Dreamwalker (Persephone's League of Immortals)

by Andrea Heltsley

  This brought a giggle. “Oh, I would have to say I am much older. I have reached geriatric old this time.”

  “Autumn is still torturing you I gather. I guess she is keeping you safe then?”

  “Yes. She is truly trustworthy. So much has happened since our last rendezvous. I got many memories back that were lost to me before. I am really Noel Maristolla and I have a sister, Sam.”

  That declaration brought a look of shock to his eyes. “Maristolla, as in you are one of the daughters of Jason and Rita Maristolla?”

  “Yes, that would be me, in the flesh, well I guess in the astral projection,” I replied.

  “This makes so much sense now. All of this does. I can’t believe I was sent to you to wake your powers. You are the stuff of legends, Noel. I am not kidding,” he said seriously.

  “What is the deal with my parents? Why are they so special? I thought it was Sam and I that were special. This is all so freaking crazy. I didn’t even remember I had a sister until a little while ago. I was normal two days ago. Forgive me if I have trouble swallowing all this. All this information is like a jagged little pill.”

  “I know, but it gets better. If Sam is your sister, then you two can magnify each other’s powers. Together, you two would be the most powerful clairvoyants in the entire world. You would be able to manipulate your visions and see the future in its entirety. It is an immense responsibility and a great power.”

  I wrinkled my brow in confusion. “You mean to tell me that my parents had these powers too? How come we never knew? We were just a normal family.”

  “Years after they left PLI and went into hiding, it was rumored that Rita had children. The only way they could have escaped detection is if they stripped their powers and lived like average Americans. They must have tamped down yours as well.”

  “Our group knew Sam but had no idea she was a Maristolla. They just thought she was just a regular gifted clairvoyant. The only thing I don’t understand is that after their death and you two disappeared, you should have regained your powers,” he added.

  “That’s because Autumn stripped them again when she wiped my memory twelve years ago,” I supplied.

  This earned me a nod in understanding. “Ok, that explains a lot. Where is Sam now? We need to get you to her now. It is the only way to keep you safe and away from PLI.”

  “That is the real problem. She is currently being held prisoner by Wren and August. I can’t get to her yet. We are working on that at the moment. I need some information from you,” I said as I paused to inhale the crisp mountain air around us.

  “So that means that she is here, somewhere, with me. I have not seen her, but that isn’t surprising considering the hospitality they have shown me. I am only alive because they want me to give them you.”

  “I need you to tell me everything you can about your prison. Where are you being held? What have you overheard from them? Are there any guards outside?”

  He winced at my line of questioning. “I don’t know anything and yes respectively. They are tight lipped around me. I have no Intel of use. There are two guards outside, and I think one of them is a fire starter. I am not sure about the other one.”

  I looked off into the distance, not wanting to show the disappointment that had washed over me. I hesitated before continuing. “Do you know Sam?”

  I clearly caught him off guard because his eyes widened at the question. “I only know of her. She used to be a rogue like us until her and Autumn defected all those years ago. Then it has been radio silence ever since.”

  “But I had a vision of her and Boone. They clearly have met recently. Aren’t you his partner?” I asked, more confused than ever now.

  Jared looked up with genuine surprise at that bit of information. It was the last thing I saw before the dream shifted to pieces around me and I was placed into another one.

  After my vision cleared, I realized I was in Disney World. Characters and people were congregating everywhere around me. I was standing in line for it’s a Small World and peered around to see it was Sam’s dream.

  She was standing next to me smiling her gentle older sister smile. Her brown hair was fluttering in the wind and her hazel eyes were sparkling like twin jewels. Relieved, I threw my arms around her and squealed in excitement.

  When we parted, I was ready to mend fences. “I missed you so much!!!! This is a killer dream sis!”

  Then I added, “Oh, I have my memories back now. I am sorry for the way I treated you last time.”

  “It’s ok; I know you didn’t know who I was. That is my fault. I should have kept your memories intact.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up, it’s ok. I know you did it to save me. I miss you now though!”

  A warm smile that reached all the way to her hazel eyes broke out now. “I miss you like crazy little sis. I wish I could have seen you under better circumstances.”

  I made light of the situation, like I did when I was nervous. “Are you kidding? We are in Disney World. This was the best vacation we ever took together. Mom and dad couldn’t keep up with us the whole trip. We ran them ragged. Just wait until we ride the tea cups. Let’s ride until we get sick.” I said, pulling her forward in the line for the ride.

  “Noel, you’re awesome. I wanted to know you all this time. Ask Autumn for the box I left for you. Don’t trust anyone else though, just you and her. It’s very important,” she urged still smiling.

  I was still thinking of the dream with Jared and I had to ask about Boone. “Sam, when did you meet Boone? I saw a vision of you two in Japan I think.”

