Viator (The Viator Chronicles Book 1) (12 page)

Paul frowned and stepped away. “What do you really look like?”

She laughed. “Just like this, except I wear different clothes.”

“Are you real?”

“Very real.”

“What about those monsters?” He stepped over to where the mortifer’s staff had fallen, picked it up, and examined it.

“They are real, but you can make them leave,” she said. “You tell them to leave, and they will.”

“Just like that?” he asked.

“You hold the most power in your own dreams. Don’t let them frighten you so much you forget your own strength.” She sat down on the log, and her skirt fluttered around her. “They are real, and they have power, but not as much as you have.”

He nodded his head slowly as he stared at her.

“If it comes after you again, laugh at it, and tell it that it has no power over you. Then think of being in a beautiful, safe place—someplace you love.”

His brow creased. “I’ll try to remember. Will you come again if I need you?”

“Of course. Now, sit down and relax. Tell me about the most beautiful place you’ve ever been—a place where you feel safe and comfortable—maybe where something wonderful happened to you.”

“That’s easy,” Paul said. “My childhood home in North Carolina. We lived in a huge white house surrounded by trees. There was a creek in the back where we played.”

The sky grew lighter, and a creek bubbled at their feet. Grass grew down to the edge of the creek, and sunlight shone through the trees and sparkled on the water. Paul looked around with wide eyes.

“Come here anytime you want—just think of this place, and feel the peacefulness you’re feeling now,” Erin said.

Erin watched Paul as he relaxed and slowly faded away. She was pleased he could slip into a restful sleep so quickly, and she sat down on the warm grass to rest and heal. After only a few moments a stick snapped behind her. She jumped to her feet and spun around. In the deep shade under a thicket of trees she could see the mortifer; its eyes gleamed red as it watched her. Once again she was dressed as a viator, and she drew her sword.

“You’re too late. I’ve sent him back,” she sneered. It stood silent in the deep shade of the trees.

“I’m here for you,” the shadow hissed. It glided out from the thicket, and the forest became dark and cold. “We are watching you.”

Erin stepped forward to meet it and swung her sword, but the mortifer blocked her blow with its own blade. It pushed her back with an icy force that numbed her whole body. She yelled and lunged forward again, then twirled around, swinging her sword and striking it with such force that the shadow blew apart. The wind caught it, and it drifted away.

“
Miserere
,” Erin whispered. She stood with her sword in front of her, clasped with both hands. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her whole body trembled.

Chapter 16

Erin awakened slowly. It took several minutes to shift from her dream back to her bed, and even after she opened her eyes, she still felt the terror. She was covered with sweat, her heart pounding. She remembered the shadow of her nightmare, and what it had said. It wanted her; they were watching her. She lay shivering for nearly an hour before climbing out of bed and going downstairs. She knew that shadow creature, that dark monster—she remembered the one from the night William died. Why was she still dreaming about them?
Were they in all these frightening dreams?
Her stomach ached. She wrapped a blanket around herself on the couch and held tight to her knees, curled up close.
Get hold of yourself—it was only a dream.
At four o’clock in the morning, Erin knew she would get no more sleep that night, so she fixed a cup of tea and looked out the dining room window.

As the dark sky grew lighter it blended with the gray of the Sound, and thick drops of rain splattered on the water. Seagulls flashed white against the sky. After two cups of tea her trembling stopped, and at seven-thirty Erin went upstairs to take a shower. She tried to focus on the day ahead. In spite of the dream and the dreary weather, she was looking forward to it; she, Aleesha, and Hannah were planning to meet for lunch and go to a book signing at the Blue Heron.

She stood under the water for a long time, letting its warmth soothe her. She lathered twice and then smoothed Chanel No. 5 lotion all over her body. The enchanting scent made her feel like royalty.

Gary hadn’t called all week. Each night she’d expected to hear from him, and each night she’d been disappointed. She wondered if the fiasco last Saturday had been too much. He’d been such a hero for her on Orcas Island, making it that much more painful that he hadn’t called.

She dressed in jeans and a light blue T-shirt, and pulled her hair back into a low ponytail. No sense doing too much with it when the wind and rain would just mess it up. She went downstairs and found Gwen and Matt sitting in the living room watching cartoons.

