Soulcleaver, page 26
part #2 of Dreamwalker Chronicles Series
“Okay, I think you should get to bed now before you fall over.”
She started down the hallway, then stopped. “Um . . .”
“Don’t worry, I’ll wake you up as soon as I feel them come out of the gate.”
She nodded gratefully. “Thanks.”
Chapter 29
Aeyli
She was dreaming. At least, she thought she was dreaming. Aeyli was pretty sure she’d never actually seen Fourteen’s abs up close and in person. Maybe that one time when he’d stripped in front of her to go take a shower, but she’d tried super hard not to peek. Okay, and that other time she’d had to fight to keep her face off them while she was dangling from his jacket, but she did her best to not think about that time either. Lusting after someone while you are both busy not dying isn’t classy.
Well, she was getting an eyeful now. Fourteen lay splayed out before her, wearing only a thin silk sheet and a sleepy smile of invitation. She looked behind her and saw nothingness. No walls, or art, just hazy, pink mottled nothingness. She was definitely in a dream.
To test this theory, she imagined her bedroom walls surrounding them—for her own piece of mind—and saw four deep, oak paneled walls drop into place. She added a ceiling for good measure and turned her attention back to the bed and Fourteen.
“I know you aren’t real.” She was rewarded with a cocky smirk she’d only been gifted with a handful of times in the Real.
“Maybe,” Fourteen replied. “Or maybe some small part of you is connecting to the part of me who wants to be here.” He sat up, allowing the sheet to slip down his body, exposing a hip and the hint of a happy trail.
Aeyli wasn’t aware of moving, but suddenly she was in the bed, tracing Fourteen’s hipbone with her fingers. When she replaced her fingers with her lips, she felt their positions flip, and now she was the one on the bottom, feeling Fourteen’s delicious weight pressing against her, along with an impressive bulge nudging insistently against her thigh.
Knowing the dream could dissolve any moment, she pressed her face against his sculpted chest and breathed in his unique scent, determined to enjoy every sensation she could experience. After what happened today, she knew there was a real possibility this could be the only time she ever got to enjoy being with Fourteen like this—even if he was only a dream.
Fourteen’s hand wove through her hair and gripped a handful of it at the base of her skull. A soft, but insistent tug sent bolts of pleasure all the way to her core, and she allowed him to turn her face to his. He nipped at her mouth, and she opened to him eagerly.
As his tongue explored her, she allowed her hands to map his body. She delighted in the hard, muscled planes of his stomach, but faltered when they met the puckered scar on his torso she’d become closely acquainted with on the ill-fated trip they’d taken down a set of crumbling stairs while taking heavy spellfire.
Her fingers froze in their tracks. Could she actually enjoy playing with a dream version of him, knowing he was out there somewhere, possibly in danger? For all she knew, Marshall might not have been his only hit tonight.
As if conjured by the thought, she heard the faint sound of a muffled shot and now she and he were standing, fully clothed, back on the roof. Aeyli huffed in annoyance at her mind for bringing her back here, ripping her away from the consequence-free nookie-dream she’d been in the middle of.
Instead of smiling at her with sin in his eyes, she was face to face with the cold, empty eyes of Agent Fourteen. The killer the Company had made him into.
“This is your fault, you know.” Fourteen said without inflection or emotion. “If you’d been paying more attention—”
Aeyli turned away and focused on the ocean below. She’d had enough of these dreams by now to know how this one would go if she didn’t stop it in its tracks, so she imagined him silent, focusing only on the sound of the waves lapping against the seawall. When she realized he’d gone still, she snuck a peek out of the corner of her eye and saw him motionless. He stood like a doll, as obedient as he had been on the terrible day she’d learned she was his new handler.
A sob bubbled up in her throat.
Summoning all of her willpower, she silently bade Fourteen to vanish because she couldn’t stand looking at him anymore.
It was probably better for her that the naked portion of the dream hadn’t gained momentum. She could only imagine how she would feel in the morning, waking up to find out that it had all been a dream. Aeyli put every ounce of her being into making herself believe it.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she allowed them to flow unchecked as she watched seagulls swoop overhead.
A dawning realization hit her, and her tears slowed. She finally did it. She stopped her own nightmare. For the first time, Aeyli woke up in her own Dreamscape, before Marshall or Jack had come to save her.
It was a good thing she’d done it before either of them showed up. The idea of facing them after the beginning of the dream was too embarrassing to contemplate. Especially Marshall.
This was definitely cause for celebration.
But she didn’t feel like celebrating—she felt alone and pathetic. She could try to recreate the beginning of her dream, but the thought made her want to cry. What she really wanted right now was to feel safe. Warm and safe and protected.
Arms came around her, and she jumped. Then she realized she’d probably accidentally conjured up a version of Fourteen, likely from when she’d first met him. Back when he felt safe. But when she turned around, instead of leather and metal, she smelled sandalwood and found her face buried in Marshall’s soft Henley.
Before she had a chance to react, Marshall’s hand found its way to her jaw and tilted her head to meet his lips.
She found herself returning his kiss with vigor before she came back to herself.
Sweet Vis, was Marshall actually here? Or had she conjured him?
