“What’s strange to me is he doesn’t seemed worried about any of this. Greg’s always been a worrier.”
It wouldn’t be long before the situation blew up. It was obvious to Maxim, and probably to Lucessa, that Greg didn’t like Maxim being there. The feeling was mutual, but there was nothing either of them could do. They both had their reasons for being there and couldn’t jeopardize Lucessa throwing them out.
“That’s odd. Maybe he is just happy to be reunited with you.”
“I don’t think he is. He hasn’t said he missed me or he loves me. I guess things aren’t living up to his dreams of seeing me again.” Her hands clutched at what looked like shredded tissue paper. “Something’s not right. He’s acting, I don’t know...I’m probably worrying about nothing.”
Maxim placed both hands on top of hers. “Lucessa, in the short time I’ve been on...here, I’ve come to respect your intelligence, your intuition. Trust your feelings. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not.”
# # #
Greg stood inside the kitchen listening to Lucessa’s suspicions. And Maxim wasn’t helping. This would never work. He needed to find a way to separate Maxim and Lucessa and then a way to convince her that he loved her. This is hopeless. He was in way over his head. Her questions were getting more and more persistent, questions he couldn’t answer.
He needed to run, forget Sandy, forget Lucessa, and forget ever going back to Uganda. He had to disappear.
He moved back to the kitchen table to eat. Outside, two blue orbs hovered about six feet off the ground. Changing course, he headed for the door that led to the backyard. The door swung open soundlessly, and Goosey rushed inside and made for his plate sitting on the table.
“No!” he shouted. But he was too late, she’d already grabbed a potato off the side of his plate. Stupid mutt.
Greg continued out the door and into the chilly air outside. Alexander wasn’t hard to spot with his eyes glowing as they did. He stepped out from behind a large tree and waved Greg to the side of the house.
“Is she ready to accompany you to my Master?”
“Not even close.”
“You only have two more days.”
“With the way things are going it may take me two years,” Greg said with a chuckle. The look Alexander shot his way said he didn’t find the comment funny. This guy needs to lighten up.
“Was she not overjoyed to see her husband?” he asked.
“It’s hard to find out how she feels with her friend always showing up. She’s attached to him for some reason. You wouldn’t know anything about Maxim, would you?” Greg knew the men were cut from the same cloth, so to speak. Both of their eyes glowed in the dark and Maxim looked much like Alexander’s master.
“Maxim is fighting to keep the girl from us. My Master has not given me leave to tell you anything about our mission, but I think the time has come to tell you why the girl is important,” Alexander paused, his eyes raked Greg from head to toe. “Our time is running out and the girl must come willingly. Your friend, Dr. Adams, doesn’t have much longer either. The Master will follow through with his threat to kill her if you do not bring the girl soon.”
“I need something that I can tell Lucessa to change her opinion of Maxim, anything to help me gain an edge. I’m out of ideas. I tried making her breakfast and then dinner, but everything blows up in my face.”
“Maxim is my Master’s enemy.”
“But aren’t they related?” Greg asked.
“Where have you heard this?” Surprise filled Alexander’s face, the first emotion he’d seen him express.
“It’s obvious. They look a lot alike, not to mention the glowing eyes. By the way, what’s up with that?” Greg feared he might be pushing his luck.
“Yes, they are brothers,” Alexander said with no explanation about his glowing eyes.
This didn’t shock Greg.
“And they’re not working together?”
“No, when my Master left Erebos, Maxim decided to forsake him and he stayed on to serve the new leader. My Master seeks to exact his revenge on Erebos and its leader.”
“What the hell does Lucessa have to do with any of this?” And what the hell is Erebos?
“She is the daughter of Erebos’ leader.”
Damn it! He and Alexander had a lot to discuss before he returned to the house. He wished he’d brought his coat.
