Dream Warriors - Ryder Part 6

She s.n.a.t.c.hed back her hand. He sat as well, confusion finally registering on his features. "I'm solid."

"Not a morning person, I take it?"

"This has never happened before. If I concentrate great bursts of energy, I can force myself to materialize. Why am I solid?"

They were both fully dressed. Sheri crawled off the bed. An undeniable twinge of disappointment a.s.sailed her. None of it had been real. The tenderness, the pleasure, the intimacies they'd shared had all been a vivid dream.

"This is bizarre." Ryder kept poking himself as if he expected the effect to wear off.

"Last night happened for a reason. Is Chaos all right? They wanted you distracted."

"Mission accomplished." He rolled off his side of the bed and stood. "Chaos is downstairs, awake and irritable."

"That sounds about right." She picked up the phone and punched in the number of the Carroll Foundation. "I'm going to call in sick again. There are a few too many spirits in my house right now to leave you guys unattended." She left a quick message for her boss, then returned the phone to the nightstand.

Ryder blinked out for a moment, then reappeared, his brow furrowed, his lips compressed. "I still have access to the Dream Realm, yet I am solid." He moved about the room, touching the furniture.

"Should you go talk to Morpheus or something?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" He pulled her into his arms with a lazy smile.

"If we didn't have a houseguest, I'd suggest we explore your newfound solidity."

Cupping her cheek with his palm, he stroked her lips with his thumb, his gaze suddenly serious. "I need to understand how it began. Do you remember what happened before you called out to me?"

She remained in his embrace, but lowered her gaze to his chest. "I was lying on the bed, wondering what I'd done to deserve you."

"It doesn't sound complimentary when you say it like that."

"Then I sensed ... or rather, I no longer sensed ... It's really hard to explain." She looked up into his eyes. "I felt as if something was leeching the heat from my body. I couldn't lie still, but I could hardly move. Then right before I woke up in the tent ..." She chuckled. "The terminology gets tricky when dreams are as real as reality."

"You were forced into the Dream Realm, compelled there by the incubus."

"No. That's what I was about to say. I sensed someone, or something, else. Right before I left the Waking Realm, I felt a being of incredible power. It was the second ent.i.ty that slammed me into the Dream Realm."

He tucked her hair behind her ear, his expression thoughtful. "That explains a lot. When we found your friend Meagan, even Morpheus couldn't explain what had happened to her. She was under the influence of the incubus, but it was as if an outside force had imprisoned her with him. We know the succubus is stronger, but she can't access any female's subconscious. She must --"

"It's impossible for a succubus to control any female?"

"Yes. A succubus only has influence over males."

"Then why in creation didn't Morpheus send a female after the succubus?"

"All Dream Warriors are male."

She stepped away from him, too restless to stand still. "It sounds like she zapped me into the Dream Realm so her brother could ... create a diversion. Did Chaos sleep at all last night?"

"I would have sensed it if he'd entered the Dream Realm."

"Can she attack him while he's awake?"

"She never has before." He paused, his gaze focused beyond her for a moment. "Chaos is fine. He's in a foul mood, but he is unharmed."

"Okay, let's think this through. If she is powerless against females, then a female is going to have to kick her a.s.s."

He chuckled. "Are you volunteering for the job?"

"I'm not a Jujitsu master like my cousin, but Dora has taught me a trick or two. Besides, you are certainly not limited within the female subconscious."

He said nothing for a long while. "You have no idea what you're suggesting."

"Can you make me fall asleep and stay asleep? We can trap her within my subconscious, then take my body to --"

"I cannot risk your safety. It's my a.s.signment to --"

"You know it makes perfect sense." She slipped her hands into her back pockets, anxiously tapping her foot. "But what do we do with her once she's trapped?"

"Morpheus is the Dream Master. All dream spirits are subject to his will."

"So, you bring her to me, and I'll keep her busy while you go get Morpheus."

He crossed his arms over his chest, his features settling into a fierce scowl. "I could only bring her into your illusion if she were already in the Dream Realm."

"Chaos." She offered without hesitation. "Put me to sleep first, then wait for her in the Dream Realm with Chaos. Or will she sense you and stay away?"

"She will only sense what I allow her to sense."

"Can you make me fall asleep or not?"

"I can, but I'm not convinced this is the only way."

"Well, let's go check on Grumpy while you figure out a plan you like better."

Ryder followed her downstairs and into the kitchen. They found Chaos rummaging through the cupboards, mumbling under his breath.

"Can I help you find something?"

"I am memorizing the contents of these compartments." He turned to face her. Distinct purple shadows surrounded his eyes. He looked haggard, exhausted.

She looked at Ryder. Had her uninvited houseguest lost his mind? "Is there some reason you need the items committed to memory?"

"I must keep my mind occupied. I cannot fall asleep."

Despite all Chaos had confessed, pity surged through Sheri. Meagan had possessed the same haunted expression when she explained what the incubus had done. "Delilah was here last night?"

"Yes."

"I never sensed you enter the Dream Realm." Ryder moved up beside Sheri.