  There was hurt in her eyes and she shook her head. “He found me a week ago and tried to get me to give you up. I broke, Noel. I told him, I am so sorry. Then, suddenly I have been found by PLI. I don’t like coincidences and I think something is up. Watch your back sis.”

  She placed something in my pocket. When I went to pull it out, she shook her head no. Resigned, I just sighed and nodded.

  All of this new information unsettled me. I knew he wasn’t in contact with Autumn before now. How could PLI find her so easily? I was about to respond when once again I lost the dream and faded away like the multicolored dust that fell around me.

  When I regained my sight again, it was clear that I was in a very different dream. I was in a club of sorts. The atmosphere smelled of sweat, sex and perfume. The lights were illuminated in multicolor flashes and strobe lights. Scantily clad women were done up in skimpy costumes with vibrant colors. There were feathers and glitter everywhere.

  The music was loud and it vibrated through me. I felt the beat of the steel drum and I swayed automatically. A line of show girls entered the stage and start a choreographed musical number. It was then that I realized I was in a burlesque.

  I heard someone say “Noel” in a stern voice and I came to. I was one of the dancers and that was my queue to step onstage for the number. I looked down to see my striped thigh highs and lacy black panties. My bustier was black and tight with cleavage spilling over. I looked sexy and daring.

  The woman shoved me out and I was thrust onto stage with the rest of the scantily clad women. They bumped and grinded in rhythm to the music and I quickly picked up my moves. It was as if I was on autopilot, swaying and hip popping to the beat.

  I was just getting into it when my vision narrowed and I realize whose dream this was. He was sitting in the front row and he cocked a slow seductive smile at me. A blush rose in my cheeks but I continued dancing seductively even though this was Boone’s dream. I might as well give him what he wanted. It was his dream after all.

  I made my way to the front of the stage, hips swaying to the beat. Feeling his eyes on me, I dropped to my knees and thrust my chest into his direct view, while still maneuvering to the beat.

  I knew it was exactly what he wanted when he cleared his throat and his clear blue eyes met my smoldering green ones. There was fire, passion and lust fueled in them. It took all of my self-control not to let him consume me right the
re on the stage in the club.

  I knew this was just his dream, but I was into it and I continued like that until the song ended. Then I gracefully exited the stage and immersed myself into the craziness inside the dressing rooms.

  It was chaos everywhere I looked. Women were stripping and changing costumes. Glitter and powder swirled in the air as more girls refreshed their makeup.

  I was just taking it all in and wondering what else Boone had in store for me in this dream. I knew I couldn’t have Boone and I shouldn’t encourage him. A part of me couldn’t resist and felt the urge to make him want me.

  My musings were cut short though when I got a body so warm and sensual pressed against me from behind. I was sure it was Boone because I could smell the scent of leather and nicotine from him. I knew I should give myself distance, but I lingered just a little too long and I felt him nibble at my ear and kiss my neck.

  I was too far gone to gather my composure and he turned me for an earth shattering kiss that sent sparks flying through me. I couldn’t even think about Jared at the moment. I was so wrapped up in Boone and how seductive his kiss was, that I didn’t even realize when the dream started to fade and I was jarred awake back to reality.

  Chapter 16: Rescue Me

  I could still feel the heat radiating from behind me and Boone’s slow breathing against my neck. I wished I could stay like this forever. Then I was roused from my thoughts by someone standing nearby.

  I opened one eye at first, then the other. I was face to face with Autumn and she was frowning. Her blue eyes looked tired underneath the old lady guise.

  “Are you ok, Nells?”

  “Yeah, I think so, why?” I asked, worried that my naughty acts and thoughts had somehow become transparent.

  “Because, you just tried to kiss me,” she said.

  Mortified, my cheeks turned a shade of red and I shook my head. “Sorry, so sorry. I was dreaming again.”

  This sparked a look of interest. “Lover boy again I presume,” she asked.

  I didn’t bother to correct her, knowing it would open a whole other can of worms we couldn’t afford at the moment. I just nodded and made a show of yawning and gathering my composure.

  “Sweetie, you look like a geriatric hooker. You have glitter all over you,” she told me with an inquisitive glimmer in her eye.

  I just sighed, knowing she’s not going to let this go. I looked around the room to see who was in earshot. Madison and Graham were down in the casino scouting exits and doing recon so I didn’t have to worry about them. Clark was across the room on lookout duty and Boone was still sleeping. I pulled her close and made her swear not to tell anyone. She nodded and I continued.

  “Boone, a burlesque and things got a little racy.”

  Her jaw dropped in shock, “You and Boone as in together?”

  “Shush…keep it down. I want to keep it quiet. I am with Jared, or I think I am even though it was only one time in reality.”

