He nodded and dragged a chair out from underneath the table. It scraped across the floor, setting Rowan’s teeth on edge. “Do you want mum to join us?”
Jake looked bemused. “Huh?”
Silently she pulled out a chair and sat. “Try and be a little quieter.”
His tongue flicked out in response.
“Very mature.”
Chuckling, he unwrapped the food, mischief written on his face as he waved the tray of cheesy chips under her nose. The scent of melted cheese was too tempting an invitation to ignore. “I really shouldn’t be eating this.”
Jake grinned. “I could always save you from yourself. There’s some rabbit food left in the fridge if you prefer.”
Rowan wrenched the box out of his hand. “After tonight I think I deserve this, don’t you?”
“Yeah, ’cause if I had to spend more than five minutes in that plank’s company, I’d be driven to cheesy chips too.”
This time she didn’t resist giving him a kick under the table. “Cheek.”
Jake smiled and stuffed a large piece of parmo in his mouth. Helpless to resist, Rowan stabbed her fork into the mound of melted cheese. Her taste buds completed a victory dance after months of denial.
“Good?” He gave her a knowing wink.
She nodded and groaned in pleasure.
There was a sudden flash from above, the kitchen temporarily dimmed and then brightened. Fork paused in mid-air, Rowan stared at the ceiling and waited. Seconds later, the light flickered off and on again. Her gaze lowered and met Jake’s.
“It’s probably just one of those aftershock things.”
“It was a storm not an earthquake, you idiot,” she said.
Senses on full alert, Rowan’s eyes searched every crevice of the kitchen. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and yet a feeling of foreboding persisted. Another flash this time had Jake putting down his cutlery, and staring upwards.
“They’re either having issues with the electricity supply, or that bulb is definitely on its way out.”
She could hear the logic in his explanation but found herself unable to formulate a response, the words held captive in her throat, silenced by a sharp pain radiating from the centre of her forehead. Jake, oblivious to her rising panic, picked up his fork. His features rapidly fading from sight as the vision hit hard and devoured without warning.
Blinking furiously, Rowan attempted to focus through the haze. She was confused to find herself standing alone in the middle of nowhere. Jake, her home, even the village itself had disappeared entirely. Her feet kicked grit in the air as she spun full circle, searching for someone, anyone who could help. Desolation stretched out for miles in every direction faced. Rowan’s mouth tasted copper as she bit down hard on her lip, praying the pain would be sufficient to jolt her free. Her mind, frustratingly uncooperative, remained locked in the vision’s grip, leaving her with no alternative but to wait for it to unfold.
A sudden wind billowed dust around her feet, the particles lifting, blowing into her hair and face. She shivered in response, and turned in the opposite direction. Frantically, she rubbed the dirt clear from her sight, her hand instantly dropping to her side when a loud crack reverberated. The ground was rupturing and tearing itself open right in front of her.
Standing on the precipice, Rowan gazed at the horror below. A river of red filled with death and decay ran beneath her feet. Its foul scent permeated the air. Dozens of tortured voices, now alert to her presence, screamed out in agony, shattering the silence. Rowan fell to her knees, the tears pouring with each soul that called out, begging her for release. She squeezed her eyes shut and prepared herself. A voice shouted. “Rowan, no.”
Jake’s face instantly snapped back into view. Her relief at finding herself home was however short-lived. Something had followed her. Rowan sensed it wrap around the village and slither into the darkness. Her instincts warned that it wasn’t alone.
Heart thumping, she attempted to call out. Her mouth, unbearably dry, had her coughing uncontrollably.
Jake dropped his fork and sprang from the kitchen table to fetch a glass of water. “Are you okay? Did you choke on a chip?”
She took a sip, her gaze darting around the kitchen. “You didn’t feel anything?”
Jake shook his head. “Nothing.”
“You’re sure you didn’t feel anything, just then?”
“No, did the light spook you or something?”
“Something…” Her voice trailed off.
He gestured upwards. “Well, it seems fine now.”
The bulb remained illuminated. There were no further signs of interference. Rowan glanced to the kitchen window and scrutinised the darkness. She waited for that same feeling to return, but there was nothing. Whatever it was that hid in the shadows had gone.
Rowan rubbed her temples, her mind whirling in confusion as she struggled to decipher between reality and fiction.
Jake stared at her. “Are you alright?”
She gave a weak smile. “Yes.”
He didn’t look convinced. “You’re sure? You know your face is white as a sheet?”
“It’s probably the stress from tonight, and that bloody film you chose last week. Honestly, I’m fine now. I just got spooked, that’s all.”
It was enough to convince him if not herself.
Jake stared hungrily at the chips. “Are you going to finish those?”
Appetite lost, Rowan pushed the box across the table. “Fill your boots, I’m off up to bed.”
Jake studied her face. “You’re positive you’re alright?”
“Yes, now don’t you be waking mum when you come up.”
Jake stabbed a fork into a pile of chips. “I won’t and thanks again for the food. I do love you, Sis.”
Surprised by the tears that welled, she rose quickly from her seat. “You’re welcome, and I love you too, even if you are a muppet.”