“Morning,” she said.

“Can we have pancakes today?” asked Matt.

“That’s just what I was thinking.”

She had just set the table when the phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Erin? It’s Gary.”

“Gary, how are you?” She leaned against the wall.

“Good. I’m in New York. Been here since Wednesday. I’ve been in meetings nonstop.”

Erin flipped a pancake. “How’s everything going? Has it been a good week?”

“I’ve run into some problems, but nothing I won’t be able to work out. How’s Matt’s arm?”

“Fine. He’s acquired new celebrity status with his friends.” She glanced at Matt on the couch and gave him a wink.

“I’m not surprised. And Gwen?”

“Good. Her ankle is much better. We had a good week. I’m getting together with Aleesha and Hannah today for some fun. Are you going to be working in New York all weekend?”

“Most of it. I’ll be seeing a few friends here tonight, though. Haven’t seen them in a while.”

“I’m glad you’ll get a bit of a break.”

“Yeah. I’ll call you when I get back. I’ve got to run now.”

She leaned against the wall again and closed her eyes, a smile on her face. She felt like she’d been holding her breath all week and could finally let it out.

After they ate breakfast, Erin cleaned up the kitchen while Matt and Gwen got dressed. She dropped the children off at their friends’ houses and drove to Aleesha’s.

“So good to see you. You look wonderful today,” Aleesha said as she opened the door and pulled Erin into her house. “Come, let’s have a cappuccino while we wait for Hannah. She just called. She’s running late. Apparently Carlos couldn’t part with her so early this morning, and she just got out of the shower. Mmm, you smell nice.”

Aleesha brewed the coffee, and Erin sat down on a stool at the counter. She leaned over to smell a bowl of fresh carnations and closed her eyes, then took her coffee from Aleesha, cupping it with both hands.

“Have your children recovered from their harrowing weekend?” Aleesha leaned against the far counter in the kitchen and sipped from her mug.

“Yes. Matt’s enjoying the attention he’s getting with his cast, and Gwen was fine once she realized Matt would be all right.” She shuddered at the memory.

“It must have been awful,” Aleesha said, and she put her arm around Erin’s shoulders, giving her a quick hug. She sat down on the stool next to Erin. Her mouth curled into a smile as she watched Erin out of the corner of her eye. “Is Gary coming out this weekend?”

“No, he’s in New York. He called this morning.”

Aleesha set her mug down with a clunk. “Is he there on business?”

“Yes, he’s been there nearly all week.”

Aleesha nodded and drank more of her cappuccino. She got up, rinsed out her mug, and set it in the sink. Then she turned around, crossed her arms, and leaned back against the counter.

“Now you’ve seen more of him—tell me—what do you think?”

Erin sipped her coffee. “I’m willing to see him again.”

“You are so noncommittal.”

Erin laughed. “What should I commit to?”

“I don’t know,” Aleesha said. “You never tell me what you really think.”

Erin gave her a quick hug. “I like him, Leesh. He’s smart, funny, and nice to my kids. He was great to have on Orcas. I’ll see more of him.”

“All right. I’m glad you like him.”

A knock at the door, and Hannah bounded into the kitchen, her wet blond hair in a braid down her back. She was wearing baggy jeans and a yellow rain jacket that dripped water onto the shiny wood floor.

“Hey, you two,” she said. “What a great day. Carlos made me eggs Benedict this morning, and it was fabulous. Do you think this rain’ll let up soon?”

Erin and Aleesha smiled at each other.

“Probably not for a while, dear,” Aleesha said as she grabbed a towel from a drawer in the kitchen and wiped up the water from the floor.

“You’re dressed for it, though. I like your rain slicker,” Erin said.

“Thanks. Sorry about the water.”

“It’s okay. Should we get going?” Aleesha asked.

They filed out of the house and drove the short distance downtown in Erin’s car and parked. The rain had stopped, and a few patches of blue sky shone between the hurrying clouds. They strolled into an Italian restaurant where the wait for a table was short, and they were soon sitting by the window. Each ordered a glass of red wine.

“Remind me, who is this author we’re going to see?” Erin asked.

“Michael Woodward,” Aleesha said. “You still haven’t read any of his books?”

“No, I meant to, but haven’t had a chance.”

