Alamos stepped back to Perodine’s side, holding the energy I had envisioned. He and Perodine began to mumble words in a dark whisper. I was so focused on the display; I barely caught all the words that were to o complicated for me to repeat. What I did hear, understand was “sun, moon, mother of all.”
“Clear your mind, child,” Alamos said as their chant ended.
I did as he said and prepared to move my soul at any given second.
Perodine tipped the bowl of blood as Alamos let th e energy I had given him fall. The blood was captured by the energy and swirled in a ball of li ght that reflected every color. Then it fell to the floor. As it reached the powder that I was sure was salt around the bed, the energy from all of us reached out. Landen and Drake’s reached for us. Fire erupted from that circle. Before I could panic, it turned blue – as if it were a wall of water before us – and on that water a vision – a world opened up for me.
I could see two places . One looked like an old town, like , medieval old; that one was in front of Madison. Before me was a field. Wide-open spaces, the sky was dark. A storm was threatening.
I felt Draven and Brady take my hand s. Olivia’s small hands on my waist.
I took in a deep breath then I moved my soul into this unknown, unpredictable realm.
Chapter Thirteen
I’ve felt pain before. Pain on every level, but I had never felt pain like this. The pull of energy that took me into this vision felt as if it had ripped my so ul in two. Gasping for breath I fell to my knees on the damp, long blades of orange grass. Thunder exploded above, vibrating my soul, and lighting struck the ground around me. I had to get control of my emotions or we were going to die before we ever began this war.
I felt strong arms around me, pulling me up. I felt Draven. His skin had a hum, a calming vibration to it. I breathed that in to my core. Demanded my caged emotions to stop rattling their prison. Draven pulled my limp body to him, then reached for my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyes were inches from mine. “Focus!” he yelled over the growling thunder. I felt his warm breath. Heard the hypnotic rhythm of his voice, and took in a deep, lasting breath. The atmosphere settled with my calming emotions.
“Why did it hurt?” I asked breathlessly.
“Because she wanted it to hurt . Because right now you are letting her control you . Take control. You’re not in pain. You’re angry. You’re determined. You’re a fearless, calm warrior.”
“Damn right.” I said as my breath became even. That made him smile. I knew one thing. Charlie was one lucky girl. Draven was a gift. A weapon. And I was grateful to call him my friend.
His rhythmic voice echoed in my mind, and I held on to each wor d as if they were my thoughts. My decla ration. The pain was a distant memory now. I pushed away from him, looking for Brady and Olivia, wanting to lead them t hrough what I just conquered.
They were right at my side. Painless and calm.
“You alright?” I asked reaching for Brady .
He nodded. “I guess she didn’t see us coming,” he said with a smirk.
I looked all a round me. Everything was so real. I felt a warm breeze with a hint of chill that the distant storm was promising to bring. I could see black birds flying in perfect formation in the distance.
“What now? Where are the others?” I asked, not seeing any direction in front of me.
I felt rage. A deep jealousy ris e in Draven and looked up to find him staring in the distance. I followed his sta re, and in the field I saw a boy. He was tall, stro ng. His eyes glowed like honey, and they were staring coldly at Draven, shimmering in the ominous dusk that was emerging.
“Charlie is that way,” Draven mumbled.
“How do you know?” I asked, unable to take my eyes off this stranger. It was so – odd. I felt a deep peace inside of him . A determination. One that mirrored Landen, but at the same time I felt the jealousy and rage that Draven was feeling. It didn’t make sense. This guy seemed too angelic to have those emotions.
“That’s Silas. He’s telling me to keep my distance, or he will do that for me,” Draven said as the painful agony of love rose in him. I knew Draven didn’t understand. He didn’t understand wh y his nature was turning him in to someone that could hurt the girl he was madly in love with. He didn’t want to be dark. He was fighting to be pure, and this guy was a reminder - an insult that was telling him he was not good enough for Charlie.
“Is he?” I said as an instant defensive emotion came to me. I was determi ned to defend my friend, guard , my guide. Draven.
I was not going to let any jealous boy distract us, and I was prepared to tell him just that. With that thought, I was across the field, standing inches from this Silas boy.
I guess I expected him to be surprised like I would be if someone appeared in fro nt of me, but he didn’t budge. I knew then that t here were no surprises in The Realm.
“You have a problem you want to talk about?” I asked sternly as I peered up at him. I’m sure my display looked foolish; he was at least a foot and a half taller than me, but I didn’t care.
“Not with you,” he sa id as his eyes fell into mine. I felt a peace come over me.
I stepped back, fearing he had some kind of power, some kind of hypnotic energy he was using on me.
I felt Olivia, along with Brady and Drave n’s intent to come to my side. I moved my hand behind me, creating a wall of energy. A barrier between this boy and Dr aven. I could feel Silas’s intent. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but I didn’t trust him not to hurt Draven. I’d made a silent promise to Charlie that Draven would be saf e at my side and I was determined to keep that promise.
Silas nodded his head once as his eyes that blazed like gold sparkled. “Impressive.”
“I’m not even trying,” I said slyly. “Listen. I do n’t know what your problem is. I don’t really care. I’m telling you right now, if you lay one hand on Draven there will be hell to pay.”
