Candles on the stone walls flared up, illuminating the room. Images flashed like an old movie. A green countryside unmarred by modern industry. A man in a black robe. The green foliage, turning black as the eyes under the hood, glowed red.
She sucked in a breath, closing her eyes. “Stop it,” she whispered.
A rushing sound vibrated in her ears. When she opened her eyes, both she and her bathroom were normal. Small nicks of paint on the walls reminded her of a water-fight she’d had with her sister. “It’s stress, it must be.” Though she said the words out loud, Mara didn’t believe them. She took two pills from the medicine bottle and popped them in her mouth. The pills scratched their way down her dry throat. She put the bottle on the small counter, ignoring the shake of her hand. “Get it together, Mara. You can’t have another breakdown.” She whirled around when Natalie knocked on the door.
“Did you call me? I swore I heard someone call out,” Natalie asked.
Mara rubbed her forehead. Had she called out? “No, I’m good.”
“Okay, I will see you downstairs.” The sound of Natalie descending the stairs echoed in the loft.
Mara squinted, surveying the room as a low buzzing vibrated in her ears. Like a thousand tiny bees hummed in the distance. She bit her cheek, trying to break free of the growing sound. His voice was low. Sexy. Angry.
Adara, you have returned.
Chapter 2
Mara glanced at the ceiling, focusing on the brown watermark that had stained the plaster from a leak last year. “It’s just my imagination.”
The voice inside her head huffed. Hardly. His low tone was as sexy as it was irritated.
She focused on the male intruder in her mind. I’m not sure which is worse. An imaginary voice in my head or that he doesn’t know my name.
There was an uncomfortable pause. Your name is not Adara?
Obviously not, Einstein.
What is it? His tone was demanding and laced with curiosity.
She considered telling him, but he gave her the impression that he was used to getting what he wanted. No. You are in my head. You should already know.
You need to think your name or say it out loud.
Mara looked around the bathroom. She was having a break from reality, so why did her surroundings seem so normal? Was it her mother’s death? Her father’s? Was the stress of taking on the store too much? Had she come in contact with some rare disease that attacked her mind? Did she get the wrong mushrooms in her omelet that morning?
Stop. Your feeble excuses to explain my presence are annoying. I am not a figure of your imagination.
Yes, you are. You’re some loony tunes version of my father. I know I’ve made a mess of things since you and mom died. I’m trying to manage everything, but it’s been hard. I miss you both so much.
His voice gentled. I assure you; I am real. My name is Legion.
Butterfly wings skittered across her skin. Warm. Inviting. Powerful. Okay, Legion. Why don’t you come down to the shop and introduce yourself? We can continue this conversation in person. Her remark was snippy, but what did one expect when bickering with an imaginary friend.
She felt him moving, as if she were in the room with him. The interior of a log cabin flashed in her mind. He moved outside and the Colorado mountains fell beneath him. His vision narrowed on a large stag running through the forest as if he were a predator about to attack his prey. As far as flying dreams went. It was a good one.
Tell me where you are. He demanded.
She shook her head. You are in my mind. You should already know.
While I can tell you’re in a bathroom. I don’t know where it is located. You must think the address or tell me where you are.
Mara concentrated on the lake property her parents took her to when she was a child. The cool water as she splashed her feet at the shore. Watching the fish as they swam under the dock. Her mother’s laugh. Her father’s voice as he called her for dinner. Go away. She whispered.
When the buzzing stopped, she opened her eyes. The presence in her mind had retreated. Strained green eyes stared back at her in the mirror. She placed her hands on either side of the porcelain sink. “I’m losing it.”
Legion’s eyes blazed with gold fire as he flew over the Colorado mountains. His wings flapped at a steady stroke, sending wind rushing beneath his enormous body. He roared his frustrations, allowing the thunderous sound to echo off the mountain peaks. Adara had blocked him. Him. The most powerful dragon ever born. She hadn’t known what she was doing. Her power a mere trickle of its former glory. Yet, she had focused on a childhood memory, and he was evicted from her mind. She would pay for her insolence.
He calmed his dragon. Her emergence had woken his beast from its slumber. The gray world in which they inhabited was now vibrant and bright. The sunlight reflecting off the white peaks made him squint. He had her to thank for that, but she owed him so much more. Finding her was paramount. Conner!
His current second in command shimmered in his mind. Why are you shouting at me?
Legion was thankful he was in dragon form. His long, serrated teeth didn’t allow him human speech, so his swear words were restricted to a growl. My dragon is angry. Adara
