The Nightmare Dilemma

36 Partings

The following Friday my mom and I climbed into her sports car and headed to an awards ceremony that the Magi Senate was holding to honor Eli, Selene, and me. I didn’t want to go, but I was glad it was being held in Vatticut Hall at Arkwell—I’d found myself missing the school these last few weeks. Senate Hall, where such an event normally would’ve taken place, was a long way from being restored.

The ceremony lasted less than an hour while the newly elected consul, Lisbeth Borgman, formally the darkkind magistrate, gave a speech about the great service we had performed and then presented us each with medals. Selene and Eli received silver lion medals while I received a gold medal emblazoned with a phoenix. The irony of this was not lost on me. Apparently, the phoenix medal was the equivalent of the Medal of Freedom given out by the president of the United States. But all I could think about was Marrow and his black phoenix.

Afterward, there was a small party with drinks and appetizers. Nearly everyone came up to shake my hand and express their gratitude. Within minutes I felt completely overwhelmed and ready to leave. But at least there were a couple of familiar faces, including Sheriff Brackenberry, Lady Elaine, and most of my teachers, of course. I even spotted Mr. Corvus, but I paid him no mind. Eli had put my suspicions about him to rest a few days before.

He had confronted Corvus about the three-ringed symbol in the ancient text and the one in The Atlantean Chronicle as well as the stuff in the notebook. Corvus claimed it was a common symbol for unity and the notebook merely a translation of the ancient text. He was a historian, after all. Eli had confirmed the symbol with a bit of research. Its presence in both books was, for once, genuine coincidence.

Sometime later, Lady Elaine asked me for a private word and we headed out to the commons. It was dark, but the full moon overhead made it easy to see.

“How are you adjusting to the sword?” Lady Elaine asked.

At the mention of Bellanax, my hand automatically went to the thick silver band around my left wrist. The day before my mother had walked me through applying the glamour to the sword, the same as I would’ve to a wand or staff.

“Fine, I guess.” I raised my arm. “It’s a bit heavy.”

Lady Elaine pursed her lips. “I’m sure it is.”

“What is the sword, exactly?” I said, all the questions that had been lingering in my mind these last few days coming to the surface again.

“On its most basic level, it’s what we call a numen vessel. It contains the ghost of some long-dead magickind.”

I shivered, even though her words came as no surprise, given all I’d learned from Deverell. “Is Eli’s wand a numen vessel, too?”

Lady Elaine smoothed the front of her black cocktail dress. “Yes. There’s a long history of numen vessels bonding with one magickind. The spirits that inhabit them can be very particular about who they want as master.”

I turned and sat down on the low stone wall nearby. My energy level still wasn’t back to normal. “But this sword belonged to Marrow last. Should I be worried?”

“No, the sword is yours, and will do only your bidding.” Lady Elaine sat down on the wall across from me.

I ran my fingers along the silver band, which always warmed to my touch. “But it’s so powerful. This was The Will sword. Won’t there be people who’ll want to take it from me?”

“Only a few of us even know you have it. I suggest you keep it that way. And it’s a sword, so I doubt you’ll have much reason to go flashing it around.”

I snorted, picturing myself standing on a table in the cafeteria as I did my best Xena Warrior Princess impression. “But why didn’t the senate just destroy it?”

“Oh, they tried, but nothing worked.” She grimaced. “So we bound it to the stone plinth with a spell that only the sword’s true master could break.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “But that could’ve been Marrow. It should’ve been him.”

Lady Elaine shook her head. “We don’t know much about sword lore in particular, but we do know that physical death breaks the numen bond. Even if the person will be reborn.”

I exhaled. “So I’m stuck with this thing until I die?”

“One can only hope.” She crossed a leg over the other then said in a gentle voice. “And if you want the truth, I’m relieved it came to you.”

I tilted my head. “Why?”

“Because I can think of no one better to have it. There’s no denying that it’s very powerful and that power can corrupt. But I think you won’t be so susceptible.”

“Why not?”

“Lots of reasons. Partly because you have such a good heritage. The women in your line have a long history of standing against evil, and sacrificing everything to ensure goodness prevails.” A wry smile crossed her face. “I’ll admit your mother’s methods are a bit unorthodox, but her heart is always in the right place. And look at Nimue. She willingly imprisoned herself in a dream for hundreds of years just to keep the sword hidden from Marrow.”

I rubbed my temple. It was a lot to live up to. The band on my wrist felt heavier than ever. “But wouldn’t it have been better if Nimue had found a way to kill Marrow and keep him from resurrecting? I mean, is there a way?”

Lady Elaine considered the question a moment. “Yes, I imagine there must be some way, but we have a more pressing topic to talk about.” I braced myself, guessing what was coming next.

“Eli told me that you know about the dream-seer curse.”

I nodded, unable to speak.

“And do you believe him?”

I met her sharp gaze, managing not to flinch. “I don’t believe he was lying, if that’s what you mean. But that’s not the same thing as whether or not I believe in the curse.”

Lady Elaine’s sigh barely reached my ears. “The curse is very real, Dusty. I can share with you my vision if you would like.”