His grin imprinted to memory as she closed the kitchen door softly behind her. Tonight had not been the first occasion that her brother had told her that he loved her. For reasons unknown, this time Jake’s words held more meaning.
Hesitating at the foot of the stairs, Rowan instinctively took several deep calming breaths, willing her anxiety to soothe before beginning her ascent. Her legs juddered disappointingly in warning as she reached halfway. The vision had impacted more than she realised. She lunged for the support of the bannister, slowly pulling herself upwards, and with relief reached the landing without further incident. Ignoring the temptation to head straight for the security of her room, Rowan instead turned in the direction of the main bathroom. The need to clean her teeth and scrub away the last remnants of the evening outweighed the desire to retreat and hide underneath her duvet.
Standing in the harsh light, Rowan appraised the girl staring back from the mirror. Her face was pale and fatigued, the events of the night having taken their toll. She grimaced and reached for the cleansing wipes, her night-time care routine providing a temporary distraction from the memory of the vision that persistently pushed at the edges of her mind.
A feather-like touch against her cheek brought a smile. Toothbrush paused in mid-air Rowan waited for a second confirmation that he had drawn close, pleased when he did not disappoint. Rinsing quickly, she patted her skin dry with a towel and again regarded the girl in the mirror. Although her skin was much paler, and the fatigue still evident in her features, her eyes at least seemed to hold a little less fear.
Leaving just enough light peeking through from the bathroom, Rowan tiptoed across the landing towards her bedroom, hesitating at the door. Her arm snuck through the small gap and fumbled for the light, a sigh of relief escaping when her fingers made instant contact. She flipped on the switch and stepped slowly inside, her gaze searching every nook before she could finally bring herself to close the door behind.
Dumping her clothes into the laundry hamper, she reached for the comfort of her pyjamas. A creak from the picture frame of the old Qu
aker cottage, above her bed, gave her the confidence she needed. Rowan turned off the light and climbed beneath the covers. “Hello, Charles.”
He shimmered briefly into view, his smile warm and reassuring. A twinkle of mischief danced around his eyes, making her curious as she waited for him to approach. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, bathing her with strength and love. Their bond deepened further, as she allowed his energy to connect with hers.
“Are you alright? For a moment there, I wasn’t sure you were going to make it upstairs.”
She smiled, knowing that he would never have let her fall. “I’m fine. You’re here now.”
The room fell into sudden silence. Rowan sensed his regret and frustration. “Oh Charles, I didn’t mean anything by that.”
Although his voice was calm, she knew he struggled. “I should have been able to reach you. I’m so sorry to have let you down.”
“It’s alright,” she said, knowing that her attempt to reassure him had failed miserably.
“No, it’s not.” He paused for a few moments before speaking again. “Forgive me, I know that you don’t want to think about what happened, but I need to ask you about tonight, it’s important.”
She sighed. “Somehow, I had a feeling you would.”
“I’m truly sorry, but the fact that I was unable to reach you or access the vision has concerned the Lightkeepers greatly, and me.”
“They don’t blame you, do they?”
“No, but they need to understand what happened.”
“As long as they know you’re not to blame. The vision isn’t like anything I have had before. This time I felt as if I had been transported there, physically transported there.”
“Where?”
“I honestly don’t know. But it was cold and desolate and…” Rowan shuddered as the memory of the vision seized control.
“Tell me what you see, I must know.”
Her skin broke into a clammy sweat, her hands reaching upwards to cover her ears. “I can still hear them screaming. Trapped, drowning in a river of blood, begging for my help. I almost did, but a voice warned me not to do so.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know who, but they are in so much pain.”
He grasped her shoulders. “What else?”
“When the vision ended, I felt as though something had travelled back with me. It’s hiding in the darkness. And it isn’t alone. I keep trying to tell myself it’s just the vision that’s spooked me, but I can still feel it. They are connected somehow, to the vision, and the storm too.”
Charles gently released his hold and pulled away.
“I’m right, aren’t I? It’s here in the village. Do you know what it is?”
“No, they are not from any plane of existence that we are aware of.”
Rowan could hear the edge in his voice. “They? I knew it. So, it isn’t alone. What do you think they want?”
“We don’t know. But I do believe you are right about what you experienced tonight. The vision does appear connected to their arrival in the village. You need to be careful, and do what I say.”
His stark warning filled her with dread. “Aren’t you supposed to reassure me? Allow me to remain in blissful ignorance?” she joked, a lame attempt at humour.
“Would you rather I lie? Tell you it’s just your imagination and that all is well with the world when both you and I know that it’s not?”
Sensing her fear, Charles drew close and enveloped her in his arms once more. A surge of protective energy radiated through her. “I will keep you safe.”
“I know you will, and I do trust you. Thank you for being there for me.”
“Always,” he replied.
Relaxing against the pillow, Rowan closed her eyes and drew from his strength, the last remnants of her fear released. Her vision, successfully locked away and no longer occupying her thoughts. Silence fell between them, and she slowly found herself drifting.
