FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

ISLE WATERS, ARDAE

LUCIEN

Visions Worsening

Days wore on, each dampening Lucien’s black mood more than last. And heightening her hopes. He knew.

She feigned disappointment as he stormed from the cabin night after night.

Fully aware his frustration was her anticipation. Her feigned naiveté and failure to react to his baiting bored and aggravated him beyond anything before.I’ve no patience for these games.

Where’s her delicious fire gone?

Tonight, Lucien had arrived during the dark hours only to have more of her tormenting behavior. Blinking innocently. Agreeing with everything I say.

In his usual huff he’d lumbered from the small room and slammed the door so forcefully the ship had rocked.

But from above deck he’d hear the sounds of her fitful slumber. Lured down by them he’d cracked the door and could see her in the darkness of the cabin. Grunting and tossing. Her whimpers indicating her dreams were disturbing.

Fine. He sighed. Shoulders slumping as he drew the lone wood chair next to the bed, stretching his legs out to cross at the ankles. Crossing his arms over his middle.

What are you dreaming about? He quieted to peek into her mind. Finding something he sensed was like a dangling hook he could grip. Following the tenuous little line deeper into her memories. Melding with her thoughts.

She dreams of a strange woman with violet hair. Knifing through the trees like a wild creature. Barefoot and agile. Willowy body turning fluidly as she looked alertly behind her. Attuned to her surroundings.

Who’s this? He wondered.

I’ve never seen something like her.

Meralee thought of her as The Huntress.

She’s dreamt of her before. What does this woman hunt? He was curious.

She wore brown clothes to meld into the foggy evening. Dark dogs close on her heels, veering with her as a single unit.

When The Huntress stopped behind a tree to view the road, she watched a seemingly normal man walking the dirt lane. Her teal eyes brightening predatorily.

She knows him. Lucien recognized.

She jerked her chin down and all four dogs sat. Ears perking.

The Huntress sensed what she looked at was not wholly human. She descended on the man with inhuman speed. Daggers flying and dogs charging in a unified mass.

A black Cimmerii beast. She hunts demons.

As she straightened from the dark shape she’d killed, she heard a branch crack and whipped around.

Meralee sensed The Huntress knew this immortal man.

A Forever Knight. Though Meralee didn’t know what that meant, Lucien did.

Meralee lurched to a semi-wakeful state. “Huntress…” She hissed in her hypnotic trance. Eyes wide open but glazed white.

She’s having some sort of vision. Lucien realized. Despite that she’d thought them mere dreams. He’d seen her like this before and had quickly caught on that disrupting her dream would be unwise.

I’m beginning to see what she is. Sebastian was right.

She’s a Watcher…

She’s dreaming of us. Of what we’re connected to. Though there were some images, some people he didn’t recognize, some he had.

The next night was much the same. Up until he eased in to see what she dreamt of.

She’s dreaming of a castle shrouded by the magic of immortals. He recognized the images. WaterRose.

The castle shimmered like a mirage. As Mera’s vision drew nearer, she perceived it was constructed of water. The constant motion concealing it from dark magic.

A man stood on a balcony protruding from the watery castle. Meralee observed he was achingly handsome with animalistic blue-green eyes and the golden mane of a lion held back in a tether. Standing proud as he watched over his dominion.

Bast. Lucien knew that face.

After a moment a replica of his profile, with shorter hair, joined him on the balcony.

Alazareth.

Both wore the sparkling pendants depicting a dragon embracing a cross against their twin bare chests as they spoke in low tones.

What are they talking about? Lucien wondered with her.

But the vision was too far away to tell.

Another figure intruded in her dream, dominating her vision. An old man with long gray hair and shining black eyes.