Dream Walker

Chapter 44 | Reflection

Feet pounding into the earth, breath coming out in desperate gasps, Callie pushed her legs faster than they had ever run before. Alex had no trouble keeping pace, an impressive feat for a guy that had been unconscious for two days. Between the threat of Cyril chasing them, Arabella lurking somewhere, and the magically enhanced plant life attempting to thwart their escape, things were looking bleak.

Somehow, without even trying, their path took them back to the same clearing where she had found Alex. It was as if the maze were herding them to that location, and that didn't bode well. Callie figured it would be futile to keep running. The sound of Cyril's pursuit had faded long before, leaving her more confused about the strategic game that they were playing against the dark force living inside the maze.

She burst into the wider space, continued her forward movement a reasonable distance from the entrance, and collapsed from exhaustion. Painful cramps were already beginning to plague her muscles. Alex stood next to her, bent over at the waist with his hands on his knees. His breathing was just as ragged as hers, and his hair was damp with sweat. The air around them was quiet—too quiet under the circumstances.

While she attempted to regain her breath, Callie closed her eyes to focus on the energy around her, trusting Alex to keep watch. There were no malicious tendrils of influence trying to invade her mind, but she could hear whispered words. They floated in the air, not directed at her, just waiting for her to listen.

Your power could be limitless.

Nothing would stand in your way.

All would cower in fear before you.

You could protect those you love from any harm, even death.

You just have to be willing.

Callie shuddered at the slippery feeling of the thoughts as they brushed up against her consciousness. She understood what Cyril had been saying about the promises the maze would offer. Nexus of power seemed to be an apt description for that place, which was more than just a natural landscape. It contained an unfathomable amount of energy and could manipulate anyone that attempted to use that power for themselves.

She built an even stronger shield around her mind, hoping she would be able to fight off the maze's influence. She sensed small streams of her energy moving into her legs to heal the small cuts there without conscious effort on her part. When she opened her eyes again, the skin on her legs was unblemished.

As she shifted her gaze to Alex, she noticed he was looking at her with an expression she couldn't decipher. Having recovered from their frantic running, he had arranged himself into a protective stance over her. His gaze moved away from her face to scan his surroundings before quickly returning.

"Do you hear the maze whispering to you?" Callie asked.

Alex shook his head, eyes widening in concern. "Is it whispering to you?"

She ignored the question and returned to her train of thought. "Can you imagine some sort of wall guarding your mind, preventing someone from invading it? If not, I can try to protect you with my energy, but that might be a little more invasive."

"I can try. What are you worried about?"

Callie pushed herself up to standing despite the aching protest from her legs. She placed her hands on Alex's shoulders and said, "Ready?"

He nodded his head briefly, and she pushed her energy into him. It coursed through his body, seeking his center, his mind, the seat of his consciousness. She probed the wall he had constructed, but, as she expected, it wasn't strong enough to keep her out. With a hint of influence, she placed the thought in his mind to kiss her.