Marquette sat on the edge of her big, canopy bed, her legs dangling off the side. She was a goddess. How wild was that? A goddess who fought the greatest evil of all… That was even wilder. She had grown up on the myths of Egypt, but to actually be a myth herself, that was incredible. She grinned. She was the good girl, and the bad guy was the Atrox. And the good girl always won. In stories and movies, anyway.
She looked over at the picture of her parents. "Did you guys know you were raising a moon goddess?" She questioned the picture excitedly. A slight breeze washed over her face, a haze forming around her eyes.
She didn't think too much about the haze. She figured it was just exhaustion, from both school and from the things Serena and the others told her. Marq slipped under her comforter, curling up in her bed. Sleep came quickly to her, as it always did.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Around her, the sands blew slowly. The wind was calm, so she knew he was calm. Her footsteps echoed around her as she walked towards the rock. Their meeting place. As usual, he was there.
Her dream demon wasn't tall, maybe only an inch taller than herself. His black hair was pulled back and tied together with a leather strip. His black-over-gold eyes sparkled in the light, along with his tanned skin. Around his neck was an ankh, exactly identical to her own.
He stepped forward when he saw her. "I thought I would not be able to see you again."
"Why do you say that?"
"Something is coming between us, my shadow goddess."
"Why did you call me a goddess? Did you know about me being a Daughter of the Moon?" She inquired, angry that he would have kept something like that from her all these years.
"I did. But it does not matter now. I have to warn you of the Atrox's power," he said quickly, trying to wave off her anger.
She sucked in a breath. "You know of the Atrox?"
His hand caressed her cheek, pulling her forward. He held her against him, and her cheek rested against his cool skin.
"I know of the Atrox. I know how evil it is, and how well it works."
"How?" She asked him sharply. "How could you know that? Who are you?"
She lifted her head, staring up at him. He gave her a sad look. "I once fell to them. I wasn't always a demon, my goddess. I was once mortal, much like yourself. Please, listen to me, Marquette. I fear for you."
"What is there to fear? Please! Why do I dream of you?!"
"Your ankh. My ankh. It was placed there for you. Your mother, Selene, is not the only one who watches out for you. The dead are always there. They will help if you desire it so."
She trembled against him. "You said some force is pulling us apart. Who? Why?"
"They know of me and are angry. They wish me back, but my lord will not allow that. He is watching." He paused, then continued. "I do not know if I will return to your dreams."
"The Atrox wants you. But why? You can't leave me, too! Don't leave me alone!!"
He placed his hand under her chin and lifted her head, taking note of the unshed tears glistening in her eyes. He brought his face to hers, hovering so close, yet so far. His lips grazed hers in a soft, brief kiss.
xXxXxXxXxXx
The alarm next to Marquette went off, and she screamed, her voice strangled in her throat as a half cry.