Disclaimer: I do not own The Riddles of Epsilon.
Special Thanks to: Haldir Freak1 (Even though you let me know the last chapter wasn't long enough to get more than a 'hmm') and Colleen (Review of Chapter 8- Well, I have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen, and I think you will understand in the next few chapters with this new character. All of the other reviewers pretty much said he was too old, and since that's what I was thinking in the first place, I'm going to stick to him being her protector. Thank you for the review!) and Colleen (again ; ) Thank you very much. If you're reading this, the next chapter has arrived! : D )
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As soon as Jess had answered, she regretted it. A strange power came over her, making her feel like she was about to do something terrible. Please, a voice whispered in her mind. Do not betray me. She didn't have to work hard to place the voice. Matthias.
"Well?" James asked pleasantly, taking a seat at the small table.
"Well… Um… It's really… I've been having them for a while now." Saying the words had two effects. One side of her still felt the heaviness, as if she was breaking the trust of Matthias, while the other side felt completely relieved to finally be telling someone besides Epsilon. Someone normal. Someone human. A friend.
"Yah? What are they about?" James asked, leaning forward, trying to hide the eagerness. He felt his heart beat a small bit faster.
"They're about this- this guy." Jess blushed.
"Oh?" A feeling of dread was spreading in his stomach. His orders were to find out about her dreams. He hadn't known they would be the dreams. They couldn't be the dreams. Not Matthias.
"He's singing this song…" Jess noticed how quickly James paled at those words. "Uh, are you alright? You look…"
"I- I'm fine. This song. What are the words? Do you remember it? Could you sing a little?" James didn't really want to hear it, but he had to be certain.
"I guess. Um, it went… Sleep now, lovely one; so I can see your face; it's been too long; since I've seen your grace; you enchant; my heart with your smile; dream of me, sweet one; stay for a while. Trust in me, my…"
"Stop," James whispered, voice slightly hoarse.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Jess asked, trying to understand his behavior.
"I'm fine." Then he captured her eyes again, his own lighting up with the unnatural shimmer. "We should get you home."
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Jess woke up in her bed, not remembering how she had gotten there, and not knowing why she thought she ever left it. She vaguely remembered a conversation with James, but that must have been another dream. Or maybe she went out with him and fell asleep. That had been happening a lot lately. Her mind was still too fuzzy to really think things through. Maybe I should just go back to sleep. And that she did.
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James wandered for quite some time after dropping Jess back at her home. No one saw him go in, no one saw him leave. Jess wouldn't remember any details big enough to give her any idea what she had told him at the cottage. Finally, he found the perfect place. Ruins. It was the one place Epsilon wouldn't bother him. He had some business to attend to. When he reached the center of the wreckage, he settled himself, sitting cross-legged, and closed his eyes. Then he started to sing. His voice was haunting and beautiful… and bitter.
"Come now, dear one
So I can see your face
It's been so long
Since I've used your ways
You enchant
Their hearts with your smile
Show yourself, dear one
It's been a while.
Trust in me, my elder
For I call on you
Remember me always
You took me down with you
You have been judged
By a stone-hearted court
You're not alone, dear one
Alone no more.
In dreams you are free
In dreams you shall stay
Where everyone you harmed
Has locked you away
You once betrayed me
That is your doom
I'll soon be free, dear one
Your end shall be soon."
James knew better than to think he had opened his eyes. He knew he was now in a world not his own. He was in the world of banished dreams. He was in the world of Matthias. "Come out and play, dear one. I know you're there." His voice was quiet and full of venom.
"What sort of greeting is that? Do I not even deserve a 'hello' out of you?"
James turned to face the speaker. "Still the same. Tell me, what have you been up to, brother?"