“Wait.” She pushed reluctantly at his chest, and Marshall moved back just enough to give her space. His hazel eyes were dark with need. “Are you really you, or did I make you?”
His answering smirk, so similar to the one Dream Fourteen had given her, was answer enough. Aeyli was so tired of going from crisis to crisis, never getting a moment to herself. Right now her subconscious was offering her something she’d been afraid to acknowledge she’d even wanted. Her conscience twinged a little, but she told it to be quiet. She was allowed to have fantasies, especially after the day she’d just had.
Casting a glace over her shoulder to make sure she was truly alone in her ’Scape, Aeyli twined her fingers into Dream Marshall’s hair and pulled until his lips met hers.
Just one minute.
If she could have one minute of feeling safe and loved, she could stop.
In a minute.
Chapter 30
Marshall
Before stepping through the portal, Marshall took time to center himself. He didn’t want to, though. Waiting to go after Nova was killing him. He wanted to be done with the whole situation for once and for all. Wasting time in the ’Scape went against everything he wanted to do.
A small part of him knew he was off the rails and Samantha had been right to force him to recraft all the spells and sensory enhancements he was used to having at his disposal. But the rest of him was so sick and tired of dealing with the emotional fallout of his mistakes five years ago. It was all he could do to keep himself from tearing into Samantha when she’d locked the house down.
And that would have been a bad idea. Aside from alienating a good friend, she was a force to be reckoned with. Marshall wasn’t entirely certain he could take her in a fair fight, especially not right now.
He took a deep breath. Then another. He felt Jack come up behind him and put a hand on his neck in a quiet request for connection. He considered refusing, but he knew Jack’s help would get him into the ’Scape faster. Marshall broadcast his assent.
He sighed in relief as calm began to flow through his body. When he felt his sister’s hand on his arm, he didn’t wait for her request, he reached out with his mind and drew her in as well. The three of them stood connected and strong, and Marshall could have cried from relief as the burden of responsibility was taken from his shoulders and shared between all three of them.
Oh Marshall, I didn’t know it had gotten so bad. Adelle’s mental voice was heavy with sorrow.
It’s been a rough couple of days. If it hadn’t been for Aeyli, I don’t know if I’d even be here.
He sent his teammates an image of what had happened when he’d lost control at the LA gate. He waited for their reaction, wondering if this would be the final straw for them. If his lack of control would be enough to cause them to turn on him and expose him for the useless excuse for a dreamwalker he was.
Instead, he felt them wrap even tighter around him both mentally and physically, supporting him. Loving him.
Thank Vis for Aeyli. Jack sent. We need you, boss, no matter how fucked up you are.
Thank all the gods for Aeyli. Adelle amended. She’s too impressive to be the work of just one god.
Marshall was a fool. They were there for him even after he’d nearly destroyed half of LA. Even after he’d gone and shredded his soul and gotten it stuck to another dreamwalker. Of course they were still there for him. They were his family.
Enmeshed as he was with his team, they picked up on his thought process.
We’ll always be there for you, dumbass. Adelle sent.
No way you’re getting rid of us. Jack’s certainty left no room in Marshall’s mind for doubt.
He wrapped his arms around his teammates and leaned into them, accepting their support, allowing it to seep into his bones. When he backed away, he felt ready to enter the ’Scape.
Still connected to his team, he entered the portal.
✽✽✽
The pinpoint speck of azure of his personal Dreamscape beckoned to him as soon as he bid farewell to his teammates. But before he could head toward it, he was distracted by the pulsing pink of Aeyli’s personal Dreamscape.
She must have fallen asleep while he was busy trying to get his shit together enough to enter the portal.
He abandoned the idea of going to his ’Scape right away. Instead, he set up a healing loop, tying the energy from the ’Scape to his natural healing abilities, and turned up the volume. Rebuilding his shield and adding a few basic upgrades—because adding the rest of his upgrades, like enhanced sight and hearing, weren’t going to happen today—could wait. First, he had to make sure Aeyli wasn’t trapped in a nightmare.
When he reached the pink sphere, he decided to go in stealthily. If she was fine, he didn’t want to disturb her rest. He’d only intervene if she was in trouble.
He drifted through the walls of her ’Scape and allowed the reality Aeyli’s mind had already created to wrap around him, but not affect him. He carefully closed his essence off to make sure he wasn’t affecting his surroundings.
At first he saw nothing alarming. Aeyli was standing on top of the building where they’d had the showdown with Fourteen. It looked like she was alone, but he decided to stay a little longer to make sure she wasn’t going to get trapped in replaying the event over and over again. He could have set a ward to do it, but he was enjoying the peace of watching the ocean breeze play with Aeyli’s hair.
Just when he decided that he should leave and give her privacy, he saw himself materialize behind her and put his arms around her.
He started in surprise as she turned around and began to kiss Dream him.
Marshall froze. He’d been having control issues. Was this his doing? A quick check of his essence showed it to be tightly under his command.
He watched, spellbound as Aeyli pulled back and asked Dream him if he was real. Whatever Dream Marshall did seemed to appease her, and she continued kissing him.