"She came to me while I was awake. She is more powerful than you can imagine, more wicked than I ever guessed. How can we combat her --"

"What did she say to you?" Sheri resisted the urge to touch him, comfort him. He didn't deserve her compa.s.sion, but she pitied him all the same.

"She wants me to kill Persephone."

"Your mother?"

"Persephone is my father's wife; she is not my mother."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" She shooed him to one side so she could make coffee. "And I thought the modern American family structure was convoluted. Why does Delilah want Persephone dead?"

"Because Hades loves her." Ryder provided the answer.

She paused. "Delilah and Hades were lovers?" Shooting Chaos a sidelong glower, she gave a little shudder. "You slept with your father's mistress?" She didn't need to hear the answer. Tension vibrated through the room. "But Hades sealed Delilah in the pit, not Persephone?"

"At one time, Father knew the true name of the succubus. He commanded her to the pit, sealed her inside, and had Athena erase the name from his memory."

Turning back to the grinder, she scooped in fresh coffee beans. "If he could control her, why give up the power? I still don't understand." Chaos watched her closely, apparently fascinated by the kitchen gadgets.

"The succubus is a vile addiction. To have such a creature at your command is too great a temptation for any man."

"A direct quote from your father?"

Chaos nodded.

The doorbell interrupted the conversation. Sheri walked into the living room and peeked out between the curtains. Her cousin Dora Gunther stood on the front porch.

"What is she doing here?"

"Who is it?" Ryder had the good sense to speak softly as he crept up beside her.

"My cousin Dora. The one I mentioned upstairs." She eased the curtain back into place.

"I take it you weren't expecting her?"

"How did she know I was here?" The telephone rang. Sheri took another peek. "She has a cell phone. If I don't answer, she'll kick in the door."

Chaos stood in the archway between the kitchen and the living room, watching the drama unfold. "Does your cousin often have such violent tendencies?"

"She's a certified Jujitsu master on a crusade to protect womankind."

Sheri reached past him and lifted the phone off the wall. "h.e.l.lo." She made her voice sound m.u.f.fled and groggy.

"Hi, Sher. Sorry to wake you. I was just going to stash your supplements in the screen door, but I saw your car in the driveway. Is everything okay?"

"I've got one of my headaches."

"And I've got an herb tea that's better than any poison your doctor will shove down your throat. Come open the door, and I'll have you ready for work in an hour."

Sheri chuckled, then groaned for effect. "I get paid for sick days. I'm in no hurry."

"Well, you don't have to go to work, but don't suffer all day with a migraine. This stuff really works. Now open the door, or I'll crawl in through the window. It's not locked, by the way. Very careless of you."

"Give me a minute." She hung up the phone. "You guys have both got to stay out of sight."

"Are you sure that's your cousin?"

She glared at Chaos. They didn't have time for his obstinacy. "Why do you ask?"

"The succubus can a.s.sume the shape of others."

"And she has a cell phone and knows my number? That's Dora, trust me."

"Chaos, go upstairs and stay there. I'll scan the female and join you as soon as I'm sure she is mortal."

"This is ridiculous. She is --" The doorbell rang four times in rapid succession. "Fine! Chaos, upstairs. Ryder, behave."

Delilah watched the prince of the Underworld scramble up the stairs at the command of a mortal woman. Oh, how the mighty had fallen! Ryder lounged against the archway where Chaos had been moments before. His golden hair glinted in the sunlight, accenting his dark gaze. She would have to attack quickly. The Dream Warrior wouldn't give her a second chance.

The mortal frantically mussed her hair and rid herself of her shoes, untucking her tee s.h.i.+rt as she crossed to the front door.

"That doorbell isn't helping my headache."

A blonde woman about the same age as the other marched into the room. She had pulled her thick hair straight back from her face and secured it at the nape of her neck. The no-nonsense style perfectly matched her militant posture. Back ramrod straight, shoulders squared, she walked with a precise economy of movement.

"Here are your supplements." She handed the brunette a small parcel. "Have they helped with your energy level? Are you sleeping more restfully?"

Delilah wanted to laugh. The previous night had been anything but restful; Zared had seen to that.

"I'd actually been fairly impressed until I got this spectacular headache."

"Well, I've got the ..." The blonde spotted Ryder and came skidding to a halt. Delilah looked at him again. He was handsome enough, if one liked that sort of thing. He was just too golden for Delilah.

"Ryder." He extended his hand. What was he thinking? The blonde shook his hand, and Delilah smothered a gasp. He could manifest at will; not just create an image, but actually solidify. Trepidation tightened her chest. She was the most powerful dream spirit. This simply couldn't be true.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Dora. Where has Sheri been hiding you?"

The blonde smiled, and Delilah narrowed her gaze. That smile, those bright blue eyes. Why hadn't she noticed the resemblance before?

A warning pulsed within her mind. Chaos was struggling to stay awake, but she could feel his fatigue taking over. She needed to prepare for the attack. d.a.m.n it! Why did everything have to be so complicated?

Zared, listen carefully. You must follow this blonde woman. Do not lose contact with her, regardless of the cost. I will send you instructions as soon as I'm able. Follow her, until you hear from me.

I understand.

You cannot fail me on this. Should Chaos manage to escape me, this woman is the key.