Chapter 26
Lucessa sat in her usual chair next to her mother. They gazed out the window at the lush, green garden. Some might confuse them for sisters, with their mahogany hair and slight frames. She liked to think her mother held onto her youthful beauty because she was untouched by worry and doubt.
“What a gorgeous day. I wish your father was still with us to enjoy it. He would insist on a day trip to Yosemite,” Marie said.
Marie hadn’t mentioned her father in many years. She wasn’t going to question the moment of lucidity. She was going to enjoy it. “I miss him too...very much.”
“I wish you’d meet a nice young man to spend your life with. A love like the one your father and I shared is priceless.”
“I hope so too, Mom,” Lucessa said, watching a tear streak down her mother’s cheek. She wasn’t usually the one to cry, and Lucessa felt the loss her mother suffered with every day. She gently set her hand atop her mother’s, she’d frighten her with the intimate touch, but unable to resist. “I love you, Mom.”
Marie’s memory would fade again soon and Lucessa never had enough of these moments to express her love. She returned her gaze to the winter garden and enjoyed the silent connection they shared.
Her mother’s body tensed beside her and her hand pulled away. She prepared herself for the distance and empty look her mother would soon turn her way.
“I remember you,” Marie muttered.
Lucessa turned to face her mother again. Maybe her lucidity would remain a bit longer. “Of course you remember...” She stopped. Marie looked over Lucessa’s shoulder toward the open door behind them. A figure stood outside, out of Lucessa’s view.
“Don’t come any closer!” Marie shouted at the shadow. “You took my husband from me. You’re the reason I’m the way I am.” The conviction in her mother’s voice was something she’d never heard before. Her mother had always spoken with kind words and positive reinforcements.
“Mom, please, don’t be rude.” Lucessa turned but the figure remained just outside her view, in the shadows. A nurse probably waited with her mom’s dinner. The staff preferred not to interrupt families during visiting times.
Lucessa stood to invite the nurse into the room.
“You mustn’t trust him, Lucessa. He tried to make me forget...but I remember.” The fright in her mother’s eyes was also new to her.
“Please come in. My mother must be hungry,” she said as she reached the doorway.
Maxim stood in front of her, his eyes glowing in the dim light.
“Lucessa, don’t let him steal from you too!” Marie screamed behind her.
“Lucessa, are you okay?” Maxim grasped her shoulder, lightly shaking it.
Her mind struggled against the disruption. She fought to return to her mother. The warm bed around her a cocoon, pulling her back to the mother who knew her daughter.
“Wake up.”
His voice pulled her abruptly from her dream. Maxim stood above her in the dim light.
“AH!” Lucessa moved away from Maxim’s outstretched arms and nearly fell off the far side of the bed. “Your eyes! They’re glowing.” Amazement filled her voice. He appeared as if he’d walked right out of her dream and into her room.
“You screamed in your sleep. I want to make sure you’re okay.” He moved to sit on the bed, but changed direction when Lucessa scooted farther away from him. Goosey sat at his side.
Those eyes! Always those eyes. “I must’ve had a bad dream. I’m sorry I woke you.”
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
“Maxim, why are your eye
s glowing?”
“Part of being Oneiroi. It’s the reaction of my eyes to your oxygen. Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
No one had ever cared enough to ask about her dreams. Except for Dr. Applegate, but she’d been paid to listen and hadn’t believed a word Lucessa said. A part of her--an irrational part of her--thought sharing her dream with Maxim would make it come true. Could he be responsible for her mother’s illness? She couldn’t believe him capable of hurting anyone.
He stared at her expectantly.
“No, it was just your run-of-the-mill bad dream...with monsters and aliens and stuff.” She babbled.
“In that case, I will leave you.” His step reluctant, he quietly closed the door behind him, Goosey at his side.
# # #
Maxim breathed a sigh of relief after closing the door to his room. The dream had turned bad, quickly. There’d been no time to escape. Dreams can only contain knowledge or details a person already knew or sensed. Is it conceivable she knows the truth, somewhere deep down? It can’t be!