He checked his magic again, but this time looked deeply to make sure there wasn’t a tiny part running wild and free. But no matter how closely he looked, his magic was still completely closed off from Aeyli.
When Dream Marshall grabbed Aeyli’s ass, he checked again.
As he watched, getting increasingly flustered by the scene before him, he came to the realization that he was standing there, watching his student make out with a dream version of himself. Like a giant pervert.
It was beyond time to make himself scarce. He’d already invaded her privacy enough for the day. Except that when Dream Marshall reached a hand up Aeyli’s shirt, he found himself completely incapable of leaving.
That was, of course, exactly when Jack showed up.
✽✽✽
“So, how are things?” Jack’s voice sounded casual, but Marshall could tell he was annoyed by the tightness of his jaw.
“This isn’t what it looks like.” He wasn’t even sure what it looked like, but whatever Jack was thinking, he wanted him to stop.
“So you aren’t perving on our newest team member while she’s having a naughty dream about you?”
“I . . .” The man had a point. “I was about to leave. I was just a little surprised.”
Jack cocked his head to the side as Dream Marshall lifted Aeyli and let her wrap her legs around him. “I’d make fun of you, but for some reason I’m finding it difficult to bring myself to suggest we relocate to finish this conversation.”
Aeyli herself made the conversation moot when she pulled away. “I can’t do this.” Her face was a mask of confusion.
Marshall and Jack watched in quiet fascination as Dream Marshall gently lowered her to the floor. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, Aeyli. Whatever you need, it’s yours.”
“Well, she’s got you pegged.” Jack laughed softly.
“That’s not me.”
“No, it’s not, but she knows you well enough to trust you not to hurt her in any way.”
“Of course I wouldn’t.”
“You care about her.”
“Obviously. I care about a lot of people.”
Jack gave him a measuring look. “You aren’t the only one who does, you know.”
“Fourteen doesn’t have anything to worry about.”
Jack looked at him like Marshall was missing the point.
When Aeyli began to cry, Marshall didn’t know what to do. Normally, he’d step in when one of her dreams was going badly, but if he revealed himself right now, Aeyli would be mortified. He looked to Jack to see if he had any answers.
“She’s not going to like it if I show up either.”
“At least she wasn’t making out with you.”
Jack waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “A man can only hope.”
“Jack, be serious.”
Jack gave an exaggerated sigh and threw up his hands. “Fine, but you owe me.”
Marshall knew Jack wasn’t actually upset. He would help Aeyli even if Marshall hadn’t asked. It seemed like no one was immune to having a soft spot where she was concerned.
He watched as Jack strolled forward and said, “Is this guy giving you trouble?”
Aeyli jumped away from Dream Marshall guiltily and wiped tears from her cheeks. “No, no. Nothing. We weren’t doing anything.”
Jack snapped his fingers and turned Dream Marshall into a kitten. “Well, now you can be not doing anything with a kitten.”
Marshall envied the ease with which Jack did everything. Even awkward situations were nothing in the face of Jack’s easy confidence.
The kitten bounded up to Aeyli and pawed at her leg, demanding she pick it up. She complied, laughing softly when it rubbed its face against hers. “Hello,” she told the kitten. “Yes, it’s nice to see you again too. You sure get around.”
“I’m sorry. We were so caught up our own drama that I forgot to check on you.” Jack reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Don’t worry about it. I know you all have more important things to be doing right now than to make sure I get a full night’s sleep.”
Jack put his hand under her chin and lifted it. “I don’t know about that, sweetheart.”
For someone as long lived as Marshall, new experiences were highly sought after. Especially when he could live out anything his imagination could come up with. Marshall had seen, done, and experienced many things in his life.
Marshall had known Jack as long as he’d known his sister. Jack had been a friend of his father’s and had been there to help raise Marshall and Adelle after Hawthorne had lost his wife to childbirth. Marshall didn’t actually know how old Jack was, or even what he was, really. What he did know was that Jack had always been there for him.
Where Adelle and Callum had been overbearing during Marshall’s rebellious youth, Jack had been there to help him clean up his messes and help him get his head on straight. Never judging, always supportive, Jack was Marshall’s foundation, and he loved him more than he loved almost anything.
Today Marshall got another new experience. Watching as his friend traced the tear tracks on Aeyli’s face, for the first time in his life, Marshall felt jealous of Jack.
Chapter 31
Nova
Everything was so beyond out of control. Nova was sitting in a rental car next to her brother with their mom in the backseat. Normal people wouldn’t think this was a strange thing. But then normal people hadn’t thought their mother was dead for the past twenty years. Normal people also didn’t have brothers who could do magic.
“This is so much better now that you know.” Niko hadn’t stopped talking for miles. “I’ve been dying to tell you about this, but Dad swore me to secrecy. He said it would be safer for you if you didn’t know.”
Nova nodded but was only listening with part of her mind. The rest of her attention was on figuring out what to do. She’d actually been having a nice time with Adelle and her mom when her brother showed up an hour ago and knocked Adelle into next Tuesday. When Nova got upset, Niko had done something weird to the whole café, and the next thing she knew they were all booking it down the highway.
