Dream Warriors 2: Ryder Page 6

  “You were forced into the Dream Realm, compelled there by the incubus.”

  “No. That’s what I was about to say. I sensed someone, or something, else. Right before I left the Waking Realm, I felt a being of incredible power. It was the second entity that slammed me into the Dream Realm.”

  He tucked her hair behind her ear, his expression thoughtful. “That explains a lot. When we found your friend Meagan, even Morpheus couldn’t explain what had happened to her. She was under the influence of the incubus, but it was as if an outside force had imprisoned her with him. We know the succubus is stronger, but she can’t access any female’s subconscious. She must --”

  “It’s impossible for a succubus to control any female?”

  “Yes. A succubus only has influence over males.”

  “Then why in creation didn’t Morpheus send a female after the succubus?”

  “All Dream Warriors are male.”

  She stepped away from him, too restless to stand still. “It sounds like she zapped me into the Dream Realm so her brother could ... create a diversion. Did Chaos sleep at all last night?”

  “I would have sensed it if he’d entered the Dream Realm.”

  “Can she attack him while he’s awake?”

  “She never has before.” He paused, his gaze focused beyond her for a moment. “Chaos is fine. He’s in a foul mood, but he is unharmed.”

  “Okay, let’s think this through. If she is powerless against females, then a female is going to have to kick her ass.”

  He chuckled. “Are you volunteering for the job?”

  “I’m not a Jujitsu master like my cousin, but Dora has taught me a trick or two. Besides, you are certainly not limited within the female subconscious.”

  He said nothing for a long while. “You have no idea what you’re suggesting.”

  “Can you make me fall asleep and stay asleep? We can trap her within my subconscious, then take my body to --”

  “I cannot risk your safety. It’s my assignment to --”

  “You know it makes perfect sense.” She slipped her hands into her back pockets, anxiously tapping her foot. “But what do we do with her once she’s trapped?”

  “Morpheus is the Dream Master. All dream spirits are subject to his will.”

  “So, you bring her to me, and I’ll keep her busy while you go get Morpheus.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest, his features settling into a fierce scowl. “I could only bring her into your illusion if she were already in the Dream Realm.”

  “Chaos.” She offered without hesitation. “Put me to sleep first, then wait for her in the Dream Realm with Chaos. Or will she sense you and stay away?”

  “She will only sense what I allow her to sense.”

  “Can you make me fall asleep or not?”

  “I can, but I’m not convinced this is the only way.”

  “Well, let’s go check on Grumpy while you figure out a plan you like better.”

  Ryder followed her downstairs and into the kitchen. They found Chaos rummaging through the cupboards, mumbling under his breath.

  “Can I help you find something?”

  “I am memorizing the contents of these compartments.” He turned to face her. Distinct purple shadows surrounded his eyes. He looked haggard, exhausted.

  She looked at Ryder. Had her uninvited houseguest lost his mind? “Is there some reason you need the items committed to memory?”

  “I must keep my mind occupied. I cannot fall asleep.”

  Despite all Chaos had confessed, pity surged through Sheri. Meagan had possessed the same haunted expression when she explained what the incubus had done. “Delilah was here last night?”

  “Yes.”

  “I never sensed you enter the Dream Realm.” Ryder moved up beside Sheri.

  “She came to me while I was awake. She is more powerful than you can imagine, more wicked than I ever guessed. How can we combat her --”

  “What did she say to you?” Sheri resisted the urge to touch him, comfort him. He didn’t deserve her compassion, but she pitied him all the same.

  “She wants me to kill Persephone.”

  “Your mother?”

  “Persephone is my father’s wife; she is not my mother.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” She shooed him to one side so she could make coffee. “And I thought the modern American family structure was convoluted. Why does Delilah want Persephone dead?”

  “Because Hades loves her.” Ryder provided the answer.

  She paused. “Delilah and Hades were lovers?” Shooting Chaos a sidelong glower, she gave a little shudder. “You slept with your father’s mistress?” She didn’t need to hear the answer. Tension vibrated through the room. “But Hades sealed Delilah in the pit, not Persephone?”