He’d been relieved when she’d been reluctant to share her dream. He had no idea what he’d say--how he’d explain himself--if she confronted him about her mother’s memory loss.
I’m not ready for this.
She hadn’t yet questioned him about his continued presence in her dreams. Does she dream of me as often as I think about her? Did she dream of us, together, on the beach? The thought thrilled him, sending a jolt of longing through him. The thought of their time on the beach made him harden. His mind conjured images of her sitting on the blanket, inviting him to join her.
It’d be foolish to leave her but it was time he spoke with Guy. How much information did they need to give her? Maxim closed his eyes, preparing for his upcoming confrontation.
He opened his eyes. His brother’s closed study door stood solidly in his path. He rapped sharply and waited.
“Come in, Maxim.”
“Brother mine.” Maxim traversed the length of the room.
“What news do you have for me this evening?” Guy set a book face down on his massive desk.
His eyes roamed over his brother’s favorite place in Erebos, mentally preparing to tell his brother what was imminent. The desk was littered with classic books, reference catalogs, and--for the first time--two small frames perched close to the desk lamp.
They hadn’t been there before.
The faces filling the frames were expected. In one a miniature of Marie and Lucessa stared back at him. In the other, Lucessa, as an eight year old, smiled back. Her hair matching Marie’s, a rich mahogany, and both paired with crystal blue eyes. Lucessa’s eyes were so much like Guy’s, but Maxim knew that was just coincidence.
“Things have moved to another level of complicated,” Maxim said. He’d tell his brother everything, everything except his passionate embrace and kiss with Lucessa. That was enough for Guy to replace me as Lucessa’s Watcher. “Alexander will confide in Greg. If he reveals our secrets, before I do, she will lose all trust in me. This will make her accessible to Darius and the other Melas Oneiroi.”
“What do you want to do?”
This question, coming from his brother, surprised Maxim. Part of their agreement had been Guy would rule, no questions from Maxim. He wasn’t asked to offer his input on Erebos business.
“We divulge to her who you are and why you did what you did.” This was the last thing he wanted. “At this point, I see no other alternative to keep both Erebos and Lucessa safe.”
Guy leaned his chin on his steeped fingers and glanced at the framed photos on his desk. Maxim’s heart pulled at the hard decision Guy must make. He’d hidden the truth for over twenty years in hopes that his family wouldn’t be dragged into Erebos’ problems. They both had been so careful not to discuss Marie and Lucessa.
“How did Darius find out about them? There must be a traitor among us.”
“Impossible! I personally eradicated every threat and squashed all resistance to my leadership.”
“Don’t be foolish. Your daughter’s life hangs in the balance.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“You sure the hell aren’t acting like it.”
His brother’s shoulders sagged in resignation. “Maxim, I’d hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I trust you. If we’re at that point, then that’s what we need to do. I only have one request.”
Shit!
Guy’s face hardened. “I will tell her myself.”
“You know that is not possible. You’ll be completely vulnerable if you travel to Earth. Darius and his men are keeping a close watch on Lucessa’s home. We can’t take that risk.” Maxim pleaded with his brother. “I shouldn’t even take the chance coming to see you.”
“I understand this, but I wonder if I can risk it. She is my daughter. I should be the one to tell her.”
“This is as much my fault as yours, Guy. I came to you for help and I took you from your wife and daughter. We also cannot overlook that I’m responsible for Marie’s memory loss. If Lucessa finds out I had a hand in this, she’ll never forgive me.” Maxim sighed. This was his biggest fear, not disappointing Guy, but Lucessa.
“I don’t see what it matters what she thinks of you once Darius is neutralized. But for now, do what you must.”
“Thank you. Hopefully when this is all over you can go to her yourself to make amends.” The comment was spiteful, Maxim sought to hurt Guy as his brother’s last comment wounded him.
“Make amends? I have not regretted any of my decisions.”