“They really are good,” Hannah said. “And the author’s very nice-looking and charming.”

Aleesha and Erin stared at her.

“You’ve met him?” Aleesha leaned forward and grabbed Hannah’s arm.

Hannah grinned. “We chatted over a latte in the bakery just two days ago.”

“Really? And you didn’t tell me? What’s he like?” Aleesha asked.

“He’s tall, dark hair, and very pleasant. He said he’s ‘intrigued’ by Anacortes.”

Aleesha sat back. “I’ll have to have a party for him. After all, he is a new neighbor. I should invite him to the gallery, too.”

“Of course!” Erin and Hannah laughed together.

“Would you two be open for a dinner party in two or three weeks? Carlos too, of course, and Gary if you want, Erin.”

“We’d love to come,” Hannah said.

“I’m sure I can make it,” Erin said. “I’ll ask Gary.”

Their food was served, and they each ordered another glass of wine. Aleesha nibbled at her salad, while Erin and Hannah filled their mouths with forkfuls of pasta. They talked and laughed throughout lunch, and it was nearly two o’clock by the time they were finished and had paid the check.

Sunshine had broken through the clouds and the air smelled like spring flowers. They put on their sunglasses and walked down the street to the Blue Heron Bookstore with their coats on their arms.

A table had been set out with about twenty folding chairs facing it. Another chair sat behind the table, and a few piles of books were stacked on top. No one was sitting, but people stood around the room in small groups, talking quietly. Erin recognized a few music store customers and greeted them. Two tall men stood near a bookshelf talking to Richard, the storeowner. Erin assumed one of them must be the author. They both looked familiar. One was a little younger with brown hair, blue eyes, and a smile that didn’t stop. He looked around the room, his eyes lingering on each person, his smile widening if they happened to look back. The other, a taller man with dark hair and gray eyes, appeared more serious. He wore a French blue shirt and jeans and was slim, his shoulders well-defined. Erin was sure she’d seen him before. Richard said something to him, and he laughed. As his face lit up, Erin couldn’t help but smile. Then her smile dropped from her face, and she turned her head away, wishing she could step back and hide behind a bookshelf. He was the man she’d spilled coffee all over on the ferry.

People began to take their seats, and the three friends found chairs in the middle of the room. The younger man walked to the back of the group and sat down, stretching his legs out in front of him. The tall man walked over to the side of the table.

Richard stepped forward. “Thank you everyone for coming. It’s wonderful to see so many of you here. I’m Richard Shore, owner of Blue Heron, and I’d like to welcome you. Our guest today has written a variety of books and articles, from thrillers to philosophical essays to how-to articles. He has taught writing classes at City University in New York and at Portland College, and has made presentations at schools around the country. We are fortunate he has decided to make Anacortes his home. His latest book, just published, is called
The Course
. I finished reading it last night, and I can say confidently that you won’t be able to put it down. It’s excellent. With great pleasure, I introduce to you: Michael Woodward.”

The man stepped forward while Richard took a seat. He took a deep breath. “Good afternoon. Thank you Richard, and thank you everyone for coming out on this rainy day. I’m Michael, and I’d like to introduce my latest book to you today—
The Course
. I can read a few excerpts for you, tell you a little of the story’s background, and answer any questions you have. Does that sound good?” His voice was deep and soothing but carried easily to the back of the room.

Several people said, “Yes.”

He looked around the room and his gaze lingered a moment on Hannah, then he glanced at Aleesha, and when he spotted Erin, his eyes locked onto hers, and his mouth curled into a smile. Erin felt the color rise in her cheeks. He smiled broadly, took a deep breath, and then looked away.

“
The Course
was conceived when I was in New York four years ago teaching a writing class. The class was full to overflowing, and several students were really struggling. One day I was walking home from the college carrying armfuls of papers. One of these students, John, was out for his daily run, and he crashed right into me. The papers went flying everywhere. Of course, he helped me gather them up again, but he felt terrible. He helped me carry the papers home, and we talked for quite a while. I learned a lot about him. John’s a long-distance runner. He runs marathons. And four years ago he was almost killed in a car accident. He could barely walk after that, but now he’s running marathons. This remarkable young man who was struggling so hard in my class, but could run marathons, was my inspiration for
The Course
.