Dreamscape
"The path to Britannia…" The Naiad's previous words echoed.
The dream felt different as Vicki Nelson found herself standing on Etobicoke Creek Trail near Britannia Road. The flat, uninspiring area reminded her of the description Henry provided. It wasn't what she would expect for a temple or shrine to a divine being.
Nicholas appeared next to her. "It was gorgeous woodlands once. That power is still here."
Somehow she knew it was him and not simply part of her dream. "Why are we here?"
"To finish this."
The angel book vision came to mind. "How?" Vicki refused to sacrifice Thalia.
"You could not harm her if you wanted to."
"You can read my mind."
Nicholas laughed. "I am in your head."
Vicki waited as they walked down the path toward the artesian well. "Why did you come to Toronto?"
"For Thalia."
"You love her."
Nicholas stopped as land around them shifted to an old forest and the Trail became a footpath. "I revere her." There was something in his tone. "She promised me a world where I could walk in sunlight and someone to walk with."
Vicki wondered what that meant as the trees opened up and a stone altar formed around the well. "Why can't Thalia save the Naiad from Astaroth?"
"She can."
"What am I needed for?" Something told Vicki she wouldn't like the answer.
"A powerful sacrifice." Nicholas waved his hand and a Tiger's Eye sphere, similar to the scrying stone, rose from the altar. "Astaroth needed an anchor to enter the mortal realm. Someone with personal strength and conviction. That kind of person would never summon a demon."
It took a moment to realize what Nicholas meant. "You tricked Astaroth into making himself vulnerable."
"Resisting power is not in his nature."
How much of this did you cause? "Why does Thalia need his power?" A breeze rustled the trees as Vicki resisted.
"To return to this realm. She will bring a Renaissance." The sphere glowed like a small sun. "Why do you question this?" Nicholas sounded confused. "Why would you give evil more consideration than your own life energy?"
The wind increased. "Using dark magic to save Henry made Coreen a target." Vicki was forced to her knees.
"Thalia will heal your friend as she healed you."
"What about the rest of the world?"
"Will be better off without Astaroth."
Vicki closed her eyes as the wind battered her.
"Mitera." Thalia's Greek suddenly translated. "You know me, mother. Let me live."
Tears slid down Vicki's face. "Promise me no one else will die for you."
"I promise."
As quickly as she made the decision, the wind changed. The image of the priest Astaroth possessed appeared in her mind. He looked shocked a moment. Then screamed as his stolen body dropped. A dark, disgusting mass of energy passed through her and was driven by the wind toward the sphere. Tendrils of light reached out and grabbed Astaroth.
The dream shook as the demon fought against the wind. Angry growls and foul words she didn't need translated to understand vibrated around Vicki. Finally tangled beyond escape, Astaroth was dragged into the artesian well. And everything went still and quiet.
A beam of sunlight burst upward from the well. Then it shifted. Thalia formed as the light disappeared. She stepped down from the well and walked over. Then sat next to Vicki. Thalia looked the same as the woman that was born at the restaurant but her body language was very different.
Vicki looked at the woman that was in a way her child. "Nicholas can't have Coreen."
Thalia ran a hand over Vicki's head as she spoke. Amused, she said, "He wants Colin not Coreen…"
Vicki's New Apartment
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Vicki woke and sat up in bed. She felt different. The emptiness after Thalia left her in the restaurant was gone. But it was more than that. She felt stronger.
Coreen stepped out of the bathroom and looked relieved. "Hey."
"How long did I sleep?" Vicki looked at the curtained window.
"All day." Coreen crossed the room. "The news has been crazy."
What did I cause? Vicki wondered. "Why?"
"Olivia Brown and Joshua Thompson were arrested for Sophie Lewis' murder. The priest…" Coreen looked sick saying it indicating the one previously possessed by Astaroth, "And his entire congregation have been quarantined. Someone blew up Asylum Cemetery." She sat on the edge of the bed.
"There was nothing there to destroy."
"Methane built up in the catacombs. Like a sewer explosion."
Vicki shook her head. "What about the cemetery thefts?"
"All returned to the Necropolis. No one knows how. But they can't explain how it was stolen."
Thalia was making things right, Vicki hoped. "Anything from Mike?"
"You can ask him. He's here." Coreen quickly explained, "Until Henry's awake."
"The department?"
"Someone leaked to the media that the extremists at the restaurant had help from the police. There's a social media petition calling for an investigation." She looked unsure of how to say something.
"What?"
Coreen hesitated. "Medical records. Supposedly yours. Were leaked. Reporters are asking if the department created a fraudulent eye diagnosis to force you out."
As good as it sounded, Vicki knew it came at a price. "Anything strange involving Etobicoke Creek?"