  “At one time, Father knew the true name of the succubus. He commanded her to the pit, sealed her inside, and had Athena erase the name from his memory.”

  Turning back to the grinder, she scooped in fresh coffee beans. “If he could control her, why give up the power? I still don’t understand.” Chaos watched her closely, apparently fascinated by the kitchen gadgets.

  “The succubus is a vile addiction. To have such a creature at your command is too great a temptation for any man.”

  “A direct quote from your father?”

  Chaos nodded.

  The doorbell interrupted the conversation. Sheri walked into the living room and peeked out between the curtains. Her cousin Dora Gunther stood on the front porch.

  “What is she doing here?”

  “Who is it?” Ryder had the good sense to speak softly as he crept up beside her.

  “My cousin Dora. The one I mentioned upstairs.” She eased the curtain back into place.

  “I take it you weren’t expecting her?”

  “How did she know I was here?” The telephone rang. Sheri took another peek. “She has a cell phone. If I don’t answer, she’ll kick in the door.”

  Chaos stood in the archway between the kitchen and the living room, watching the drama unfold. “Does your cousin often have such violent tendencies?”

  “She’s a certified Jujitsu master on a crusade to protect womankind.”

  Sheri reached past him and lifted the phone off the wall. “Hello.” She made her voice sound muffled and groggy.

  “Hi, Sher. Sorry to wake you. I was just going to stash your supplements in the screen door, but I saw your car in the driveway. Is everything okay?”

  “I’ve got one of my headaches.”

  “And I’ve got an herb tea that’s better than any poison your doctor will shove down your throat. Come open the door, and I’ll have you ready for work in an hour.”

  Sheri chuckled, then groaned for effect. “I get paid for sick days. I’m in no hurry.”

  “Well, you don’t have to go to work, but don’t suffer all day with a migraine. This stuff really works. Now open the door, or I’ll crawl in through the window. It’s not locked, by the way. Very careless of you.”

  “Give me a minute.” She hung up the phone. “You guys have both got to stay out of sight.”

  “Are you sure that’s your cousin?”

  She glared at Chaos. They didn’t have time for his obstinacy. “Why do you ask?”

  “The succubus can assume the shape of others.”

  “And she has a cell phone and knows my number? That’s Dora, trust me.”

  “Chaos, go upstairs and stay there. I’ll scan the female and join you as soon as I’m sure she is mortal.”

  “This is ridiculous. She is --” The doorbell rang four times in rapid succession. “Fine! Chaos, upstairs. Ryder, behave.”

  * * * * *

  Delilah watched the prince of the Underworld scramble up the stairs at the command of a mortal woman. Oh, how the mighty had fallen! Ryder lounged against the archway where Chaos had been moments before. His golden hair glinted in the sunlight, accenting his dark gaze. She would have to attack quickly. The Dream Warr
ior wouldn’t give her a second chance.

  The mortal frantically mussed her hair and rid herself of her shoes, untucking her tee shirt as she crossed to the front door.

  “That doorbell isn’t helping my headache.”

  A blonde woman about the same age as the other marched into the room. She had pulled her thick hair straight back from her face and secured it at the nape of her neck. The no-nonsense style perfectly matched her militant posture. Back ramrod straight, shoulders squared, she walked with a precise economy of movement.

  “Here are your supplements.” She handed the brunette a small parcel. “Have they helped with your energy level? Are you sleeping more restfully?”

  Delilah wanted to laugh. The previous night had been anything but restful; Zared had seen to that.

  “I’d actually been fairly impressed until I got this spectacular headache.”

  “Well, I’ve got the ...” The blonde spotted Ryder and came skidding to a halt. Delilah looked at him again. He was handsome enough, if one liked that sort of thing. He was just too golden for Delilah.

  “Ryder.” He extended his hand. What was he thinking? The blonde shook his hand, and Delilah smothered a gasp. He could manifest at will; not just create an image, but actually solidify. Trepidation tightened her chest. She was the most powerful dream spirit. This simply couldn’t be true.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Dora. Where has Sheri been hiding you?”