His sudden laughter pulled her back. Confused, Rowan attuned to his energy and detected the same mischief she had sensed earlier. She couldn’t help but join in his amusement.
“What are we laughing about?” she managed, her sides aching with the effort of restraint.
“It was a real shame about that Philip.”
The sudden realisation had a sobering effect. “It was you that knocked Philip off that stool.”
Charles shimmered into view and gave a cheeky wink and bow before disappearing again. “I know, I shouldn’t have done it, but honestly I couldn’t stop myself. That was absolutely no way to speak to a lady. Even Tarwin had to admit he had it coming.”
“Is Tarwin his guide?”
“Yes, although not for long. Philip is due to receive a guide change. From what Tarwin told me, one of the Sage Masters, Adeybo, I believe, has been assigned to try and straighten him out. Strayed well away from his path that one. Poor Tarwin, he’s been battling for years, but the guy doesn’t take a hint. Not much between the lugs if you ask me, despite his education.”
“I completely agree. Will Tarwin be reassigned then?”
“Eventually. He’s going to shadow one of the Sages for a time, needs to rebuild his confidence. Philip was his first assignment.”
After a couple of hours spent in Philip’s company, Rowan had a great deal of empathy and admiration for Tarwin. I hope his next assignment proves to be more rewarding.
She glanced at the clock and grimaced at the illuminated numbers. “Could you do me a favour, and check if Jake is in bed for me?”
In less than a minute, he returned chuckling softly. “Yes, he’s snoring loudly. Amazingly Christine is still asleep too.”
“How does she seem?”
“Her mind is at rest, don’t worry. Aliyah mentioned that she was a little shaken by the storm, but she managed to calm her.”
“Is Aliyah with her now?”
“Yes, all the guides are staying close tonight. Aliyah has cast a protection spell around the house.”
“Thank her for me. I know mum has no awareness of her, but I do and I appreciate her being there for us.”
“I’ll speak to her when I know you’ve settled. Do you think you can sleep now?”
She yawned and snuggled beneath the duvet. “Goodnight, Charles.”
“Goodnight, Rowan.”
•
In the dream realm, he waited as she knew he would. His face broke into a grin the moment she crossed the doorway.
Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, she took a step closer. Her heart raced, and legs trembled beneath as his eyes fixed on her, his hand reaching out to take hers. Rowan smiled and accepted without hesitation.
“You came back,” he beamed.
As their fingers entwined, she was amazed to find her senses alive and bursting with need once more. Her aura thrummed, pulsing with an energy she had never experienced with anyone, other than him. The butterflies danced their joy in her abdomen, making her nauseous and excited at the same time.
Rowan found herself helplessly lost in the depths of his brown eyes as he searched her own, begging her to acknowledge their undeniable connection. She could only nod in response, unable to find the words to express the strength of her feelings.
“I need to find you. But something keeps blocking my vision.”
Rowan sensed that something was Charles. Reluctantly she let go of his hand. “I don’t know who you are.”
“You have to trust me,” he begged.
Tormented by the warning in her head and the yearning in her heart, she lifted her gaze to his. “How can I when I don’t know you? I don’t even know if any of this is real. It makes no sense to carry these feelings for a man I’ve never met, a man who lives in my dreams.”
“What does your heart say to you?” His voice was raw with emotion.
“The same as yours, I imagine.”
“Then let me find you, and tell me where you are. Please, I don’t have much time.”
“I don’t understand.
You’ve found me, haven’t you?”
“I need to know where you live.”
“Why, what difference would that make? This is just a dream.”
“I promise, I’ll explain everything to you, but not now, my time here is short.”
Struggling with her feelings, Rowan turned away and called for Charles. He arrived within seconds, drawing her close. “What’s wrong?”
“Can you see him?”
“No.”
Her bottom lip trembled with disappointment. “Then, there is no hope.”
“Rowan, I can’t explain why I am unable to see his presence here, but there is meaning if he has come to you once more. Don’t give up hope.”
“He wants me to tell him where I am. What should I do?”
“Answer me one question, and be completely honest. Do you still feel the same way about him?” Charles asked.
She could no longer deny her heart. “Yes, I do.”
“Then you must trust your feelings, and do what you know is right.”
“But it doesn’t make sense.”
“Sometimes it is not for us to question what is, but instead to trust. Whatever you decide, know that I am standing by you, watching over you.” Charles released his connection.
Alone she turned to face him, his look pleading her to trust. “Will you hold me first?”
He smiled and enfolded Rowan into his embrace. His lips pressed softly against her forehead. “How can I find you?”
The urgency in his words was all too clear. Decision made, and intuition guiding, Rowan visualised her home. Willing them both there together, as they stood now, locked in each other’s arms. To her surprise and joy, the dreamscape immediately complied with her request. A blur of shape and colour finally manifesting into the image she had summoned. Lifting her head, she observed his reactions.
His eyes were seeming to take in every single detail of the house and its environment. “What road is this?”
“Sycamore, there’s a sign at the bottom of the street.”
Releasing her from his arms, he cupped her chin and raised her face to meet his.
The Veils of Valoria Page 4
