missed the tiny tongue that used to comfort her.
“The one where you die in the end?” Landry interrupted her thoughts and she nodded. He reached out and touched her cheek. “Does it hurt?”
“I’m used to it.” Talia soaked in the coolness from his hand. “The shaking will stop in a bit.”
He lifted Talia up and sat on the cot, cradling her head in his lap. A tremor ran through her body. No one had held her after a dream for years.
Landry stroked her hair, reminding Talia of her father. The memory brought peace, and she settled down to wait out the rest of the symptoms.
As she closed her eyes and moved through her breathing routine, Talia reached out with her mind, searching for Landry’s. She visualized the wall he had built to keep her out and placed both hands flat against the sides. Leaning in until her forehead touched the roughness, she nudged it with her thoughts. The wall melted away and the swell of his thoughts washed over her. She shuddered with contentment.
Within their minds, Talia stood unmarked from the dreams. Landry stood before her in the same fuzzy and surreal haze she remembered from the first contact.
I’ve been alone for so long. I don’t want it to be like this, but . . .
Mentally, Landry stepped forward and placed a finger on her lips.
Shh, you’ll be fine without me as soon as you’ve recovered from today. But, just in case . . . He waved his hands and the mental barrier reappeared between them.
As his presence left her mind, the hollowness returned and Talia reminded herself to be more careful. He filled an emptiness she hadn’t realize was there, and after only a few mental conversations with him, she craved it again.
She knew she couldn’t become dependent on his presence or rely on his strength too much. He would not be able to save her when the creatures came, and she had to remember that. She reached out and squeezed his arm tighter around her shoulder. Physical touch would have to do.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Landry squeezed back then brushed some hair from her forehead.
“Okay. I usually write in a journal, but talking to you will work too.”
Talia closed her eyes and told Landry about the dream in as much detail as she could muster, just like she used to do with her parents. Landry listened quietly, running his fingers through her hair the whole time.
“I didn’t learn anything new this time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve had the dream for as long as I can remember. My mother believed I was born having them. Sometimes, I have more control over them and I can—” Talia stopped, unsure how to word her search for clues.
“I won’t think you’re crazy, I promise.” Landry spoke softly. “I saw parts of the dream that day in your office.”
Talia sighed. “The dream always ends the same, but sometimes I can put it off. I use the time to try and figure out who these creatures are, why they are killing, and how to stop them.”
“Tell me about the creatures.”
“They called themselves Dragumon in one of the dreams, but that’s all I know.”
“They look like something described in an ancient Signum legend.”
“Is that why you thought I worked for them?”
“One of the reasons. Have you had much luck learning how to stop these creatures?”
Talia decided it wasn’t worth pushing Landry on the issue of her loyalty to the crown. Hopefully one day he would trust that she didn’t work for a terrorist group.
“There’s never enough time. I get bits and pieces of information, but it’s all worthless. The dream occurs in different areas of the city. Sometimes other people are around me, running, fighting, dying. Nothing they do affects the creatures, and once I’m alone—” Talia shuddered and Landry’s arms tightened around her. “The dream has grown more frequent since I came to Joharadin. It feels real, and there’s always the aftermath. This dream ended in flames. Different deaths leave different marks.”
“Is that why you looked half dead on the tram? I thought you said the effects went away.”
“They do, eventually. Some take longer than others, and when the physical marks disappear, the exhaustion remains.” Talia was glad Landry couldn’t see her face. “This week I dreamed it every night, and the effect was worse than ever. Can you guess now why I built the satellite?”
Landry stiffened as the satellite’s potential for space exploration worked through his mind. “You’re looking for the creatures.”
“Yes. I’ve always known the woman in my dreams was me, but it didn’t really hit me until I turned fourteen. By then I recognized her in the mirror, and it scared me. The only way I dealt with it was by promising myself I would never go to Joharadin.”
“But you broke that promise.”
“I didn’t want to. If I could run away now, I think I would. That’s what I want to do.”
“Then what’s keeping you here?”
“If these dreams come true, millions of people will die. These Dragumon won’t stop with Joharadin. The best chance I have for finding proof of their existence is through my work with the SEF, and the SEF want me in Joharadin. I must find proof to take to the Royalist. You know as well as I do they won’t give me two minutes once I start talking about aliens and dreams.”
“You wouldn’t get past the gate. Look, I believe you. I can’t say why because none of it makes sense, but if we can share minds there’s a lot of stuff we don’t understand. I’ll help you if I can. Give me time to think on it. Let’s get some sleep now.”
Talia sat up and Landry stood and stretched. His clothes were wrinkled.
“I don’t usually sleep much after one of my dreams.” Talia lay down.
“Try anyway. I’ll stay here until you fall asleep.”
And he did.
Chapter 20
The sunsrise approached. Talia opened her eyes and rubbed the goose bumps from her arms. She gasped as the touch set her skin on fire once more. She gritted her teeth and sat up.
The fire had burned out. The coals glowed dim orange, enough for her eyes to adjust until she could pick out shapes in the room. A tugging sensation pulled at her core, urging her to motion.
Talia slid out of the sleeping bag and fumbled across the room toward the sound of Landry’s breathing, remembering he slept near the cave opening. It took some groping to find the door and then the latch. She opened it and pushed back the vines that hid it from view.
Crisp mountain air greeted her. The smell of damp earth, bark, and decomposed leaves reminded her of home. She stretched and wiggled her toes while she breathed it in. The tug came again, stronger this time, and Talia reached out to the trees.
Where can I see the sunsrise? she asked.
This way for the best view.
The Magic Wakes Page 11