  The blonde smiled, and Delilah narrowed her gaze. That smile, those bright blue eyes. Why hadn’t she noticed the resemblance before?

  A warning pulsed within her mind. Chaos was struggling to stay awake, but she could feel his fatigue taking over. She needed to prepare for the attack. Damn it! Why did everything have to be so complicated?

  Zared, listen carefully. You must follow this blonde woman. Do not lose contact with her, regardless of the cost. I will send you instructions as soon as I’m able. Follow her, until you hear from me.

  I understand.

  You cannot fail me on this. Should Chaos manage to escape me, this woman is the key.

  The key to what?

  Just follow her!

  Delilah circled the blonde, studying her from every angle. She was perfect, absolutely perfect. Her telepathic link with Chaos tugged again, and Delilah flew up the stairs.

  Chapter Seven

  “All you had to do was tell me you weren’t alone, and I wouldn’t have imposed.”

  Though Dora leaned close to Sheri and whispered the words, Ryder heard. The blonde exuded confidence and a quiet sort of menace. He was unfamiliar with the title Sheri had used to describe Dora. Was the blonde some sort of soldier?

  “You didn’t give me much of an opportunity to explain.” Sheri’s tone was tense and anxious, her gaze darting toward him.

  “Well, I suspect you need privacy more than tea, so I’ll just leave this with you.” She pressed a small packet into Sheri’s hand and turned to face him. Her measured gaze swept him from head to toe, sizing him up as one would an opponent. “Nice to meet you, Ryder.” She sounded friendly and calm, but the wariness never left her blue eyes.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Your accent is unusual. Where are you from originally?”

  “A small city in Greece. I doubt the name would mean anything to you.”

  “You don’t look Greek.”

  He cocked one golden eyebrow. “Do you know many Greeks?”

  A smile finally melted her gaze. “I can’t say that I do.” She glanced at her cousin one last time. “If your headache is more than an excuse, try the tea. It works wonders.”

  “Thank you.”

  Sheri escorted her toward the front of the house. Ryder remained in the archway.

  “I don’t think she likes me,” he said as Sheri closed and locked the door.

  “Dora has a hard time trusting men. Life hasn’t always been kind to her.”

  “She was victimized by a man?”

  “Not directly. It’s a long story, and I’m not sure she’d appreciate my telling you. Dora’s a very private person.”

  “You called her some sort of master. What does --” He broke off in mid-sentence and darted toward the stairs. “Chaos just entered the Dream Realm.”

  He took the stairs two at a time, Sheri close behind him. The demi-god sprawled across her bed, motionless.

  “Can you reach him? Wasn’t there some sort of force field around Meagan?”

  “The path to his subconscious is wide open. Delilah’s daring me to join her.”

  Sheri touched his arm, drawing his attention. “Accept the challenge, but don’t step into her trap. Sneak in through my subconscious. It’s just plain stupid to play by her rules.”

  Heaving a frustrated sigh, he cupped her shoulders with his hands. “I’m supposed to protect you.”

  “We’ll protect each other.”

  His centuries of experience and training objected to her involvement. He shouldn’t need a woman to fight his battles for him.

  “We’ll fight the battle together. Now zap me.”

  He narrowed his gaze on her face. “Did you just read my mind?”

  “You said it out loud.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “We don’t have time for this! Just zap me.”

  Scooping her up in his arms, he laid her down beside Chaos. “The succubus forced your energy against its natural flow. It doesn’t hurt when I do it. Relax. I’ll meet you in the Dream Realm.” She nodded and closed her eyes, obviously anxious to begin.

  He sent a sleep compulsion into her brain and dispersed his physical form. Pausing long enough to erect a shield preventing the incubus from following him, Ryder hurried after her.

  Sheri waited in an empty room inside the Dream Realm. Apprehension tinged her lovely features. A smile parted her lips the moment he appeared, and heat swirled through Ryder’s abdomen. Gods, she was beautiful, and brave.

