Dream Phantom

Chapter Twenty-Five

Asibikaashi faded In and out in front of Dani, her blonde hair waving around like Medusa's snakes. Her white beaded gown floated behind her as she came closer.

"Asibikaashi?" Dani repeated, the word sounding foreign and slightly mispronounced on her lips.

"Have you not heard of me?" Asibikaashi asked, her delicate brows furrowing at the center of her forehead. "I am a goddess."

Dani shook her head, "I don't believe in goddesses. Just God."

The corner of Asibikaashi's mouth twisted upward in disbelief. She touched the wolf that was embroidered on her dress and its eyes began to glow. Dani gasped and Asibikaashi tilted her head to one side, "Does he seem familiar?"

"Yes," the word came out as a croak. "In my dreams."

"He was sent by me."

"Why?"

"Because you have something that belongs to me," she answered. She was close enough to reach out and touch her.

Dani shivered when Asibikaashi's hand gently touched the side of her head. It felt as though she were being stabbed with a sharp weapon made of ice.

"It has been so long since I've been able to touch anyone. The warmth of your life force is almost intoxicating," the goddess whispered. "I can see why Ozar continues to disobey me."

"Ozar?" Dani stepped back and out of Asibikaashi's reach. "Who is Ozar?"

"You don't know?"

"No. Why do you seem surprised by this?"

Asibikaashi giggled, "He's the reason you have your nightmares. Nightmares that belong to me."

"I-I don't understand what you mean."

"When I or one of my phantoms touches a human, we transfer some of our powers to that human. It is why we avoid human contact at all costs. Once we've touched a human, we must kill them to stop the transferring of our powers."

"You kill people?"

Asibikaashi shook her head," It is a sin to kill humans. I am not allowed to do so or I shall be punished. Your lexicon doesn't my presence and it is not up to me to do so. Just know that to kill you is not allowed. It is possible but frowned upon."

Dani felt her body relax and she realized her dream had changed settings.

"Do not be frightened," Asibikaashi said. "I have the power to manipulate dreams. We don't have much time. It's almost time for you to awaken but I must ask for your help."

"A goddess needs my help?" Dani asked sarcastically. "How do I know this isn't a weird dream?"

Asibikaashi grabbed Dani's hand and squeezed it. Dani yelped in pain and snatched her hand back, holding it to her chest, "What are you doing?"

"Giving you proof. I need you to find Ozar. You must kill him."

"Kill who?"

A shaft of light began to clear out the darkness and Asibikaashi began to fade away.

"Kill who?" Dani repeated.

"Ozar. He is a dream phantom. If you do not kill him, he will kill you first."

As Asibikaashi continued to fade away, Dai shouted, "How do I find him? Wait! Don't go! Tell me how to find him!"

Dani awoke screaming. She felt someone's arms around her and didn't stop shouting until she realized it was her husband who was holding her.

"What the hell did you dream, Panda Eyes?" he asked, clasping her shoulders. He kissed her forehead and asked, "Are you okay?"

Dani was shaking, "N-no. Yes. I-I don't know. This has never happened before."

"What happened? Tell me."

"There was a woman in my dream. She called herself Asibikaashi and she wanted me to kill someone."

"I'm sorry," Jax whispered. "I wish I could take away your nightmares."

"It's not your fault, Jax. I'm sorry you got a crazy wife when you married me."

"You're not crazy and don't ever say that again. You're smart, brave, and beautiful. You're the woman I love more than anyone else in the world. So what if you have nightmares anytime you touch someone?"

A tear trickled down Dani's cheek, "Why are you always so sweet to me?"

Jax grinned, "The same reason I'm so sexy. It comes naturally to me."

Dani gave an involuntary chuckle and flinched when she heard Jax curse. He was holding her hand- the one Asibikaashi squeezed, "What is it, Jax?"

Engraved on her hand, just like the murder victims on the case Jax was working, was a perfect circle.