Toying with Destiny

CHAPTER THREE

"You have me for another 23 hrs.  What now?"  

I was sure that Adairis would normally have remained quiet, but he couldn't stand not to be the center of attention.  He was going to have to get used to it if he spent any more time in Rapids' presence.  As gorgeous as Adairis was, he couldn't hold a candle to him.

"What now, indeed.  I need to find a way to get into the Kaf.  Go see if you can come up with any ideals, but remember you're on the clock.  If you goof off, instead of doing as I've said, our deal will be broken."   The second I finished speaking he was gone.

I headed to my bedroom.  I'd only gotten a few hours sleep and it seemed like a good ideal to rest while I could.  I had a feeling that I was in for a lot more sleepless nights, before this was over.  After undressing, and putting my knife under my pillow for easy reach, I climbed under the covers and closed my eyes.  I expected to drift off right away, instead I lay there with an image of Rapid playing across my mind.  I couldn't help but wander what those blue feathers might feel like caressing my skin.  Just the thought was enough to make me shiver with need.

Rolling over, and punching my pillow, I told myself to forget about him.  In fact, I should forget all about men, at least for awhile.  After taking several deep breathes, I felt myself begin to relax and drift off.

I knew I was dreaming when I opened my eyes and found myself in the forest.  I'd visited this place many times and it was as familiar to me as the feel of my knife in my hand.  Looking down, I saw that I was wearing a long white nightdress, very old-fashioned and not something I would ever choose to sleep in.  The dress swayed in the light breeze and tickled the top of my feet as it brushed them.  I began to follow the stone pathway, knowing that it would lead me to the light at the end.  

As I neared the light, I could make out a small clearing  surrounded my torches in a circular pattern.  At the center of this clearing was a small wooden table with two chairs.  The chair on the far side of the table was occupied.  It was this occupant that commanded my attention.  His white hair hung far past his shoulders and his beard and mustache hid most of his face from view.  His deep set dark blue eyes seemed to twinkle with mirth and his smile reflected the same emotion.  He was wearing a long-sleeved blue robe that touched the ground.  In his left hand, he held a wooden staff decorated with symbols I couldn't discern from even this short distance, though I doubted my ability to understand them even if they could be clearly seen.

I stood waiting until he gestured to the remaining chair with his right hand.  "Please take a seat, my dear.  There is no need for us to stand on formality here."  His voice was deep and pleasant and did not reflect his age in the least.

I bowed my head slightly, as a sign of respect, and then pulled out the chair he had gestured to and sat.  "I didn't expect to be back here so soon, sir.  These dreams usually come much further apart."  I made sure that my tone reflected my respect for this man.  Dream or no, insulting him in any way would be a dangerous move.

He gave a deep and regretful sigh before speaking.  "I hoped that you would have given up this quest by now.  As you know, your kind often seek me, but few are as persistent as you are proving to be."

"I have no choice.  I refuse to wait for insanity to find me, as it does all Sensetives in time."  I paused to meet his gaze.  "All save you.  You are the only one of us to remain sane and I need to know how you did it.  I will not end up like the others, and you are my only hope of avoiding their fate."

He reached across the table and placed his right hand atop my own.  "Some secrets are best left alone.  There is always a price to pay for such things, and sometimes the price is worse than the thing you seek to avoid.  I beg you to give up this quest.  Forget what you seek, and live the life you were given."