Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Her mentor, the witch, Hortence, had given her potion after potion to relieve the restless nights of dream after unsettling dream.  None had helped.  So, the night sweats and visions continued like premonitions from a horror play.

Her hands came down, punching the quilt on either side of her thighs in an act of frustration.

Immediately, Ty’s arm came around her.  Her lover, Tyler Loflin, wrapped her close.

“Easy, Sonja!  Baby, I’m right here.”

His strength – so solid and dependable along with his words – so warm and gentle enveloped her.  Nothing could penetrate his protection, nothing, she mused.  Sonja wrapped her arms around his solid strength, languishing in his hold.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes… the dream…I had it again.”  Seeking the crook of his neck as a haven, Sonja released a shaky breath.  Ty’s heart beat in solid, rhythmic cadence.  His long, dark hair skimmed her cheek in a soft caress.

“Here, now, let me hold you.  You can tell me what happened.”  With big, bronzed hands, he adjusted the covers, arranging a nest of sorts for her comfort.  “Shamans say it makes a bad dream better when you talk about the fool thing.”  Ty punched up the pillows.  Easing her back, he made sure she was comfortable before joining her against the cool cotton.  In a gesture as old as time, he reached out, brushing her curls back from her face.  “Now, that’s better?”

She let out a slow breath.  It was worth a try.  Nodding, she frowned, trying to recall the details.

“It’s the same one I keep having.  We are fighting the vampires.  There are so many!”  Her voice cracked with the last words.  She swallowed hard.  The tears couldn’t break free.

“I got you, Nymph.  You’re safe.  Nothing will hurt you, now.  Keep going.”

Sonja sniffed before sending him a trembling smile.  She loved it when he used the pet name he’d given her right after they’d met over three months before.  “All right.”  Shoving at her hair, she tried again.  “This time, the bloodsuckers are everywhere.  They’re coming out of the woodwork, Ty.”  She glanced at him, the fingers of unease showing again.  “There’s so many, I don’t think we will stop them.”

He patted her back gentle like, rocking her slightly in his hold.  “Just a dream, it’s okay, I got you.”

“We’re separated.”  She slid her hand between their bodies, wiping at the tears.  “I can’t see you, yet I hear you.  You’re swarmed by vampires.”

Panic clawed at her chest.  She clutched at her breast, the pressure there cutting off her air.  On a strangled cry, Sonja shoved away.  Suddenly, his comfort had turned into a vice-like sensation.  “I…I can’t breathe, Ty!”

He released her, rolling from the bed, before, reaching for her to follow.  Sonja went immediately into his hold.  “Watch me, Nymph – breathe,” he commanded.  “Breathe…that’s it.  Now again…deep.  Let it out slow.  That’s a girl.”  He raised her arms up over her head, standing with her until her chest eased its rapid constriction.  With his big hand, Ty gently rubbed between her breasts.  “Feel better?”

She nodded.  Soon, the feeling of security his hold invoked returned.  The anxiety attack eased.  Threading her arms around him, she smiled when his sturdy embrace encircled her once more.

“I’ll speak to Hortence again about the damn nightmares.  There has to be a better way to handle them.”

“Do you suppose they’re more than figments of my imagination?”  A frown crossed her brow.  Was it possible for someone or something else to hold control over her nightmares?  “Like a vampire spell or perhaps black magic?”  She leaned back in his hold, gazing steadily into his eyes.  “We may not be considering all the possibilities, Ty.”

“It’s not off to consider the vampires have powers too – maybe even access to magic.”  Ty shook his head before resting his brow against hers.  “We know so little about these damn creatures of the night.  It frustrates the hell out of me.  So, somehow they get inside your head, conjuring up a wicked dream.”  Gathering her close again, he tried to reassure.  “Tomorrow we’ll talk to Hortence.  She’s got to have something that will block the dreams.  I won’t give up until I find one.  I promise, Nymph.”

Resting against his chest, the vibration of his voice next to her ear as a welcome balm, Sonja closed her eyes.  Could the dreams be her anxiety manifested or the future about to play out in reality?  God, she hoped not!  Unable to stop her body’s cringe, the memory of the screams came back to her.  In the dream, Ty needed her help, yet she wasn’t able to reach him in time.

From Release Party Central!

https://www.facebook.com/events/539660382773507/

Join us on October 10th 7-9 pm CNT as we celebrate the release of Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) by Catherine Wolffe. You can read a FREE sample from The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1) at www.catherinewolffe.com.

Games and there will be a variety of prizes.