I shook my head, not tempted by her offer even for a second.

“Very well.” She stood. “Nevertheless, you should know that we are taking steps to ensure that you two keep an appropriate distance.”

Anger heated my face, and I stood up, too. “Oh, I’m aware of it. My mom told me this morning that she booked us on a summer-long tour of Europe.” We’d argued about it for nearly an hour, and each time I’d asked if it was because of Eli she’d changed the subject.

“It’s for your own good, Dusty.” Lady Elaine exhaled. “What reason would I have to lie about this? Do you think I’m a cruel, heartless person out to deny two teenagers the pleasure of true love?”

I wanted to say yes, but I didn’t. I knew she wasn’t trying to keep us apart because she wanted to. I took a deep breath, struggling to keep the waver out of my voice. “If there’s a way to kill Marrow once and forever, then there must be a way to break the dream-seer curse, too.”

Lady Elaine’s pitying look hit me like a slap. “It doesn’t work like that. All magic has a price. Even dream-seeing. And this is it. You and Eli can never be together.”

I didn’t say anything, but turned and walked away, silent tears wetting my cheeks.

All magic has a price.

I knew she was right, but it was a price I didn’t want to pay.

The following Sunday my mom and I drove to the airport. I still didn’t want to go, but I knew when I was beaten. I was going whether I liked it or not. And it was a trip to Europe. I’d find a way to make the most of it in the end.

A group of people large enough to be called a crowd had come to see us off. Selene was there, of course, along with Lance. They’d been spending lots of time together since his return from Vejovis. Their rekindled relationship didn’t exactly fill me with joy, but I figured if Selene liked him then I would make the effort to accept him as well. So far Selene was making it easy as she continued to poke fun at him the same as always, although with definite affection underlying her tone these days.

“Sorry about bringing him along,” Selene said, pointing a thumb at Lance and suppressing a smile. “But he insisted.”

Lance grinned at me. “Just wanted to say see you and don’t hurry back.”

Selene stomped on his toe.

“Ouch.” He winked at her. “I was just kidding.” He thumped me on the shoulder. “Seriously, have a safe trip, and make sure you make it back. I might get bored without our little competition to keep me entertained.”

I smirked. “That might be reason enough for me to stay away forever.” He only grinned wider. I rolled my eyes at him, and then turned and hugged Selene. “See you soon. Write me lots, okay? I want to hear about your flying practices and stuff.”

Selene laughed. “I’ll write you entire novels about it. And you better write, too, and send me lots of pictures.”

“I will.” I pulled back from her and moved on. Lady Elaine stood next to her, and we exchanged a quick and cordial good-bye.

“Be sure to let your mother know if there’s anything strange with this.” She touched the silver band on my wrist.

I nodded, pulling my wrist away from her instinctively.

Then I walked on, coming to a stop in front of Sheriff Brackenberry. I hadn’t expected him to be here at all, but he explained his presence right away.

“Thought you might want this.” He handed me a slip of paper.

I opened it and saw an unfamiliar e-mail address. I looked up at the sheriff, waiting for an explanation.

“Don’t lose it, and don’t share it,” Brackenberry said. “But I’m sure he’d like to hear from you even if he’s not allowed to write back.”

I swallowed as understanding dawned inside of me. He was talking about Paul. I refolded the paper and slid it into the front pocket of my jeans.

I hugged my dad good-bye next. He kissed me on the top of the head. “I sent your mother an entire list of all the historical sites you must visit while you’re there. Make sure she follows it.”

I smiled at the fierce expression on his freckled face. It would’ve been more effective minus the glasses and the tweed jacket with patches on the sleeves. There was nothing very frightening about a geeky college professor.

I reached out, and ruffled his hair. “You need a haircut.”

He smiled. “So do you.”

Then he kissed my head again, and I moved on to the last person in line.

The sight of Eli standing there, waiting to say good-bye to me, made my muscles feel weak. I stopped in front of him, unsure of what to do or say.

“Well, have a good trip,” he said. He had his hands buried in his front pockets, making it clear that he had no intention of hugging me good-bye.

I gulped, fighting to keep my voice level. “Thanks. And you have a good summer.”

“I will.”

I knew I should move on, but I couldn’t make my feet move.

“We need to board soon,” my mother called from where she stood near the security gate.

I nodded at her, then looked back at Eli. “See you,” I said. I turned and started walking toward my mother.

“Dusty,” Eli called, that familiar desperate longing in his voice.

The sound of it went right through me, and I slid the strap of my carry-on off my shoulder and let it fall to the ground. Then I spun around and came back to Eli, moving fast before I lost my nerve. I put my hands on the side of his head, even as his slid around my waist. Then I kissed him. Right there in full view of my mother and Lady Elaine. Everyone. I kissed him like it was the last time I ever would. And he kissed me, too, holding me as if he feared I would vanish any second.

Finally, Eli pulled away but only far enough to whisper in my ear, “I’ll be here when you get back.”

“I’ll hurry.”

Then I turned and headed toward the security gate, my heart both heavy with the knowledge of the long weeks ahead, but also light with the surety of what waited when I returned.