Maxim knew his brother had nothing but regrets in the decisions he’d made over the years.
Chapter 27
Lucessa awoke, the morning sun streamed through her window, heralding a new day. Unfortunately, she felt like she hadn’t slept a wink. The dream still haunted her. Her mother’s scream and Maxim’s eyes were something she’d not forget, not ever. Was her mother warning her about Maxim?
But, it’d been a dream.
She was alive, there was no way her mother would be able to enter her dreams. But how could she explain his eyes? The same eyes that’d met her as his arms shook her awake.
Was he also in my dream? No, that can’t be. He’d been in the next room, under her roof. He couldn’t possibly be there too. If so, she had a lot of explaining to do.
Can you say—Awkward!
Reluctantly, she crawled out of bed, anticipating another day of Maxim and Greg shooting daggers at each other. Could it be possible that two men would fight for her affection?
Affection. Where’d that thought come from? Suck it up, Sarcona! The idea that two men wanted her was even more absurd than the possibility Maxim could be attracted to her.
She paused as she removed her shoes from the bottom of her closet. The house was silent. She was scheduled to work the early shift at The Queen Bean and she had about twenty minutes to get there. The early morning coffee drinkers and newspaper readers would be waiting by the front gate. If she arrived one minute late they’d give her hell, but it was all in fun. Right?
She put her hair in her normal ponytail, slipped on her Doc Martens and closed her door. There were still no lights or noise coming from the lower floor, so Lucessa decided to stop at Maxim’s room. Tentatively, she tapped on his door loud enough for him to hear if he was awake. If not, she didn’t want to disturb him this early.
The door opened quickly. Was he waiting--listening--for me on the other side?
“Good morning, Lucessa. I hope you rested better after your dream.” He exited his room fully dressed.
“I did,” she lied. “What are you doing today?” She lowered her face, in hopes of hiding her blush.
He led the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. “I figured I’d accompany you to the coffee shop and try a new type of coffee...and maybe a scone.” He smiled at her and her face heated under his gaze.
“That’d be nice, but we’d better hurry. Caffeine addicts don’t like
to wait for their early morning fix.” Lucessa grabbed her purse and keys off the hall table and started for the front door.
“Just a minute. Let me put Goosey out.”
How could I forget? Just because Maxim had decided to stay a few days, didn’t give her the right to neglect her dog.
Maxim walked toward the kitchen before she had time to respond.
The car was chilly as they drove the short distance to the coffee shop, neither of them broke the companionable silence. They parked in the small lot adjoining the building, several people clutched newspapers, books, and laptops. They waited outside the white picket fence for her to unlock the converted house.
“You’d think the cold weather would keep them at home, but they still come--rain, shine, or cold.” She smiled in Maxim’s direction.
“I’ve heard coffee has certain addictive properties.”
She laughed as she hurried out of the car. Partly to let in the customers, but mostly to get out of the cold. Maxim moved in front of her and opened the gate to let her in.
“Thanks.”
“You’re most welcome. How long is your shift?”
“I work until noon, but you can take my car if you have things to do,” she offered. What could he possibly have to do?
“I’m an Oneiroi. I don’t have much to do but look after you.” He stepped aside as she moved behind the counter.
Question answered, she thought. She couldn’t help feeling satisfied. He was here for her, only her. It isn’t fair he spend all his time following me around.
“Maxim, I’ll be working for the next six hours. How much trouble can I get into here?” she laughed.
“Who said I’m worried about you getting into trouble? I’m worried the trouble will find you.”
# # #
“Is that who I think it is?” Julie navigated around customers.
Lucessa glanced at the red rooster clock on the wall as Julie moved in her direction. Already quitting time, nice!
“Hello, Julie. Yes, my morning is going great. It’s nice to see you too.” Lucessa carried coffee to a man sitting at one of the high tables. She could sense Julie following her, not put off by Lucessa’s swift change of topic.
Only in Her Dreams Page 15
