234
David
I listened intently to Lucy's account of her dream, my mind racing to process the information she was sharing. It was clear that it wasn't just an ordinary dream but a peak into Selene's mind. Her mention of Selene and Oren, the crystal necklace, and a woman named Eve had my internal alarms blaring.
Having a connection to the dead was one thing, but it didn't sound like Selene was dead. More than that, she was on Oren's side.
How? Why?
I glanced at Trent to gauge his reaction, but before I could ask, the words died in my throat. Trent, who had been quietly attentive until then, was growing visibly paler by the second. His normally calm and composed demeanor seemed to crumble, replaced by a haunted and shaken expression. I couldn't help but be concerned for him. Trent had always been the steady presence, the one who held a vast store of knowledge about the supernatural world, and it was rare to see him rattled.
I exchanged a quick glance with Amos, who sat beside Trent, and we shared a mutual understanding that something in Lucy's dream had hit a nerve. I made a mental note to check on Trent later and see if he was willing to share what was troubling him.
For now, though, I returned my focus to Lucy as she finished. I took another note and considered it.
Dreams could be visions, but Lucy's dream held none of the qualities of a vision.
"...you have a more profound connection to her than most." I looked at Trent as he spoke. His voice haunted. "Is this the first time you've had a dream like this?"
Lucy nodded. "Usually, if she's there, she's talking to me... The wolves were acting differently than usual."
Trent nodded shakily. "I'm sure. If you're not opposed, I'd like to go into a trance with you to get a view of the dreamscape from your memory."
I frowned and looked at him. That was a bit extreme unless Trent knew something the rest of us didn't.
"You think there's something else in the dream?"
"I think Lucy gave us every detail she could, but she has no training with such things." He looked back at Lucy. "Consider my request. No pressure."
She nodded and though his voice was firm, Trent, still looked pale and shaken. He knew something more than what he was letting on.
"For now, I have something to look into," Trent said. "I'll check in with you in the morning about the trance."
She nodded. As Trent excused himself, his face still bearing the remnants of shock and concern, I exchanged a quick, worried glance with Amos. It was clear that Lucy's dream had shaken him deeply, and it was unlike Trent to react this way. His expertise and calm demeanor were pillars of support for all of us, and seeing him so affected was disconcerting.
With a subtle nod, I signaled to Amos and Hito. Amos rose from the table with purpose in his steps, the concern etched across his face mirroring my own.
I turned my attention back to Lucy, who appeared apologetic for causing this disruption. I smiled at her.
"Lucy, you've done nothing wrong. Is there anything else you can think of?"
She shook her head as Hito settled into a seat, his presence a calm and reassuring one amidst the lingering tension. As he settled at the table, I couldn't help but hope Hito had something more to add to this.
"Duke," Hito called. "Have you experienced a similar dream?"
I looked over at Duke as he nodded slowly. "Though it wasn't... as calm as that. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it."
"Go on," Hito said. "Is this the same dream you told me about?"
He nodded. "I was too far away to get a good look at the guy, but he was pretty fucked up. He was fighting a wolf. He was holding his own but the wolf looked like he was trying to eat him whole. Lucy... was there."
Her eyes widened.
"But it wasn't her. She was talking with Selene's voice... Then, the wolf was about to eat the guy. That spear from the museum appeared. I can't remember much else after that, but since then, she hasn't popped up with anyone in my dreams lately. She hasn't popped up at all."
Hito nodded. "Good. We'll continue your mental training. I don't want there to even be a chance that anyone could have access to your mind. Though the connection you may have to hers may be to your advantage."
Duke looked pale. There was something in his expression that gave me pause, but I refrained from asking.
"How can a dead woman have a mind?" Duke asked. Lucy was pale.
"The mind, in this case, is not your brain activity," Hito said. "It is the soul, and that is eternal... Depending on your mode of thought, a dead person has more of a mind than a living person because they are at their purest just a soul."
Hito let out a soft sigh and exchanged a knowing look with me, silently acknowledging that there was a lot more to talk about. I tapped my pen, thinking about it. The two dreams were likely connected.
"When did you have this dream, Duke?"
"A while ago... I think it was the same day Michelle went out with Peter."
I met Hito's gaze. His eyes narrowed and he stood.
"I will look into it and alert Trent."
"Thank you."
I looked down at my notes from Lucy and Duke's dreamed as if the information would suddenly give me the answer. I had no clue, but the one thing I could be sure of was that Selene was alive in a far more tangible fashion than just a spirit.
I leaned forward, my brow furrowed in thought. "Duke, do you think you would be up to going into a trance with Trent?"
Duke blinked and nodded. "Sure, I don't mind."
Lucy frowned, and I looked at her. "Duke goes into trances with Maggie all the time. To his knowledge, you've never been in a trance. It's a bit of an experience, so he didn't want you to feel pressured."
"Will it hurt?"
"No," I said. "Though it may be unnerving and take you into memories that you aren't ready to explore by accident. Trent is good, but anything can happen."
Especially if Trent was still shaken at the time.
"Whatever these dreams and visions mean," I said, my voice resolute, "we can't afford to ignore them. Selene isn't a figure we can afford to just ignore."
As I spoke, my thoughts returned to the mysterious crystal necklace and the threat of Blue Moon's retaliation. I knew from history that Blue Moon were her favored werewolves, but I was beginning to think that it was more complicated than that.
I took a note to ask Trent about using the crystal necklace as a conduit for a trance. If Selene was still alive in some tangible way, still moving about in the shadows of the world, we needed to know.
A sense of unease wen through me as I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing to make sense of it all.
"The timing of this concerns me," I said. "With the rumor going around that you're the Moon Goddess..." I shook my head. "Knowing Blue Moon, specifically Oren, I don't like it."
"She's going to need armor."
My lips twitched as I looked over at Lucy. "Yes, I suppose you will... And proper running clothes."
She flushed and scowled at Duke. "I told you I wouldn't be naked!"
"Well, that is an option, but I can't imagine it being very comfortable unless you're going to shift..."
She turned an even brighter red as Duke cackled.
She worried her lip and looked at me. "David... do you have the crystal necklace?"
I hesitated to answer for a moment but nodded. Selene already knew where it was. Knowing that she needed it so desperately further inclined me to make sure it stayed hidden until I could figure out the best way to use it.
"However, considering the situation, I'd rather not chance giving it to you."
Lucy shuddered. "I didn't ask because I wanted. I don't want anything to do with it if I don't have to, but I get the feeling that protecting it is going to be difficult."
"Why?"
"O-Oren," she said. "If he's at all like... Matt and Tony, and I think he definitely is. He's not going to stop."
I reached over to take her hand and squeezed. "You have nothing to fear from them. If I can't ensure your safety, Lucian damn well can."
She nodded shakily. "He shouldn't get it. I don't know what they plan to do with it, but he definitely shouldn't get it.
I nodded, agreeing with her, but it was more than just making sure no one who could be influenced by Selene knew where it was or how to get to it.
Oren was a ruthless, barbaric bastard more fit for waging wars than trying to negotiate. He was going to attack Blood Moon at some point.
Don't like Oren fool you, my father had said to me. He's more than what he appears. His insanity is backed by more than brute strength... If you ever have the chance to put him down, take it without mercy.
I took note to talk with Blood Moon's security forces and move up the plans on the barrier.
Then, Blue came in with a bright smile.
"She's here."
I nodded and stood, handing her the documents. "If you could make sure these make it to Amos?"
I turned to Lucy and offered her my hand. "We have a dance lesson to get to. Let's talk about dreams and megalomaniacs some other time."
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