Lightning

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I woke from a deep sleep at a little after three in the morning.  It was full dark outside, Tinkerbelle was breathing heavily at my feet and Cleo was curled up on the extra pillow, but the Fates had just sent me a dream message.  I rolled over and turned on the small lamp on the bedside table before pulling out the pad and pencil I kept on hand for just such occasions.  As with most dreams, this one would go forgotten if I allowed myself to fall back to sleep without writing it down.

I quickly scribbled on the pad:

Marcus will be at the large outdoor mall in Richmond today.  Make contact.

I placed the note on the table, turned off the light and rolled over.  The soft breathing of the animals snuggled in around me lulled me back into my dreams almost instantly.

Getting direct messages from the Fates was not a common occurrence for most of us.  Morgana had spent a few centuries with them, helping in any way they needed.  As payment, they had promised to give one of her future children the ability to receive their visions of pertinent future events.  When we were born together, I was chosen to receive this gift instead of Char.  She didn’t mind, because it meant she wouldn’t need to sleep.  That was probably why her new dog was curled up with me.  Char was probably sitting at her computer playing video games.  If I didn’t sleep, any messages would simply pass me by.  Luckily, they were always sent at about three in the morning, when the energies of the next day took over.  It was nice to know what time I needed to be asleep, the knowledge allowing me to miss a minimal number of important dreams.

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When I awoke the next morning, the sky was clear, the air was warm and I had totally forgotten about my dream.  I rolled over, away from the bright sunlight, and noticed the pad and pencil on my night stand.  I reached for it slowly, nervous about what my most recent dream message could mean for our assignment.  A wave of relief hit as I read the simple message I had left for myself.  I quickly stole my sister’s sight to find out where she was (sitting at her computer, of course) before yelling to her through the open doorways.

“Char!  Time to get dressed, we need to go to Richmond today!”

“Why?” she whined back at me.

“Shopping!”

“I don’t want to go shopping.  I told you I never wanted to go shopping again, like, yesterday!  Can’t you go by yourself?”

“No!  Marcus is going to be there,” I shouted back.  “I’ll let you drive as fast as you want!”  I knew she couldn’t resist the open stretch of highway leading to the capitol.

“Fine, but I’m driving your car.  I’ve been wanting to get it up to the speed it deserves to be driven at.”  I could almost feel a crackle of giddiness coming off her through the walls, but she would never admit to being giddy.

__________

We met up for breakfast an hour later in Lia’s dining room.  I was proud of my green sundress, the way it made my hair look even more red.  I frowned at Char when she walked in wearing jean shorts, a tight novelty t-shirt and sneakers.

“You’re not going to meet Marcus in that!”

“I’m not the one that wants to make an impression,” she replied, pouring herself a glass of juice.  “He’s going to be yours, after all.”

I didn’t argue, but I frowned at her as she settled into the seat across the table.

“And what’s the plan for today, darlings?” Floralia smiled as she entered the room with a tray of muffins and fruit.  “Looks as though Zin will be heading into town and Char into the woods, or perhaps a mud pit?  Are you tending to some of Amelia’s herd today, dear?”