Part 31 (1/2)
I stood awkwardly and looked toward the hallway. ”Where are we staying?”
Rebecca stood up. ”I'll show you.”
I followed her to a room at the end of the hall, where a single mattress was made up under a full skylight. I brushed past her into the room. She leaned in and gave me a peck on the cheek. ”We'll figure this out, Dad, I'm not worried.”
”Well, that makes one of us.” I gave her a weak smile.
”Goodnight,” she said, then gently closed the door. Immediately it opened back up. ”Oh, Mom and I picked up a few things for you, a robe and some other stuff. They're in the bag.” She pointed.
I reached down and pulled out the robe. ”Thanks, honey. Tell Mom thanks too.”
”I will, g'night.” She closed the door.
My eyes fell on the bed, and a heaviness pressed in on my heart. There was no peace here, only a fearful antic.i.p.ation. If it was true-- if Vrin was was a real place-- would I remember? Would I sense myself going past my dreams into that mysterious world beyond? My heart quickened at the thought. a real place-- would I remember? Would I sense myself going past my dreams into that mysterious world beyond? My heart quickened at the thought.
Slowly I began to undress. Maybe I'm just dreaming this whole nightmare, I thought. Maybe at any moment I'll wake up in the hotel in New York and be heading off on our vacation. Maybe there's no such thing as Vrin, or Doctor Solomon, or Nan, or Haz...” As I removed my pants, a b.u.t.ton fell from my pocket and rolled across the floor. It was the one Hazel had placed in my hand.
I let out a long sigh.
For a moment, I stood and thought about trying to stay awake, but quickly dismissed the idea, and climbed in under the sheet. My head pressed heavily into the pillow. My eyes burned in their sockets. I stared at the ceiling fan, dreading the thought of falling asleep, yet knowing there would be no stopping it. My body was beyond exhaustion, my head was already slipping into the warm dark. I rolled over onto my side.
Oh, well, I thought, here we go, back to the magical magical realm realm of of Vrin-- Vrin-- to save it from an evil mastermind. to save it from an evil mastermind.
CHAPTER 28.
THE MAGIC.
001001011001110.
”Wake up!”
The voice seemed distant.
”Wake UP!” UP!”
The pain in my head was excruciating. The rope on my wrists scratched and burned. I opened my eyes a slit.
”Is he awake?” came another voice.
”Arganis?” I asked dryly. ”Is that you?”
The lumbering shadow before me moved aside, revealing Arganis in the flickering light of the lantern.
” I do not know you, yet you call me by name?”
”We have met before.”
”We have not. I would remember such a meeting.” His voice was not as friendly as I remembered it. ”--The signet on your collar tells me you are from the ruling house. Are you a spy?”
”No. I have come to seek your help.”
He laughed. ”My ”My help? What could Daru possibly want from me, a humble peasant?” help? What could Daru possibly want from me, a humble peasant?”
Though painful, I forced my eyes open. From my position on the floor, I counted five, maybe six figures.
”Arganis, I need to speak with you, alone.”
He crouched down before me. ”You may speak freely.”
”I can't. It would put my life at risk.”
”If you do not not speak, speak, that that will put your life at risk!” will put your life at risk!”
”Look, Arganis, I'm not a spy. I am a friend of Sajin's.
”Sajin made no mention of you.”
”Listen. He and and Sam' Dejal sent me here with a private message.” Sam' Dejal sent me here with a private message.”
He gave me an examining stare. ”How can I trust you?”
”Do you remember your conversation with Sam' Dejal?”
He squinted at me. ”--Yes.”
”Do you remember how he told you about the G.o.ds dreaming a dream, and how you pondered the meaning of this world.”
”Yes, of course I remember.” There was curiosity in his voice.
”Arganis. The dreamer dreamer has awakened.” has awakened.”
His brows knitted. ”Leave us,” he stated. The room quickly emptied, and soon we were alone. ”What is it you wish to tell me?”
I rolled over and sat up with a grunt. My head reeled. ”Did you-- hear the voice of Gaza in the sky?”
”Yes.”
”I am the one he is looking for.” am the one he is looking for.”
”You are Charm?” are Charm?”
”Yes.”
He looked me over closely. ”Why are you here? And how do you know me?” me?”
”I'm here because I need to learn the magic of The Circle of Ghosts.”