“Am I meant to fear those words?”
Lighting struck the ground on each side of him, the smoke from the singe grass snaked through the air. I guided the wind with my thoughts, circling him with burning air.
“You would be wise to,” I said, glaring at him.
He didn’t seem too impressed with my display, which told me I might very well be in over my head when it came to this Realm.
“Let me see if I understand. You, in another life, loved Charlie and in this life she loves Draven. And that, well, that makes you mad.”
He grinned as he crossed his arms. “You’re on the right track. Lacking a few details, no doubt.”
“Get over yourself,” I said coldly.
“When you figure out how to do that please share,” he said as he smiled boyishly. I could swear I knew him, somewhere in time I knew this boy. It wasn’t a bad memory, but he didn’t overly impress me in my past either. It was like I knew this was not the first time he was way off course. I had no time to muse over a forgotten past. I was living in my now. And he was a problem in my now.
“Excuse me?” I fumed.
He was staring at me with the same familiarity I had. “You’re telling me to back away yet, you’re here to save not one man, but two. One that loved you before. One that you love now.”
I smirked. “You think you are the first person to point out my flaw s? Or that you will be the last? What was it you said? Oh, yeah, you’re l acking a few details. I loved them both before, and I love them both now. Here’s a news flash: they are n’t killing each other over me. They are more mature than that.”
Silas moved his head from side to side as his smile grew. “Are you sure about that? “ His discerning eyes glanced around the field we were in. “You see, this place it brings out y our deepest, darkest emotions. I’ve witnessed battles between them as recently as this hour.”
“And whose side did you take? Where are they? Have you partnered with Bianca? What do you want besides some macho manly claim on a young soul that has no idea who she is or
what she wants?”
“I don’t take sides. A nd for the record Charlie is far from a young soul.”
“I ha ve a few million years on her. She’s young, and if I had to guess I would say that you are only showing her one side of whatever past you had with her. If you really believ ed she loves you more than him then you would show her every side. You would not let her live in fear t hat you will end Draven’s life. That has to be the lowest act I have ever witnessed. In Drake’s dar kest hour, he never lied to me. Never tried to kill Landen.”
“If he were given a reason, he would. I f Landen threatened your life he would have st opped him. If it were reversed Landen would have done the same. I do show Char lie every side of her existence. Before you argue on anyone’s behalf you may want to get the entire story . Your rock star friend over there was not always so seemingly innocent.”
“Neither was I. No soul is.”
“You sound like Charlie.” He bit out glancing away from me.
I knew I liked that girl. “I take that as a compliment.”
“You should,” he said, locking glares with me.
I glanced over my shoulder at Draven, whose energy was full of rage. He didn’t trust Silas. I ignored Olivia’s pleas for me to lower my wall of energy and locked eyes with Brady. He was standin g calmly with his arms crossed. He had proven more than once that he could walk through my energy, but now he was choosing not to. It was odd; it was like I could feel a truce, a calm understanding between him and Silas. Like he knew Silas wouldn’t hurt me. That I wouldn’t hurt him. Brady’s trust built my confidence.
I looked back at Silas. “I don’t know your whole story. I don’t even know mine, but I feel you. I f eel purity in your soul. I t’s beautiful. Why woul d someone who feels like that torment anyone. He’s trying. He’s fighting what he thinks he is because he loves he r, and you’re making it worse. You’re bringing out his dark side. Why ? Why would someone so pure do something so sinister? What satisfaction can you get from that?”
My words stunned him. His eyes moved slowly across my face before he spoke. “I admire the fight he has in him. I admire that he , at one time , turned from his nature . His breed of darkness, b ut I will not let him hurt her. All I did was tell her that. Him that. Drave n and I have an understanding. We both know what he is capable of.”
“Do you both understand that who Charlie chooses to give he r energy to is her own choice? That she will despise the both of you if you hurt each other?”
“Despise. That is a strong word. One you may want t o rethink before you face this Realm.”
“Where are they?” I said coldly, knowing that he may very well be right . That I would forgive both Drake and Landen for any harm they did to the other . It would take time. Maybe thousands of years, but I would forgive them because I loved them.
Silas leaned down. “I can’t tell you that. You have to feel your way to them.”
“Where did you see them fight?”
“Everywhere is here. So right here.”
Oh, that helped. Thanks buddy. “Why are you here?”
“I’m assuri ng Draven that Charlie is safe from him. From everyone.”
“Why would she not be?” I was daring him to tell me about this energy that was made out of light thing. Because as soon as he did , I was going to argue that Draven was at my side, and he was not pulling anything from me. Meaning, Silas was holding on to a thin excuse to defend Charlie.
He slanted his head faintly . “You really don’t know your entire story, do you?”
I r aised my eyebrows, implying that he needed to enlighten me.
“You are empowered with light . Landen’s beaming light. I t is so bright, so entrancing that al l darkness is attracted to it. They want the pow er that is in your possession. They’re addicted to it. The essence of it. They need it to maintain their existence. They strive to con trol it all. Charlie is a light, so is Madison. You may be here for revenge on Bianca, but every Escort – every aware dark ness senses that you are here. They have a thirst for all that you are. One they cannot control.”
