The Keeper of Time

I didn’t receive a reply, so I opened my eyes. Eric was no longer looking at me, and his smile had vanished. He had lifted his gaze to the sky, and I followed suit. My breath caught in my throat as I watched a thundercloud gather on the horizon and speed toward us like an oncoming train.

Eric’s hand slipped off mine as he stood and took a few steps forward. His back was to me now, but his words reached me like a knife in the heart. “Something’s coming.”

My pulse quickened as I scrambled to my feet. “What is it? What’s-” The moment the word came out of my mouth the scene changed.

The shadows of the clouds sped across the ground like an unstoppable blob and swallowed everything in its path. The darkness reached us and plunged us into a chilly air that reminded me of the cold anguish that the clung to graveyards. A harsh, freezing wind followed the shadows and swept over us, bringing with it dead leaves and promises of winter.

I shut my eyes against the debris, and when I opened them I found Eric had vanished. Panic overtook me as I took a step forward. “Eric? Eric!” Each time I spoke my voice sounded more desperate, more frightened. “ERIC!”

He will not come.

The voice came from behind me, and yet at the same time from everywhere around me. I spun around to find myself staring at the tall figure of Vanar. His yellow eyes stared up at the dark sky, and I detected a tension in his voice that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I took a step toward the imposing shadow, feeling some solace in his presence. “Vanar, what’s happening?”

Those keen eyes examined the black skies as the clouds tumbled over each other. Echoes of thunder rumbled in the distance. Something is being hunted. There is the scent of fear in the air.

My word came out in a squeak. “Me?”

He shook his head. Not you. Another has come.

I blinked at him. “What’s coming-” I froze as the darkness behind him began to swirl about the edge of the woods.

The shadows mingled with what little light remained in my gray world and took upon themselves a soft blue color, like the sky after a gentle rain. The blue formed itself into a beautiful woman, so lithe of figure that she moved with the grace of a dancer. She wore a silken dress with many folds that nearly reached to the ground, and the long hooped sleeves draped over her slender arms. Her long white hair cascaded over her shoulders and brushed against her waist.

The woman’s gray eyes were the color of starlight on a misty night, and they had a look that warned me that no lies could be told to her that she wouldn’t know the truth.

Vanar turned around and those sharp yellow eyes softened just slightly. My mouth almost hit the ground as he crossed one arm over his chest and swept into a low bow. My lady.

A faint smile slipped onto her lips, and her voice rang out as Vanar’s, more in my mind than in my ears. It has been a long time, Kismet.

He lifted his eyes to her, and they showed worry. What has brought you here to the dreams of my Fang?

Those haunting gray eyes settled on me, and I felt as though I was falling into a strangely soothing abyss. I come to she who stands on the precipice of time and eternity in order to beg for her help, and yours.

Vanar frowned. What could vex one such as you?

Her face filled with sorrow and she closed her eyes. My child who was lost to me has been rediscovered, and I fear that if released his powers will be used to destroy the tapestry of music.

There was a flash of anger in Vanar’s eyes that I’d never seen before. Who has found him?

The woman opened her eyes and stretched out her palm to us. A small piece of parchment lay in her hand. This is all the help I can give to you. She blew a soft breath and the slip of paper floated over to us.

Vanar caught the paper between two clawed fingers and unfolded the note. His eyes narrowed before he closed his claws around the note and looked up at the pleading woman. You and I both know what this entails.

She nodded. I do, but I beg you, find my child and release him from his captivity. Even as she spoke the words her form began to fade, as did the rest of the dream around us. It was like a dark curtain was descending on the world as her words echoed in the darkness. For my sake, save my son.

My eyes flew open. A gasp escaped me as I shot up in bed. My trembling body was covered in cold sweat, and my heart beat loudly against my chest as I swept my eyes over the room. The walls were bare and boxes were stacked against the wall opposite the bed. Moving day was almost here.

What wasn’t here was that strange woman and her sorrowful words. I pressed my hand against my chest to sooth my heart and smiled. It was all just a dream.

It was not a dream.

I whipped my head toward the wall to the left of my bed. Vanar’s shadow loomed up the wall and his piercing yellow eyes frowned back at me. And we now have much more to do to stop the destruction of the world.