Chapter IV:
"Hmm it seems my friend left something out after all." Johanna seethed. All the while turning back to the problem at hand.
Johanna focused her attention on the demon Agelieth, who was about to bargain with the King of Dreams for his helm, when all of sudden, he was banished back to the underworld.
"Do you realize what you have done?" spoke Morpheus
"I just tripled my fee. Let's go Mina. We have to talk." Jo looked absolutely pissed with you, but could you blame her.
Morpheus followed you both outside, but his attention was solely on you. You had saved him, and he never properly got to thank you. But it wasn't just that; the more he looked at you, the more he felt his heartbeat speed go faster.
He couldn't deny that you were intriguing to him, but he's had his fair share of lovers. He swore after his last failed attempt, to never allow anyone that close to him again.
However, Fate and Destiny were not on his side.
"So, I see you not only attract demons but handsome brooding men as well Jo? said Ric
"Before I even deem you with the answer that I am gay, he's not here for me." Jo looked at you, but you weren't even listening, to busy daydreaming about the man…no God before.
"Huh? We talking about my shrimp fried rice box? You chimed in.
"Lord, you act like you've never had food before Meme" smirked Ric.
"Technically, I haven't eaten today, so technically, you're right. I've never had food." You smiled
"Can we go eat now. I'm starving? PLEEEAASSEE, with sprinkles and a cherry on top?" You pleaded with Jo.
"Not yet fatass, we still have till deal with your brooding boyfriend over there."
"Hey! He's not my boyfriend." You yelled
"At least I don't think he would even be interested in me, I'm not like you Jo. I'm just a plain antisocial, neurodivergent, bookworm. Probably not even his type."
Jo speechless you would even say that spoke… "Mina, you think way to poorly of yourself. Any man or woman would be lucky to have you. Even Mr. Sourpuss over there."
You laughed at the nickname.
You couldn't deny, it was fitting.
"You said you had some business with me Morpheus. What do you want?" asked Jo walking towards the God.
"You purchased a pouch. I would like for you to return to me."
"That was yours? I couldn't get the bloody thing open. Don't even know where I put." Jo looked at you, you were looking out at the stars.
Morpheus noticed Constantine was looking at you and couldn't help himself to stare at the woman who saved him.
"I'll help you get your pouch back. Tomorrow"
"No."
"Yes. Also, other than Ms. Nightwalker over there and of course now your friend, I work alone."
"My friend?"
"Is that not your raven? My grandmother said the Sandman always had a raven."
"Not anymore." stunned Morpheus walked towards the raven and asked, "What is your name?"
"It's… it's Matthew. Sire."
Jo! Slow down for God's sake! I don't run away from demons every day like you." you gasped as Jo came running towards, grabbing your arm, and running away from the God of Dreams.
"Hey! Speedy Gonzales, I'm talking to you here!"
"Mina…where did you meet him?" Jo asked coming to a halt in the middle of a creepy alleyway.
Not sure, if you should tell her about your previous temp job, that Christian had told you about, you decided it would be best not to tell her the full truth.
"Well, I had saved him through my dreams."
"Saved him how." Jo demanded walking towards you.
"I told you Jo through my dreams; I had helped him be free again. He was being tormented and I thought it was a dream, so I freed him. I didn't realize it was real." Not exactly the truth but you didn't lie either.
"….Are you lying to me?"
"No. I'm not lying." Whew chile, you were lying your ass off, but you weren't sure if she would throw your body in the Thames or send you to the Hell, if she found out the truth, so lying it is.
"Fine. But if I found out you had a sexual encounter with King Sulker, I will personally…"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. You would send me in a body bag to hell. Got it but it wasn't that." You said blushing.
"Alright let's go home. I'm sure we both could use a drink."
"Aren't you a child of God? Drinking isn't allowed." You said cheekily
"Not tonight I'm not."
"I'm back" Matthew said
"Yes, after I told you to go back to the dreaming." scoffed Morpheus
"Well, see sir, Lucienne…"
"Lucienne is not your master, I am. I wish you would go back to the dreaming…where you're safe."
"But you need a Raven sir. I don't understand all the details right now, but I do know that I want to make sure you're safe. The dreaming cannot lose their king again…...annnnd his potential queen." squeaked Matthew
"I beg your pardon?"
"I…I…I said I know where to find Johanna Constantine and her female companion Mina. If their sleeping, which they should be by now, then it's easier to track them down."
"If they are dreaming, then I know exactly where to find them." spoke Morpheus as he delved into the dreams of Constantine.
"Whew, I almost got blown back to Jesus for that comment."
Unknowingly, two young women were about to experience the truth of power and the consequences of it falling in the wrong hands.
Even though, it wasn't intentional. They really just wanted peace and quiet after the day they had.
"AAAHHHHHHHHH!" a scream woke you from the other room. Running out with a lamp post ready to knock out the intruder, you paused when you hear a caw from the room.
Turning on the lights, you wanted to laugh at the sight before you.
"Am I interrupting something?" you asked with redden cheeks.
In the corner was the king of dreams watching you, but there was a raven pecking the head of your friend Jo.
"MEME! THIS DAMN BIRD WON"T STOP ATTACKING ME! HELP ME" screamed Jo as she threw a book at her own head.
"Well, I don't think the King of Dreams appreciates you attacking his raven, so you might want to stop." You said trying not to laugh as you put down the lamp post.
Matthew cawed and landed on your shoulder as if to say Exactly! Which made you laugh even harder.
"Who side are you on?" glared Jo
"Always your side my friend, but in this case, I rather not die by having a raven peck my head, so his side." you stated pointing at Morpheus.
"I believe I told you, my name." stated Morpheus to you.
"Uh… yeah you did, but I thought it impolite to call you by your name." You stuttered
"Why." demanded Morpheus as he stalked towards you
"To show my respect for you." You didn't move. You held your ground, while most would be intimidated and walk far away as possible.
But not you.
Morpheus stopped in front you. His piercing blue eyes holding your hazel ones.
He didn't see something, that every woman or man has ever had in their eyes before you, in your eyes.
Fear.
"Call me Morpheus. I do not deem it improper for you to call me by my name."
"Morpheus…it's a beautiful name indeed." The words slipping through your mouth as if you had no control.
For the first time, in centuries, Morpheus smiled.