“Is that why she took them? She wants their power?”
He nodded once. “I can only assume she too k Drake for status in reality. For the fact that bil lions would bow at his command and give their energy to him. She to ok Landen because he is light. One of the strongest, bri ghtest lights I have ever seen…” he said as his eyes looked all around me.
“Drake is not dark. He will not command his kingdom into submission.”
“You,” he said as his hand reached to c up my face, “are his strength. You are the one causing him to fight his nature. Without you his core nature will rise.”
“He has me,” I said, pulling away from the hold he had on my face.
“Not completely.”
“Are you calling him an Escort? Are you placing him at Draven’s side in your mind?”
“Perhaps. I n this life, he is on the edge. The moment he concedes that you will never give yourself to him completely is the moment he falls into his nature.”
“It’s not me he is meant to love. He will never fall into any nature you assume he has.”
He smirked. “I fear for you. For your people. Donalt is seeking a new host. Without light , the only way Drake can fight him is by becoming an Escort himself.”
“How is it t hat you know so much about me? My battles?”
He glanced away as he carefully chose his words. “I’ve been around a long time.”
I may not have remembered him in a past life, but he clearly remembered me. Something told me that he blamed me for a hardship in his past or current life. I fought the urge to ask wh at I could have done to him, and I let it be. “I’ll worry about what Drake may o r may not become another time. Right now I need him to wake up. I need Landen to wake up.”
He nodded once as if to agree. “Be cautious . You may walk with darkness at your side,” he said as he glanced over my shoulder, then back at me, “but you are still very attr active in the eyes of Escorts. Tread carefully. Quickly.”
And with that statement, he vanished.
I closed my eyes and let the wall of energy behind me fall.
“Not off to a good start, are we?” Olivia said shortly.
“What did Silas have to say?” Draven asked hoarsely.
I stared at him. At his audacious innocents that was wrapped with a dark edge . I was going to protect him. He needed my voice. My word that he was pure. And I was going to give it to him. “He knows where I stand when it comes to you.”
Draven looked down, and I felt his humble gratitude for me.
All at once thousands upon thousands of shimmering white doves descended all around us. They were silent, beautiful. They took my breath away.
Brady’s shock and wea ry emotion caused me to stare at him in utter confusion. “What? What are you thinking?”
He swallowed nervously. “My thoughts didn’t bring this.” Brady’s tone was near ghostly.
“How are doves bad?” my voice trembled as I gawked at the ground. The doves were all facing me. There was a profound innocents in their dark eyes.
“There not.” Brady confirmed. “Ma n y cultures state that they represent a declaration of peace. A prophecy of a coming peace.” He glanced down. “As a traveler I can confirm that in numerous cultures this display represents a bow from a God. You have been recognized. Something you said or thought has manifested this glory.”
I swallowed tensely as I continued my stare at the ground before me. I wasn’t sure honoring and God in The Realm was a good idea, but I meant what I thought. I would speak for Draven. I would vow that he was not evil. He was simply existing. And if there were others like him I would speak for them, too.
With that thought, the angelic doves took silent flight, and stillness absorbed The Realm.
“What now?” Olivia asked with a trembling tone.
“Water,” Brady said, and with that word, a lake appeared next to us. “Feel pow
erful?” he asked me.
“Not as powerful as you, apparently,” I mumbled.
The sky grew darker, and with that darkness, tiny lights flashed around us. A t first I thought they were fireflies, but when I focused my eyes on them, I saw that th ey were butterflies. Glowing butterflies.
“Now they show up,” I said with a frustrated sigh, not knowing what to do now.
“They are a reflection of your power. A t least that is what they are for, Charlie,” Draven said as he hungrily gazed at the multiplying number of them.
In the lake, I could see the reflection of stars that were spinning. I looked up to see the sky turning faster than nature would allow. “What does that represent?” I asked in an unsteady voice.
“If I had to guess,” Draven said, looking at me, “a clock. How fast time was moving here.”
At that moment, the ground began to tremble all around us. Olivia reached for my hand. I grasped hers, unsure of what was coming at us. Brady and Draven circle d around us, their backs to us facing whatever may appear.
Then acro ss the water, I saw something. Horses. More than twenty; pulling a carria ge that was from another time. They glided across the water as if it were solid. The butterflies parted from their way as if a predator was in their presence.
They were charging right at us. When the horses reached us, they circled around where we stood. Once in place, they stomped their hooves and breathed out heavily. I think I was the last to s ee the driver of the carriage. I broke my stare with these majestic animals and followed the shocked emotions I felt from everyone.
Standing pro udly on the carriage was Drake in all of his decadence . His eyes were cold and dark. The light of the stars highlighted his perfect profile . I felt my heart race as he stepped down and slowly walked to us.
“Illusion,” I said under my breath.
Olivia squeezed my hand. I had no idea if that was to tell me yes or no. Her fear was no help either. She had never been completely comfortable in Drake’s presence.
I kne w it would not be this easy. That he would just walk up to me. I told myself he wasn’t real, and prepared for the worst.