  Giving himself a mental shake, he turned his attention to the room. “Let’s make a few improvements before I go hunting.” He formed a sturdy cage with thick iron bars and a stout lock ready to be snapped shut. Manifesting shackles and a long, coiled whip, he handed them to Sheri.

  “Practice with the whip while I’m gone. Don’t crack it hard until you can aim it accurately. The backlash will tear your flesh.”

  “Sounds like my idea of a good time.” Draping the shackles over her shoulder, she gingerly uncoiled the whip.

  “I’ll return as soon as I can.” He formed himself a long, two-edged sword and headed toward the doorway.

  “Do you have something against guns? You don’t have to be nearly as close to shoot someone.”

  “Everything around you is an illusion. The only true weapon is energy. These are props to help us focus.”

  “Wouldn’t a gun make a more believable prop?”

  He chuckled. “Projectiles are very hard to control. Trust me, if it comes to hurling energy pulses, I’ll have abandoned all props.” Ryder blew her a kiss and ducked through the opening.

  A distinct signal emanated from Chaos’s collar. Ryder followed the invisible strand.

  The signal weakened.

  He ran.

  A high stone archway awaited at the end of the corridor, Ryder extended his sword as he entered the room. Light blinded him for a second. Sharp gasps echoed off the stone walls. Blinking furiously, he brought the room back into focus. The succubus was nowhere in sight. Ryder scanned with his gaze and his mind. There was no way Delilah would abandon the fight.

  Chaos sagged in the chain restraints that suspended his arms above his head. Blood seeped from numerous bite marks all over his naked body. His chin rested on his chest, and his hair concealed his face. He’d only been in the Dream Realm a few minutes. How had she inflicted this much damage?

  “You look surprised, Dream Warrior. Can’t you warp time?”

  A door slammed shut across the archway, and a woman materialized. Her sleek hair combined b
lue with black; sapphire light burned in her eyes. Lithe, graceful -- tiny.

  This was the succubus?

  “I can’t say I’ve ever tried.” He answered her question as he attempted to scan her mind. Shielded, her mind was impenetrable. “I have no use for most of your tricks. Let Chaos go, and I’ll try not to hurt you.”

  “Hurt me?” She scoffed. A gauzy gown floated around her thin body, accenting her wraithlike frailty. “We’ll test your boast in a moment. I’ve unfinished business awaiting me. Girls, continue, but stop holding back. Ryder is here now. There’s no reason to delay.”

  Six creatures blinked into view, huddled around Chaos. Their naked bodies were perfectly formed, but their features were so hideously misshapen, Ryder’s stomach heaved. They attacked in a tangle of long black hair and naked limbs. Their mouths latched on to the demi-god, drinking his blood and draining his energy.

  Ryder rushed into the fray. He fisted his fingers in one creature’s hair, dragging her off Chaos as he viciously kicked another. Slashing and stabbing with the sword, his arms and chest were soon covered with blood. They howled and screamed, but returned again and again to their feast. Delilah laughed and cheered from behind him.

  What were these vile things?

  A direct assault was useless. Ryder disintegrated the sword and gathered energy into his chest.

  “Giving up so soon?” Delilah stepped up beside him. “I’d hoped you’d be a more worthy opponent.”

  Ryder said nothing. He continued garnering energy, drawing it directly from the Dream Realm.

  “They’re magnificent, aren’t they?”

  In one violent burst, Ryder released the energy and formed a barrier around Chaos. The creatures shrieked and writhed, trapped within the energy field.

  “Stop it!” Delilah grabbed Ryder’s arm, her long nails digging into his flesh. “Release them!”

  “Are they your spawn or your disciples?” He ignored her nails and her screams, increasing the intensity of the barrier. The being closest to Chaos burst into flame. Delilah rushed forward as another caught fire. She reached into the barrier to pull one out. Her skin immediately blistered and peeled. With a plaintive wail, Delilah let go. She stumbled back and whirled on Ryder, fury burning in her eyes.