  “Ok, but promise to dish later?” she asked in true form.

  “Promise,” I replied before switching gears and leaning in closer.

  “Sam said to ask about the box,” I said in a gravelly whisper.

  I saw the recognition in her expression and knew it was real. She whispered in my ear, “not here, not now.”

  Then something else came to me and I stood to dig out whatever Sam put in my pocket out of its place. I pulled out a folded up piece of paper and another tarot card fluttered to the ground.

  I picked it up and instantly recognized the same design as before. This picture on the other side was different though. It said The Lovers and depicted two sky clad people entwined together by nature.

  I looked up at Autumn, but she was already on it. She had the tarot book in hand and was thumbing through it. Soon, I heard “Ah ha!” and she showed me the corresponding page.

  “The Lovers: Lovers and Close friends take center stage. Bonds are established and jealousy runs high. It says something about determining ones values and staying true to oneself. There are many meanings but some speak to attraction on a sexual level,” she read in a whisper.

  Then confusion hit me. It was really damn ironic that I was ensnared in my very own love triangle when I got this. The message rang loud and crystal clear. I needed to choose and keep my focus.

  I pulled out the paper and read what it said. It was truly the more important of the two. It was a letter from Sam.

  “Noel-

  Rescue me. Myotis lucifugus.

  Sam”

  That was it. No flowery words or even a date. Just rescue me and some Latin words. The letter was plain and to the point, most likely written in a time of distress. Just the mere thought sent chills down my spine.

  I remembered the torture I glimpsed and the conditions Jared and Sam were in. It wasn’t a room at a five star hotel that was for sure. I held it up for Autumn but it was clear she already saw it. She had gone ashen and had a hand clasped over her mouth.

  “What does it mean?” I asked.

  “Little brown bat,” she answered in a haunted voice.

  “What?” I asked again in confusion.

  “Little brown bat is our code for May Day, we are compromised.”

  I could see the tears as they formed in her eyes. I was about to reassure her when she continued. “We only set it up for the direst of circumstances. The bat is one of the symbols for the underworld goddess Persephone. She is the leader of PLI. It must be real bad. We need to get you out of here and soon.”

  I didn’t have time to respond yet again because this time Madison strolled in with Graham in tow. I could tell that the clock was almost up on Autumn’s spell. Madison’s once old look was softening and her real form was beginning to take hold. It was weird to see her in this unstable transition.

  I looked down to realize my own spell was wearing off as well and I sighed in relief. Old was definitely not my most favorable glamour.

  Boone woke at the disturbance and I found it hard to look him in the eye. I felt like I intruded in his dream whether I was in it or not. I was afraid if I looked at him I would give my secret away. Instead I focused intently on Madison as she returned to her overconfident vampire self.

  I wish I knew how to shield my thoughts but I didn’t, so I just kept repeating fluffy bunnies over and over mentally to block them.

  I was surprised when Boone spoke up and I could feel his eyes on me. “Noel, can I have a word with you in the restroom?”

  I wanted to say no, but I just couldn’t. “Of course, lead the way.”

  Once we shuffled into the small bathroom, Boone locked the door behind us. Then he looked into my eyes. His were smoldering. I was about to speak when he flipped me and pinned me to the wall.

  His body was pressed up against mine as he let me feel what he felt for me by our close contact. My breath hitched, but I tried to keep my resolve. He didn’t want me to escape this conversation that was clear. God it was good to be out of disguise and to back to myself again.

  “I saw you, and I know you remember it. That was so incredibly sexy Noel. I can’t ever forget it and I never want to. You may want to fight this connection between us, but you can’t deny how strong it is.”

  “I see the glitter all over you. You can’t say you weren’t there.”

  He paused and then continued. “I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you. My need for you is even stronger than my loyalty to Jared. I will fight for you with everything I have.”

  I was truly speechless at his confession. I wanted so bad to give in and tell him what I really wanted to say. But Jared was the elephant in the room and I couldn’t shake my feelings for him.

  I was about to tell him that when he sensed how much longing I had for him. He didn’t wait for the words to come. He held my arms over my head and kissed me.

  I let out a small sound of pleasure, the connection flaring full force. Even in my denial, our chemistry rang true. He tasted every bit as good as he smelled and I fe
lt my desire blaze on high. I didn’t bother to stop him and before he pulled away, he nipped at my lip playfully.

  When he finally did pull away, a sexy smile crossed his features. I was truly breathless, ragged gasps escaping. He had won this round without a doubt, but it was far from over for either of us.

  That was the end of the conversation and he unlocked the door. He took my hand in his and guided me back into the room.

  When we entered the room, everyone was stuck in place. They were staring as if in shock. I wondered if they heard everything and I started to blush.

  “What is up with the glitter Noel?” Clark asked.