The Wishing Tree - Book Two [Completed]

Dreaming - Part 11

Maizie grins at me and I suppress a groan. I really am not in the right mental place to be having another chat with her about my wayward husband and his mistress. I let my eyes focus beyond her and realize that we're in some sort of dance club. There's a sharp, tense beat that makes it impossible to hear her or anything else. It's dim, almost dark with a blueish hued lighting coming from the ceiling, giving everything an ethereal appearance. Every once in a while, the lights pulse in time to the music. Someone shoves me from behind and I marvel at how authentic Maizie is able to make these experiences. I shove them back, annoyed that this is her idea of a good meeting location after her last bombshell.

She shakes her head and leans in so that her lips touch my ear as she speaks. "They can't see you."

I pull back and meet her gaze and then I lean forward to her ear. "This can't be real."

"It's sort of real. We're in a bit of a time slip. You're sleeping and your soul is partially here. Almost like a ghost, if you will. I can see you because I know you're here."

I try to hide my annoyance. It's crowded, loud and smells intensely of sweat. "Why would you bring me here?" I run my hands through my hair and I'm relieved that my fingers slip easily through the strands. There's no clumping or knots. I look down to see that I'm wearing the same red dress. I guess my subconscious thinks it's a good look for me.

"I should probably get back. We're in the middle of a quest down there and I need my sleep," I say, exhausted by everything in this moment.

Her smile falters a little. "Not yet, okay." She looks over my shoulder and her eyes light up. "Turn around, look across the room."

My heart speeds up and it starts pounding so hard I can feel each thump in my throat. I turn slowly, hopeful and uneasy all at the same time. Across the room, perched on a bar stool, surrounded by Third Realm girls is Ryan. When he catches sight of me, he waves the girls away and immediately starts across the crowded room. I can't tear my eyes away: the way the light catches his dark hair, the way the blue of his eyes looks almost black from a distance, every detail is noted and packaged away to be dissected and relived.

"He can see me?"

"Yeah." I can hear the smile in her voice. "That look of intensity and determination is strictly for you."

"Will I be able to speak to him?"

"We don't think so. But, you guys can try. We think there might even be a barrier; we don't know how far he'll get across the room."

I get down off the chair and start towards Ryan, never taking my eyes off him, weaving through people as though they don't exist. I stumble and have to touch someone close to me to keep from falling. I try to surge forward again, but I can't seem to move any closer. I'm stuck and he is still too far away. I don't have a hope of trying to speak to him with the music and the crowd. I put my hands up and try to push against whatever is holding me back, but it's no use.

"Ryan." I murmur his name and my heart constricts. He's so close.

He looks around him and then turns his head to the side, gesturing towards a darker corner of the bar that is less densely populated. I move along the barrier, keeping a watchful eye on him and pushing past people, not caring that they'll feel the disturbance. When we reach the darkest and most deserted part of the bar, Ryan signals to two men who are following him and they clear the few other people in the area away from the spot.

"Can you, can you hear me?" I look at him, wondering if he'll be able to read my lips, even if he can't hear the words.

I watch his lips move around the word "No" and I know I have my answer. I can't hear him either. My shoulders slump. I watch the two men move into place to partially conceal Ryan and then he moves closer, putting his own hands up, testing the barrier that separates us. He stops pushing and leaves one hand up while resting his forehead on the invisible wall. I can see the wheels turning behind his eyes and he seems to be searching for words. He looks me up and down carefully. When he's done his perusal, relief floods his face.

"You are okay?" He mouths each word slowly.

I nod, put my hand up and mirror his posture with my own. "Are you?"

He shrugs but doesn't break eye contact.

I examine his physical appearance carefully, looking for any signs that signal something serious. He looks a little gaunt, which is unusual for anyone on the Third Realm.

"Ryan?"

He gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head. "I miss you," he mouths.

I want to talk to him about Sarah. I want to be angry and to rage at him for being so bullheaded through all of this. But, he looks so vulnerable and lost standing across from me. It is such a sharp contrast from the man I left behind, the one determined to get me back that it's as though my heart is being squeezed in a vise. I want to tell him that I miss him and love him too, but the words won't come. Instead, I turn to look for Maizie.

Ryan pounds on the barrier and the sound echoes through the bar, causing other people to turn, including Maizie. I look back at him and grim determination has replaced his forlorn look.

I turn back towards Maizie and I watch her breeze over as though she doesn't have a care in the world. She's gotten much better at disguising her emotions and it makes me a little sad. She puts a hand on my back and rubs it gently.

"You want to go?"

"Yeah, I just...I thought this was what I wanted."

Maizie nods. "I think Ryan feels the same way." She looks away and takes a deep breath. "The two of you are going to kill me with your sadness. I suddenly feel like I'm drowning in it. I wish one of you would block me out."

"Is he...I mean, is he actually speaking to you?"

Her eyes lift to meet mine and I know that he is.

"What's he saying?"

"He loves you, he misses you, don't be mad." Her smile is sad and small. "It's like a mantra. I think he's hoping I'll tell you or you'll somehow just sense it."

I look back to him and put my hand back up on the barrier and give it a tentative push. I turn my head a little to the side and watch him while I ask Maizie, "What's wrong with him? Why does he look a little sick?"

Maizie doesn't say anything and when I turn to look at her, she's looking over at Ryan and I wonder what they're saying to each other. When she looks at me again, her expression is blank.

"I don't know what you mean. He looks fine to me," she says.

"You're lying to me. You're both lying to me." I look over at Ryan and let my rage show on my face. "Why are you lying to me?" I push my anger out of me, sending my emotions in his direction, hoping that he can at least catch a glimmer of my fury. "If anything happens to him because of me..."

I awake with a start, sweating. My heart is racing and I press a hand to my chest, willing it to slow down; my mark is burning, scorching me. I take several deep breaths and look around the cave.

Rocco is awake and he eyes me suspiciously. "Bad dream?"

Author's Note:

What's going on with Ryan? Should Hannah be worried about Rocco?