The Rebelero Brothers' Curse

Eight

I sat up screaming out of my sleep with tears flowing down my face. I knew I was screaming at the top of my lungs and I was probably waking up the whole palace, but I could not stop. I kept screaming hysterically and I felt like my body was on fire. Every sound that came from me ripped through me with such a violent force I thought I'd eventually pass out. The world around me was a haze and all I can see were glowing blue eyes everywhere. All I hear are the shrieks of Jessamine dying and I felt my gut throbbing.

Suddenly I felt delicate arms around me and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I fought against their hold on me completely losing my mind with fear.

"Shh shh...it's okay Luke. It was only a dream. It was just a dream, it's over now," Celeste's voice penetrated my hysteria. My screams quickly subsided as she came into focus and I realized that it indeed was just a dream. The real world came crashing back down the longer I stayed in her arms. I turned and held onto her for dear life. I was sobbing despite my efforts to calm down. I couldn't remember anything about the surreal world I was in anymore, but it still had the power to break me down. All memories of it disappeared though. I kept trying to pull back the details of the dream, but I simply couldn't. Darkness was all I could remember and screams. My screams. Loss, fear, and pain were what this dream left in its place. There was a hole in my chest and I felt empty in that moment.

"It's okay Luke," my aunt cooed as she held me. I took in a deep shuddering breath. I was drenched in sweat and I was shaking, but I was okay. It was only a dream... I took comfort in Celeste's arms. She was my anchor who was able to pull me back down from the elusive state I was in. She played the role of my mother often and I was glad I had her. I had nightmares all the time and I would have gone insane a long time ago if it weren't for her.

My nightmares were always bad, but it was seldom that they affected me to this magnitude. The aftermath of my dreams normally did not linger as much as this one had and I don't know why.

"Are you okay? " My aunt gently prodded as she stroked my hair.

" Yes... I'm all right, " I said quietly. "Thank you for coming to see me and I'm sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night again."

"It is all right. I have done it ever since you were a little boy. I do not mind doing it now, " she laughed softly and kissed my cheek.

I let out a wry laugh. "I am too old for this.

" Maybe, but you cannot help it."

I gently pulled away from her and got out of bed. "I know Celeste. Maybe one day I will finally grow out of it," I said with a deep sigh. I stood up and stretched. With my back to her I started to put on a loose fitted shirt that was sitting on the chest at the foot of my bed.

" What are you doing? You should go back to sleep." Celeste stood up and grabbed my arm just as I bent down to pick up my boots.

I did not look at her or even stop putting on my boots. "There's no way I'll be able to sleep again tonight. I'm going for a walk."

"Luke I'm not sure that's a great idea," Celeste said with worry.

" I will be fine mother. It's not like I haven't done this before and I know how to defend myself remember? "

" I know... Your right. At least ask David to accompany you. You know it is dangerous for you to be out alone at this time of night."

"I will be fine. There is no need to wake David. Besides overseers are on duty and I can always count on them to come to my aid." I stood up and kissed her cheeks. "I will be back before dawn."

She sighed heavily and nodded her head. "Be careful my son."

"I will. I promise I will be fine." I smiled at her before leaving.

I was quiet as I descended the never ending stairway. No one else was awake and as I have done often, I left a note in the kitchen. It was short and simple. "Left on a walk. Be back around dawn. Until then don't panic."

The note was not for my father or anyone else in my family. It was primarily for David. My father would care less if I disappeared for one morning. The only reason he would care is to make sure his precious image was not destroyed.

I sighed heavily as I sauntered outside. It is a muggy night and I have to say it is not pleasant at all. There was no moon tonight and the stars were hidden by the dense clouds. The air was still and thick making the night a little overbearing.

I walked across the cobblestone road along the empty markets. The courtyard was eerily barren. I could hear a drunken shout here and there from the tavern, but otherwise it was a quiet night.

My eyes found the overseers circling the rooftops of various buildings and I relaxed a little. Overseers are soldiers whose sole purpose is to protect our streets when night falls. Many waved at me as I passed by them, but no one spoke to me. I was alone with my thoughts.

It was hard to shake the feelings provoked by my nightmare, but I was more relaxed. The Liadka garden was my destination. It is a five minute walk west from the palace. The garden was on a small cliff by the ocean. It was my safe place I guess you can say. I went there often when I was a kid and when I was older it served as my escape. When I wasn't drinking, I was there. This is the place where my mother was last seen. I never knew until a few years ago, but it's no wonder I found comfort there.

I began hiking up the cliff to where the garden was when I heard someone or something stepping on a branch. I froze and slowly turned toward the sound. It came from the forest to my left not so far off from the path I was on.

"Wh-who's there?" I hated that I sounded weak, but I was still on edge.

I heard a rustle and this time it was followed by a growl. It was a deep gruff sort of growl that sent shivers down my spine. Glowing blue eyes appeared in the underbrush and the growling got louder. It was an animal. I couldn't tell what it was, but it was feral and I was in danger. I reached for my weapon, but I was stupid enough to leave it behind. Panic took hold of me and my heart was nearly bursting out of my chest.

I took a step back in fear as it growled again. It took a step forward and it crouched lower to the ground. Our eyes were locked on one another and I knew it would pounce. I panicked and retreated as fast as I could. I heard it run right after me and I knew there was no way I would out run this beast. I barely made it ten feet away when it pounced.

Pain shot through my body as claws raked down my back and the animal landed on me. I fell on my stomach, but I quickly flipped over so I could see the animal. I missed in pain as my shredded flesh touched the ground. My back was on fire but my adrenaline was coursing through my viens at an abnormal rate making me forget the pain and focus on surviving. I quckly swung my fist catching the wolf right across it's snapping jaw.

Something was happening to me. My vision was hazy and my body felt heavier. However, I did not feel weak; I felt powerful. I did not really recall what I did next. All I knew is I loved every minute of it. Within seconds I was drenched from head to toe in a warm liquid. I did not know what was going on, but suddenly I hit the ground. I faintly heard male voices shouting my name to stop. I faltered for a second and I was thrown. I smashed against a tree causing it to splinter.

I slipped to the ground completely rattled. I lifted my head with the impression that I was going to die-that I was still in danger. My vision was still blurred and I saw a figure slowly approaching me. I stood up wearily and swayed on my feet.

"Luke?" The voice was female and gentle. For some reason I smiled and suddenly my vision came back. I was looking at Jessamine. I just knew it was her. I reached out to touch her face and I froze at what I saw. My arm was covered in blood. I pulled back my hand to examine it in total shock, but I realized it was not just my hand. It was my entire body.

"Luke, are you okay?" Her voice was the last thing I heard before I blacked out completely.

Author's note

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C